Montrose Golf Links : A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

At Montrose Golf Links our aim is to maintain the golf courses to the highest standards and in keeping with the traditions of links golf. We try to manage the links in an environmentally and wildlife friendly manner while staying true to the origins of links golf at Montrose.

The history and ecology of the links are two important elements we felt could be highlighted better. In 2007 it was decided that two large display boards, one depicting the history and the other the ecology, would be designed.The Greens Convenor at the time, Morag Boyd, together with the then Course Manager Richard Cutler and myself worked together at producing the final designs. These were erected and sited next to the pro shop, overlooking the main road, this enables both golfers and the general public a chance to view them.

History board

Ecology board

At this time an additionional 13 smaller plaques were produced and sited around the two courses. These were fixed to old yardage stones that had been previously removed from the tees. Four of these can be seen below.

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The Wheatear

Among the first of the summer migrants these birds arrive from Africa around early April and stay with us until September. This striking bird can occasionally be seen on the golf courses but is more often seen out at the turf nursery beside the old airfield. The male bird has grey upper parts, black mask and wings. The black tail with white sides show a bold 'T' pattern. It nests in holes in the ground, in walls and often old rabbit burrows. The breeding season is between early May and late June. The nest usually comprises of 6 pale blue eggs

photo showing the wheatears distinctive black tail

and white sides
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The Crow family

There are three members of the crow family that can often be seen on the links:- the Carrion Crow, the Jackdaw and the Rook. All three spend a lot of time foraging for grubs and other insects in the rough and on the fairways of both courses. Of the three, only the Carrion Crow nests on the links. This year there are at least four nesting pairs on the two courses one of which can be seen in the willow trees between the 15th Medal and 4th Broomfield fairways. All three pictures below were taken next the 15th Medal Fairway where the birds have been spending a lot of time pecking about looking for Leatherjackets ( the grub stage of the Cranefly, better known as the Daddy long-legs ).

Carrion Crow
Often quite solitary birds though they can be seen feeding in
groups. They nest in trees between March and July laying 4-6
eggs.

Carrion Crow nest close to the 8th Medal tee.

Rook
These birds often look a bit scruffy with a bare area at the base
of the beak. They are normally seen in larger groups and will
often nest together in trees in large numbers called rookeries.
They lay 3-6 eggs between March and June.

Jackdaw
The smallest of the three, the body is greyer than the others
and it has a jet black cap. They nest in holes in trees, buildings
and old chimneys. They lay 4-6 eggs between April and July.
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A few of the other birds photographed on the courses this
month are pictured below.

Yellowhammer
These colourful birds can be seen all over the Links. This one was
sitting at the top of a gorse bush next to the 5th Medal tee.

Wood Pigeon
A common bird regularly seen on the links

Chaffinch

pictured early one morning, singing from the top a bush on the

Broomfield course.

Swallows

Sitting on top of the greenkeepers sheds. Every morning, as soon

the main doors are opened, they fly in and continue to do so all

day. Unfortunately due the motion sensor security system we

have to make sure they are kept out overnight otherwise I am

sure they would have nested on one of the overhead beams.

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Roe Deer

Roe deer can often be seen on the courses. These two can be seen
crossing the 17th Broomfield fairway. There have been recent sightings
of very young fawns close to the 13th Medal fairway.