More than 45,000 pink-footed geese have fled Montrose Basin in Angus after fireworks were let off within the reserve.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust received several reports about the pyrotechnic devices, with discarded fireworks found on the edge of the basin.

Members of the public are being urged not to let off fireworks near important areas for wildlife after geese numbers dropped from more than 90,000 last week to 42,840 on Sunday.

Montrose Basin ranger Anna Cheshier said: "Once the fireworks started, geese numbers went down drastically and much faster than usual.

"We would normally expect their numbers to remain higher for at least a few days but because the noise started on nights with strong moonlight the geese would have been encouraged to move on by the disturbance."

Tens of thousands of the animals arrive at the reserve every autumn after a 1200km migration, with many moving further south to estuaries on the east coast of England after stopping for a few days' rest.

Ms Cheshier added: "The geese use Montrose Basin a bit like a motorway service station. It's the first suitable roosting site they arrive at on their migration south from Iceland and Greenland.

"Even though it is really disappointing that numbers have dropped so quickly due to the fireworks, 40,000 pink-footed geese is still an awe-inspiring sight.

"It's well worth a visit in the next couple of weeks to watch them before their numbers dip further."