Birdwatching at the Basin is always rewarding but some planning is required to be in the right place at the right time and that is governed by the state of the tide. The table below shows the various places around the Basin and the best time to be there. Access points are described on the Reserve page.
| Site | Best time | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor Centre | Low Tide | More accurately two hours after high tide to two hours before the next high tide. There are plenty of activities within the Centre to amuse the whole family at high tide including a camera that shows one of the high tide roosts. |
| Wigeon Hide | High Tide | Be there at least one hour before high tide to see the birds pushed up close. |
| Rossie Island | Low Tide | Park in the car park next to the sailing club and survey the Basin mud banks with a telescope. |
| Railway Station | Low Tide | From the bridge between the platforms you get a good view of the waders and ducks in the channels of the Tayock burn and the South Esk. |
| Footbridge | Low Tide | A view over the Tayock burn and the best place to see pink-footed geese at dawn as they flight off to the fields to feed. |
| Old Montrose Pier and Lurgies | Any time | Birds can be a long way away at low tide but the river usually hosts something of interest. Look out for seals and otters. The lurgies (a reedbed/marsh) and surrounding woodland can provide the the usual birds for those habitats. |
| Shelduck Hide | Any Time | Good views of the river, and flooded wader and duck breeding areas. |