There are three hides that provide views overlooking different areas of the loch and a bird feeding station halfway between the Gullery and East hides, where many different types of woodland birds can be seen.

Loch of Kinnordy is a eutrophic loch which supports a number of rare species of wetland plants and migratory birds.

There are internationally important numbers of greylag geese, with 1% of the Iceland population over-wintering at the site.  Black-headed gulls, pink-footed geese, water rails and whooper swans occur in nationally important numbers, along with otters, red squirrels, butterflies and dragonflies.

The RSPB leased the site as a reserve in 1976. It was designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1985, a Ramsar Site  (a wetland of international importance) in 1994 and a Special Protection Area (SPA) the same year.