Â鶹Éç

The River Wye (Afon Gŵy in Welsh) is known for its stunning scenery and wildlife and is the longest river in Wales and fifth-longest in the UK. It forms part of the border between England and Wales.

For nature enthusiasts the best time to visit is between May and June. The last two weeks in May is best for viewing sea lampreys. A good place to see them in the water is from Boughrood Bridge at Llyswen.

Also look out for other fish including the river's most famous resident, the salmon as well as the lesser known but equally fascinating shad.

The Twaite shad is a species of herring which looks like a sea fish with its reflective scales, but is found on the Wye in freshwater. This fish is actually 110 miles from the sea, and it makes the journey to the Wye where it spawns for just six weeks.

The Wye is also a good place to look for birds including the dipper which loves fast flowing, shallow water and lots of boulders on which to perch.

Watch out for this entertaining bird by the river bank. It is characterised by its strange habit of bobbing up and down like it is doing a curtsy.

The Wye is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and one of the most important rivers in the UK for nature conservation. The river is largely unpolluted which makes it an incredible area for watching nature.