From woodland walks to sunny strolls, the Wye Valley has so much nature to explore. Known for its natural beauty, the valley is a perfect place to spend summer months and wintery walks. Home to the fourth-longest river in the UK, Wye Valley is teeming with nature and is considered a Special Area of Conservation. It functions as an integral part of UK ecosystems whilst also being incredibly stunning. The listed wildlife can be spotted all year round and helps us connect more with nature. Spending time in nature also has proven mental and physical health benefits.
Bluebells
There’s nothing quite like basking in the carpets that bluebells provide. Lighting up the autumnal woodland, bluebells make an impressive appearance in the Wye Valley woodland. Alongside the blossoms, it means there are beautiful arrays of colour all year round.
Asperula-Fagetum Beech
Be sure to visit the incredibly rare beech trees primarily found in the Wye Valley and seldom seen across the entire UK. Their outstanding presence contributes to the scientific interest of the region.
Lesser Horseshoe Bat
Summer is the best time to spot a Lesser Horseshoe Bat. The bats are one of the smallest species in the UK and are often found in old buildings and sheltered valleys. Happy to make the Wye Valley their home, the bats depend on the protected nature corridors in the area.
Wye salmon
It is no surprise that the famous salmon is on the list. Year after year, salmon swim thousands of miles to the River Wye to breed. The River Wye is considered to be one of the finest salmon rivers in Britain. Multiple organisations are working to protect the salmon and their habitats for future generations.
Beavers
Beavers had been extinct in Britain for around 500 years, but they have recently been reintroduced in the Wye Valley. It is thought the beavers will help improve the area’s biodiversity and protect it against severe flooding. Known as ‘ecosystem engineers’, it is likely you could spot their handiwork even if you can’t find them.
Kingfisher
The unmistakable riverside bird needs little introduction. The metallic colours and gorgeous allure of a kingfisher are known to draw in many bird spotters. Located all along the River Wye, the hunt for a kingfisher also entails a beautiful walk along the river. They can be found all year round and barely leave their territory.
Water Voles
Another river-loving creature can be found along the River Wye. In fact, water voles are Britain’s fastest declining wild mammal due to habitat loss and American minks. This sparked AONB’s ‘Water voles on the Wye’ project that seeks to protect the declining species.
Red Deer
Whilst deer may be commonplace across the UK, Britain’s largest native land mammal is one of the most difficult to spot. Only found on the Welsh side of the Wye Valley, the red deer can be sighted in woodland areas. These have unfortunately declined across the UK.
Whether in the summer sun or autumnal rain, there is an abundance of wildlife to admire in the Wye Valley and surrounding areas.
