Just as the scenes change as you walk along the river, so does the wildlife. At the river mouth, you can look across the mudflats at low tide and watch wading birds feeding, or listen out for the calls of long-tailed duck and eider during the spring. Up to 200 mute swans gather here in the mid-summer and early autumn to moult. In the town, there are typical riverside birds such as mallard and swan. But look out also for grey wagtails running along the walls or swallows, house martins and swifts hunting for insects above the river.

The Grove in spring is heavily scented with garlic. The woodland floor being covered with wild garlic, garlic mustard and few-flowered leek. Old willows twist and turn their way toward the sky along the banks. Not only are they spectacular to look at, but they also perform a useful task, helping to hold the riverbank together against the scouring effect of the river. Some of the younger willows here have been planted for this purpose.

Kingfishers have nested in the western bank of the river along the Grove, and are often seen in winter exploring this part of the river. Dippers nest under the bridges, and herons stalk their fish prey in the quieter pools. You may be lucky enough to see salmon leaping up the ladder at the old weir, or if you are really lucky, an otter. Although they are very shy, otters have been seen here with increasing regularity, whilst mink, once a common sight, are becoming increasingly rare.