Inner Tay Estuary viridis" - a species normally found only in north-eastern North America. Scottish Natural Heritage has commissioned and published habitat survey reports for the Inner Tay Estuary. Public roads run within a few hundred metres of the both north and south shores providing easy access to view the estuary and its wildlife, though car parking is limited in many places: (south shore) Wormit, Balmerino, Newburgh, Elcho Castle; (north bank) Riverside Drive in Dundee by the railway bridge, Invergowrie, Kingoodie, Port Allen, Powgavie, Cairnie Pier; (in Perth) from both banks, the bridges, Moncreiffe Island; (in Bridge of Earn) the bridge. The minor
River Tay froze over as far as the Tay Road Bridge, and ice floes remained for weeks despite a thaw. Several places along the Tay take their names from it, or are believed to have done so: The river is of high biodiversity value and is both a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation. The SAC designation notes the river's importance for salmon ("Salmo salar"), otters ("Lutra lutra"), brook lampreys ("Lampetra planeri"), river lampreys ("Lampetra fluviatilis"), and sea lampreys ("Petromyzon marinus") . Tha Tay also maintains flagship population of Freshwater pearl mussel ("Margaritifea margaritifera"). Freshwater pearl