Abstract

To celebrate the 90th anniversary of Norfolk Wildlife Trust (formerly the Norfolk Naturalists' Trust), this article explores the iconic bird reserve that was its first land purchase, in 1926. Most birdwatchers in Britain have made the pilgrimage to Cley at some point; its geographical position and variety of habitats have attracted a host of rare and scarce species, as well as important populations of more regularly occurring coastal and wetland birds. This article summarises the reserve's history and some of the key figures in its development; the management of the reserve over its lifespan and the associated environmental challenges; and, most importantly, its birds.