Cley New Cut

We are undertaking major work at Cley, to help the reserve and its wildlife adapt to rising sea levels and protect its freshwater habitats for as long as possible. In previous winter storms, huge volumes of shingle have been pushed by waves onto the reserve and the New Cut has increasingly become blocked with shingle in one vulnerable location.  

The New Cut is the drain on the north side of the reserve which essentially marks the boundary between brackish and saline habitats to the north and freshwater habitats to the south. It is important for the longevity of the reserve’s freshwater habitats that the New Cut remains clear, and able to drain saltwater from the reserve during storm events, for as long as possible. 

A key part of this project will see the most vulnerable section of the New Cut moved to the south, making it far less likely to become filled with shingle.  

The North Scrape, beloved of winter waterfowl and waders, will also be reprofiled. And an area of reedbed will be rejuvenated by the addition of meandering freshwater channels, accompanied by water control structures and sophisticated equipment to monitor water levels, salinity and contamination. These channels will serve as secluded hunting habitat for bitterns and other reedbed species and crucially, they will also increase the speed at which we can remove saltwater from the marsh in future storms.  

We are also installing a new hide on wheels, overlooking the North Scrape, which can be towed to the safety of higher ground when a major storm is forecast.  

This project has been funded by the Environment Agency Eastern Regional Flood and Coastal Committee and through generous donations by NWT supporters, including Cley Bird Club and the family of Robert Gillmor.

There will be no limitations to access to the reserve following the work.  

On completion of the project, we are delighted to be able to offer access to a new wildlife hide that will provide unrivalled views of the North Scrape.

It is very hard to predict the impacts of climate change, however based on modeling provided by the Environment Agency we anticipate that realigning the New Cut will put Cley in a better position to adapt to the ongoing impacts of climate change and protect the site’s freshwater habitat for decades to come.

The area of the New Cut that we are realigning is the only section that is currently under threat from shingle blockage. All the other sections are not under immediate threat and if we moved the whole drain further inland now, we would be reducing the area of freshwater habitat on the reserve prematurely.