There are few journeys more incredible than the annual migration of birds, and the north Norfolk coast is one of the best places to see this in action. The low, creek-riddled shore is dotted with nature reserves where resident and passing birds seek sanctuary amid a watery landscape of reedbed and saltmarsh. Cley Marshes is a key site, since it’s the first landfall after the long and exhausting North Sea crossing, so rare feathered visitors are commonplace. The carefully maintained pools and scrapes are a stop-off for birds on passage between breeding grounds and wintering areas. Grey plover are heading towards Siberia, while turnstone and black-tailed godwit are making for Iceland and Greenland. Other springtime sightings might include exotic-looking avocets and spoonbills, as well as smaller waders such as ringed plover and redshank.

START Start at the main car park in Cley Next The Sea, follow the Norfolk Coast Path National Trail from the centre of the village past the converted windmill and out towards the sea along the waymarked path on top of the embankment.

1.25 MILES At the car park at the end of Beach Road, turn right and walk along the top of the giant shingle bank with the sea on your left (if the wind is too fierce there’s a path along the foot of the landward slope). At the first junction ignore the inland path to the right and continue along the shingle. The embankment was built in 1649 so that the marsh could be drained to improve the grazing. In winter, the flooded fields attract geese and ducks by the thousand.

2.75 MILES At the second junction turn right to leave the shore and, with the village of Salthouse over to your left, walk along the track to the road. Cross over and turn right on a public footpath around Walsey Hills to Snipes Marsh. From here follow the track alongside the coast road to reach Cley Marshes visitor centre.

4.25 MILES Allow some time to look around the newly opened environmentally friendly visitor centre, and perhaps follow the boardwalks out to some of the hides. If you want a helping hand there’s a free audio trail to explain why the reserve is so special – children can even get a wildlife detectives bumbag to help them learn more about some of the rarest visitors. Cley Marshes holds a special place in British ornithology, as the first reserve acquired by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust (in 1926) – which itself was the first of its kind in the country. To return to the start, resume the roadside path above the marshes back into Cley