Birds

A selection of books associated with Kent’s birds.

Alexander, HG (1974) Seventy Years of Birdwatching T & AD Poyser
Dungeness was almost as uninhabited as the moon when Alexander first knew it and Kentish Plovers bred there by the score. This book provides a fascinating insight into birding during the first half of the last century.

Harrison, James H (1968) Bristow and the Hastings Rarities Affair Harrison
This book is one the author felt compelled to write in order to put further facts and views on record and as His Honour Judge Donald Summer says in his Foreword, “All who thrill to controversy and are inspired by someone rallying to the cause of a departed friend will find this book as fascinating as I did…..It is an important work. It is very good reading”.

Harrison, Jeffery (1967) A Wealth of Wildfowl Andre Deutsch
Jeffery Harrison’s book is an account from the front line of wildfowl conservation. Jeffery was a scientist as well as a wildfowler – and a former President of the KOS – and writes not only of what was known but what can be done.

Harrison, Jeffery & Grant, Peter (1976) The Thames Transformed – London’s River & its Waterfowl Andre Deutsch
The story of a unique British success in wildlife conservation. In the 1950s and 60s the Thames was as dirty and polluted as any great industrial river in the world. By the mid 1970s, the water had been restored and both birds and fish had returned to the river in astonishing numbers – even to the heart of London.

Oliver, Peter (1991) Bird Watching on the North Kent Marshes Oliver
Not since Gillham and Homes’ classic forty years earlier have the birds of this marvellous area been the exclusive subject of a comprehensive review. Peter Oliver, who has watched on these marshes for over 40 years, brings to life and reveals the international importance of this district and its birds.

Taylor, DW, Davenport, DL & Flegg, JJM (1981) Birds of Kent KOS (2nd edition published by Meresborough Books in 1985)
Provided a much needed review of the status and distribution of all 348 species on the county list (over 400 now), analysing 25 years of the Kent Ornithological Society records from 1952-76, with an historical summary making comparison with Ticehurst (1909) and Harrison (1953).

Taylor, Don (1996) Birding in Kent. Pica Press
A handy companion for all birdwatchers with an interest in Kent’s birds. Its chapters include highly personal and enthusiastic accounts of the author’s local patch study, bird races and year listing, as well as a systematic list which includes weekly bar charts for most species, showing at a glance when you are most likely to find a particular bird.

Taylor, Don, Wheatley, Jeffery & James, Paul (2003) Where to Watch Birds in Kent, Surrey and Sussex. Helm
The fourth edition of this essential guide to finding birds in Kent, Surrey and Sussex covers over 40 sites in detail, with much improved maps. A systematic list has notes on each species’ status with some site references. The high standard of production and attractive line-drawings make this a nice book to browse. It is also highly readable and packed full of up-to-date information.

The Kent Breeding Bird Atlas, 1988-94. Edited by Andrew Henderson & Tim Hodge
Published in the Kent Bird Report for 1996 (see KOS publications).

Other Wildlife

A Naturalist's Year in the North and South Downs by John S Burton

A season-by-season guide to the wildlife of the North and South Downs of England, complete with details of conservation areas and an illustrated gazetteer of sites of particular interest and nature reserves.

An Inventory of UK Estuaries, Volume 6: Southern England by AL Buck

The Thames Estuary, Its Environment and Ecology Edited by MJ Attrill and MW Frett

Presents several case studies, covering the historical and current management of the Thames and synthesising recent findings for algal, zooplankton and other macrofaunal communities.

An Atlas of the Seaweeds of Kent by Ian Tittley and James Price

A comprehensive account of the seaweed flora of a county in the UK. Includes a general review of status, factors limiting distribution, an account of new and invading species, and distribution maps. In all 200 species are covered.

The Kent Red Data Book: a provisional guide to the rare and threatened flora and fauna of Kent. (2000) Edited by Anne Waite.

Published by Kent County Council (Entries for birds compiled by KOS; available from Kent County Council or Kent Wildlife Trust)

The Natural History of a Country Estate: Wye College, Kent Edited by TA Watt and GP Chapman

The large Wye College Estate comprises substantial areas of semi-natural habitats and formal gardens as well as a variety of farm and horticultural enterprises. It forms a setting for the interaction between agriculture and conservation, ecology and the environment. This book describes the Estate's varied landscapes and uses.

Atlas of the Kent Flora by Eric G Philp

The Butterflies of Kent An Atlas of their Distribution by Eric G Philp

The Fungi of Bedgebury Pinetum Edited by Jo Weightman

Contains an article on the Pinetum and Bedgebury Forest, probably the richest site for fungi in England, there are other essays which cover other aspects of the Kent flora and fauna.

The Bats of Kent Their Status and Distribution by PC Heathcote and P Heathcote

First comprehensive account of the county's bat fauna.

Dungeness: A Vegetation Survey of a Shingle Beach by B Ferry, N Lodge and S Waters

Erosion and Vegetation Change on the Saltmarshes of Essex and North Kent Between 1973 and 1988

Further information about any of these books, including purchasing information, may be found at the Natural History Book Service online Web site.