Minutes
KOS
Conservation and Surveys Committee
Meeting 14th April 2004 at Dungeness RSPB Visitor Centre
Present:
S Busuttil
(chair), M Coath, P Chantler, O Sweeny, M Ellison, R Clements, R McCanch,
B Watmough, R Smith, T Hodge
Apologies: None
Guests: Richard Moyse (KWT), Robin Mace (KOS)
1. Minutes of last
meeting
Agreed to be correct
2. Matters arising
-
Leybourne Lakes report produced. KOS paid. No report
due next year
-
KOS and gamekeepers - no further contact. BRC are going to concentrate
on mink initially
- Sand martin survey – cancelled for this year
3. KOS and KWT
The Committee welcomed Richard Moyse from KWT. Richard
updated us on the Revision of SNCI criteria and introduced consultation
draft;
Action: RM to cc e-version to Committee members and Andrew Henderson on
reply.
For birds, SNCI’s have to date been pretty ad hoc. Criteria for
SNCI’s are largely habitat based and species-based criteria have
not been used before. A Steering Group is likely to be set up. This can
then look at recommended sites. These can be recommended by KOS (or indeed
anyone else). KOS can advise on these. RM brought us up to date on the
process and the expectation of where it is going. It is hoped that new
planning guidance will include some measure of protection for SNCI’s.
KOS can make a strong contribution to the process. Here is now a need
to test sites against the criteria. Boundaries of sites will be an issue.
There would be no problem in KOS promoting the SNCI spreadsheet tool elsewhere
e.g. to other bird clubs though the Committee agreed to leave this until
we have tried it in Kent.
RM informed us that the Kent Biodiversity Action Plan being revised (KCC
lead Vanessa Scott). Each chapter will be “owned” by a lead
partner. The Biodiversity Partnership will decide content.
Action: SB to contact V Scott to get an invite for KOS to the partnership.
Action: RM to contact V Scott to back KOS claim Likely birds to be included
will be nightingale and marsh warbler.
RM pointed out how often planners etc look at County BAP before National
BAP and that this is a useful document to influence.
Thames Gateway – RM reports developers and consultants are not aware
of conservation interest of the area. What are the bird priorities for
the area (outside known sites)? There is more difficulty in KOS helping
here. The priority for using the SNCI mechanism described above is probably
within Thames Gateway Area. Suggestion of low maintenance islands, scrubby
areas etc is best way forward rather than management for species such
as little ringed plover which will just not be maintained.
Action: RM to send us plan of area for further consideration.
Regional Park – RM reported that LDA are carrying out consultancy.
KOS need to input when consulted as it is likely to be urban orientated
with a limited understanding of “landscape”. We need to sell
the natural landscape ideal.
The Committee raised the point that KOS have some knowledge and expertise
that could contribute to management planning on new or existing reserves
for KWT e.g. W Blean and Thornden.
Action: RM to let J Mc Allister know that KOS are happy to contribute
to Management Committees etc
The Committee thanked Richard for a very useful session.
4. KOS Website
Robin Mace is currently helping C Abrams with putting items
on the Website. It is not complete but live. This includes the C&S
Committee page. Items are to be added over the next few months. Robin
will help with adding C&S items in future. A couple of brief CV’s
are still needed from Committee members.
Action: send CV’s to SB
5. Update on surveys
W Blean and Thornden. The difficulties of surveying such
a large site were highlighted e.g. Tim has 170 ha - Owen S and Norman
M offered to help.
Action: Surveyors to contact them directly if they need help.
Transects should be optional. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker’s are probably
the best records to date. It was noted how few Nuthatches are being recorded.
C Hindle has volunteered to do the Nightjar survey for BTO/RSPB.
Action: SB to talk to CH; Committee will need to extract data from his
nightjar forms on those and other species to contribute to report for
KWT.
Stour valley - bitterns. The Committee’s offer of help with this
appears to have stimulated good coverage and a boomer has been recorded
on site. The recent record of 20 seen at Stodmarsh was discussed
BBS – MC reported all but 5 sites filled – much as normal
Nightjars – MC reported that the BTO had requested new sites. Some
sites still left.
Action: MC to put item on KOSNET
Gull survey: MC reported good coverage but disappointing results
6. 10km stewards and forthcoming Atlas
This item to be carried forward. The general view was that
the system not working as well as it might due at least in part to it
being superseded by KOSNET as a means of communication and neglected by
us.
7. Improved monitoring and reporting of RBBP
TH still following up an offer of help with this.
8. Publicity of rare breeding birds in Kent
The Committee discussed the publicity given to breeding
birds on National bird information services. It was agreed that the national
situation that has regional impact – for both rarities and breeding
birds. The fact that BirdLine South East were very good at not publicising
sensitive information was noted. The Committee felt that e.g. no Savi’s
or marsh warblers in spring should be publicised. Committee thought that
National Guidelines were being worked up by RSPB etc
Action: SB to check on whether National Guidelines are
being or have been worked up,
9. Terms of Reference or Constitution for C&S Committee
This was discussed. The main questions – is it for
our benefit? Or KOS members? Or The Charities Commission? Committee decided
that there was no need for this.
10. C&S Report for AGM
Discussed v briefly and agreed
11 External invitees
Committee agreed that we should continue to invite external
invitees to our meetings e.g. Kent BRC, EA, FE and EN.
Action: SB
12 AOB
Surveys – TH raised the point that there is a need
to get survey data onto the KOS database and that this was especially
true of committee members.
Action: all
WeBS – TH reported that problems in getting data from counters especially
from N Kent are feeding in to delays in KBR.
Action: SB to follow up. WeBS to be discussed at next meeting.
Next Meeting
Thursday 2nd September 19:30. Venue t.b.a. but hopefully
Tyland Barn (SB to arrange)
