Minutes 12th June 2004

Barry Wright (in the chair), Gordon Allison, Jon Braggs, Geoff Burton, Martin Coath, Tim Hodge, Nigel Jarman, Richard Jenkinson, Robin Mace, Ian Roberts, Don Taylor and Ken Lodge.

New Recorder for North (Thames/Medway) - Derek Tutt has agreed to take over this role. Tim to install Cobra on both Derek’s and Jack’s computers. (Jack has recently taken over as Recorder for East).

Pending list of species - Barry has compiled a list of sightings for which descriptions are still awaited. He will cross-check it with Tim’s database before it goes onto the website.

Blackburnian Warbler - Barry has e-mailed Colin Bradshaw to obtain the views of BBRC.

Online data entry - Tim suggested that, before we spend time and money evolving our own system, we await the introduction of the BTO’s “Birdtrack”, due within the next few months. If that is successful, and the KOS participate, we will be able to extract Kent data from it. Chris and Robin have ideas for a KOS system if “Birdtrack” should prove unsuitable.

Membership Questionnaire - Agreed that Annie’s draft be quickly circulated for comment via ComKOS.

Red-footed Falcon	Lydd Ranges	12 May 2001
Ferruginous Duck	New Hythe	19 Dec. 2003
Greenish Warbler	Reculver	26 Aug. 2003

The record of a Caspian Gull at Oare Marshes on 10.2.2004 is pended awaiting decisions by BBRC on many previous records.

The current site was examined and several amendments proposed. These included the possible use of a “search button”, the change of the descriptions data from a table to a graph and the archive retention of previous Minutes and other data. Robin took detailed notes and will implement the suggested changes.

Noted the Editor’s wish to build up a reserve of appropriate articles and suggested that members submit “best birding days” etc. There is also an opportunity for Recorders to ‘advertise’ some of the less popular sites in their areas which merit visiting.

Willow Tit is now very rare in the county (maybe only one breeding pair) and Michael Walter advises that the last sighting in Church Wood was in 1996. Phil Chantler has suggested an ‘id’ article for the Newsletter and which he is happy to write.

With Goshawk, although few descriptions are being received, it is suggested that a Newsletter article also be written regarding this species at some later date.

See Jon’s Editorial Progress Report, dated 12th June 2004, circulated prior to the meeting.

The price of the 2001 Report was discussed and the various options will be voted upon by the Exec.

Agreed that the new BOU order will be used for the 2002 Report but that we continue to use the BB ‘common names’ for the present. Tim is hopeful of distributing all 2002 records to writers before the end of June. If Jon’s deadline for the species accounts to be written by the end of July is met, we will have taken a big step towards getting the KBR back on track.

Tim Inskipp has agreed to write-up his Fea’s/Zino’s Petrel sighting for the 2002 KBR. The Water Rail survey results will be written up for the 2003 KBR.

Eastern Black Redstart - BOURC have commented that it could be a hybrid Common Redstart and are taking no further action.

Planet Thanet - Dylan Wrathall is happy for the KOS to extract records from this website but he will not be sending records in directly. Jack to action when he has Cobra installed.

Reculver - Tim advised that the Oyster Farm is to be extended and that the owner has been contacted to see if it would be possible to incorporate a Scrape or make other bird habitat improvement(s). Discussions are continuing and the Exec will be asked to consider a contribution, if appropriate.

Contributions - Agreed that mention should be made on the website and in the Newsletter re the monetary contributions made, or to be made, re the Capel Fleet ramp and the Oare Marshes improvements.

The next scheduled meeting will be at 4pm on 11th September 2004. Venue to be agreed.