Welcome to the KOS website! To view the site in a larger font in Internet Explorer simply click View, then Text Size and select your preference. The website is now maintained by several people and is likely to change on a daily basis. Details of those changes are documented here. If you have information which you'd like to send us you will be able to find details of who to contact by clicking the following link:

Website Contacts

Updates are made daily to the Latest Sightings pages and are not published on this page.

Update 15th May

Photo Gallery

A record shot of the Collared Pratincole by Barry Wright has been added to the scarce bird gallery. It can be viewed here.

Update 14th May

Photo Gallery

Seven new pictures have been added to the common bird gallery this evening. They can be viewed by clicking here.

Update 10th May
Photo Gallery
A Corn Bunting picture has been added to the common bird gallery, and can be viewed by clicking here.

Update 6th May
Best Birding Days

Don Taylor's report of a successful 'Big Sit' at Cliffe on Sunday 4th May can be read by clicking here.

Update 4th May
Photo Galleries
New photos from David Gardiner and Gavin Coultrip have been added today. A Black-Winged stilt has been added to the Rarity Gallery and can be viewed by clicking here, with Common Whitethroat, Wheatear and Corn Bunting new to the Common Bird Gallery. These can be viewed by clicking here.

Update 2nd May

Trip Reports

Eustace Barnes recently returned from leading a very memorable trip to Bhutan, the Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon. His fascinating trip report and species list are both lavishly illustrated by the excellent photographers who accompanied him. You can read the report which, due to length and number of photos has been divided into 4 parts, by clicking here.

Update 27th April

Photo Gallery

2 new photos, a Garden Warbler by Allan Ashdown, and a Canada Goose by Mike Gould have been added to the common bird gallery and they can be viewed by clicking here.

Update 25th April

Photo Gallery

Photos of a Purple Heron have been added to the scarce bird gallery today. They can be viewed by clicking here.

Update 24th April

Photo Gallery

4 new photos have been added to the common bird gallery today. They can be viewed by clicking here.

Update 23rd April

Trip Reports
I have added a trip report by Neil Frampton about a trip he made last year to Cyprus. It wasn't a dedicated birding trip but he did encounter some flagrant breaching of EU law with regard to bird crime. That this still goes on unpunished is appalling! At the end of the report I have added a link to Birdlife Cyprus, a society which is bravely trying to counter the appalling actions of, sadly, quite a few individuals who obviously love a world without birdsong! You can read Neil's report by clicking here.

2 new photo's have been added to the common bird gallery this evening, a Chiffchaff, and a Great Crested Grebe. these can be viewed by clicking here.

Update 20th April

Photo Gallery

A smart Common Tern by Terry Laws has been added to the Common bird gallery which can be viewed by clicking here.

Trip Reports

Don Taylor has been pursuing his quest to see all the waders in the world. He has just returned from an expedition to see Amami Woodcock. You can read his illustrated account and found out how successful he was by clicking here.

Update 19th April

Photo Gallery

2 new photos have been added to the galleries today, an adult Common Crane by James Hunter which was at Cliffe RSPB today and a pair of courting Redshanks by Chris Bond from Elmley RSPB.

Update 18th April

Photo Gallery

3 new photos have been added to the Common bird gallery, Blue Tit, Coal Tit and Nightingale. They can be viewed by clicking here.

Update 17th April

Photo Gallery

4 new photos have been added to the common bird gallery, including a splendid Sparrowhawk from Tim Hodge. They can be viewed by clicking here.

Update 16th April

Photo Gallery

Thankyou for bearing with us over the last few weeks, while Marc and I have been bought up to speed with the gallery editing procedures. 2 new photos have been added today, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, from Mike Gould, and a smart looking Firecrest from Chris Bond. They can be viewed by clicking here.

Update 15th April

Photo Gallery

2 new photos have been added to the scarce birds page, an excellent image of the Dungeness Dark eyed Junco by Mike Gould and the Dungeness Bluethroat taken by Marc Heath. Both can be viewed by clicking here.

Announcement

There have been few updates on the site recently apart, obviously, from Latest Sightings as both Robin Mace and myself have been away. In addition, due to work pressures, Mike Buckland has recently stood down as photographic editor of the site. Many thanks are due to him for all that he has done over the last few years! His place is being taken by Steve Ashton and Marc Heath. Exciting new changes are underway for the photographic section of the site and all should be in place within the next few weeks. There is a new title page being prepared which should make navigation of the site much easier and photographers will get a chance to have their photo named as Photo of the Month. The winning photo will then grace the title page for a month. Watch this space!

Update 14th April

Trip Reports

Ray O'Reilly has just returned from a winter birding trip to Japan. His trip report has certainly whetted my appetite to go there! You may read his fascinating account by clicking here.

Update 19th March

Executive Committee

Minutes of the KOS Executive Committee Meeting of 28th February 2008 at St.Margarets have been published on this site. You can read the minutes by clicking here.

Update 12th March
Latest sightings

Paul Larkin has kindly produced a map of Cliffe (on the Hoo Peninsula) and it can be viewed here.  You'll have no excuse for not being able to find the 'Hidden Pool'!

Update 10th March

Trip Reports

I have today added a new trip report to the Asian section of the Trip Reports. It details an exciting trip to Chambal, India last October by David Newman. You can read the report by clicking here.

Update 9th March

Indoor Meeting

The AGM will be held on Thursday 10th April  2008. It will be followed by three short talks of about 20 minutes each given by members. A digital projector will be available. Any other members willing to give a short talk on their local patch, or any other subject, please contact Derek Jackson on 01622 679 913

Update 8th March

Information

This site was designed for use with Internet Explorer. Those of you viewing the site on Firefox or Safari might wonder why the borders for photos are respectively purple and blue! It looks ridiculous! If you view the site in Explorer you will see the site as it was designed with green borders to the photos. Does anyone out there know how to correct this anomoly, please? It has us scratching our heads for a solution.

We are currently redesigning the title page of the site to make it easier to navigate. We have nearly achieved all the changes I wish to implement and the new look should be up and running soon. If, however, you have any suggestions as to how the current site might be improved please contact me by clicking here.

Update 17th February

Latest Sightings

James Hunter's blog has been added here and it can also be accessed via the Latest Sightings page.

Update 16th February

Latest Sightings

Another new blog has been added. This one is by Benjamin Young. He is a young Kent birder who has taken some excellent bird photographs which he shares on his blog. He hopes his blog will inspire other young Kent birders. Please click here to view his blog which can be later accessed under the Various Sites Blogs section on the Latest Sightings page.

Update 10th February

Latest Sightings

I have just added Steve Ashton's Bird Photography blog to the Latest Sightings' Blogs section of the website. Steve, as you will see, is a very talented and patient bird photographer who visits various sites in Kent to pursue his hobby carrying much more equipment than most of us would! Click here to view his blog which can then be accessed from the Latest Sightings page.

I have also added Barry Wright's blog about Birding in North Kent and further afield to the Blogs section of the Latest Sightings page.Please check out his blog by clicking here.

Update 9th February

Photo Galleries

A number of updates to the galleries from January and early February.  Many thanks to Gerald Segelbacher, Barry Wright and Mike Gould for their excellent photographs.  Common Bird Gallery here and Scarce Bird Gallery here.

I have also uploaded two shots, in colour, of the Swainson's Thrush at Sandwich Bay in October 1976 to the Archive, here.  Thanks to John van der Dol for providing these historic images.

Update 31st January

Best Birding Days

Nigel Jarman, Brendan Ryan & Julian Russell report on their visit across the Channel to see the Wallcreeper currently to be found on the cliffs north of Boulogne - see here.

Update 26th January
Trip Reports

To escape the winter blues read about our President's enjoyable week in Madeira by clicking here, or go to Trip Reports and Europe for this and other entertaining tales.

Update 16th January
Latest Sightings

I am delighted to be able to announce that the RSPB Dungeness site is up and running again after a few months of problems.

Update 13th January
Photo Gallery

The 2007 Photo Galleries have been archived and can be found by following the links to the relevant Archive Gallery.  Two new 2008 Galleries have now been created, so please continue to send high-quality images of common birds and any images of scarce and rare birds taken in the county.  Enjoy viewing the images here.

Update 2nd January
Newsletter News

Take a sneak preview of the cover of the forthcoming KOS newsletter by clicking here.

Update 29th December
Photo Gallery

A few last images to round off the year: some smart Brambling at Bough Beech, plus a trio of winter visitors at Dungeness (Smew, Goosander and Red-necked Grebe) all taken by Chris Bond, and an immature Common Scoter at Warden Point by a new contributor Gavin Coultrip.  Many thanks to all of the photographers who have so generously provided their wonderful images through 2007.  Happy New Year!

Also updated are two shots of the Purple Heron at Bough Beech in April 2006.

Update 26th December
Kentish Wildlife

The Kentish Wildlife site has been updated with some photographs of a Water Vole that I took at New Hythe this afternoon. Please view the changes by clicking here.

Update 16th December

Trip Reports

I have today added an excellent trip report from Ray O'Reilly about his fascinating trip to a seldom visited part of Eastern Russia which he calls 'Cruising the Ring of Fire'. Please click here to view. The second part of his trip is to to Japan's winter wonderland and that follows next year!

Update 10th December

Latest Sightings

I am pleased to say that as Gordon Allison has now returned from sabbatical leave, the Northward Hill site is now up and running again. As Gordon also runs the Elmley site, that site too should be up and running again soon.

Update 1st December

Photo Gallery

Another garden Woodcock in Chestfield, a super first-winter Glaucous Gull at St Margaret's, and the long-staying Grey Phalarope at Elmley added to the Scarce Gallery; Brambling and Grey Heron to the Common Gallery.

Update 27th November

Kent Listers

The list has been updated up to 31st October 2007.

Update 12th November

Photo Gallery

Some excellent early November photos including on the Scarce Bird Gallery several Little Auks from the weekend invasion, a juv Pomarine Skua and a Leach's Petrel, plus a smart Woodcock in a Maidstone garden and a few additions to the Common Bird Gallery.

Update 11th November

Reculver Website

The Reculver website is up and running again after Chris Hindle's return from 2 weeks birding in Namibia.

Update 10th November
Announcement

BTO are collecting data for a new Atlas. Everyone is invited to help. See how you can participate in this important project by clicking here. This is your chance to get involved in probably the most important bird project for a decade.

Update 5th November
Trip Reports

Don Taylor recently visited The Algarve in Portugal. Read his illustrated account of his fascinating trip by clicking here.

Update 2nd November
Kentish Wildlife

The Kentish Wildlife site has been updated with some photographs of fungi taken by Don Taylor. Please view the changes by clicking here.

Photo Gallery

I have corrected the credit for the flight shot of the Cattle Egret at Grove Ferry in July.  Apologies to Martyn Wilson who took the photo.

Update 29th October
Kentish Wildlife

The Kentish Wildlife site has been updated with some photographs of fungi. Not all have been identified yet but I thought I would include them as now is a good time for them to be seen. Please view the changes by clicking here.

Update 29th October
Latest Sightings

Apologies! There are some technical problems with the Reculver site. Hopefully, normal service will be resumed soon.

Update 28th October
Photo Gallery
After Reculver's mid-week purple patch a series of new photos have been added to the Photo Galleries - a real demonstration of the capabilities of modern digital cameras in the incredibly dull conditions.  Yellow-browed, Pallas's and Dusky Warblers, Bluethroat, Great-grey Shrike and a very obliging Rough-legged Buzzard now on the Scarce Page and two different Northern Wheatear on the Common Bird page.

Update 24th October
Latest Sightings
I have just added two excellent new blogs to the Latest Sightings page. These can be found under the subtitle Blogs at the bottom of that page. The two new blogs are Warren Baker's Pittswood, Hadlow blog and Adam Whitehouse's Barming/Ditton/East Malling blog.

Kentish Wildlife

Apologies! When published yesterday the link below took you to July-September wildlife sightings. I have now amended the link. PLease click on the word 'here' in the update below to see the new photographs.

Update 23rd October
Kentish Wildlife

The Kentish Wildlife site has been updated with additional photographs. Please view the changes by clicking here.

Update 19th October

Photo Gallery

Update 16th October

Best Birding Days

This year's Bird Watcher's Digest International 'Big Sit' was held on 14th October. Read the Cliff Birders story by clicking here.

Kentish Wildlife

The Kentish Wildlife site has been updated with additional photographs. Please view the changes by clicking here.

Update 14th October

Latest Sightings

Apologies: There will be no updates on the Elmley site or on the Northward Hill site until mid-November as Gordon Allison, the North Kent Marshes Warden will be on sabbatical leave. Normal service will then be resumed.

Andy Lawson is also not around until 20th October. He is still requesting that you email him your sightings for North and West Kent and Sheppey so that he can update the site on his return.

The Dungeness RSPB website has not been updated for a couple of months. This is because of a sotware issue. I am hoping that this problem can be overcome. In the meantime I have removed the Latest Sightings button from that site until the situation is resolved.

Further to several comments I have received, I have decided to move all the Blogs further down the Latest Sightings page so they are all together at the end. This applies to Mote Park, New Hythe and St Margarets.

Update 13th October

Outdoor Meetings

The Outdoor Meetings Programme 2007/8 has been added to the site. Please click here to view. Apologies for its late inclusion. The next KOS Outdoor meeting is on 3rd November 2007 at 09.00. It is at Dungeness Bird Observatory and is being led by Paul Trodd. Please try to go if you can! These meetings are free and are open to members and non members alike. Paul can be contacted on 01797 366943 and he will look forward to seeing you there!

Update 4th October

Executive Committee
Minutes of the Executive Committee meeting of the 26th September 2007 at Sevenoaks can be read by clicking here.

Update 1st October
Links

I have recently heard from ex KOS Committee member, Mick Davies, who, a few years ago, seemed to have disappeared from Kent without trace! He tells me that since leaving Kent he has been living in Thailand and has actually been doing some amazing work helping to conserve the Yonok Wetlands. I have placed a link on this site where you can read about the work that is being done to help to conserve a wonderful area for wildlife. Mick is preparing an article which will be published soon in the KOS News. Click here to visit the Yonok Wetlands website.

Update 30th September
Photo Gallery

A major update to the galleries (Common and Scarce) with additional shots added to a number of pages and new photos of Audouin's Gull at Dungeness in May, Cattle Egrets at Dungeness and Grove in July, Melodious Warbler at Dungeness in June, Pectoral Sandpipers at Elmley in July and Bough Beech in September, Red-backed Shrikes at Grove in July and Bockhill in September, the Long-billed Dowitcher at Bough Beech today and the bird of the year (so far) - the Paddyfield Warbler at Bockhill yesterday (thanks Jerry!).  Also some common birds added to the gallery including a stunning shot of a Bearded Reedling from Oare by a new contributor, Mick Southcott.

Update 28th September
Kentish Wildlife

The Kentish Wildlife site has been updated with additional photographs. Please view the changes by clicking here.

Update 12th September
Photo Gallery

Some record shots of the juvenile Dotterel at Oare Marshes on Sunday have been added to the Scarce Bird Gallery.

Update 8th September
Photo Gallery

Nigel Jarman's shots of the Hoopoe at Langdon Cliffs in August and a photo of the juv White-winged Black Tern at Dungeness in September by Chris Bond added to the Scarce Gallery.

Update 6th September
Kentish Wildlife

The Kentish Wildlife site has been updated with additional photographs. Please view the changes by clicking here.

Update 1st September

Latest Sightings

Records for Sheppey are now included on the North West Kent website and should be sent to Andy Lawson at: jackomar2003@hotmail.com. Elmley RSPB Reserve continues to have its own website.

Geoff Burton is sadly no longer able to help with the running of the Oare section of the website and all records for that reserve should now be sent directly to me at: chris@chrisabrams.plus.com.

All records that you send into us for whatever site are very greatfully received and are entered into the KOS database. Thank you.

Update 31st August

Photo Gallery

Three excellent shots of last weekend's Wryneck at Dungeness by Dave Featherbe have been added here.

Update 20th August

Latest Sightings

Hurrah! The North & West Kent 'latest sightings' page is up and running again.  Come on folks, send me your sightings! 

Update 16th August

Photo Gallery

Four more images of the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Oare Marshes KWT reserve, taken by Gary Thoburn, have been added to the end of the page of photos of that bird.

Update 15th August
Kentish Wildlife

The Kentish Wildlife site has been updated with additional photographs. Please view the changes by clicking here.

Update 11th August

Photo Gallery

Two more images of the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Oare Marshes KWT reserve, taken by Chris Bond yesterday, have been added.

Update 10th August

Photo Gallery

The superb Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Oare Marshes KWT reserve this afternoon.

Update 9th August

Photo Gallery

Two new images from New Hythe taken by Terry Laws added to the Scarce Bird Gallery - a Marsh Warbler in late June and a one-day Ferruginous Duck in late July.

KOS AGM

Now that all members have their hard copy of the minutes of April 13th's AGM these can now be published on the website. You can read these minutes by clicking here.

KOS Newsletter

The KOS have a new editor of the KOS News. Enormous thanks are due to Ian Hodgson for all his hard work over the past 12 years. He has handed over to John Cantelo but will still be involved with the publication of each issue with regard to bird news and movements. Hearty congratulations are due to John for his fascinating first issue which dropped onto my doormat yesterday. Please help him to maintain the standard by submitting articles, reviews, letters etc. to him at: lancelot@nasuwt.net

Update 8th August

Indoor Meetings

The schedule for the 2007-2008 meetings has been added. Please view the new programme by clicking here

Update 6th August
Photo Gallery

I have uploaded some recent photos to the Common Bird Gallery including Little Egret at Oare in June, Common Snipe at Elmley in July and Garganey and Greenshank at Oare in August.  I have also included a photo of a colour-ringed Black-tailed Godwit at Oare with its original ringing data and all subsequent sightings.  The Scarce Bird Gallery has been updated with a number of video grabs by Ray Turley depicting the Great-spotted Cuckoo at Dungeness in March, the Glossy Ibis on the RSPB Reserve in May and the Great-reed Warbler at Lydd in June.

Update 1st August
Trip Reports

"... someone said the magic words “Owls and woodpeckers” and that was the decider!" Read Anthea Skiffington's account of her exciting trip to Latvia by clicking here.

Latest Sightings

I have added two new links to the Latest Sightings page. These are blogs of Mote Park by Simon Ginnaw and St Margaret's Bay by Tony Morris. Simon's blog is a wildlife blog whilst Tony's also contains details of St Margaret's daily life. Both are excellent, well illustrated and well worth visiting.

Update 24th July
Kentish Wildlife

The Kentish Wildlife site has been updated with additional photographs. Please view the changes by clicking here.

Update 19th July

Photo Gallery

Many thanks to Ray Turley and Jerry Warne for their images of the Dungeness Squacco Heron in June and the Woodchat Shrike in May, added to the Scarce Gallery.  In addition a selection of common bird images have been provided by Chris Bond, taken at Oare Marshes in early July.

Update 9th July

Newsletter news

A preview of the July newsletter can be seen by clicking here.

Update 6th July
Latest Sightings

Correction to my last posting. The NW Kent site should be up and running again next month. Sorry for this delay.

Update 2nd July
Latest Sightings
Murray Wright has had to give up running the Oare Marshes website for the time being. He hopes to be able to resume shortly. In the meantime please help us to keep the site up to date by sending your sightings to Geoff Burton at  geoff.burton@btinternet.com or to me at chris@chrisabrams.plus.com.    Thank you.

I am informed that the North West Kent site should be up and running again soon. There have been Broadband problems which have affected the site. Apologies.

Update 27th June
Kentish Wildlife

The Kentish Wildlife site has been updated with additional photographs which include a photograph of the very rare Spurge Hawk Moth discovered this week at St Margaret's. Please view the changes by clicking here.

Update 26th June

Executive Committee
Minutes of the Executive Committee meeting of the 4th June 2007 at Westgate can be read by clicking here.

Update 19th June

Photo Gallery
A couple of record shots of the Common Crane at Lydd over the weekend.

Update 5th June

Photo Gallery
A number of excellent images and two new contributors to the galleries: Steve Mills' excellent shots of the increasingly scarce Lesser-spotted Woodpecker and a smart male Ring Ouzel at Horsmonden, plus a nice shot of the one wet-day Bee-eater at Dungeness; and Megan Perkins' superb flight shot of the short-staying Squacco Heron at Oare Marshes KWT, also photographed by Barry Wright who enjoyed a good weekend with a splendid flyover Red Kite.

Update 29th May
Kentish Wildlife

The Kentish Wildlife site has been updated with additional photographs. Please view the changes by clicking here.

Update 28th May
Latest Sightings - Boughton Park & Wierton Hill Farm

Another spring 'Big Sit' and this one wasn't washed out. Read the story by clicking here.

Update 27th May

Photo Gallery
Some nice additions to the Common Bird Gallery include Don Taylor's superb Barn Owl and some cute juvenile Long-tailed Tits by Mike Buckland.

Update 25th May

Trip Reports

Read Don Taylor's lavishly illustrated report about his quest for Waders in New Zealand and Australia this January by clicking here.

Update 24th May

Kentish Wildlife
The Kentish Wildlife site has been updated with additional photographs. Please view the changes by clicking here.

Update 20th May

Latest Sightings
Bough Beech website will not be updated for a couple of weeks shortly but it will be updated retrospectively shortly after that.

Update 15th May

Best Birding Days

Another wet story. This year's UK Site Watch or 'Big Sit' at Cliffe was abandoned in steady rain. Read the story by clicking here.

Update 12th May

Best Birding Days

More like the worst, actually. This year's UK unmotorised Birdwatch on the Hoo Peninsula was washed out. Read the story by clicking here.

Update 9th May

Trip Reports
A Systematic List has been added to Chris Hindle's Argentina Trip Report. View the list by clicking here.

Wildlife

Changes have been made to the Wildlife section of the site. View the most recent reports by clicking here.

Update 7th May

Photo Gallery
Red-footed Falcon, Montagu's Harrier and Osprey photos have been added to the Scarce Bird Gallery;  Garganey, Bar-tailed Godwit and Little Gull to the Common Bird Gallery.

Trip Reports

See Chris Hindle's lavishly illustrated excellent account of his trip to Argentina by clicking here. A Systematic List will be added shortly.

Announcement

Please submit any butterfly records you may have to Butterfly Conservation by visiting the website: www.kentbutterflies.org and going to the Submit Sightings section. Thank you.

Outdoor Meeting

Read Murray Orchard's account of his Dover and St Margaret's walk on 29th April by clicking here.

Update 23rd April

Photo Gallery
A number of excellent common bird images added to the gallery for April including the first summer migrants. Many thanks to all of the photo contributors who make the gallery such a fine collection of Kentish bird images.

Update 16th April

Latest Sightings
The link to St Margaret's Latest Sightings page has been removed as Ian Hodgson has now taken up a new job as warden of Sandwich Bay. We thank him for his input over the last few years and wish him well in his new post.

I have added a new button which links to Steve Nunn's excellent New Hythe blog. Other records for New Hythe are still to be found on the North West Kent site.

Update15th April

Newsletter news

A preview of the April newsletter can be seen by clicking here.

Update 13th April
Trip Reports

"As I approached one small copse on my first walk round the local patch I was warned that a Grizzly Bear and her cub had been seen in there earlier.........."

Read Martin Coath's fascinating account of his trip to Montana and Wyoming by clicking here.

Announcement

A vacancy has arisen for someone to compile the trip report section of this site. If you feel that you could possibly spend a small amount of time each month to help out then please contact me by clicking here.

Update 6th March

Announcement

The Lydd Airport expansion scheme has some very big and powerful backers. If you are opposed to the airport plans then please urgently email your opposition vote to the address below by tomorrow at the latest. Thank you.

Photo Gallery

A couple of late updates to the galleries: a very bright male Sparrowhawk in Whitstable, a smart Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Swalecliffe and two Woodlark at Bockhill.

Update 5th March

Announcement

RSPB STOP LYDD EXPANSION CAMPAIGN
The Folkestone Herald Newspaper is giving people the opportunity to comment on the plans to expand Lydd Airport in their 'People's Poll'. Please help protect one of the South East's most important places for wild birds and respond to the poll to say 'No' to expansion at Lydd Airport. Send your answer by post to: Folkestone Herald, Westcliffe House, West Cliff Gardens, Folkestone, Kent CT20 1FH or email: newsdesk.heraldexpress@kentregionalnewspapers.co.uk. (For more information about the poll see the latest edition of the Folkestone Herald or visit their website at www.ickent.co.uk).
For more information about the RSPB's Stop Lydd Expansion campaign please contact Joanna Crouch, RSPB South East on 01273 763622 or email joanna.crouch@rspb.org.uk.

Update 1st March

Executive Committee

Minutes of the Executive Committee's meeting of 22nd February can be read by clicking here.

Update 27th February

Announcement

This is a reminder that it's less than a week until Shepway District Council's public consultation about Lydd Airport closes on Monday 5th March. You have until then to voice your opinion.

Update 20th February

Announcement

I have been contacted again by the RSPB about Lydd Airport.

"The owners of Lydd Airport in Romney Marsh, Kent, have submitted planning applications to extend the site’s runway and build a new terminal in order to increase passenger numbers from fewer than 5,000 now to half a million a year........."

If, like many, you are concerned about the impact upon one of Kent's best birdwatching sites then click here to read the whole article and find out what you can do to help.

Update 16th February
Photo Gallery

New photos of Stonechat, Green Sandpiper, Bittern and Shore Lark added to the galleries.

Update 5th February
Announcement

I have been contacted by the RSPB about the proposals for expansion at Lydd Airport. There will be a public meeting this Wednesday about the plans to expand Lydd Airport. The meeting is open to all and will be held at the RSPB Dungeness reserve visitor centre from 7pm-8.30pm. The event will provide people with an opportunity to find out more about the damage the airport's proposals could cause to the important wildlife of Dungeness and the wider environment. Please view the flyer by clicking here.

Owls

The KOS has also been contacted by the World Owl Trust who are this year co-ordinating a survey on Long-eared Owls. Please visit their website by clicking here to find out how you can help.
 

Update 4th February
Photo Gallery

Some excellent and rare images of a Kentish Twite, taken by Marc Heath at Oare, and a typically smart adult Mediterranean Gull at St Margaret's Bay by Tony Morris added to the Gallery today.

Update 30th January

Newsletter news

A preview of the January newsletter can be seen by clicking here.

Update 28th January
Photo Gallery

The wintering Shore Lark at Reculver gave some nice views this afternoon despite the number of walkers and cyclists.

Update 27th January
Photo Gallery

Some great images from a new gallery contributor, David Gardiner, of Sanderling and Purple Sandpiper at Margate added to the Common Gallery.  The Waxwing at Grain, showy Black-throated Diver at Allhallows and an amazing long-range shot of the Ring-necked Duck at Bough Beech added to the Scarce Gallery.

Update 15th January
Photo Gallery

A good record shot by Marc Heath of a Tundra Bean Goose at Collards Lake, near Stodmarsh on 14 January, added here.

Update 12th January
Photo Gallery

A superb portrait of a pair of flying Teal by Barry Wright takes top spot in the Common Bird Gallery and the wintering Ferruginous Duck at New Hythe, taken by Chris Bond, gets back in on the act in the Scarce Bird Gallery.

Update 6th January
Links

Many people are concerned, for a variety of reasons, about the proposed plan to construct a huge windfarm off the Thanet coast and in the Thames Estuary. If you are also concerned about this then please click here to sign an e-petition to the Prime Minister to scrap this plan.
  

Update 1st January 2007

Photo Gallery

An unfortunate storm blown and oiled Great Skua at Dungeness today starts this year's proceedings.  Please note that all 2006 images can now be found in the Archive section.

Update 31st December

Photo Gallery

On behalf of the many admirers who enjoy viewing the wonderful images in our galleries may I thank all of our photographic contributors for the high standard of photos submitted throughout the year - Happy New Year!

A smart Pied Wagtail at St Margaret's and one of the wintering Goosander at New Hythe plus some excellent Archive images of the showy 1992 Spotted Crake in Gravesend have been added to round off 2006.

Update 24th December

Photo Gallery

Update 23rd December

Announcement

I have received the following appeal from the RSPB:

The RSPB has been heavily engaged with proposals for a giant wind farm on the island of Lewis. We are now urgently trying  to raise awareness of revised proposals which have come forward from the developer, as people now have an opportunity to object - but they need to do this before the end of January.    I would be grateful if you could publish the following note on your website as we are very keen to ensure your readers are aware that we are doing all we can to stop this development and to get their help. The situation is moving fast - we are currently reviewing the full Environmental Statement - and we will update our website in January with more information.

Please click here for much more information on how you can help.

Update 12th December

Executive Committee
The minutes of the KOS Executive Committee Meeting of 30th November 2006 at St.Margarets can be viewed by clicking here.

Update 11th December

Kent Wildlife

I am delighted to be able to inform you that the new KOS website on Kentish Wildlife is now available and can be viewed by clicking here. This site is very dependant upon photographers submitting their photographs for inclusion upon the site. Stories accompanying the photographs are welcome too! If you have anything you'd like to share with others then please start sending your submissions today! Please send photographs of recent or fairly recent sightings to Terry Laws by clicking here.

Indoor Meetings

We now have the full calendar of excellent indoor meetings up to the AGM in April. You may check to see what's coming up by clicking here. Please come and join us!

Update 30th November

KBR Update

Tim Hodge and I have been working on getting the 2004 KBR out as quickly as possible after the 2003 report.  We had hoped to be in a position to have the Report out before Christmas but for various reasons this has not proved possible.  We are now aiming to have the report out early in the New Year and hopefully it will be with members by the end of January. Once that is on the way we will be starting on the 2005 KBR which we hope to have with members by the end of July 2007. Apologies to those of you who had hoped to be reading the 2004 KBR over the Christmas break. For more details see here.

Robin Mace

Update 10th November

Photo Gallery

Half expecting the usual tired or moribund birds I was delighted to see these two very active and lively Little Auks at Cliffe's Alpha Pool today.  If they remain in residence I thoroughly recommend you go and see them this weekend - great value!

Update 9th November

Photo Gallery

Several different Little Auks from the recent movement and a Penduline Tit at Grove on 2nd November (presumably today's bird), the trio of Shore Lark at Reculver, plus another angle on the apparently dark-breasted Barn Owl at Sandwich and a new Denge Gulley Pallas's Warbler shot.

Update 2nd November

Photo Gallery

A range of recent new images have been added to the galleries. A juvenile Red Kite at Hersden and some record shots of the tardy and tailless Wryneck at Dungeness last weekend, a smart Black Redstart at Reculver and an obliging Barn Owl at Sandwich in July by Gerald Segelbacher. Further images of the resident Long-billed Dowitcher at Oare demonstrating its moult through October and the returning Ferruginous Duck at New Hythe have also been included.

Update 23rd October

Photo Gallery

Some excellent new images have been added to the galleries, including the Daurian Shrike at Dungeness and Pallas's Warbler at Denge on 15 October, the Ferruginous Duck at New Hythe and some more shots of the Long-billed Dowitcher at Oare.  Also some nice studies of Corn Bunting and Lapwing on Worth Marshes by Tony Morris.

Update 14th October

Latest Sightings

Another Big Sit at Cliffe Pools RSPB Reserve can be seen by clicking here.

Update 13th October

Newsletter news

A preview of the October newsletter can be seen by clicking here.

Update 10th October

Long-billed Dowitcher and Jack Snipe at Oare, White-rumped Sandpiper and Gannet at Dungeness added to the galleries.

Update 3rd October

Kentish Wildlife

This subsite has been temporarily withdrawn whilst a new subsite is being prepared. Apologies!

Reserves and Societies

Read Ashford Bird Club's programme of indoor and outdoor events 2006/7 by clicking here.

Update 29th September

Photo Gallery

Some nice Little Stint shots from Oare Marshes have been added along with a series of instructive seawatch shots from Dungeness of juv Common Tern, Arctic Skua and Manx Shearwater plus some Gannets.

Update 21st September

Kent Listers

The list has been updated to 31 August 2006. The last three months have been very quiet but Aquatic Warbler was added to eight lists and Fan-tailed Warbler to those of the chosen four. Will September make a late entry into the history books?

Update 18th September

Photo Gallery

A record shot of one of the Elmley/Conyer Cattle Egrets by Barry Wright and a fortunate Corncrake caught by a dog near Cranbrook in August.

Update 8th September

Executive Committee

Minutes of the Executive Committee meeting of 24th August 2006 at Sevenoaks can be read by clicking here.
 

Update 6th September

Photo Gallery

Some early autumn rarities added to the Scarce Bird Page include the adult Spotted Crake at Grove Ferry and the Red-backed Shrike at Oare, which is still present at the time of writing.  A selection of Common birds added to the gallery here.

Update 24th August

Trip Reports

"As the Tirol is an extremely popular holiday region, I thought other birders with family commitments might be interested............"
Read David Newman's account of his recent visit to the Austrian Tirol Region by clicking here.

Update 17th August

Photo Gallery

Migration season is upon us with waders leading the way ahead of the first of the autumn's warblers.  A range of new images added to the Common Bird Gallery.  The Russian-ringed juvenile Aquatic Warbler at Sandwich Bay can be viewed here.

Update 6th August

Photo Gallery

Chris Bond's excellent Great White Pelican photos have been added to the gallery. Unfortunately further photographic evidence is beginning to confirm some views that the bird is not as wild as it might first have appeared....

Update 4th August

Photo Gallery

Chris Bond has kindly provided this stunning shot of the Cattle Egret taken at Preston.

Update 30th July

Photo Gallery

Probably a bigger surprise to the resident birdlife than to the fortunate birders who found the stunning Great White Pelican that graced Bough Beech today.

Update 29th July

Photo Gallery

Martyn Wilson relocated the Cattle Egret today at Grove Ferry and later at Preston, capturing some more excellent images of it in the process, here.

Update 26th July

Latest Sightings

Barry Matlock has a new personal website covering the area from Herne Bay east to Bishopstone. He has given us permission to make a direct link to his website through the Latest Sightings page. You can view his new site by clicking here.

Update 24th July

Photo Gallery

Three shots of the short staying Cattle Egret at Grove yesterday, by Martyn Wilson, have been added here.  A fine selection of images have been added to the Common Bird Page, including Little Egret by Martyn Wilson to complete the Grove trio, and a super Sparrowhawk in a Strood Garden by Dave Pearce.

Update 19th July

Kent Bird Reports on disk

Details of how to obtain the CD/DVD of all the KBRs from 1952-2002 and Birds of Kent 1981 can be seen here.

Update 18th July

Newsletter

See a preview of Summer 2006's Newsletter by clicking here.

Announcements

I am pleased to be able to inform you all that Terry Laws has agreed to take over the Kentish Wildlife section of the website. This should be up and running again within the next month or so.

Please do not expect all Latest Sighting pages to be up to date during this very quiet time of the year.

Update 9th July

Photo Gallery

After a few weeks of little rarity interest a superb Great-white Egret arrived today at Grove Ferry and was photographed by Martyn Wilson and Steve Ashton.

Update 22nd June

Kent Listers

The List has been updated to 31 May 2006. May was a good month for "catch ups" with Black Kite, Stormies galore, lingering Bee-eater and Red-rumped Swallow but no megas. If your latest additions are not reflected in the revised list let me know (Geoff Burton).

Update 13th June

Photo Gallery

Some super shots of the increasing number of Hobby and a delightful Corn Bunting added to the Common Bird pages. On the Scarce Bird Page some superb images by Barry Wright of the male Red-backed Shrike at Elmley and photographic documentation from Martin Coath of the first recorded successful breeding of Egyptian Goose in the County, at Sevenoaks KWT Reserve.

Update 10th June

KOS Executive Committee

Minutes of the Executive Committee's last meeting at Dungeness on 27th May can be read by clicking here.

News

Congratulations to Norman McCanch for winning the KOS auction for Dennis Harle's painting. £125 was raised for KOS funds.

Update 31st May

KOS Gazette - Articles

Andrew Henderson has written a short summary of the recent Storm Petrel movements, including all records received so far and showing just how exceptional the passage was. It can be viewed here.

Photo Gallery

Red-rumped Swallow and Bee Eater at Dungeness in the last two days, both captured by Marc Heath.

Update 31st May

News

Another bid has been received for Dennis Harle's painting which is being auctioned by the KOS. It is now £125. Hurry if you want to bid as this is the last day!

You can see the painting by clicking here:

Update 27th May

Photo Gallery

Some wonderful images of a 2nd calendar year female Montagu's Harrier at Swamp Crossing, Walland Marsh and the Gull-billed Tern at Dungeness on 25 May by Marcus Lawson.  Also a very interesting gull in front of the fishing boats at Dungeness today, that appears to be a 1st spring/summer Heuglin's Gull Larus heuglini.

Update 25th May

Recent Sightings

Do you know where 'Kidney Lake' is at New Hythe? Does 'Strikers' make you think of metatarsals rather than Snodland?  Well an annotated map of the the New Hythe area could help you find your way around this excellent Country Park and it has been added to the North-West Kent section of the website. It can be viewed here.

Many thanks to Adam Whitehouse for producing this wonderful map of New Hythe.

Update 20th May

Photo Gallery

STOP PRESS: Black Kite at Seaton, near Canterbury taken this afternoon.

Phil Chantler has kindly provided a number of photos of the Spring's highlights at Bockhill, including Red Kite, Red-rumped Swallow and Alpine Swift.  In addition two shots of the Temminck's Stint on ARC by Marcus Lawson and a number of new images have been added to the Common Bird Gallery.

Update 14th May