I’d like to wish all our KOS members a very Happy Christmas and extend my thanks for another year of your support. It’s been a positive year for the KOS and that would not have been possible without the hard work of many people. I’m grateful to the members of the executive committee for all their efforts and wise council. In particular I’d like to thank Brendan Ryan for his time as secretary, although he has stepped down from that role, I’m delighted to say that he remains very involved especially in taking forward the Birds of Kent.

Peter Eerdmans has taken up the role of secretary and has also taken on the role of organising our social media. To say I’m grateful is an understatement! Of course, to make our social media interesting requires content and you will see a lot more activity on our website. We’re keen to tell lots of stories so if you have any ideas do get in touch with Peter or myself.

An annual highlight is always the arrival of the Kent Bird Report – and 2024 was no different. Huge thanks to the writing and editorial team that compile the report pulling together all our records.

Our Newsletter, annual programme of Zoom talks and the KOS walks programme are enjoyed and well supported.

The first Big Kent Bird Migration Watch engaged over 700 people and drew together records of over 90 species. Building on the original idea held at Samphire Hoe – our inaugural year brought together activities at Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory, Samphire Hoe and RSPB Dungeness – with input from birders at North Foreland, Bockhill, Dungeness Bird Observatory and Bough Beech.

From a conservation perspective, we’re working with the Kent and Medway Biological Records Centre to map farmland bird hotspots and to present this in a way that can be used by planning authorities better to inform development decisions. Given the pressures on Kent’s countryside – this is timely work.

KOS members have provided records that build our contribution to the Rare Birds Breeding Panel report and support the BTO’s Winter Gull Survey.

Each of us will have particular favourite memories from the last year – mine are very local as my recovery from some health issues meant I was range restricted this year – still it did mean a record garden bird list with Hawfinch, Goshawk and White-tailed Eagle starring.

More generally seawatching has probably been the county’s stand out this year with some memorable days providing record numbers of Balearic Shearwaters as well as Cory’s and Great Shearwaters and even a frustrating Brown Booby on a few occasions. Another birding highlight was the Waxwing invastion last winter. I hope many members managed to connect with these beautiful birds.

As we are looking forward to 2025, I wish you a wonderful Christmas.

Andre Farrar, Chair KOS

MEMBERSHIP

Join / Renew KOS

to help record and monitor bird life in Kent

The Kent Ornithological Society was founded in 1952

Our aims are to record and monitor the county’s bird life providing both an accurate historical record of Kent’s birds but equally importantly providing data that can be used to help protect valuable habitats from development and other threats.

In doing this, we seek increase knowledge and understanding of birds and their habitats in the county and encourage and support people seeking to take up birdwatching as a hobby.

Membership of the society is open to all and costs £15 a year. Members receive a free copy of the annual Kent Bird Report and regular electronic newsletters. See details

The Society runs regular online talks and an outdoor programme of field meetings. They are opportunities for both beginners and experienced birdwatchers to meet others in the county and to develop their knowledge and skills.

We are a charity regulated by the Charity Commission registered as charity number 212489.

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