Hen Harrier Day
Rainham Marshes, Saturday 11th August 2018, 11:00am.
To celebrate hen harriers and publicise their plight, RSPB Rainham Marshes are hosting an event organized by Birders Against Wildlife Crime to mark this year’s Hen Harrier Day.
The family-friendly rally will include speakers and activities suitable for all. Confirmed to speak at this third Hen Harrier Day are David Lindo (The Urban Birder) and Martin Harper, RSPB Director of Conservation. All money raised will go to Birders Against Wildlife Crime.
A busy day is anticipated, with the organisers urging people to use public transport. The reserve is just a ten-minute walk from Purfleet station (on the C2C line). Additional car parking is available in Purfleet at the public car park, just west of the railway station.
The car park will open at 8:00am. The main rally and speeches are due to start at 11:00am in the marquee field near the Marshland Discovery Zone, about 15 minute’ walk from the entrance.
henharrierday.org
Cleve Hill Solar Park at Graveney
Cleve Hill Solar Park Ltd are proposing to develop a solar park on the north Kent coast, at a site located roughly one mile northeast of Faversham, three miles west of Whitstable and situated closest to the village of Graveney.
The Cleve Hill Solar Park proposal is for a large array of solar panels, arranged on an east-west axis, projected to generate up to 350 megawatts of power. The developers claim it could provide enough electricity to power over 110,000 homes.
Phase Two Consultations began on 31 st May and will run until 13th July.
Wednesday 13th June from 4:30pm to 7:30pm at Ferry House Inn, Harty Ferry Road, Harty, ME12 4BQ
Thursday 14th June from 1:30pm to 8:00pm at Graveney Village Hall, Graveney, Faversham, ME13 9DN
Friday 15th June from 1:00am to 4:00pm at Seasalter Christian Centre, Seasalter, Faversham Road, Whitstable, CT5 4AX
Saturday 16th June from 11:00am to 5:30pm at Faversham Guildhall, 8 Market Place, Faversham, ME13 7AG
The scale of the development has not significantly reduced since the Phase One Consultation, but there have been some changes:
The development will be set back 60 metres from the Saxon Shore Way
The developers are working with Kent County Council to enhance the public rights of way with a possibility of including permissive pathways, cycleways or bridleways across the site.
The number of panels has been reduced. None will be placed at Cleve Hill Lane, and there are proposed screening mitigation near to neighbouring properties at Nagden, Warm House and Cleve Hill, including a community orchard at Graveney Hill.
A habitat management steering group has been set up with Natural England, RSPB and Kent Wildlife Trust.
Cleve Hill Solar can be contacted at
Cleve Hill Solar Park Website
Data Protection
Kent Ornithological Society has reviewed the way it uses and stores personal data so that it can meet the requirements of the new data protection regulations (GDPR). As a result, it has agreed a privacy policy to make it clear what data the society holds and how it uses it.
Privacy Policy
Lodge Hill once more under threat
In September 2014, Medway Council approved a planning application for 5,000 houses that would directly destroy 144ha of Lodge Hill SSSI (and an estimated 80% of the territories of the Nightingale population,) and have a severe impact on the rest of the 351ha SSSI. In 2012, a full survey estimated there were 85 singing males. In 2017, thanks to a public campaign, the decision was ‘called in’ by Government (in other words, it was deemed to be a decision of such national importance that it ought to be determined by the Secretary of State) and was subsequently withdrawn.
Now, in 2018, Medway Council have submitted a new Draft Plan which again includes Lodge Hil. There will be a new campaign and request for responses.
Photo: RSPB
RSPB Campaign Page
Barn Owl, 11/02/16, Steve Ashton
Updated Member’s Blog
KOS member Steve Ashton has updated his photo blog at a new web address, with some stunning images.
See Steve’s Photographic Journal
2018 Field Meetings
The date of the July field trip has been moved from Sunday 29th to Sunday 22nd July. Locations will be decided two days in advance, depending on conditions at the time, such as the location of interesting species, weather and tides. Participants can contact organiser Ray O”Reilly directly on 07831 362502. Meetings usually start at 9.00am.
KOS Events
New Kent List published
An updated and easier-to-use version of The Kent List has been published. Dating back to 1781, maintained by Keith Privett, the page lists all species reported in Kent.
Kent List
Honorary Life Vice Presidents
Congratulations to John Cantelo and John Hollyer on being elected Honorary Life Vice Presidents of the Society. This recognises the contribution that both these long-serving members have made to birding in Kent and to the Society over many years.
Bird Surveys at Chartwell- can you help?
The National Trust are looking for local bird watchers to help with bird surveys at Chartwell as part of an initiative to improve the habitat management on the estate and in surrounding woodlands.
If you are interested please contact Fraser Williamson (Countryside Ranger) National Trust, Chartwell.
Tetrad Atlas
Kent Ornithological Society’s Tetrad Atlas has been restored and is now available on this website.
The primary aim of this project is to document the distribution of breeding bird species in the county and to highlight changes that have occurred since the previous two atlases. This information is vital to identify declining species, as well as those that are doing well, to assist in formulating plans to ensure the continued health of our natural environment.
Can you help to save Little Terns in Kent?
Little Terns, once abundant and regular around the Kent coast, are now struggling to survive as a breeding species in the county.
Many of the traditional breeding sites have now been abandoned through pressures from human disturbance, predation and possibly reduced feeding opportunities.
One of the few remaining sites on the North Kent coast at Castle Coote near Seasalter is under the management of Kent Wildlife Trust, but breeding success has not been recorded for over 10 years, although some pairs do attempt to breed most summers. One pair was seen incubating in 2016, but the nest was subsequently abandoned, with human disturbance being the likely cause.
Little Tern Photo: Steve Ashton
Protection measures such as electric fencing, trail cameras and clear signage, as well as attraction methods like decoys and audio devices, are known to be more effective when supported by the presence of seasonal wardens. Warden support is required during the breeding season between 1st May and 31st August, ideally providing rota presence seven days a week.
Kent Wildlife Trust is seeking volunteers to carry out this protection by deterring human disturbance around the breeding colony, educating visitors to the reserve and monitoring wildlife activity and sightings. If you would be interested in helping with this project or require more details, please contact
Kevin Duvall
Kent Wildlife Trust Swale Area Warden
Phone: 07889 822408
The Kent List
An updated version of The Kent List is now available.
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 £12 a year. Members receive a free copy of the annual Kent Bird Report and regular electronic newsletters. See details
The Society runs regular indoor talks at a central location in Maidstone 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.