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KOS Outdoor Meeting - Dungeness 19th June 2022

Ray O'Reilly, KOS Outdoor Meetings Organiser, writes 

Turtle Doves, 2021 Survey - The results are in!

Last year’s national Turtle Dove survey confirms the fears that numbers are precariously low with an estimate of only 2,100 pairs in England. The sobering reality is that in the 1970s the population was estimated at 125,000.  A 98% decline in such an iconic species during the lifetime of many active bird watchers means that it’s slipping from the consciousness of the wider public.  Will turtle doves only linger as a Christmas card image?

But there is hope.......

The KOS Turtle Dove Survey 2021

Murray Orchard, Chairman of the KOS Surveys and Conservation Committee,  writes:-

KOS Annual Nightjar Walk

Ray O' Reilly, KOS Outdoor Meetings organiser, writes:

We carried out our Annual Nightjar walk on the evening of Friday 27th May, meeting in the carpark ar Broadwater Warren RSPB Reserve.  A Song Thrush serenaded our arrival, and numerous Willow Warblers sang and, at times, showed themselves in the  Birch trees.  We recorded at least double figures of the species.  Stonechats and obliging Cuckoos were also seen, but the highlight was the group seeing up to six Nightjars well, with a pair calling and wing-clapping above our heads.  The sight of these lovely enigmatic birds added their usual magic to a clear still dusk in early Summer woodland, and a very happy group of members made their way back to the carpark!

 

KOS May 2022 Field Meeting

Ray O'Reilly reports on the latest KOS field meeting which this month visited Stodmarsh.

Oare Marshes – A complex set of issues?

An article from Kent Wildlife Trust

KWT writes: “There has been much comment on water level management at Oare Marshes, especially over the last two years, during which we’ve experienced different climatic conditions. KWT hopes this article will give KOS members an insight into the water management that is currently possible at Oare, and Kent Wildlife Trust’s future plans for the reserve.The whole article can be read here.

KOS April 2022 Field Outing Account

This month's Kent Ornithological Society Field Trip began on Sunday 24th April at Dungeness seawatching hide, where we started an epic day that yielded 84 species (no Moorhen again!) and stunning views of many of the birds seen.

Breeding Waders of Wet Meadows 2022

This survey will continue in spring 2022 following on from the main 2021 survey, to help fill important gaps in the coverage. The aim will be to cover new sites in 2022, or better coverage of 2021 sites where coverage was low.  Repeat visits to sites that were well covered in 2021 are not required.   Volunteers are urgently needed!  Full instructions are available here:

New Sightings Database now up and running

Observers can now upload their sightings and records to this website. These records will be retained in the Society’s records and will help create a historical record of birds in the county.

Recent bird news can be viewed on the website again - see here.

Login details and passwords from the previous system have not been transferred, so in order to be able to submit records you will first need to register on this website here and then login using the login link in the main menu.

We are transferring the website to this new platform and some pages from the old website may not be available during the transfer period. 

KOS November 2021 Outdoor Meeting

Today’s Field Trip started and finished with good birds around Car Parks, Shore Larks to begin with and a Short-eared Owl to finish. The weather was perfect for birding with some good light on Sheppey.

Join KOS

KOS logo 72 Help support the work of KOS to record and monitor bird life in Kent by becoming a member

Membership costs £12 a year. Member benefits include:

  • A free copy of the annual Kent Bird Report
  • Regular newsletters throughout the year
  • Special access to the bird sighting database
  • On line meetings and talks
  • Free guided field trips
  • Discount on the Kent Breeding Atlas

Join via PayPal or contact our Membership Secretary by email

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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 £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.

Membership

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Contact us

  • Hon. Secretary, 18 The Crescent, Canterbury CT2 7AQ
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