Kent Ornithological Society 
KOS Autumn Event:-
Big Kent Bird Migration Watch!
Nature on the move – discover the changing seasons with KOS
Coordinated by the KOS and featuring key sites hosting events for the public at Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory, Samphire Hoe Country Park and the RSPB’s Dungeness Reserve:-
Saturday 28 September 2024 is the date for our first Big Kent Bird Migration Watch. This Weekend!
Be out there birding........
What’s it about?
The public events will run from 10:00 to 16:00 – normal site charges will apply where appropriate.
Dawn to dusk watches at bird migration hotspots along the Kent coast by dedicated birders and KOS members will build a picture of the movement of birds heading south for the winter. Locations include North Foreland and Bockhill.
At the key public sites activities will include:
- a) Guided walks.
- b) Talks by some of Kent’s leading birders.
- c) Ringing demonstrations – an opportunity to learn about the techniques for safely catching and monitoring migrant birds - and a chance to see them close up.
- d) Learning about other wildlife on the move.
- e)Learn about the pressures migrant birds face and what can and is being done to help them.
- f)Find out about ways to help the support the organisations running the first Big Kent Bird Migration Festival.
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How can you help?
We need additional KOS birder volunteers out and about in Kent on Saturday 28th September to help gather counts and observations and report on the variety and numbers of birds on the move.
During the day Individual bird watchers can contribute sightings from across the county through social media - @KentishPlover - and our KOS website
KOS will stream the results on-line, provide regular updates and build a picture of nature on the move during the day for broadcast or inclusion in online content for mainstream media.
- A couple of hours or anything you can organise that day, especially with birder friends – would be great and if you can help, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Other sites and organised projects can join in – contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by organising activities or simply letting KOS know what migrant birds are being seen.
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Why we are doing this.
KOS - founded in 1951, has carefully recorded the bird life of our lovely county for 73 years and campaigns to protect our vitally important birding heritage .
Chair of KOS’s executive committee, Dr André Farrar, hopes that this first Kent’s Big Bird Migration Watchbecomes a regular event:
‘Bird migration has inspired interest since the mistaken belief that swallows hibernated in the mud at the bottom of ponds! Kent is a hotspot for bird migration and keeping records of the comings and goings has been at the heart of KOS activities for over 70 years.
‘The Big Kent Bird Migration Watch will highlight what’s moving through the county, which sites are vital staging posts on their incredible journeys and how we can all get out and witness one of the great natural events. Let’s make Saturday 28th September a memorable day for us all.’
Further updates will be published and emailed to Members in the coming weeks.
