Happy New Year – let’s hope 2026 has better news for birds, wildlife and the natural environment. KOS can make a difference because we are at the heart of monitoring and reporting on the status of the birds of Kent 

2026 promises to be an important year for the KOS – we will see the online publication of the Birds of Kent we will be continuing our KOS days at Dungeness (15 February, 17 May, 16 August) giving our members a chance to meet and enjoy some quality birding. We plan to expand the Big Kent Bird Migration Day (27 September) making it a truly Kent-wide event. 

We are blessed with a great team of volunteers on our various committees – but to grow we need more active volunteers. 

Could that be you? 

There are many ways you can help – from offering a few days a year to help at one of our events through to taking on important roles that will sustain the KOS into the future.  Stepping Up for the KOS will be a theme for 2026. I’d like to highlight one particular opportunity – we need to recruit a Database archivist this is a role that has been filled wonderfully by Robin Mace for many years.  

If you have reasonable IT skills and a working knowledge of Kent’s birds this is an opportunity to take on a vital role that underpins our mission to record the birds of our county. The role will be supported with a full induction and assistance when needed. Our initial appeals for help are already generating interest so I’m hopeful that we will have positive news in the New Year. 

The team that contribute to the Kent Bird Report needs new writers – this is a great opportunity to take on a set of species and produce the entries for the KBR – if you are interested contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Taking part in surveys is always rewarding whether they are the regular BTO-led Breeding Bird and Wetland Bird Surveys or specially organised KOS surveys. In recent years we’ve counted our Turtle Doves, Nightingales and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. Just around the corner is the next BTO Breeding and Wintering Bird Atlases which will be starting in November 2027 – ‘atlasing’ is great fun and can become obsessive! KOS will be supporting the BTO work but we will diving deeper to update our county-wide atlas. There will be lots of opportunities to get involved both in terms of survey work and organisation. 

If you would like to find out more about this or volunteering in general, please get in touch This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

I wish you all a happy and peaceful New Year. 

Andre Farrar - Chair KOS