Kent Ornithological Society 
Ray O’Reilly - KOS Field Trip Organiser writes:-
“We wasted no time in getting our 2025 Kent Ornithological Society Field Trips underway this year with our first outing taking place on Thursday January 2nd.
We had a record five cancellations for this outing mainly due to ill heath but we still managed a group of eight of us for the day.
We started at the RSPB's Cliffe Pools and it was a classic case of what a difference a day makes. New Year’s Day’s high winds and rain had given way to a dry, cold windless morn with beautiful sunny spells in the afternoon. Cetti's Warbler and a bonny male Stonechat were two of the first birds recorded and a couple of Song Thrushes serenaded us as we walked the trail. Ralph Todd found a Sparrowhawk and we admired several Redwings and marvelled at 35 Little Grebes or Dabchicks as they are colloquially called.
A couple of Marsh Harriers, Common Buzzards and Kestrels patrolled the skies searching for prey. 21 Pintail was a good number but it was the Lapwing and Golden Plover numbers that really made the morning - 850+ and 250+ forming huge flocks as they frequently took to the sky especially over the Flaming Pool. A Goldfinch flock contained Linnets and a juvenile Corn Bunting was studied by Kieron McDonnell and myself at close quarters. Many Avocets were seen and enjoyed.
As we approached the River Thames three Brent Geese flew over and a flock of around 70 Stock Doves were admired. On the Creek Pool we enjoyed very close views of a superb Spotted Redshank and could compare it with Common Redshank that were feeding close by. We walked back down the Dartford Track and found a drake Common Goldeneye that spent much of its time submerged.
It was a real pleasure being able to show the whole group the American Yellow Warbler that was found on Christmas Eve at New Hythe Gravel Pits. It put on a fine show, shining gold in the January sun.
On arriving at the pits - which was less than half an hour away - we had lunch and walking to the water treatment works we watched several Long-tailed Tits and a few Chiffchaffs. The Yellow Warbler was on show virtually the entire time and Grey and Pied Wagtails were often vying for insects with it.
Walking around the pools we watched Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest and Jay finishing the day on 62 species.
Except it wasn't finished, as feeling the chance to see another rarity in the county, I gave all attendees the option of coming to Broadstairs Cricket Club to look for the Scops Owl which had been present on, but mostly of, (!) since Christmas. Just three of us took up the offer and we stood there freezing our socks off seeing no Owl and having the long drive back home. Ahh - hard core birding!!
As the late Sven-Goran Eriksson used to say " Win Some, Lose Some”
A memorable first KOS 2025 trip.
I’m afraid our next outing is fully booked and takes place on Sunday 2nd February. But please, let me know if you are booked and find you cannot attend?”
Best wishes
Ray