Kent Ornithological Society 
Spotted Crake - Nigel Jarman
Bird of the week was a very showy Spotted Crake at New Downs South Pool near Sandwich. It was discovered in the evening of the 29th and was nearly in constant view the remainder of the week as it was feeding on the mud, offering stunning views of what is often a difficult species to connect with. A Glossy Ibis, a surprisingly scarce bird in Kent this year, flew over Bough Beech on the 4th. The three Dotterels continued to perform in the subble fields near St Margeret's at Cliffe. At times they could be difficult to find, but often enough they showed beautifully. The Stone-curlew at Cliffe also remained all week, although this one stayed more distantly at the far end of Flamingo Pool.
Given the strong winds, it is no surprise that sea-watching took centre stage. There was a huge movement of terns around the coast, with 6502 Sandwich Terns, 299 Little Terns and 24 Black Terns past Dungeness on the 1st making for impressive numbers. In total 223 Balearic Shearwaters flew past Dungeness, with 61 on the 4th the highest daily total. A Leach's Petrel on the 4th was another good record, again past Dungeness. Several Sooty Shearwaters were seen, with 10 past Dungeness on the 3rd. Long-tailed Skuas flew past Dugneness (1) and North Foreland (2), while two Pomarine Skuas flew past Dungeness. North Foreland also had a Roseate Tern on the 28th. Also worth mentioning is an Arctic Skua that passed through Bough Beech on the 3rd, only the 8th record for this inland site.
Dotterel - Rob Rackliffe
Other highlights include a Purple Heron at Worth Marshes that was seen on most days, but could be elusive, the Bonaparte's Gull still at Oare and a couple of Ospreys. A group of no less than 7 Honey Buzzards flying off to sea at Dungeness on the 4th was noteworthy. Migrant songbirds were a lot less pominent this week, but there were still a couple of Pied Flyctachers around for instance. The Black-necked Grebes remained at Lade.
The unofficial Kent year list stands at 267 at the end of August. New additions, pending official acceptance of course, were Greater Short-toed Lark, Sardinian Warbler, Spotted Crake, Dotterel and White-winged Tern.
Looking forward, the weather is turning calmer and with some moderate southeaterlies at the weekend, it could be a good week. Enjoy.
Peter Eerdmans
Stone-curlew - Peter Eerdmans
(Thanks to all the observers who posted their records on the KOS Sightings website, BirdGuides, eBird and/or the main Kent Birding WhatsApp groups, Thursday-to-Thursday. Apologies for any omissions. If anyone has any photos they think may be useful for the weekly, please send to me by Wednesday. All records of rarities are still subject to official confirmation by the relevant rarities committees)