KOS logoKent Ornithological Society Providing information about birds and birdwatching in Kent (Registered charity 21489)

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BBS is the principal scheme for monitoring the population changes of the common and widespread breeding birds in the UK. The survey involves two early-morning spring visits to an allocated 1-km square, to count all birds seen or heard while walking two 1-km lines (transects) across the square.


Thank you very much to all volunteers who completed a BBS in 2024. Thanks also to those who carried out the Waterways Breeding Bird Survey (WBBS). WBBS extends the methodology of BBS to linear waterways in the county, although carried out on a much smaller scale in terms of the number of sites surveyed.
2024 results summary for BBS in Kent:


A total of 69 one km squares were surveyed in 2024 for BBS, with 59 of these receiving both early (April-mid May) and late visits (mid-May to late June). In 2024 the total number of species recorded from all BBS squares in Kent was 112, compared to 116 the previous year.

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Common Whitethroat - Bob Knight

The graph below shows the total number of individual birds recorded in both early and late visits for the 30 most abundant species in BBS for Kent last year.
The range of species in the top 30 proved to be the same as that for 2023. Relative positions of individual species are also generally similar to the previous year, a notable exception being Wren which is ranked second in 2024 compared to eighth the previous year. Woodpigeon was again the most numerous species in 2024, with a grand total of 2673 individual sightings from both early and late visits in Kent (the line graph has been truncated in this case).

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In the case of warblers, Chiffchaff, with 547 recorded from both visits, was more numerous than either Blackcap or Whitethroat. For more scarce warblers there were single records in 2024 for both Grasshopper Warbler and Wood Warbler in Kent BBS.
In the case of finches Goldfinch was slightly more numerous than Chaffinch. Sadly, the formerly common Greenfinch does not feature in the graph of the top 30 species, the species having undergone a nationwide population decline since the since the mid-2000s.
BBS also gives the opportunity to record mammals during the survey, and it will perhaps be no surprise that Rabbit was the most frequently encountered species, followed by Grey Squirrel then Red Fox.


BBS in 2025:


67% of BBS squares in Kent are currently allocated to surveyors, this representing a slight increase compared to the previous year. The squares in the following table are vacant and new volunteers are therefore sought, starting in the coming BBS season if possible:

1 KM BBS SQUARE & NEAREST TOWN/VILLAGE
TQ5077 - Erith
TQ9269 - Elmley
TQ6067 - Hartley
TQ9374 - Minster
TQ6248 - Tonbridge
TQ9672 - Minster
TQ6558 - Addington
TQ9861 - Faversham
TQ6846 – Paddock Wood
TQ9872 - Eastchurch
TQ7061 - Snodland
TQ9941 - Ashford
TQ7450 - Coxheath
TR0038 - Kingsnorth
TQ7567 - Chatham
TR0118 - Lydd
TQ7658 - Boxley
TR0129 - Brenzett
TQ8036 - Sissinghurst
TR0172 - Warden
TQ8443 - Headcorn
TR0242 - Willesborough
TQ8452 - Kingswood
TR0438 - Mersham
TQ8754 - Harrietsham
TR0529 - Newchurch
TQ8953 - Lenham
TR0637 - Aldington
TQ9060 - Sittingbourne
TR0835 – Aldington
TQ9137 – High Halden
TR1350 - Petham
TQ9235 - Woodchurch
TR2544 - Lydden

BBS is a very rewarding survey in which to take part, and only requires two visits of approximately two hours each per year. Further details can be obtained via:
https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/bbs/taking-part.

Alternatively, if interested to take on any of the 1 km squares shown in the table please contact Bob Knight for further details: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

A national survey of heathland birds (Nightjar, Woodlark and Dartford Warbler) is taking place this year, in partnership with the RSPB. The previous population estimates made for these species are now almost 20 years old, based on data from surveys undertaken at a time when all three species had undergone a substantial increase in both population size and range. Both Woodlark and Dartford Warbler were at their most northerly recorded UK breeding range extents, while Nightjar was regaining ground in northern England and even into Scotland.

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Nightjar - BTO Library

We urgently need updated population estimates to assess how breeding numbers and range for each of these species have changed throughout the UK and Channel Islands. The survey is not limited to heathland and the aim is to record all birds of each species in whatever habitat they are in. The Heathland Birds Survey has been designed to cover the current known distribution of Woodlark, Nightjars and Dartford Warblers, but also to pick up recent range expansion or contraction. The data collected will be used to calculate up-to-date population figures.

Woodlark and Dartford Warbler do not really feature in Kent, mainly due to our lack of heathland, which is generally the preferred habitat (although some areas do exist around Pembury, Hothfield and on the Blean) so there are only a few squares (1km) to be surveyed. However, Kent does have a population of Nightjars, mostly in woodland habitats, which have been the subject of BTO surveys at intervals in the past (1981, 1992 and 2004), and so, after an interval of 20 years, it will be great to survey Nightjar again and get an update on its status in Kent. In terms of the other species, the occasional pair of Woodlark and Dartford Warbler do sometimes breed, but they are RBBP (Rare Breeding Bird Panel) species and survey effort will be mostly directed to a few local observers for the known breeding sites. For Woodlark, however, there is some evidence that the species may be moving into farmland along the North Downs and greensand ridge, and the Weald towards the Sussex border. Hence some squares are up for survey in these areas to test for this possible range expansion.

Volunteers should make between two and four visits for each of the species during the species’ survey periods:

Woodlark (15 February – 31 May) – two early morning visits between sunrise and 11 a.m.

Dartford Warbler (1 April – 30 June) – two early morning visits between sunrise and 11 a.m.

Nightjar (25 May – 15 July) – two evening visits covering the two-hour period after sunset, or the two hours prior to sunrise. 

The main emphasis in Kent will be to survey Nightjars. The species favours areas of clear-felled and freshly replanted conifers and areas of Sweet Chestnut coppice up to about 3 years of age. It is recommended that anyone volunteering to survey Nightjars should make a daytime recce visit before the survey is undertaken in order to establish if suitable habitat is present, and if so where. This will save time wandering around at dusk during the survey to locate suitable areas.  

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Once logged in, you will find the survey sign up for the survey in the 'Sign Up for Projects' section.

Request a site

Once signed up, you can request a square via the survey portal.

Further details of the Nightjar survey can be found on the BTO website for the survey  Heathland Birds Survey | BTO - British Trust for Ornithology

KOS Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Survey 2025

The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (LSW) is one of the UK’s most elusive and threatened bird species, with a significant population decline since the 1980s. The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) recently reported an 81% decrease in LSW numbers (1997-2022). Despite range contraction and decline in population numbers this red-listed species is still hanging on in some counties across the UK, including Kent.      

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Lesser Spotted Woodpecker - Heather Mathieson   

To assess the status of the LSW in Kent this year, the Kent Ornithological Survey (KOS) has launched a survey to monitor its current status and distribution across the county, with a particular focus on the pre-breeding and breeding seasons.


Survey methodology 

A team of experienced surveyors are currently monitoring sites across Kent based on historical sightings of LSWs. In addition to citizen science a number of passive acoustic monitors are also being used to survey some areas of woodland. All sites have been selected to provide a representative sample of areas where LSWs were previously recorded, helping to assess the bird’s current range in Kent. Survey results will contribute to a better understanding of the LSW's distribution in Kent and provide insights for future conservation actions.


Submit your sightings and photos!

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Lesser Spotted Woodpecker - Heather Mathieson

To support the ongoing survey, members of the public are encouraged to submit their sightings and photographs of LSWs. Observations can be reported through platforms such as BirdTrack, eBird, or directly to the KOS website 

Additionally, the KOS are asking for those fortunate enough to photograph a LSW to send their photos, along with the relevant sighting details (date, time, location), to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

This information can help identify individual birds in areas where there may be multiple territories. All images will be credited to the photographer and used solely for conservation and survey purposes.

This collaborative effort aims to improve our understanding of the status of the LSW in Kent and hopes to support future conservation actions.

For more information, please contact Heather Mathieson the survey coordinator at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

The BTO Winter Gull Survey (WinGS) was conducted in January 2024, September 2024 and January 2025. Coverage in Kent was excellent with most sites covered in the first winter and good coverage again for autumn 2024. Thanks to all those who contributed their time to help with site counts. These were generally organised via the Kent WeBS teams but there were also other individual volunteers.

The data entry portal will be closed on March 31st, after which the process of analysing the data gathered across the UK will begin. It is hoped that a write-up of the survey results for Kent will appear in the 2024 Kent Bird Report.

 

 

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Nightingale in song - Barry Wright

The KOS organised a county survey in spring 2023 to help track the Nightingale population trend since the previous Kent survey in 2012. The aim was to establish an updated population estimate and monitor numbers at the known hotspots.

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The survey involved two visits to a one-kilometre square (from a stratified random selection of 200) in the period 21st April-21st May. Visits were requested to be made between first light and 0830 (i.e. not at night, when paired males may not be singing).

To take part, volunteers were asked to visit the survey website, and select the square or squares they’d like to cover. The survey provided an opportunity to record other scarce birds, and also mammals, such as deer, which may affect Nightingale habitat.

Once a square was allocated, the volunteer was able to download instructions, recording form and a map on which to record the locations of singing Nightingales.

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A graph illustrated how Nightingales are in trouble, to provide encouragement for volunteers to support the survey.

KOS Nightingale Survey

The results of the KOS Nightingale Survey 2023 will be provided in the 2023 Kent Bird Report

The KOS organised a county survey of Turtle Doves in spring/summer 2021 in collaboration with the RSPB and supporting partners as part of a national survey. The results indicated a total of just 2,100 pairs in England (there are none in Scotland, Wales and Ireland) with an estimate of 700 pairs in Kent, a third of the national total.                                                                                                                                  Turtle_Dove_-_Nicole_Khan-Operation_Turtle_Dovean.jpeg

Turtle Dove - Nicole Khan/Operation Turtle Dove

Full details of the KOS survey can be found in the 2021 Kent Bird Report.



 

Ruddy Shelduck is a rare vagrant to north-west Europe, whose status has been clouded by escapes and an increasing European feral population. The BOURC are reviewing the status of Ruddy Shelduck on the British List. The species is currently in Categories B, D, and E of the British List but is potentially also occurring in Britain as a vagrant from established naturalised populations on the near continent and is therefore a candidate for Category C5 (vagrant naturalised species from outside Britain). To help with this process, KOS is seeking any records that are not already in its database.

You can download the existing Kent records of Ruddy Shelduck, closely related species, and hybrids here.

If you know of additional records, or believe there are errors in the list, please send details to the County Recorder, Barry Wright by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

This survey had two parts: a survey of naturally nesting seabirds in 2018, and a survey of urban nesting Gulls in 2019-21.

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Mediterranean Gulls - Bob Knight

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Herring Gulls - Tony Morris

In Kent, the “natural nesting” part of the census required the survey of all Gulls (Black-headed, Mediterranean, Common, Herring and Lesser Black-backed), Terns (Sandwich, Little and Common), Fulmar and Cormorants, whilst the urban gull component required the survey of Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. For both surveys, methodology was supplied by JNCC.

A full account of the survey and results for Kent can be found in the 2022 Kent Bird Report.

 

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