Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax

Formerly bred

Nested in the county at Dover Cliffs until sometime between the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries (Ticehurst: A History of the Birds of Kent).

Then sometime before the end of the eighteenth century, the cliffs were repopulated by an escaped pair, originally from Cornwall. This pair gave rise to a colony which survived until sometime between 1840 and 1850.

This species appears in the Canterbury City coat-of-arms.

2023

There were reports from August onwards of birds from the reintroduction scheme, with up to eight individuals being seen. Most reports came from locations close to the release site at Dover but five were seen at Abbotscliffe on Nov 7th.

 

The Kent Ornithological Society was founded in 1952

Our aims are to record and monitor the county’s bird life providing both an accurate historical record of Kent’s birds but equally importantly providing data that can be used to help protect valuable habitats from development and other threats.

In doing this, we seek increase knowledge and understanding of birds and their habitats in the county and encourage and support people seeking to take up birdwatching as a hobby.

Membership of the society is open to all and costs £15 a year. Members receive a free copy of the annual Kent Bird Report and regular electronic newsletters. See details

The Society runs regular online talks and an outdoor programme of field meetings. They are opportunities for both beginners and experienced birdwatchers to meet others in the county and to develop their knowledge and skills.

We are a charity regulated by the Charity Commission registered as charity number 212489.