Great Bustard

Details
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Kent List records

Otis tardis

Rare Vagrant

1981

High Halstow, one 29th to 30th December.
 

Walland Marsh, three, 20th December.
1978

St. Nicholas-at-Wade, third-winter male, 7th January to 9th April.
1970

Bockhill Farm, St. Margaret's Bay, two, 11th January.
pre 1909

Barham Downs, Ticehurst refers to a bird 'some years ago'.
1884

Whitstable, well before 1884, no date.
1883

Wye, female, shot, no date.
 

Rolvenden, male, shot, no date.
1880

Nr. Wye, adult male, shot, late January.
 

Great Chart, nr. Ashford, immature female, early January, now at Rochester Museum.
1879

Romney Marsh, late December.
1859

Newchurch, nr. New Romney, immature male, shot between 5th and 12th January, now at Maidstone Museum.
1850

Lydd, female, shot, 4th January.
1797

Halling, female shot, no date.
1783

St. Margaret's, two, one shot, no date.

No Longer Accepted

2016 Samphire Hoe, single bird in off the sea, 4th May. Probably a bird from the Wiltshire reintroduction scheme which are known to wander to the near continent during the winter months.
2015

Pittswood/Hadlow/Tonbridge, single bird, 11th April. Accepted into Category E.
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Uncategorised

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.

Membership

Join the Society or renew your membership  

to help record and monitor bird life in Kent

Member benefits include:

  • A free copy of the annual Kent Bird Report
  • Regular newsletters throughout the year
  • Special access to the bird sighting database
  • On line meetings and talks
  • Free guided field trips

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KOS Field Outing 

05/08/2026 TBC

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Dungeness Family Bird Day 

16/08/2026 1000-1600

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Big Kent Bird Migration Day 

27/9/2026 1000-1600

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KOS Field Outing 

27/09/2026 TBC

Dungeness. More details

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