Little Bittern

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Kent List records

Ixobrychus minutus

Uncommon Vagrant

2012

Sevenoaks WR, female or juvenile, 15th September.
2003

Dungeness Reserve, male, 11th-18th May.
2002

Hoo Peninsula, male, found dead, 19th July.
2000

Oare Marshes, male, 28th June.
1999

Stodmarsh, male, 1st to 6th June.
1976

Sevenoaks, male, 17th October.
 

Cliffe, immature, 25th August.
 

Stodmarsh, male, 15th May.
1975

Stodmarsh, male, 25th to 27th May.
1973

Westbere, two males, 6th May.
1972

Chetney Marshes, female, 20th May.
1971

Westbere, male, 2nd May.
1969

Stodmarsh, male, 11th June.
1968

Dungeness, immature, 10th August.
1966

Stodmarsh, male, 23rd July.
1964

Sandwich Bay, male, trapped, 23rd to 27th May.
 

Dungeness, male, trapped, 15th May.
 

Deal, adult male, 4th May, caught, died later.
1962

Stodmarsh, adult male, 27th May.
1958

Yalding Gravel Pit, adult female, 10th August.
1947

Near Deal, two adults, one immature, spring to late July.
1946

Near Deal, adult male, 23rd June to 6th July.
1933

Near Deal, believed to be Cottington Marsh, 'several' in 1933 and believed to have bred. Remained until early 1934 when departed after severe weather.
1929

Near Deal, believed to be Cottington Marsh. Harrison wrote in 1934 that this species has used marsh "since 1929".
1918

Near Wateringbury, caught, 2nd September.
pre-1900 More on Romney Marsh (in addition to 1898 Hastings Rarity) – one adult 1894 (could have been in Sussex); one adult male shot Brookland, no date. These are not HR but may be tainted by association.
 

One from Chaffey collection probably obtained in Kent.
  “Son of the Marshes” recorded it more than once, Milton marshes, nr Sittingbourne, during 1835-1860.
1899

Preston Marshes, adult, shot, bequeathed to Canterbury Museum in 1903.
1897

Between Ramsgate and Sandwich, adult female, early October.
pre-1889

Elmstone, killed, no date.
1877

Mersham, nr. Ashford, adult female, June.
1870

No locality, adult female, killed 29th April.
c.1860

Near Lullingstone Castle, shot, no date.
1845

Sandwich, shot, September. Now at Brighton Museum.

No Longer Accepted

1921

Near Lydd, male, May.
1898

Romney Marsh, 8th June. Hastings Rarity.
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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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