Rainfall in January was comparatively low for the time of year, producing only 40.5 mm during the month. Our highest daily rainfall was 13 mm, recorded on the morning of the 30th, but there was no recordable rainfall between the 17th and 28th. This still leaves our pond water-levels unusually low for the end of January. Maximum daytime temperatures ranged between 0⁰ C on the 26th and 11⁰ C on the 8th and 11th.  Ponds were partly frozen from the 3rd to the 6th, and almost totally frozen from the 11th until a thaw set in on the 28th.  All ice was completely melted by the 31st.

Years ago, the Club paid for a case to be installed at Maidstone Museum but subsequently forgot about it!

On the 27th August, several Club members met in glorious sunshine (and a bit of wind) just across the Kingsferry Bridge to explore the north coastline of the Swale on Sheppey. Marine expert Ian Tittley introduced us to the vascular plants, seaweeds, animals (and animals that look like seaweeds: Hornwrack!) to be found on the shore and coastal defences bordering Elmley Marshes.

On the 14th August, fifteen Field Club members were fortunate enough to both have access to Fort Horsted, Medway and excellent weather. This structure, built in the 1880s, was owned by the MoD until the 1960s, then was neglected, being used for landfill at one point. It is now owned and managed by Avondale Environmental Services. The soil excavated from the main defensive ditch was deposited on banks above, which have developed into a chalk grassland over the last century. A wide variety of pollinators were present including butterflies, hoverflies and bees. Particularly interesting were the Large Scabious Mining Bee, Andrena hattorfiana, and Melitta tricincta, a specialist bee on Red Bartsia

The Kent Wildlife Conference, now in its sixteenth year, was created as a way for field naturalists in the county to meet, learn about and discuss the county's wild plant and animal species.