The non-native kelp Undaria pinnatifida (wakame) was found growing attached for the first time in late August 2024 in Kent on low shore chalk rock at Dumpton Gap between Broadstairs and Ramsgate. The species long-known to occur on marinas in Ramsgate Harbour was first recorded in Britain in the Solent in 1994 and has since spread to harbours and marinas in the south and east of England to East Anglia. In the west country permanent populations have established on rocky shores. Several thalli and many drift specimens were recorded at Dumpton and since then Tony Child of the Thanet has observed it on low shore rocks at sites at Ramsgate. Its appearance on our coast is where the decline of native kelp species has been recorded. Further visits are needed to ascertain whether a permanent population will become established.

This year's Kent Wildlife Conference was held on the 22nd October at the University of Kent Canterbury campus. The theme of this year's conference was The Role of Biodiversity and Natural History Recording in Rebuilding Biodiversity. Presentations topics included grassland creation, Local Wildlife Site management, monitoring with camera traps and supporting deadwood beetle communities. The Club would like to thank all the speakers and attendees for their contributions.

Thirteen field club members met up at Elmley national nature reserve on 29th July, in better weather than was forecast. The site was infested with brown-banded carder bumblebee (Bombus humilis), to the point where the common carder bumblebee (Bombus pascuorum) was actually rarer than all the other carder species of conservation concern! Golden dock was frequent on the ditches and dykes and the members enjoyed getting to know stinking goosefoot, visually if not aromatically.

Jan Hendey, an amazing naturalist, has sadly died after some time in a nursing home. She was the Bryology recorder for the county and a core member of Kent Field Club, Orpington Field Club and the British Bryological Society in the South East. Jan led numerous meetings and attended many more, where her knowledge and skill enabled the identification of even rare species and her friendly presence enhanced the atmosphere for all. A full obituary will be prepared for the new 'Kent Naturalist'.

Despite poor weather, seven Field Club members attended the meeting at Clapgate Spring in Faversham on 9th July. We investigated the spring itself, as well as two nearby ponds (one on the line of another small stream, the other more isolated). A range of freshwater plants was recorded, including three species of pond-weed Potamogeton, and invertebrate sampling revealed a wide range of taxa including oligochaetes, leeches, bugs, beetles and snails.