Common Birds in Kent

63 species matching this filter.

All birds in Kent

Kent's diverse landscapes — from the chalk cliffs of Dover and the expansive marshes of the Thames Estuary to ancient woodlands and rolling farmland — support a rich variety of common bird species. With 63 commonly occurring species, birdwatchers can expect to encounter everything from familiar garden visitors like Blackbirds and European Goldfinches to wetland specialists such as Common Shelduck and Gadwall. Many of these species also feature in our guide to 23 Common Garden Birds in the UK (Full Guide with Pictures), making Kent an excellent county for both beginner and experienced birders alike.

Eurasian Wren
Eurasian WrenSmallest · 9cm
to
Mute Swan
Mute SwanLargest · 160cm
Ranges from the Eurasian Wren (9cm) to the Mute Swan (160cm)33 families represented56 year-round residents

Showing 1–23 of 63 species

Barn Swallow

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rusticaLC

A common summer visitor breeding in barns and outbuildings across rural Kent. Arrives from March and lingers into November before its long migration south.

Mar–Nov

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Blackbird

Blackbird

Turdus merulaLC

A common and familiar year-round resident of gardens, hedgerows and woodland throughout Kent. Continental migrants bolster numbers during autumn and winter.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Blackcap

Blackcap

Sylvia atricapillaLC

Common in Kent's woodlands and gardens year-round, boosted in winter by continental migrants. A rich, fluty song heard from dense cover.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Blue Tit

Blue Tit

Cyanistes caeruleusLC

One of Kent's most familiar garden birds, this common resident visits feeders year-round and nests readily in garden nest boxes.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Buzzard

Buzzard

Buteo buteoLC

A common resident soaring over Kent's farmland, woodland edges and downs, having recovered strongly across the county in recent decades.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Canada Goose

Canada Goose

Branta canadensisLC

A common year-round resident found on lakes, rivers, and gravel pits across Kent. Established feral populations breed readily throughout the county.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Carrion Crow

Carrion Crow

Corvus coroneLC

An abundant and adaptable resident found across all Kent habitats, from farmland and coast to town centres.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Cetti's Warbler

Cetti's Warbler

Cettia cettiLC

A common resident of Kent's wetlands and dense scrub, having expanded rapidly since colonising in the 1970s. More often heard than seen with its explosive song.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Spotted something?

Upload a photo to identify it

Identify
Chaffinch

Chaffinch

Fringilla coelebsLC

A common resident of woodlands, hedgerows and gardens throughout Kent. One of the county's most familiar finches, with a bold, cheerful song in spring.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

Phylloscopus collybitaLC

A common year-round resident found in woodlands, parks and gardens throughout Kent. Numbers are boosted in winter by continental migrants.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Gull

Common Gull

Larus canusLC

Present year-round on farmland, playing fields, and coasts. Numbers swell in winter with Continental arrivals.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Pheasant

Common Pheasant

Phasianus colchicusLC

Abundant year-round across farmland, woodland edges, and rural gardens, sustained by widespread game releases.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Reed-warbler

Common Reed-warbler

Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC

A common breeding visitor from April, inhabiting Kent's extensive reedbeds at sites like Stodmarsh and Elmley. Its repetitive churring song carries across the marshes.

Apr–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Shelduck

Common Shelduck

Tadorna tadornaLC

Common on Kent's estuaries and coastal grazing marshes year-round. Large numbers breed on the North Kent Marshes and Pegwell Bay.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Starling

Common Starling

Sturnus vulgarisLC

A common resident throughout Kent. Winter roosts can be spectacular, with thousands gathering over towns and reedbeds at dusk.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Swift

Common Swift

Apus apusLC

A common summer breeder screaming over Kent's towns and villages from late April to September. Nests in older buildings and purpose-built boxes.

Apr–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Tern

Common Tern

Sterna hirundoLC

A common summer breeder at coastal and gravel-pit sites from April to October. Breeds at Dungeness and along the Medway.

Apr–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Coot

Coot

Fulica atraLC

A common resident on Kent's lakes, reservoirs and marshes year-round. Winter flocks can number in the hundreds at favoured wetland sites.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Curlew

Curlew

Numenius arquataNT

Present year-round on estuaries, marshes, and farmland. Winter numbers bolstered by birds from northern breeding grounds.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Dunnock

Dunnock

Prunella modularisLC

A common and widespread resident, found in Kent's gardens, hedgerows, and woodland undergrowth year-round. Its shuffling song is heard from dense cover.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Eurasian Collared Dove

Eurasian Collared Dove

Streptopelia decaoctoLC

A common resident throughout Kent's towns, villages and farmsteads. Its monotonous three-note call is a familiar suburban sound all year.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Eurasian Jay

Eurasian Jay

Garrulus glandariusLC

A common resident of woodlands, hedgerows and gardens throughout Kent, often conspicuous in autumn when caching acorns for winter.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Eurasian Oystercatcher

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Haematopus ostralegusNT

A common resident along Kent's coastline, frequenting estuaries and shingle beaches. Noisy and conspicuous, especially around the Thames and Medway.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Page 1 of 3Next

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Birds in Kent | Birdfact