Rare Birds in Kent
91 species matching this filter.
Kent's diverse landscapes—from the chalk cliffs of Dover and the expansive wetlands of the North Kent Marshes to ancient woodlands and coastal estuaries—provide habitat for an impressive array of rare bird species. With 91 species classified as rare in the county, keen birders may encounter elusive residents such as the Barn Owl and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, alongside scarce visitors like the Great Skua, Purple Sandpiper, and Pink-footed Goose. Whether you're scanning the shoreline or exploring quiet woodland rides, Kent offers rewarding opportunities to spot some of Britain's most sought-after birds.
Showing 1–23 of 91 species
Arctic Loon
Gavia arcticaLC
A rare winter visitor to Kent's coastal waters and estuaries, present from October to May. Best looked for off Dungeness or in the Thames Estuary.
Oct–May
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
A rare breeder in Kent, mainly seen on coastal passage from April to November. Best spotted from seawatching points like Dungeness.
Apr–Nov
Balearic Shearwater
Puffinus mauretanicusCR
A rare but increasingly reported passage visitor offshore in late summer. This globally Critically Endangered shearwater passes through in August and September.
Aug–Sep
Barn Owl
Tyto albaLC
A rare year-round resident, ghosting silently over farmland and rough grassland at dusk. Nest boxes have aided its presence across Kent.
Year-round
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
A rare resident, with records likely involving feral birds or occasional wild vagrants mixing with Brent Goose flocks on coastal marshes in winter.
Nov–May
Black Redstart
Phoenicurus ochrurosLC
A rare year-round resident, favouring coastal cliffs, industrial sites, and urban buildings across Kent. Dover's white cliffs are a well-known stronghold.
Year-round
Black Swan
Cygnus atratusLC
A rare escapee from wildfowl collections, occasionally seen on lakes and rivers in late spring. Not a naturally occurring species in Kent.
May–Jun
Black Tern
Chlidonias nigerLC
A rare passage migrant, seen dipping over lakes and reservoirs in spring and late summer. Dungeness and Stodmarsh are favoured stopover sites.
May–Sep
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Black-necked Grebe
Podiceps nigricollisLC
Scarce non-breeding visitor to reservoirs and coastal lagoons, most reliably seen in autumn and winter months.
Aug–Apr
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulusLC
A rare and irruptive winter visitor, occasionally reaching Kent in December during invasion years, drawn to berry-laden trees.
Dec
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, occasionally joining chaffinch flocks in beech woodland and farmland from autumn to spring.
Sep–Apr
Common Loon
Gavia immerLC
A rare winter visitor to coastal waters, occasionally seen from Dungeness or in the Thames Estuary from November to March.
Nov–Mar
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to reservoirs and larger rivers, occasionally seen between November and March.
Nov–Mar
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
A rare visitor, mainly seen on passage in spring and autumn at coastal sites. Breeding in Kent is very scarce.
Apr–Oct
Dartford Warbler
Curruca undataNT
A rare non-breeding visitor to Kent's heathland and coastal scrub in autumn and winter. The county sits at the edge of this species' range.
Oct–Feb
Eider
Somateria mollissimaNT
A rare resident along Kent's coastline, most often seen off Thanet and the north Kent shore. Largely absent during midsummer months.
Sep–May
Eleonora's Falcon
Falco eleonoraeLC
An exceptionally rare vagrant from the Mediterranean, occasionally overshooting to Kent in late spring — a prized find for county birders.
May–Jun
Eurasian Bittern
Botaurus stellarisLC
A rare, secretive resident of extensive reedbeds. Best detected by its booming call in spring at sites like Stodmarsh.
Year-round
Eurasian Spoonbill
Platalea leucorodiaLC
A rare but increasingly regular visitor to Kent's coastal marshes, often seen sweeping its distinctive bill through shallow water at sites like Oare and Stodmarsh.
Year-round
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Passer montanusLC
A rare and declining resident in Kent, now very localised around farmland with old hedgerows and stubble fields.
Year-round
Eurasian Woodcock
Scolopax rusticolaLC
A rare winter visitor to Kent's woodlands and damp copses. Secretive and well-camouflaged, most often flushed at close range.
Nov–Mar
European Honey-buzzard
Pernis apivorusLC
A rare summer passage migrant through Kent from June to August. Favours wooded areas and is most often seen soaring over the North Downs.
Jun–Aug
European Pied Flycatcher
Ficedula hypoleucaLC
A rare autumn passage migrant through Kent, mainly seen at coastal sites in August and September. Often found in sheltered scrub and gardens.
Aug–Sep