Rare Birds in Kent

91 species matching this filter.

All birds in Kent

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.

Yellow-browed Warbler
Yellow-browed WarblerSmallest · 10cm
to
Whooper Swan
Whooper SwanLargest · 165cm
Ranges from the Yellow-browed Warbler (10cm) to the Whooper Swan (165cm)34 families represented26 year-round residents

Showing 24–46 of 91 species

European Shag

European Shag

Phalacrocorax aristotelisLC

A rare coastal visitor, occasionally seen on rocky structures and harbour walls, more typical of western and northern UK coasts.

Jul–Apr

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

Garganey

Spatula querquedulaLC

A rare summer visitor breeding on Kent's freshwater marshes, arriving in spring. Stodmarsh and Dungeness are traditional sites for this scarce duck.

Mar–Oct

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

Glaucous Gull

Larus hyperboreusLC

A rare Arctic gull, occasionally recorded in March among winter gull roosts at coastal and reservoir sites.

Mar

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

Grasshopper Warbler

Locustella naeviaLC

A rare passage migrant in spring and autumn, skulking in dense low vegetation. Best detected by its prolonged mechanical reeling song on calm evenings.

Apr–Sep

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

Great Skua

Catharacta skuaLC

Scarce but seen year-round off the Kent coast, most often during autumn seawatches at Dungeness and Foreness Point.

Aug–May

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

Greater Scaup

Aythya marilaLC

A rare winter visitor to Kent's coastal waters and estuaries. Often found among flocks of Tufted Duck, requiring careful identification.

Nov–Mar

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

Grey Partridge

Perdix perdixLC

A rare and declining resident of Kent's arable farmland, favouring open fields with hedgerow margins. Numbers have fallen sharply across the county.

Year-round

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

Hawfinch

Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to Kent, occasionally seen in mature woodland from October to March. Continental irruptions can boost sightings some winters.

Oct–Mar

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

Spotted something?

Upload a photo to identify it

Identify
Horned Grebe

Horned Grebe

Podiceps auritusVU

A rare winter visitor to sheltered coastal waters and reservoirs, present from November to April.

Nov–Apr

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

Horned Lark

Eremophila alpestrisLC

A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded on Kent's shingle beaches and coastal fields during November movements.

Nov

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

Iceland Gull

Larus glaucoidesLC

A rare late-winter visitor, occasionally turning up at harbours or among gull flocks in March.

Mar

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

Jack Snipe

Lymnocryptes minimusLC

A rare winter visitor to Kent's marshes and wet meadows from October to March. Secretive and easily overlooked among damp vegetation.

Oct–Mar

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

Lapland Longspur

Calcarius lapponicusLC

A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally noted in November on Kent's coastal fields and shingle areas like Dungeness.

Nov

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Leach's Storm-petrel

Leach's Storm-petrel

Hydrobates leucorhousVU

A rare storm-driven pelagic visitor, occasionally recorded from Kent headlands during November gales.

Nov

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

Dryobates minorLC

A rare and declining passage visitor to Kent's mature woodlands, most likely encountered between January and April when drumming reveals its presence.

Jan–Apr

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

Little Auk

Alle alleLC

A rare November passage visitor, sometimes driven close to Kent's coast by North Sea storms. Tiny and distinctive among the auks.

Nov

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

Little Gull

Hydrocoloeus minutusLC

A rare but year-round presence, most often seen offshore or at coastal marshes. Dainty and buoyant, picking food from the water's surface.

Year-round

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

Little Owl

Athene noctuaLC

A rare but sedentary resident found in farmland with old orchards and hedgerow trees. Often bobs comically when perched on fence posts.

Year-round

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

Little Tern

Sternula albifronsLC

A rare breeding summer visitor to shingle beaches, present from April to September. A Schedule 1 species needing protected nesting sites.

Apr–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Long-eared Owl

Long-eared Owl

Asio otusLC

A rare winter visitor and passage bird, secretive in dense scrub and hedgerows, most likely encountered from November to March.

Nov–Mar

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Long-tailed Duck

Long-tailed Duck

Clangula hyemalisVU

A rare winter visitor to Kent's coastal waters and reservoirs. Most records come from the sea off Dungeness or Thanet between autumn and spring.

Oct–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Long-tailed Jaeger

Long-tailed Jaeger

Stercorarius longicaudusLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally spotted from coastal headlands like Dungeness during September seawatches.

Sep

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

Mandarin Duck

Aix galericulataLC

A rare but established resident, favouring wooded lakes and rivers. Small numbers breed in Kent, often nesting in tree holes near quiet waterways.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
PreviousPage 2 of 4Next

Frequently Asked Questions

Rare Birds in Kent | Birdfact