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 47–69 of 91 species

Manx Shearwater

Manx Shearwater

Puffinus puffinusLC

A rare passage visitor seen during summer and early autumn seawatches, mainly from Dungeness headland.

Jun–Sep

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

Marsh Tit

Poecile palustrisLC

A rare and declining resident of mature deciduous woodland. Sedentary by nature, it favours ancient woods in the Weald and North Downs.

Nov–Jul

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

Merlin

Falco columbariusLC

A rare winter visitor from September to April, hunting small birds over marshes and open coast. Most often seen on the North Kent Marshes.

Sep–Apr

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

Nightjar

Caprimulgus europaeusLC

A rare passage visitor in June, occasionally found on heathland. Breeds very locally in Kent's remaining heathy woodlands.

Jun

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

Northern Goshawk

Accipiter gentilisLC

A rare passage visitor to Kent, occasionally recorded in late winter. Sightings are increasing as this secretive raptor slowly recolonises southern England.

Feb–Mar

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

Osprey

Pandion haliaetusLC

A rare but eagerly anticipated passage migrant, seen at Kent's reservoirs and estuaries mainly in spring and early autumn.

May–Sep

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

Pallid Swift

Apus pallidusLC

An exceptionally rare late-autumn vagrant, occasionally recorded among Common Swift flocks during November passage.

Nov

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

Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris melanotosLC

A rare Nearctic vagrant, occasionally turning up on freshwater marshes and coastal pools in August and September.

Aug–Sep

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

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Pink-footed Goose

Pink-footed Goose

Anser brachyrhynchusLC

A rare winter visitor, occasionally recorded on coastal marshes and arable fields. Kent lies south of this species' main wintering range in Britain.

Oct–Feb

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

Pomarine Jaeger

Stercorarius pomarinusLC

A rare passage migrant seen from seawatching points in spring and autumn. Dungeness and St Margaret's Bay are favoured watch sites.

May–Nov

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

Purple Heron

Ardea purpureaLC

A rare passage visitor, occasionally overshooting from the continent in May or returning south in August, favouring reedbeds and marshes.

May–Aug

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

Purple Sandpiper

Calidris maritimaLC

A rare winter visitor from October to March, found on rocky groynes and harbour walls along the Kent coast.

Oct–Mar

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

Razorbill

Alca tordaLC

A rare auk seen offshore, mainly in winter and during passage. Occasionally noted from seawatching points like Dungeness.

Sep–Jun

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

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostraLC

A rare and irruptive resident of conifer plantations. Sightings peak in late summer and autumn during invasion years.

Jun–Feb

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

Red Kite

Milvus milvusLC

A rare but increasing year-round resident, now occasionally seen soaring over Kent's countryside. Part of the species' ongoing UK recovery.

Year-round

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

Red Knot

Calidris canutusNT

A rare visitor to Kent's mudflats, most likely seen in winter or on autumn passage. Absent in June, with numbers nationally declining.

Jul–May

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-backed Shrike

Red-backed Shrike

Lanius collurioLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, typically seen in September along the coast. Coastal scrub at Dungeness is a classic spot for this scarce visitor.

Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-crested Pochard

Red-crested Pochard

Netta rufinaLC

A rare passage visitor, with occasional spring records. Most Kent sightings likely involve wanderers from small feral populations in southern England.

May

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-flanked Bluetail

Red-flanked Bluetail

Tarsiger cyanurusLC

An exceptionally rare vagrant from Asia, with occasional midwinter records at Kent's coastal sites. A prized find for birders visiting the county.

Jan

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-necked Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Podiceps grisegenaLC

A rare winter visitor to sheltered coastal waters and estuaries, arriving from October and departing by February.

Oct–Feb

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-necked Phalarope

Red-necked Phalarope

Phalaropus lobatusLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally recorded at Kent's coastal pools in September. A prized find for county birders.

Sep

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

Ring Ouzel

Turdus torquatusLC

A rare passage migrant through Kent, mainly seen on coastal headlands in April and again in autumn. Favours short-turf areas and scrub.

Sep–Apr

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

Ruddy Duck

Oxyura jamaicensisLC

A rare and declining non-native resident, subject to an eradication programme. Occasionally lingers on lakes and reservoirs.

Sep–May

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