Rare Birds in Kent

99 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)36 families represented27 year-round residents

Showing 70–92 of 99 species

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
Sabine's Gull

Sabine's Gull

Xema sabiniLC

A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally spotted from Kent seawatching points in November during Atlantic storm systems.

Nov

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

Savi's Warbler

Locustella luscinioidesLC

A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded in June at Kent's larger reedbed sites. Its distinctive reeling song resembles a buzzing insect.

Jun

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

Serin

Serinus serinusLC

A rare spring passage vagrant, occasionally recorded in March at Kent's south coast sites. A prized find for local birders.

Mar

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

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Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeusLC

A rare resident, favouring coastal marshes and rough grassland. Numbers increase in winter on the North Kent Marshes and around Sheppey.

Sep–May

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

Smew

Mergellus albellusLC

A rare and prized winter visitor, favouring Kent's inland lakes and flooded gravel pits. Cold-weather influxes from the Continent boost numbers.

Dec–Mar

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

Snow Bunting

Plectrophenax nivalisLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to Kent's shingle beaches and coastal fields in winter. Most likely along the north Kent coast or Dungeness.

Oct–Feb

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

Sooty Shearwater

Ardenna griseaNT

A rare autumn passage migrant, seen offshore from September to November. Seawatching at Dungeness in strong winds offers the best chance.

Sep–Nov

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

Spotted Flycatcher

Muscicapa striataLC

A rare and declining summer breeder, arriving in May. Favours woodland clearings and mature gardens, sallying from exposed perches.

May–Oct

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

Spotted Redshank

Tringa erythropusLC

A rare but regular visitor to Kent's estuarine marshes, present in small numbers most of the year. The Swale and Medway are key sites.

Jan–Nov

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

Tawny Owl

Strix alucoLC

A scarce resident of mature woodland and parkland across Kent, more often heard than seen with its familiar hooting call on calm nights.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Temminck's Stint

Temminck's Stint

Calidris temminckiiLC

A rare passage migrant, briefly appearing at freshwater scrapes and pool margins in May and again in August.

May–Aug

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

Tree Pipit

Anthus trivialisLC

A rare visitor, mainly noted on passage in spring and autumn. Has largely ceased breeding in Kent due to habitat loss.

Apr–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Tundra Bean Goose

Tundra Bean Goose

Anser serrirostrisLC

A rare midwinter visitor, occasionally found among other goose flocks on coastal marshes. Kent lies at the edge of this species' British wintering range.

Dec–Feb

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

Tundra Swan

Cygnus columbianusLC

A rare winter visitor, occasionally found on flooded grassland and marshes. Small numbers may appear in cold spells, mainly November to February.

Nov–Feb

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

Twite

Linaria flavirostrisLC

A rare passage visitor to Kent's coastal marshes and saltings in November and December, often associating with linnet flocks.

Nov–Dec

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

Velvet Scoter

Melanitta fuscaVU

A rare non-breeding visitor to Kent's offshore waters, mainly in late autumn and winter. Often associates with Common Scoter flocks.

Oct–Apr

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

Water Pipit

Anthus spinolettaLC

A rare winter visitor to Kent's watercress beds, marshes and coastal wetlands from October to April.

Oct–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
White-rumped Sandpiper

White-rumped Sandpiper

Calidris fuscicollisVU

A rare Nearctic vagrant occasionally recorded in July at coastal scrapes. One of the scarcer transatlantic waders to reach Kent.

Jul

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