Sandpipers & Snipes in Kent

24 species matching this filter.

All birds in KentView family page

Kent's diverse coastal and wetland habitats make it one of the premier counties in England for observing sandpipers and snipes, with 24 species recorded across the region. The extensive mudflats and estuaries of the Thames, Medway, and Swale provide vital feeding grounds for waders such as Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, and Curlew, while freshwater marshes and grazing meadows attract species like Common Snipe, Jack Snipe, and Eurasian Woodcock. Whether visiting the renowned reserves of the North Kent Marshes or exploring quieter inland waterways, birdwatchers can enjoy exceptional wader watching throughout the year.

Temminck's Stint
Temminck's StintSmallest · 13cm
to
Curlew
CurlewLargest · 60cm
Ranges from the Temminck's Stint (13cm) to the Curlew (60cm)14 year-round residents

Showing 1–23 of 24 species

Bar-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit

Limosa lapponicaNT

An uncommon year-round presence on Kent's estuarine mudflats, with numbers peaking in winter. Favours the Thames, Medway and Swale estuaries.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Black-tailed Godwit

Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosaNT

Present year-round on Kent's coastal marshes and estuaries, with the Swale and Medway hosting important flocks. Numbers peak in winter.

Year-round

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

Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucosLC

An uncommon passage and wintering wader along rivers and reservoir margins. Most frequent in spring and autumn.

Apr–Feb

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

Common Snipe

Gallinago gallinagoLC

An uncommon resident of wet grasslands and marshes across Kent. Winter numbers increase with continental arrivals to sites like Stodmarsh.

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
Curlew Sandpiper

Curlew Sandpiper

Calidris ferrugineaNT

An uncommon autumn passage migrant from July to October, favouring coastal pools and estuarine mudflats across north and east Kent.

Jul–Oct

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

Dunlin

Calidris alpinaLC

Present year-round on coastal mudflats and saltmarshes, with numbers boosted in winter by Continental migrants.

Year-round

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

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

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

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Green Sandpiper

Green Sandpiper

Tringa ochropusLC

An uncommon but widespread resident of Kent's watercress beds, ditches and marshy pools. Often bobs conspicuously before flying off with a sharp call.

Jun–Apr

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

Greenshank

Tringa nebulariaLC

An uncommon but regular wader, found on estuarine mudflats and coastal pools throughout the year, with a distinctive ringing call.

Year-round

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
Little Stint

Little Stint

Calidris minutaLC

An uncommon autumn passage migrant, typically seen on coastal scrapes and muddy pool edges from July to October.

Jul–Oct

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
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
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-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
Redshank

Redshank

Tringa totanusLC

A common year-round wader on Kent's estuaries and coastal marshes, easily recognised by its loud piping calls and bright orange-red legs.

Year-round

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

Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpresLC

An uncommon year-round resident of Kent's rocky shores and harbour walls. Flocks forage along the tideline, flipping stones for invertebrates.

Year-round

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

Ruff

Philomachus pugnaxLC

An uncommon visitor to Kent's coastal marshes, present most months but absent in June. Favours muddy scrapes at reserves like Elmley.

Jul–May

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

Sanderling

Calidris albaLC

Found year-round on Kent's sandy beaches, running along the surf line. Numbers are highest during autumn and spring passage periods.

Year-round

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
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
Whimbrel

Whimbrel

Numenius phaeopusLC

An uncommon passage visitor, mainly seen on Kent's coastal marshes during spring and autumn migration. Its distinctive whistling call aids detection.

Apr–Oct

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