Birds in Kent
Explore 236 species found in this region.
Kent, known as the 'Garden of England', is home to an impressive 227 recorded bird species, reflecting the county's rich diversity of habitats from coastal marshes and estuarine mudflats to ancient woodlands and rolling farmland. The North Kent Marshes and the White Cliffs of Dover are among the most celebrated birding locations in southern England, attracting both resident and migratory species throughout the year. Notable species include the elegant Northern Lapwing on farmland, the striking Mandarin Duck along wooded waterways, and waders such as the Common Sandpiper along the county's extensive coastline.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Jaeger and Arctic Tern arriving this month, and Common Loon and Common Merganser depart for the season.
Showing 208–230 of 236 species
Stonechat
Saxicola torquatusLC
An uncommon resident of Kent's coastal gorse, heathland, and rough grassland. Numbers are bolstered in winter by birds from the continent.
Year-round
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
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
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
Treecreeper
Certhia familiarisLC
An uncommon resident of mature woodland throughout Kent, spiralling up tree trunks in search of insects. Easily overlooked due to its cryptic plumage.
Year-round
Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligulaLC
A common year-round resident on Kent's lakes, reservoirs and gravel pits. Males are striking black and white with a distinctive drooping head tuft.
Year-round
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
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
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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
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
Water Pipit
Anthus spinolettaLC
A rare winter visitor to Kent's watercress beds, marshes and coastal wetlands from October to April.
Oct–Apr
Water Rail
Rallus aquaticusLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of Kent's reedbeds and marshes. More often heard than seen, with a pig-like squeal call.
Year-round
Western Marsh-harrier
Circus aeruginosusLC
A common resident of Kent's extensive reedbeds and marshes, particularly numerous at sites like Stodmarsh and the North Kent Marshes.
Year-round
Wheatear
Oenanthe oenantheLC
An uncommon breeder on Kent's chalk downland and coastal grasslands, present from March to October. Often bobs on fence posts and rabbit mounds.
Mar–Oct
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
Whinchat
Saxicola rubetraLC
An uncommon passage migrant through Kent in spring and autumn, favouring rough grassland and coastal scrub at sites like Dungeness.
May–Oct
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
Whitethroat
Curruca communisLC
A common summer breeder arriving in April, favouring scrubby hedgerows and farmland edges. Its scratchy song is a Kent summer staple.
Apr–Oct
Whooper Swan
Cygnus cygnusLC
A rare winter visitor to Kent, occasionally turning up on flooded fields and marshes in the coldest months. Far less frequent here than in northern England.
Dec–Feb
Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilusLC
An uncommon breeding visitor to Kent's woodlands and scrubby habitats from March. Has declined significantly in southeast England in recent decades.
Mar–Oct
Wilson's Phalarope
Phalaropus tricolorLC
A rare vagrant from the Americas, occasionally recorded on autumn passage. Kent's coastal wetlands attract most English records of this species.
Oct
Wood Sandpiper
Tringa glareolaLC
A rare visitor mainly on passage through Kent's freshwater marshes in spring and late summer. Favours muddy pool edges at sites like Stodmarsh.
Apr–Sep
Woodlark
Lullula arboreaLC
A rare passage migrant through Kent in March and October, occasionally noted on heathland edges and open downland.
Oct–Mar