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 24–46 of 236 species
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of hedgerows, orchards and woodland edges. Shy and easily overlooked despite its rosy plumage.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
A common resident soaring over Kent's farmland, woodland edges and downs, having recovered strongly across the county in recent decades.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common year-round resident found on lakes, rivers, and gravel pits across Kent. Established feral populations breed readily throughout the county.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
An abundant and adaptable resident found across all Kent habitats, from farmland and coast to town centres.
Year-round
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibisLC
An uncommon but increasingly established resident, often seen with livestock on Kent's marshes and farmland. A relatively recent coloniser of the county.
Year-round
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
A common resident of Kent's wetlands and dense scrub, having expanded rapidly since colonising in the 1970s. More often heard than seen with its explosive song.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common resident of woodlands, hedgerows and gardens throughout Kent. One of the county's most familiar finches, with a bold, cheerful song in spring.
Year-round
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
A common year-round resident found in woodlands, parks and gardens throughout Kent. Numbers are boosted in winter by continental migrants.
Year-round
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Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
An uncommon resident favouring coniferous and mixed woodland, less frequent in Kent than in more heavily forested regions of Britain.
Year-round
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
Present year-round on farmland, playing fields, and coasts. Numbers swell in winter with Continental arrivals.
Year-round
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
Found year-round along Kent's rivers, streams and gravel pits, this dazzling resident is uncommon but regularly seen at sites like Stodmarsh.
Year-round
Common Loon
Gavia immerLC
A rare winter visitor to coastal waters, occasionally seen from Dungeness or in the Thames Estuary from November to March.
Nov–Mar
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to reservoirs and larger rivers, occasionally seen between November and March.
Nov–Mar
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
Abundant year-round across farmland, woodland edges, and rural gardens, sustained by widespread game releases.
Year-round
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
Once absent from Kent, this impressive corvid has recolonised the county in recent years and is now an uncommon but increasing resident.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
An uncommon resident, mainly seen in Kent's birch and alder woodland. Numbers fluctuate with periodic influxes of continental birds in autumn and winter.
Sep–May
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
A rare visitor, mainly seen on passage in spring and autumn at coastal sites. Breeding in Kent is very scarce.
Apr–Oct
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
A common breeding visitor from April, inhabiting Kent's extensive reedbeds at sites like Stodmarsh and Elmley. Its repetitive churring song carries across the marshes.
Apr–Oct
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
An uncommon passage and wintering wader along rivers and reservoir margins. Most frequent in spring and autumn.
Apr–Feb
Common Scoter
Melanitta nigraLC
Present year-round off Kent's coast, with rafts visible from headlands and sea-watching points. Numbers peak during autumn passage.
Year-round
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
Common on Kent's estuaries and coastal grazing marshes year-round. Large numbers breed on the North Kent Marshes and Pegwell Bay.
Year-round
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
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A common resident throughout Kent. Winter roosts can be spectacular, with thousands gathering over towns and reedbeds at dusk.
Year-round