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 47–69 of 236 species
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
A common summer breeder screaming over Kent's towns and villages from late April to September. Nests in older buildings and purpose-built boxes.
Apr–Sep
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
A common summer breeder at coastal and gravel-pit sites from April to October. Breeds at Dungeness and along the Medway.
Apr–Oct
Coot
Fulica atraLC
A common resident on Kent's lakes, reservoirs and marshes year-round. Winter flocks can number in the hundreds at favoured wetland sites.
Year-round
Corn Bunting
Emberiza calandraLC
An uncommon year-round resident of Kent's arable farmland, particularly on the chalk downs. A declining species nationally but still holding on locally.
Year-round
Cuckoo
Cuculus canorusLC
An uncommon summer visitor arriving in April, heard across Kent's marshes and woodland edges. Declining nationally, making each record notable.
Apr–Aug
Curlew
Numenius arquataNT
Present year-round on estuaries, marshes, and farmland. Winter numbers bolstered by birds from northern breeding grounds.
Year-round
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
Dartford Warbler
Curruca undataNT
A rare non-breeding visitor to Kent's heathland and coastal scrub in autumn and winter. The county sits at the edge of this species' range.
Oct–Feb
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Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
Present year-round on coastal mudflats and saltmarshes, with numbers boosted in winter by Continental migrants.
Year-round
Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
A common and widespread resident, found in Kent's gardens, hedgerows, and woodland undergrowth year-round. Its shuffling song is heard from dense cover.
Year-round
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
An uncommon but spreading resident, found year-round on lakes and parkland. Part of the expanding feral population established across southeast England.
Year-round
Eider
Somateria mollissimaNT
A rare resident along Kent's coastline, most often seen off Thanet and the north Kent shore. Largely absent during midsummer months.
Sep–May
Eleonora's Falcon
Falco eleonoraeLC
An exceptionally rare vagrant from the Mediterranean, occasionally overshooting to Kent in late spring — a prized find for county birders.
May–Jun
Eurasian Bittern
Botaurus stellarisLC
A rare, secretive resident of extensive reedbeds. Best detected by its booming call in spring at sites like Stodmarsh.
Year-round
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
A common resident throughout Kent's towns, villages and farmsteads. Its monotonous three-note call is a familiar suburban sound all year.
Year-round
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
A common resident of woodlands, hedgerows and gardens throughout Kent, often conspicuous in autumn when caching acorns for winter.
Year-round
Eurasian Nuthatch
Sitta europaeaLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of Kent's mature deciduous woodlands. Its loud, ringing call carries far through the Wealden woods.
Year-round
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNT
A common resident along Kent's coastline, frequenting estuaries and shingle beaches. Noisy and conspicuous, especially around the Thames and Medway.
Year-round
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
An uncommon resident favouring alder and birch woodland. Numbers increase in winter with continental arrivals; scarcer in midsummer.
Sep–Jun
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
A common resident singing high over Kent's farmland and downland year-round. Numbers swell in winter with continental arrivals.
Year-round
Eurasian Spoonbill
Platalea leucorodiaLC
A rare but increasingly regular visitor to Kent's coastal marshes, often seen sweeping its distinctive bill through shallow water at sites like Oare and Stodmarsh.
Year-round
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Passer montanusLC
A rare and declining resident in Kent, now very localised around farmland with old hedgerows and stubble fields.
Year-round
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
Mainly a winter visitor to Kent's coastal marshes and estuaries, with large flocks on the Swale and Medway. Small numbers may linger year-round.
Year-round