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 116–138 of 236 species
Iceland Gull
Larus glaucoidesLC
A rare late-winter visitor, occasionally turning up at harbours or among gull flocks in March.
Mar
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
Jackdaw
Coloeus monedulaLC
A common and sociable resident, nesting in church towers, old trees and buildings across Kent's towns and villages.
Year-round
Kestrel
Falco tinnunculusLC
A common resident, hovering over roadside verges and farmland throughout the year. One of Kent's most visible birds of prey.
Year-round
Kittiwake
Rissa tridactylaVU
An uncommon year-round presence offshore, sometimes seen from coastal headlands. UK breeding populations are in steep decline.
Year-round
Lapland Longspur
Calcarius lapponicusLC
A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally noted in November on Kent's coastal fields and shingle areas like Dungeness.
Nov
Leach's Storm-petrel
Hydrobates leucorhousVU
A rare storm-driven pelagic visitor, occasionally recorded from Kent headlands during November gales.
Nov
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusLC
A common resident found at landfill sites, reservoirs and along the coast. Numbers peak in summer but present throughout the year.
Year-round
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Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Dryobates minorLC
A rare and declining passage visitor to Kent's mature woodlands, most likely encountered between January and April when drumming reveals its presence.
Jan–Apr
Lesser Whitethroat
Curruca currucaLC
An uncommon summer breeder in Kent's dense hedgerows and scrubby thickets, arriving in April. Its rattling song is often the best clue to its presence.
Apr–Oct
Lesser Yellowlegs
Tringa flavipesVU
A rare Nearctic vagrant occasionally recorded on passage in July. Most Kent sightings occur at wetland reserves along the coast.
Jul
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
A common resident of open farmland, heathland and coastal scrub. Often forms large winter flocks on Kent's stubble fields.
Year-round
Little Auk
Alle alleLC
A rare November passage visitor, sometimes driven close to Kent's coast by North Sea storms. Tiny and distinctive among the auks.
Nov
Little Egret
Egretta garzettaLC
Now a common resident across Kent's marshes, estuaries and coastal lagoons, having colonised rapidly since the 1990s.
Year-round
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollisLC
An uncommon but resident grebe found on ponds, lakes, and slow rivers year-round, often betrayed by its whinnying trill.
Year-round
Little Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutusLC
A rare but year-round presence, most often seen offshore or at coastal marshes. Dainty and buoyant, picking food from the water's surface.
Year-round
Little Owl
Athene noctuaLC
A rare but sedentary resident found in farmland with old orchards and hedgerow trees. Often bobs comically when perched on fence posts.
Year-round
Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubiusLC
An uncommon summer breeder favouring Kent's gravel pits and reservoir margins. Arrives from March and departs by September.
Mar–Sep
Little Stint
Calidris minutaLC
An uncommon autumn passage migrant, typically seen on coastal scrapes and muddy pool edges from July to October.
Jul–Oct
Little Tern
Sternula albifronsLC
A rare breeding summer visitor to shingle beaches, present from April to September. A Schedule 1 species needing protected nesting sites.
Apr–Sep
Long-billed Dowitcher
Limnodromus scolopaceusNT
A rare Nearctic vagrant, occasionally appearing at coastal marshes in August or October. A prized find for birders.
Aug–Oct
Long-eared Owl
Asio otusLC
A rare winter visitor and passage bird, secretive in dense scrub and hedgerows, most likely encountered from November to March.
Nov–Mar
Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalisVU
A rare winter visitor to Kent's coastal waters and reservoirs. Most records come from the sea off Dungeness or Thanet between autumn and spring.
Oct–Apr