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 162–184 of 236 species
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinusLC
An uncommon year-round resident, increasingly seen around coastal cliffs, quarries and urban structures including Canterbury Cathedral.
Year-round
Pink-footed Goose
Anser brachyrhynchusLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally recorded on coastal marshes and arable fields. Kent lies south of this species' main wintering range in Britain.
Oct–Feb
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
An uncommon year-round resident, found on deeper lakes and gravel pits. Numbers have declined nationally, making Kent sightings increasingly valued.
Year-round
Pomarine Jaeger
Stercorarius pomarinusLC
A rare passage migrant seen from seawatching points in spring and autumn. Dungeness and St Margaret's Bay are favoured watch sites.
May–Nov
Purple Heron
Ardea purpureaLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally overshooting from the continent in May or returning south in August, favouring reedbeds and marshes.
May–Aug
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
Razorbill
Alca tordaLC
A rare auk seen offshore, mainly in winter and during passage. Occasionally noted from seawatching points like Dungeness.
Sep–Jun
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare and irruptive resident of conifer plantations. Sightings peak in late summer and autumn during invasion years.
Jun–Feb
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Red Kite
Milvus milvusLC
A rare but increasing year-round resident, now occasionally seen soaring over Kent's countryside. Part of the species' ongoing UK recovery.
Year-round
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
Red-backed Shrike
Lanius collurioLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, typically seen in September along the coast. Coastal scrub at Dungeness is a classic spot for this scarce visitor.
Sep
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serratorLC
An uncommon winter visitor found along Kent's estuaries and sheltered coastal waters, arriving from October and departing by April.
Oct–Apr
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufinaLC
A rare passage visitor, with occasional spring records. Most Kent sightings likely involve wanderers from small feral populations in southern England.
May
Red-flanked Bluetail
Tarsiger cyanurusLC
An exceptionally rare vagrant from Asia, with occasional midwinter records at Kent's coastal sites. A prized find for birders visiting the county.
Jan
Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufaNT
An uncommon year-round resident of Kent's arable farmland and field margins. An introduced species, numbers are bolstered by releases.
Year-round
Red-necked Grebe
Podiceps grisegenaLC
A rare winter visitor to sheltered coastal waters and estuaries, arriving from October and departing by February.
Oct–Feb
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
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellataLC
An uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant, regularly seen offshore from seawatching points between autumn and spring.
Sep–May
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
Redwing
Turdus iliacusNT
A common winter visitor from Scandinavia, arriving from September and feeding in Kent's hedgerows and orchards. Often seen in mixed flocks with Fieldfares.
Sep–Apr
Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclusLC
A common year-round resident of Kent's reedbeds, marshes, and farmland hedgerows. Males are distinctive with bold black head and white collar.
Year-round
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
A rare passage migrant through Kent, mainly seen on coastal headlands in April and again in autumn. Favours short-turf areas and scrub.
Sep–Apr
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
An uncommon resident breeding on shingle beaches and coastal margins. Numbers bolstered in passage periods at sites like Dungeness.
Year-round