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 185–207 of 236 species
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
Ubiquitous in towns and cities year-round as feral pigeons. Truly wild birds are essentially absent from Kent.
Year-round
Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosusLC
An uncommon resident of Kent's rocky coastline, particularly around the chalk cliffs. Forages along the tideline and on seaweed-covered rocks.
Year-round
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
A common and sociable resident, nesting in noisy rookeries in tall trees across Kent's farmland. Large flocks gather on ploughed fields.
Year-round
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Alexandrinus krameriLC
An established but uncommon resident, part of the expanding south-east England population, often seen in noisy flocks around suburban parks and gardens.
Year-round
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensisLC
A rare and declining non-native resident, subject to an eradication programme. Occasionally lingers on lakes and reservoirs.
Sep–May
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpresLC
An uncommon year-round resident of Kent's rocky shores and harbour walls. Flocks forage along the tideline, flipping stones for invertebrates.
Year-round
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
An uncommon visitor to Kent's coastal marshes, present most months but absent in June. Favours muddy scrapes at reserves like Elmley.
Jul–May
Sabine's Gull
Xema sabiniLC
A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally spotted from Kent seawatching points in November during Atlantic storm systems.
Nov
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Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
An uncommon breeding visitor from March, nesting in sandy banks along Kent's rivers and gravel pits. Often seen hawking insects over water.
Mar–Oct
Sanderling
Calidris albaLC
Found year-round on Kent's sandy beaches, running along the surf line. Numbers are highest during autumn and spring passage periods.
Year-round
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensisLC
Present along the coast from March to December, plunge-diving for fish. Breeds at key colonies and is a familiar sight off Pegwell Bay.
Mar–Dec
Savi's Warbler
Locustella luscinioidesLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded in June at Kent's larger reedbed sites. Its distinctive reeling song resembles a buzzing insect.
Jun
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
A common summer breeder arriving from March, favouring ditches and wetland margins across Kent's marshes. Delivers its rapid, chattering song from reed tops.
Mar–Sep
Serin
Serinus serinusLC
A rare spring passage vagrant, occasionally recorded in March at Kent's south coast sites. A prized find for local birders.
Mar
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusLC
A rare resident, favouring coastal marshes and rough grassland. Numbers increase in winter on the North Kent Marshes and around Sheppey.
Sep–May
Smew
Mergellus albellusLC
A rare and prized winter visitor, favouring Kent's inland lakes and flooded gravel pits. Cold-weather influxes from the Continent boost numbers.
Dec–Mar
Snow Bunting
Plectrophenax nivalisLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to Kent's shingle beaches and coastal fields in winter. Most likely along the north Kent coast or Dungeness.
Oct–Feb
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelosLC
A common resident of gardens, woodlands and hedgerows, heard singing from early spring. Numbers bolstered by continental birds in winter.
Year-round
Sooty Shearwater
Ardenna griseaNT
A rare autumn passage migrant, seen offshore from September to November. Seawatching at Dungeness in strong winds offers the best chance.
Sep–Nov
Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
An uncommon but widespread resident, hunting small birds in woodlands, hedgerows and gardens. Often dashes low through Kent's suburban areas.
Year-round
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striataLC
A rare and declining summer breeder, arriving in May. Favours woodland clearings and mature gardens, sallying from exposed perches.
May–Oct
Spotted Redshank
Tringa erythropusLC
A rare but regular visitor to Kent's estuarine marshes, present in small numbers most of the year. The Swale and Medway are key sites.
Jan–Nov
Stock Dove
Columba oenasLC
A common resident found in parkland, woodland edges and farmland across Kent. Often nests in tree holes and old buildings.
Year-round