Winter in Kent provides the best time to see large numbers of ducks, geese
and shore birds. The marshes in the North of Kent have few equals. Wildfowl
species that can be seen at this time include Wigeon, Shoveler, Teal,
Pintail, Shelduck, Red-Breasted Merganser, Eider and large flocks
of Brent Geese. Shore birds include Redshank, Oystercatcher,
Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Knot, Turnstone, Dunlin and Curlew. The
marshes also attract good numbers of raptors including Hen Harrier,
Marsh Harrier, Merlin, Peregrine and occasionally a wintering
Rough-Legged Buzzard. Short-Eared Owl can also be
seen quartering the marshes in search of food in the short day light hours
of Winter.
A Spring visit to Dungeness, on the South coast of Kent, is an exciting
time. Returning migrants can be found in good numbers and the Spring passage
can provide good views of Curlew Sandpiper and Spotted
Redshank. Avocets can also be found as they move
North from their Wintering grounds in Devon and Cornwall. Sea watching around
the Southern coast of Kent can provide good views of Gannets, Guillemots,
Razorbill, Kittiwake, Fulmar and an occasional Great Skua or
Arctic Skua. On certain days Pomarine and Long-Tailed Skua can be seen.
The regions woodlands are home to all three British woodpeckers, namely the Green Woodpecker, the Great Spotted Woodpecker and the
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Exploring them in the Spring can
provide good views of a number of warblers and other Summer migrants such as the Spotted
Flycatcher. The marshes and reedbeds in Kent are home to Reed
Warblers, Sedge Warblers and Cetti's Warbler in the Summer and Bittern and water Rail in the Winter.
South East Bird Tours
