Birds of Birchington-on-Sea

214 bird species have been recorded within 5 km of the centre of Birchington-on-Sea (Kent) since 2010, across 15,683 public observation records shared through GBIF. The most recorded are Mediterranean Gull, European Herring Gull and Carrion Crow.

Water shapes this list. 44% of records near Birchington-on-Sea are ducks, geese, gulls, waders, herons and other waterbirds — Mediterranean Gull, European Herring Gull and Black-headed Gull lead them — which points to coast, estuary, river or open water within range. Carrion Crow is still the most logged garden bird.

14 birds of prey are on record nearby, including Common Kestrel, Common Buzzard and Eurasian Marsh-Harrier.

Records peak in October and are lowest in March — about 14.4 times as many in the busiest month. Part of that is birds (migrants and winter visitors), part is people: more birders are out in good weather, so treat the curve as activity, not a census.

Saint Peters, 8 km to the east, has more species on record (248 against 214). Birds logged far more often around Birchington-on-Sea than there include Common Redshank, Mallard, Common Reed Bunting and Cetti's Warbler.

Daylight runs from 16 h 37 min at midsummer to 7 h 51 min at midwinter here. Sunrise is about 6:01 in mid-April and 4:37 in late June; the dawn chorus starts 30–60 minutes earlier.

Foods for the most recorded garden birds here, from our species notes.

• Woodpigeon

  Seed mix

• Blackbird

  Soaked sultanas · Apples · Mealworms

• Starling

  Suet · Mealworms

• House Sparrow

  Seed mix · Sunflower hearts · Suet

• Pied Wagtail

  Mealworms

• Robin

  Mealworms · Suet pellets · Sunflower hearts

• Saint Peters8 km east · 248 species
• Ramsgate9 km south-east · 227 species
• Upstreet10 km south-west · 241 species
• Ash11 km south · 191 species
• Sandwich12 km south · 278 species
• Herne Bay12 km west · 222 species