Grey Phalarope
Phalaropus fulicarius
Length 20-21cm

Charming and unusual wader. Typically seen swimming, often spinning rapidly or picking insects off water surface. Scarce passage migrant, mostly in autumn, and very occasional winter visitor to Britain and Ireland. Oceanic outside breeding season and so most usually seen near coasts during or after severe gales. Small groups sometimes seen flying past headlands in W of Britain and Ireland; storm-driven birds may feed on coastal pools, sometimes further inland. Usually tame. Mainly seen in winter plumage with grey upperparts, white underparts and black 'panda' mark around eye. Brick-red breeding plumage birds seen only very rarely.