The Grey Phalarope is listed under waders, but it is best described as a small water bird. It is actually a little bit smaller than a blackbird, so quite a tiny bird. We call it a Grey Phalarope, as in the UK we only see it in its grey winter plumage. When in its breeding season, in Arctic regions, its summer plumage is a rusty red colour and in these regions it is called a Red Phalarope. As well as being overall grey, it has a characteristic black eye mask, which rises to the rear. this one was feeding in marshy area (what was the moat) adjacent to Dunstanburgh Castle.

You can see in the video it has a very distinctive feeding method, swimming round and round in a tight circle. by doing this, it creates a little whirlpool, sucking food up nearer the surface for it to peck at.