Granddad’s Camera
Grey phalarope, as it appears in the game

No.109 · Birds · Rare visitor

Grey phalarope

Phalaropus fulicarius

A small, plump Arctic wader that swims like a duck and spins in tight circles to stir up food. In winter dress it is pale grey above and white below. Gales blow it into coves and bays.

When to look

September to November, mostly at dawn and day.

Time of day

Best time
Mid-September to December, in the days after a strong westerly or north-westerly gale.
Where in the game
the Pembrokeshire coast (sea and cove)
Size
20–23 cm long
Wingspan
About 43 cm
Weight
About 55 g; BTO's average is 56 g
Population
About 200 birds a year in Britain, varying with the gales; about 12 records a year in Wales
Status
Scarce autumn migrant; Least Concern globally (IUCN)

Diet

Small invertebrates picked from the water's surface, stirred up by the bird's own spinning

Habitat

Breeds on Arctic tundra pools; winters at sea in tropical oceans. In Britain storm-driven birds appear in bays, coves and sometimes on inland waters

Breeding

Does not breed in Britain. Females are larger and brighter than males, court the males, lay the eggs and then leave; the male incubates for 18–19 days and raises the chicks

Field signs

  • A small, plump bird riding high on the water like a cork, spinning quickly in a circle
  • Pale grey back, white underparts and a black eye-patch in winter dress
  • A very tame bird that lets people come surprisingly close

Did you know?

  • The name 'grey phalarope' describes the winter plumage; in North America it is called the red phalarope for its summer dress.
  • The female is bigger and more brightly coloured than the male and leaves him to raise the chicks.
  • A bird spinning on the water creates a small whirlpool that brings food to the surface.

Moments worth waiting for

  • Spin-feeding September to December, day and dawn
    The phalarope spins on the spot in a tight whirlpool, then picks a speck from the centre.

Photo tip

It is often so approachable that a 300 mm lens is enough. Lie down, get to water level and shoot in soft light. Keep the shutter fast enough to freeze the spin (1/1000 s).

Be a good naturalist

It is tame, but storm-driven birds are tired and hungry. Never chase it or get close enough to make it stop feeding. Keep off wet rocks and slipways in a swell.

The law

All wild birds are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Covered by the Bern and Bonn Conventions and the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement

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