Best time to see: Oct to Apr

Key facts

Dumpy grey and black wader often found along muddy shorelines

Winter visitor to Britain and Essex, breeding in arctic Europe

Form loose parties, keeping apart from other waders

Recognition

Summer: black below with grey spangled upperparts; winter: grey above and white below; 28 cm

Makes short runs across the mud, then pauses to look for food

Eats worms, small molluscs and crustaceans