calling all ornithologists

We were walking along the Camel estuary yesterday (without a camera of course) when we saw three white/grey birds standing at the edge of the water. Each one was stamping it's feet up and down on the wet sand to try and bring worms to the surface. Does anyone know of a sea bird that does this? It was smaller than a seagull and hubbie thinks it could have been a kittiwake. Any suggestions?

 

As far as I know Kittiwakes do not normally like sand or beaches as the are cliff face and sea birds and look very similar to a small gull. They could be Sanderlings or knot but it is a bit early for them as they usually arrive here till december, both birds' winter plumage is grey/white like yours, other than those two I don't know.

 

Thanks Strongey, there were some sanderlings there, hubbie is the bird watcher but he is a little rusty on sea birds so when these started dancing he got a little puzzled.