The Little grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) is also commonly known as the Dabchick, though it has a wide variety of other vernacular names. Its scientific name, according to professor Wikipedia, is a combination of Ancient Greek and Latin: takhus means fast, bapto means ‘to sink under’, rufus is red and collis comes from the Latin for neck – so, fast diving red-neck. It’s aptly named. Although these cute little grebes are widespread and common, they are ‘seen infrequently as they live on waterways where there is dense aquatic vegetation’, according to Fauna Britannia, though I would modify that to read that they are seen infrequently close up because they dive rapidly as soon as they realise someone is near.
earthstar 
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