A Little Grebe ~ Tachybaptus ruficollis on the river Dodder with it's & the trees along the river back reflections seen on the river's glistening surface a water droplet sparkling in the light like a liquid Diamond on it's back, It's head turned to look towards me. Seconds later it dive coming up to the surface several feet away. The smallest of the grebes, Little Grebes have a very dumpy body, a short neck, tiny straight bill and no ornamental head feathers giving a rounded shape to the head. They swim buoyantly with feathers often fluffed out at rear giving a power- puff effect. In breeding adults the throat and cheeks are a bright chestnut, the fleshy gap patch takes on a pale colour and the body becomes a rich dark brown above and paler below. Out of the breeding season birds are less striking with the neck taking on a buff-brown colour and the body becoming dull brown above and paler below. Susan