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The Birds Of South Gloucestershire          Slavonian Grebe - podiceps auritus

 

Podiceps is from the Latin 'podicis' referring to the rump and 'pedis' for foot, and a reference to the placement of the legs on its body; 'auritus' is Latin meaning eared. The name Slavonian Grebe first appeared in 1802 with a reference to it being found in the 'Sclavonia' region of northern Russia; the modern spelling was adopted by the BOU in 1883. Some historical names for Slavonian Grebe include Devil Diver, Hell Diver, Pink-eyed Diver and Water Witch.

 

There have been four Slavonian Grebe reported from S. Gloucestershire;

 

2000: (1)

An adult in summer plumage was identified on April 7th off Severn Beach.

 

1998: (1)

One was reported from Oldbury Power Station on Lagoon III on December 4th.

 

1996: (1)

An adult in winter plumage was noted on August 10th off Severn Beach.

 

1989: (1)

An adult in winter plumage was identified on April 27th off New Passage. This occurrence constitutes the first report of this species in S. Gloucestershire.

 

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