Slavonian Grebes : Kenfig NNR

I was hoping that the two Slavonian Grebes found on the pool during the week would stay until the weekend and they duly obliged showing well from the South pool hide although a little too distantly for any meaningful photographs, therefore 'record' shots only, good to bump into Neil Donaghy, Colin Gittins and Paul Tabor this morning.........

"A lazy day"..........

After a bit of a lay in I didn't venture out of the valley today preferring to stay local, after a fruitless search of Bryngarw Country Park for Brambling and a possible Hawfinch I called in to Parc Slip NR and picked up the returning wintering Water Rail and then encountered an unusually photogenic Common Buzzard as I drove over Mynydd Ty Talwyn on the way home, Pearl enjoyed the walk though............

Common Rock Thrush : Pwll Ddu, The Blorenge, 'what a difference a week makes'................

Made my second visit today to try and get some better images of the bird having failed miserably last Saturday 14th October when visiting with friend and fellow 'togger' Richard 'Smudger' Smith.
Last Saturday the bird did not come closer than 60m and we both struggled to get anything better than poor record shots, however since somebody had started feeding the bird live mealworms mid last week the bird has become very confiding with no fear of people and today came as close as 20' allowing myself and others to get some really great images.
It was great to see some familiar faces and chat with Steve Howcroft, Martin Thomas, Matt Evans, Mark Dutfield, Steve Hinton, Nigel Addecott, Alun Hughes and Paul Denning.
It was also fantastic to meet up with Rochdale birder and member of 'The 500 Club' Dave Ousey and his two birding friends Bob and Steve who had made the trip from Greater Manchester all being avid 'twitchers'.
I met Dave during a holiday to Sharm El Sheilk in November 2012 and we birded everyday together and have remained friends ever since, long may it continue.
Below are some of today's pics with a couple of two confiding Wheatears thrown in, the first photo is a 'record' shot from last weekend for comparison to those achieved today............

Almost forgot to say that of course the Rock Thrush was a 'lifer' for me, 'Tunnocks' all round !!!

Mexico Holiday : Riviera Maya - Part 4

A few more images from our holiday.........

White-winged Dove

Social Flycatcher

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana

Laughing Gull

Little Blue Heron (Juvenile white form)

Tropical Mockingbird

Sandwich Tern

Tropical Kingbird

Caribbean Elaenia

Eastern Wood-Pewee

Gray Hark at dusk

Palm Warbler (?)

Scrub Euphonia

Royal Tern

Plain Chachalaca

Mexico Holiday : Riviera Maya - Part 3

Some more images of various species encountered on our holiday........

Common Black-Hawk

Black-crowned Night Heron

Royal Tern

Belted Kingfisher (F)

White-nosed Coati

Summer Tanager (F)

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Northern Waterthrush

Anhinga

Red-eyed Vireo

Great-tailed Grackle

Spotted Sandpiper

Neotropic Cormorant

Northern Jacana

Yellow-throated Warbler