Well we started the day with a story in bed, followed by crumpets. We then moved onto filling the boot of the car with all the recycling from the last 3 months, which hadnt been picked up. We then went to the tip, and then to the post office.

We then drove towards Bangor, and called into the farmers shop and bought Bird food, cat food, three 75 kg  sacks of compost and a new set of over alls for Asha.   (Will try and get a photograph of her in them tomorrow, i left the camera at home all day today!) We then went to the cash and carry, but didnt buy any meat, but did get a few other bits and peices for the New freezer. (Ice cream, beefburgers, chips) and a new cereal tub for some cereal, to save it being all over the cupboard.

After that, we headed home, emptied the car, and headed over to llanberis, for a play on the public swings, which Asha truly inspired me with. Her balancing ability and confidence has exploded this week.  We then headed to petes eats for a small tea, and then back down to the laggoons, to climb trees (well asha did) Mummy just tried her hardest not to panic, or offer assistance, when it wasnt needed, and we  fed the ducks and swans, before coming home, and now she is in bed exhausted.. Me.. I am exhausted too, and gratefull that daddy does bed time!

The Welsh Mountain Zoo, is based above Conway Bay, and is a beautiful, if not hilly zoo, with fantastic views of the bays.

We were kindly taken by J, so I didnt have to drive, and Asha really enjoyed playing on the “sky line” and has really mastered making it work for her! I also took a second take at the way she swung on the rope ball, and grabbed hold of the string rope ladder, and climbed off without any help! I truly have a little Monkey at times!

As always we went to watch the Californian Sealions sealions rock , The owl getting a good long fly, and the penguins parade, and spent a while looking at the tiny meerkats.. She also enjoyed the pandas, and the snow leopard. But as she has spent most of today pretending to be an ostrich, on a nest, I guess its the Rhea;s who inspired her immediate imagination the most!

Taken from rspb site

Seen in flight from below the osprey has white or slightly mottled underparts. The long wings are angled, bending at the ‘wrist’ which has a black patch contrasting with the white wing linings, and at a distance it could be mistaken for a large gull. This spectacular fish-eating bird of prey is an Amber List species because of its historical decline (due to illegal killing), and low breeding numbers.

Ospreys are found in a variety of freshwater, brackish and marine environments. The most important habitat requirement is the presence of ample supplies of medium-sized fish obtainable near the surface of clear unpolluted water. Several birds sometimes congregate at good feeding sites.

The osprey is a specialist feeder, relying on medium sized fish, both marine and fresh-water. The bird will fly above the water’s surface to locate fish, sometimes gliding and soaring up to 70 metres high.

The catching technique varies with the type of fish, but they all involve an almost vertical plunge dive with wings half-folded and feet thrown forward at last moment. The fish are caught in talons after a dive to a maximum depth of 1m. The fish is held head first, when carried to a perch or to the nest.

And for some beautiful photographs!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/

Not bad going.. for 15 months worth of feeding the birds every day by Asha!

Looking forwards to next years, and I am going to find out how we can attract some different breeds and more numbers into our garden.

Grey heron
canadian geese
coots
loads of other birds which we didnt recognise

We were trying to find a tufted duck, but we couldnt.. I believe there was some there, but we couldnt see any. We did however have a lovely day in the sun, although it was snowing when we left here, and when we got back it was sleeting!

Our trip was followed by a quick visit to llanfairfechan for a play on the swings, and to feed the ducks on the duck pond.. and the two mute swans.. (I am pleased we did a review of the which swan is it code last night) with wild duck and swan food, not bread!

Asha had a great day, and is now settling down for bed.. Her usborne sticker book has more birds filled in, and we have all enjoyed some sunlight.. and it was WARM.. relief.