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.

Well Steve armed with two ballons, one for him and one for Asha.. supervised filling them up with water, measuring around the circumfrances writing the length down and popped them in the freezer.

A few hours later, the little scientist, got frozen items out of freezer, measured them.. and noticed with glee they had grown 2 cm each! WOW..

She then asked for a big jug of warm water, and defrosted the balls of ice, stating that it was interesting how they both ended up with holes in them, and this allowed the warm water to defrost them faster as both sides of the ice had warm water on them!

My daughter is far too scientific for me!

She then got her doll and some kitchen roll, and proceded to wash her doll with the water from the jug.. saying she was being a mummy like in india…:D

We also did a fair amount of sums today. We did a good review of the 2x table, and i was pleased to see she can still do it. We discussed adding and subtraction again, and hopefully tomorrow morning when i get up, she will have done some of that too.

We also had another look at the difference between, Whooper swans, mute swans and bewick swans, as its been a few months since we have seen any around. So wanted to get these clues back into the brain, before the weekend.

Had a lovely day at home with Steve and Asha, and we even managed a good go on the violins today… It was brilliant.

Has it got red on beak… If no.. What colour are its legs… if green = Common Gull

Has it got red on beak… If yes… What colour are its legs…If yellow – Yellow Legged Gull

Has it got red on beak… If yes… What colour are its legs…If Pink – Herring Gull

If short black legs – Kittiwake.

I am sure there are other factors and Gulls which need adding to this, but as they are most of our local common Gulls. It is a hugh improvement on.. “Oh look at the seagulls Asha” We now have.. Asha what kind of Gull is it.. and Its working.. We saw a Herring Gull in town mummy today… Success!

Pink legs, grey back, small red mark on beak.

http://www.foodincmovie.com/

“you will never look at your food the same again”

The cat carried on, after dropping it on the floor, and so did Asha’s distress, tears and total distress, that the cat has killed one of her birds. She was begging me to go and change her for a little hamster, or something which wouldnt harm her birds..

Eventually we got her settled,, though it did take many cuddles, loves and loads of re-assurance. Explanation of why the cat did it, and how it meant that she loved us, as she was bringing us a present.. we managed to get on with our day.

Later this afternoon we had a delivery from a friend of ours. Part of this delivery was the information that we have a SMEW on our river.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/s/smew/index.aspx

Them birds!