Red Kites at Gigrin Farm

While the snow and freezing temperatures were causing havoc to the UK's transport infrastructure I was undecided as to how best to take advantage of such wonderful photographic conditions. The Landscapes options were endless, similarly at the airports some unusual opportunities were available. It always seem to be the same way when great conditions arise, what do I decide to do?

After some deliberation I decided to embark on a mini project to capture the Red Kites feeding at the Gigrin Farm feeding station in mid Wales. Having visited before the thought of photographing them in the snow had always been on my to do list. So I made 4 trips down to Rhayader in Powys, a round trip of 4 hours. Driving conditions were at times hazardous especially the return journey on the first trip when a blizzard resulted in almost zero visibility between Rhayader and Newtown.

The image below is taken from the road leading up to the farm, only 4x4 vehicles could reach the top.

The image below is taken from the top path leading to the hides looking out to the valleys beyond.

This image looks north east over the farm and beyond.

Gigrin has an excellent and highly informative web site which can be found Here. The Kites are fed at 2pm every day throughout the winter and 3pm in the Summer. The Gigrin is a family run upland sheep farm of approximately 200 acres, owned and farmed by Chris Powell, and Mrs Lena Powell. It became the Official Red Kite Feeding Station in the winter 1992/93 following a request from the RSPB who had witnessed the late Mr Powell feeding the kites as and when food (rabbit) was available.

Facilities for photographers are excellent with a choice of hides, one which is very new and was my chosen location for 2 of the trips. Chris and the people who work with him are very friendly and willing to help, one can only admire their dedication to the care and conservation for these wonderful raptors.

My trip yielded results that I am delighted with. The snow provided an amazing backdrop and has given many out of the ordinary images which I am delighted to have received such large volume of compliments. At times the photography was difficult, Chris told me that some 600 Kites were coming to feed and unlike my previous visits all the food disappeared in around 12 minutes!

2pm sharp and the tractor rolls up and hundreds of Kites appear.

Please go along and visit this superb wildlife spectacle and support Chris and his team in their wonderful work. Thanks for reading.