Gigrin Farm was Wales' first official Red Kite Feeding Centre. The owners were approached by the RSPB almost a decade ago to help the conservation programme for what was then one of the UK's rarest bird.
Since 1994, daily feeding sessions have been held on the farm at 2pm GMT (3pm British Summer Time) and the number of kites dropping in for a late lunch has steadily increased.
In the cold winter months when other food is scarce, up to 300 of these elegant birds of prey gather at Gigrin. They can go through a quarter of a tonne of beef a week!
Even in summer, around 100 Red Kites can be seen during feeding time at the farm. Buzzards, Goshawk and Raven also join the daily feast and as the clock approaches 2pm, an empty sky fills with dozens of raptors.
Smaller birds aren't left out either. The farm has another feeding station where you can see Brambling, Yellow Hammers, Siskin, Redstarts and others.
There are four hides where you can sit and watch the birds, two of which have disabled access. A fifth hide is also being build which will have another three places for wheelchairs.
In January 2003, the Welsh Kite Trust's Rehabilitation Centre opened at Gigrin Farm - treating two injured kites in its first few months.
There's a 1.5mile nature trail around the farm which links in the RSPB's Dyffryn reserve as well as a wetland area which attracts wild ducks, Herons, Gadwall and various Wagtails.
Gigrin is a working farm sheep farm of approximately 200 acres, which has other farm animals including ponies, donkeys, George the goat, ducks and chickens. Look out too for the farm's white Peacock (named Persil).
Recorded footage of badgers can be seen in the farms interpretive centre and, during the summer, a live feed can be arranged. The ground floor of the centre has disabled access, along with the shop and the toilets.
ALSO ON BBC.CO.UK:
Opening Times
Visitor Centre Open Daily 10am - 5pm
Admission Charges
Adults - £2.50; OAPs - £2; Children - £1.
Address
The Red Kite Centre, Gigrin Farm, South Street, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5BL
Directions
From Rhayader, take the A470 south and you'll see the signpost to the farm about half a mile from the town, on the left hand side.
Telephone
01597 810357 |
your comments
Tony Gridley Hednesford Cannock
This was my first visit to Gigrin, be assured it will not be my last.It was an astounding sight to see these wonderful birds gathering in one area.I am also pleased I was able to include my grandson on this visit, it goes without saying he was also most impressed
Wed Sep 2 11:28:05 2009
Ann Roberts, Cheshire
We visited Gigrin Farm last week. It's very well organised, with an excellent Visitor Centre in a Barn, good "hides" & really friendly people. The Red (& White)Kites are stunning, with Buzzards & Crows also competing for the food. A fabulous afternoon out & very reasonably priced (£3.00 for adults). All this on a working farm. It's good fun photographing the birds, thank God for Digital Photography! We can highly recommend it.
Mon Sep 4 10:38:48 2006
Bronwyn Pace, Cannock
This is a truly wonderful place. I have not been able to get there for some time now as I am now widowed and don't drive. I miss visiting here very much. It is a real spectacle.
Tue Apr 18 09:38:18 2006
Gerard Meade, Crewe, Cheshire
We had never been so cold as we were in March 2005. We however had to be dragged away from this spectacle. It was a 200 mile round trip and we had lost the use of our fingers all of the way back home but we never stopped talking of the experience and yes we too spotted the white kite. You must go and support this enterprise.
Sun Mar 19 14:14:59 2006
Pauline Truman, Cambridge
I have been to Gigrin Farm on 2 occasions.
There are more Red Kites in the Winter months than in the Summer. I was told that in the Summer they can find far more food in the wild.
It is a wonderful sight to see these beautiful and majestic birds at such close quarters. Also the crows and Buzzards who come down to feed before the Kites.
There is nothing wrong in my mind with regard to feeding the Kites, far better that than only being able to see them in a zoo - in captivity.
To me this is true conservation-well done -our thanks should go to the owners of Gigrin farm for helping to preserve these beautiful birds.
Wed Oct 26 08:55:10 2005
Dave Shaw Bolgna Italy
On my visits to the UK, I always try to drive along the M40 from the M25 towards Oxford. It is a sure bet for seeing red kites. In July, without leaving the car or stopping, I saw more than 10 birds. The Chilterns is now said to have the world's highest red kite population density.
As in Wales, feeding of the wild birds may be keeping the population artificially high. It's great to see them anyway - like the writer below, I lived in Cannock and can't wait for them to reach the Chase!
Mon Sep 5 16:42:34 2005
Lynn from Cannock
We have visited Gigrin on several occasions, it is truly an amazing sight to see so many kites in one area. The work they have done to establish a healthy population of kites is wonderful.
Well worth a visit and excellent value for money.
Thu Jul 28 14:50:11 2005
Piers Dennison. Hastings, East Sussex
When visiting, do not forget to leave an hour or two spare to take the farm walk that takes you up into the surrounding hills for some of the best views of the area.Enjoyed by all the family.
Mon May 23 15:00:00 2005
Dave from Penrhyndeudraeth
I have visited this farm, whilst it is nice to see the kites, I'm not sure how good it is the for the kites in the long term to artificially feed in this way. Could the kites survive without the farm? Would there be as many kites (300) in this area without the feeding?
Wed May 18 14:25:54 2005
Simon Roberts from Rhayader
I am told by the owners that white kites regularly visit the farm and indeed, I whilst walking towards the farm last April saw a white kite which is very attractive. BBC News Online did a story in August 2004 on the "white" Red Kites of Mid Wales. More...
Mon Aug 23 10:12:31 2004
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