• Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.

    Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Difference between revisions of "Gigrin Farm" - BirdForum Opus

m
(edited photo attribution re Gigrin Farm - Keith Clowes)
 
(2 intermediate revisions by one other user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Image:Gigrin Farm Kites.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|Duck_Pond|Duck_Pond}}<br />Gigrin Farm Kites]]
+
[[Image:Gigrin Farm Kites.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Gigrin Farm Kites<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|Duck_Pond|Duck_Pond}}]]
'''[[Wales, Powys]]'''
+
'''[[United Kingdom]], [[Wales]]'''      
 +
 
 
==Overview==
 
==Overview==
Gigrin Farm is a family-run, working sheep farm of approximately 170 acres situated in the countryside of Mid Wales just outside the town of Rhayader.   
+
[[Image: Gigrin-_redkite-farm_.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Gigrin Farm<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|keith+clowes|Keith Clowes}}<br />Powys, [[Wales]], August 2009]]
 +
Gigrin Farm is a family-run, working sheep farm of approximately 170 acres, situated in the countryside of Mid Wales, just outside the town of Rhayader.   
  
 
They have a reputation of having hundreds of [[Red Kite]] feeding every day, creating what's been described as a "breathtaking spectacle."  Since approximately 2003, they have also been known as the Red Kite Rehabilitation Centre in conjunction with The Welsh Kite Trust.
 
They have a reputation of having hundreds of [[Red Kite]] feeding every day, creating what's been described as a "breathtaking spectacle."  Since approximately 2003, they have also been known as the Red Kite Rehabilitation Centre in conjunction with The Welsh Kite Trust.
  
This farm's land sits at between 700 to 1200 feet above sea level where it gives visitors a nice view of the Wye and Elan valleys in addition to the memorable display of feeding large flocks of Red Kite. <sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>   
+
This farm's land sits at between 700 to 1200 feet above sea level, where it gives visitors a nice view of the Wye and Elan valleys, in addition to the memorable display of feeding large flocks of Red Kite. <sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>   
 
 
  
 
==Birds==
 
==Birds==
Line 31: Line 32:
 
Gigrin Farm has always been a working farm.  In the beginning, one of the owners, Mr. Powell fed the Red Kites when he had appropriate food to give them, at the time rabbit.   
 
Gigrin Farm has always been a working farm.  In the beginning, one of the owners, Mr. Powell fed the Red Kites when he had appropriate food to give them, at the time rabbit.   
  
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) took notice of the feeding that was going on and in the winter of 1992-1993 came forward with a proposal that this feature be opened to public viewing with the hope that by doing so, it would help facilitate an effort help protect the birds.   
+
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds took notice of the feeding that was going on and in the winter of 1992-1993 came forward with a proposal that this feature be opened to public viewing with the hope that by doing so, it would help facilitate an effort help protect the birds.   
  
 
This was a major move for them, considering they were a successful farm already, to take on.  But they took the chance and the approximately 6 Red Kites they had roosting, in the beginning, evolved into over 400 by the winter of 2006. Red Kites are what they are known for now. <Sup>[[#References| [1]]] </sup>
 
This was a major move for them, considering they were a successful farm already, to take on.  But they took the chance and the approximately 6 Red Kites they had roosting, in the beginning, evolved into over 400 by the winter of 2006. Red Kites are what they are known for now. <Sup>[[#References| [1]]] </sup>
Line 37: Line 38:
  
 
===Areas of Interest===
 
===Areas of Interest===
[[Image: Gigrin-_redkite-farm_.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Gigrin Farm<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|keith_clowes|keith clowes}}<br />Powys, [[Wales]] August, 2009]]
+
The farm has a variety of ways to observe the feeding, including an open viewing field, hides, and photographic hides.   
The farm has a variety of ways to observe the feeding to include an open viewing field, hides, and photographic hides.   
 
  
 
===Access and Facilities===
 
===Access and Facilities===

Latest revision as of 14:30, 22 October 2020

Gigrin Farm Kites
Photo © by Duck_Pond

United Kingdom, Wales

Overview

Gigrin Farm
Photo © by Keith Clowes
Powys, Wales, August 2009

Gigrin Farm is a family-run, working sheep farm of approximately 170 acres, situated in the countryside of Mid Wales, just outside the town of Rhayader.

They have a reputation of having hundreds of Red Kite feeding every day, creating what's been described as a "breathtaking spectacle." Since approximately 2003, they have also been known as the Red Kite Rehabilitation Centre in conjunction with The Welsh Kite Trust.

This farm's land sits at between 700 to 1200 feet above sea level, where it gives visitors a nice view of the Wye and Elan valleys, in addition to the memorable display of feeding large flocks of Red Kite. [1]

Birds

Notable Species

The predominately seen Red Kite would have to be included here, if no other.

One might think there would be no other appreciable variety of species sighted here with the preponderance of Red Kites the farm is noted for. But there has been, over time, 75 species reported here, including large numbers of their famous Red Kites leading the way. [2]

In Powys, where Gigrin is located, there has also been a total of 266 species reported along with 9 globally threatened ones [3]

Rarities

Some of the less commonly seen species here at Gigrin Farm include[2] the Dunnock, Common Redstart, Song Thrush, Eurasian Treecreeper, Eurasian Jay, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Common Redpoll, Rock Pigeon, and the Common Chiffchaff.

Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

Red Kite, Rook, European Starling, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Jackdaw, Barn Swallow, Great Tit, House Sparrow, Common Buzzard, Common Chaffinch,

Other Wildlife

None noted as of 7 October 2020.

Site Information

History and Use

Gigrin Farm has always been a working farm. In the beginning, one of the owners, Mr. Powell fed the Red Kites when he had appropriate food to give them, at the time rabbit.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds took notice of the feeding that was going on and in the winter of 1992-1993 came forward with a proposal that this feature be opened to public viewing with the hope that by doing so, it would help facilitate an effort help protect the birds.

This was a major move for them, considering they were a successful farm already, to take on. But they took the chance and the approximately 6 Red Kites they had roosting, in the beginning, evolved into over 400 by the winter of 2006. Red Kites are what they are known for now. [1]


Areas of Interest

The farm has a variety of ways to observe the feeding, including an open viewing field, hides, and photographic hides.

Access and Facilities

Do keep in mind there will be an admission fee charged here. The amount, along with their hours of operation can be determined at their website, the address of which can be found here under External Links or Contact Details.

Contact Details

Gigrin Farm

South Street, Rhayader,

Powys, LD6 5BL

Telephone:

01597 810 243

Website:

https://www.gigrin.co.uk/


References

  1. Gigrin Farm - https://www.gigrin.co.uk/
  2. eBird – Gigrin Farms - https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1032168
  3. Lepage D. (2020) Powys Bird Checklist - Avibase - Bird Checklists of the World. Retrieved 7 October 2020


Recommended Citation

External Links

  1. Gigrin Farm Website

Maps

  1. Gigrin Farm on Google Maps
  2. Gigrin Farm on Streetmap




Content and images originally posted by Stuart

Reviews

Stuart's review

Got to be a must for the best views of Red Kites, went there on 04/09/04, had about 40 - 50 kites in flight and at rest...

and my tip would be to go to the feeding and then wait in the field over looking the site and when everybody has gone, the kites come back giving amazing views!!

tommye's review

Very helpful staff - will tell you the best places to look at the red kites. I agree with the descriptive paragraph that the red kites will come back after most people have left and can be photographed from the field above the feeding station. Pros

  • Place set up for enthusiasts to look at / photograph birds

Cons

  • None

MerlinLewis's review

A must for anyone in mid Wales or make a special journey it is only about 1-30 hrs from Cardiff. Pros

  • Amazing views of many Kites at close range!

Cons

  • None
Back
Top