Wild red kites are fed at Gigrin Farm every day of the year. With breathtaking feats of aerial piracy red kites compete with buzzards and ravens for choice pickings. As soon as the meat has been put out the crow family start emerging from the surrounding trees. Kites watch and wait their chance to furl their wings and dive in, skimming the ground to snatch a scrap before rising suddenly to escape the beaks of the angry crows!
With the meat clutched in its talons the kite will make for clear airspace where it can feel secure enough to feed. The number of kites using the feeding station can vary anything from a dozen to 300 or more depending on the weather and time of year.
There are two Leucistic Red Kite's that frequent Gigrin farm. These look almost white as seen in this photograph. I found it extremely difficult to capture these Kites in focus as they are so fast! I need to go again!
It is well worth the trip to Gigrin Farm in Rhayader mid Wales. Not only are there 100's of Kites to see but also the wonderful Elan Valley landscape.
You got a superb capture, fav! Chantal, your pictures are among those I'll miss the most after today, my last day as a regular contributor to the Project. I am in awe of your abilities. Thank-you so much for all the wonderful pictures I've had the pleasure of seeing, and for your support of my work too. It has been such a pleasure to meet you on line. I will probably drop in occasionally in the future, and I look forward to seeing some of your work then. All the best, Stephanie.
@tristansmum I really wish you weren't going Stephanie. Like I've already said in my post to you l think of you as a friend and wil miss you and your inspiring work. X
@markyl what are you waiting for? It was 3 1/4 hours each way for me and I did the day trip. The birds aren't fed until 3pm so plenty of time to get there. The Elan valley with its dams and lakes is very pretty too. 😊
Super action capture Fav.