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Gigrin Red Kite Feeding Centre
Gigrin Farm, South Street, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5BL, WalesAbout
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. The Red Kite Interpretive Centre offers information on red kites and wildlife. A remote camera overlooks the kite feeding area and gives the user complete control of pan, zoom and focus. The full set of eight water colours by the well known artist 'Philip Snow' tell the history of the red kite from the iron age through to the present day. Ink stamps of animals and birds are provided for children. Live pictures of badgers are relayed back to the centre on summer evenings, via infra red equipped CCTV, with recorded footage being shown at other times. The touch screen computer with its multimedia database gives an insight into the varied sights and sounds of the many local raptors. The site has 5 large hides facing east, and, being just metres away from where the kites sweep down, the hides give excellent opportunities for photography. Three are suitable for disabled access. The farm trail is on part of the 200 acres of grassland and woodland where wildlife and birdlife is abundant, passing a new wetland area.
