A day out at Gigrin Farm

[Blackdog]

On a whim, I decided to have a run up to Gigrin Farm yesterday. Driving up from Bristol I was not encouraged by the weather I was driving through and I thought I had chosen the wrong day, especially when I got to Builth Wells and it was hammering down.
But, ten miles up the road, the weather was glorious

I shot loads of pictures and thought I'd share a few with you.







This one eyed Buzzard is a regular according to Chris Powell. I'm not sure how the eye was lost, but there are reports on the Gigrin Farm website News from the Red Kite Centre of a Goshawk terrorising the locals. Perhaps he had a run-in with the Goshawk.



There was the usual melee on the ground, with a scrabble for food between the Kites, Buzzars and Ravens, with the odd Crow and Starling having a go too.





Then, on the way home, I spotted this sitting in a tree. There were two of them, but, by the time I had stopped the car and sorted my life out, one had flown off.
I think it's a Kite, but I could be wrong.



All in all, I had a cracking day

[John]

Fabulous place for photography isn't it. That is the first place I went to when I bought my new DSLR set up. If the light is right you can some awesome images from there. Aside from that just watching all the Kites, Buzzards and Ravens is an experience in itself.

John

[Boddie]

Gigrin is a top day out isn't it. We all got good results too when we visited before Christmas. A must for all bird lovers

[Ollie]

Great photos blackdog. The Kites are fabulous birds. You have inspired me to make the effort and take a trip there sometime this year. Thanks for sharing
Roger

[rlchew]

Nice report Blackdog .... at least the rain cleared up .... your report reminded me of my excellent day there last October.

Richard

[goosey]

It seems you had a top day out Blackdog, and you took some fantastic action shots, I'm rather envious

[Blackdog]

Thanks for the nice comments

This is a closer picture of the tree percher, not brilliant quality but a bit bigger.

Is it a young Red Kite?

[rlchew]

Blackdog .... no, it is one of those paler plumaged Common Buzzards.

Like this one .... Common Buzzard

These birds can show incredible variation in plumage colour.

Richard

[Blackdog]

Yup, I'd agree with that.

Thanks Richard

[nightshade]

Nice pictures,Gigrin is still on my list of places to visit
(probably in May)