Gigrin is on form . . .

[PMG]

Gigrin is well worth a visit at the minute. We went on Thurs 8th on what promised according to the forecast to be a bright, sunny day for the most part. . . of course this is me going out - so the weather predictably went right off ten mins before feeding time at 2pm!! Think on folks - if I say I'm going somewhere make really sure you go in the opposite direction or better still pick a day when I'm ill in bed - cos then it will be blue from dawn to dusk (is that how it goes Ollie?!!)

We had a ride around the Elan Valley in the morning and saw kites and buzzard with no trouble and the plus was watching a pair of peregrines displaying over the first car park on the right at the first dam. The male was flying around and above the female then he went into a heart stopping stoop - he absolutely arced down to the cliffs before pulling back out of it - it made the hairs go up on my neck and arms . . . oh to be that alive and full of energy . . .

We arrived back at Gigrin for 1pm and already the sky there was full of buzzard and kite. We were hoping to photograph yellowhammer in the hedgerow near the feeders but Chris informed us that they were not reaching his feeding station anymore - they have been hi-jacked by other feeding places apparently and are not getting 'over the hill' anymore.

A singing dunnock was obliging in the hedgerow down to the hide which was a bonus and I've actually found a better shot than the one posted on here!

The kites, buzzard, raven, rook and crows were all over the place once the food had gone out. Its such a pity the light just got worse - if only it had stayed blue for another hour. . . We stayed (first in - last out as usual!) until almost 5pm. Most folks go - so while the hide is crushed for the first hour, once folk drift away you can settle down and get more of the action. After a couple of hours there were ten buzzard on the floor at once which was found to lead to fights and I was watching and ready - even then only a couple of shots came out - fights are fast and furious!

Two of the other long-staying hide inmates were a couple of welsh chaps - one had all the gear (EOS5 I think, a fixed f4 400 and 1.4 extender and a 600). My better half had the lend of a 400 from a friend and I think this might have pursuaded the chap with all the gear that I was feeling left out - so he asked if I wanted to borrow his 400 - you could feel the draught from the speed my arm shot out and back!!! I finished up having a lend of both his lenses but the weather was now so dull that most of these latter end pics are too dark and not shooting in raw cannot be rescued (and I have tried!) tho a juvenile in flight against a natural grey background has come out ok and I may post it later. Anyway my thanks to these two chaps - that 400 was impressive and won't be forgotten in a hurry!

We arre planning a return visit in early April when hopefully the light might be better . . . (so you know when to avoid going don't you?! Why not go now and enjoy before I arrive a second time to spoil the weather!!!)

Pauline

[badgerwatcher]

Oh Pauline, that sounds wonderful. I'm full of envy. There is something about the Elan valley that makes me homesick, something I have never experienced before, and I'm not even Welsh!

[Ollie]

Pleased you had a great day out Pauline even if the light did turn against you (you have about the same luck as me) I must find the time to pay a visit there, after seeing your photos it's obviously well worth a trip
Roger

[PMG]

Yes I know what you mean about the Elan Valley - there is something very attractive about despite how man-made it all is - maybe all the negative ions from the waterfalls uplift the spirits?!

And Ollie can you imagine what would happen if we had a day out together - talk about storm and catastrophe One of these days we will both have a perfect day out - feeling well with no pain and the weather will be fabulous - just keep imagining it and its bound to happen eventually!!!!!

Pauline