Discovered a new red kite feeding centre at the weekend...

[acherontia]

You did well - they're not the easiest birds to capture . They look so poised and when you decide they're in focus and on track they do the unexpected.
I've only ever seen them at the nant y arian near Aberystwyth - they're deceptively out of range there.

Acherontia

[NicolaB]

I'd love to make a trip to Nant Yr Arian at some point. I've heard from other people that the kites are a bit further away there than at Gigrin or Llanddeusant, but it's such a nice setting that it'd be worth going anyway just to experience them!

Yes, Gigrin is expensive, but I usually justify the cost to myself by the fact that the money is going towards continuing to feed the kites, and the work they do rehabilitating injured birds as well. It does get very busy though...the last time I went the main hides were packed to the rafters. It's well worth paying the extra just to get a spot in one of the photography hides. The kites are usually at their best when it's quieter and the masses have left anyway!

[acherontia]

Originally Posted by NicolaB

I'd love to make a trip to Nant Yr Arian at some point. I've heard from other people that the kites are a bit further away there than at Gigrin or Llanddeusant, but it's such a nice setting that it'd be worth going anyway just to experience them!

Looking at the map, and the link your new find appears to be a bit further that Aberystwyth (excuse my bad English spelling!) - so it would need a stay over as well. Fingers crossed we manage to fit Wales in again this year - I love the scenery. It's breathtaking and although we have plenty of reserves/coastal dunes/salt marsh and we live in the counryside the air just isn't as clean. You can tell by the colour of the sheep - ours tend to be just a little tad grey...

A

[Markulous]

It's not the most accessible place but that's what makes it all the better - I've lived in Newtown and worked in Aber (and have just moved from Cardiff to be in the Peak District) so get back to Wales from time to time. Ynys Hir, near Machynlleth is well worth a visit too - salt marshes (and the single track road between Llanidloes and Machynlleth has to be the best - all kinds of wildlife, fab views and the RAF training on the Mach Loop!)

Nowadays I seem to spend most of my time between St Helens and Peak District!

[acherontia]

Shame about St Helens! (joke)

Thanks for the info everyone. This is much appreciated

A

[galanthus]

Thanx for sharing the info Nicola, I went up with a friend on Saturday, really nice area. Popped one of the pics in the Gallery as your pics are lovely and didn't want to hijack your thread.

A bit strange how they feed only in that fence circle , do you know why they do that ? Anyway, a great discovery.

[NicolaB]

They only feed them within the fence because the farmer keeps his sheep and lambs in the field pretty regularly (I asked the chap who runs the pub). The kites aren't a danger to the sheep, but apparently the sheep don't know this and can get understandably very stressed if sizeable birds of prey coming swooping towards them.

It's a shame from a photography point of view, as you can't get shots of them actually grabbing meat off the ground with their feet.

Glad you enjoyed it anyway, am going to go and check out your Gallery shot