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

NicolaB · #1 (**permalink**) 13-04-2009, 06:07 PM

As a bit of a self confessed Gigrin addict, I thought I'd go and check out a different and closer to home Kite Feeding station at the weekend. The place I went to was this one:

Red Kite Feeding Station, Llanddeusant, Wales

I was absolutely blown away by how close the birds got, they have a covered hide and two screens with roofs, and I got some amazing shots, much better than I've ever achieved at Gigrin (although amazing Bigma-friendly light on Saturday definitely helped as well!)

The feeding is on a much smaller scale, there was just one man with a big sack of meat that he was chucking about rather than a tractor load, but there were still at least 60 kites visiting.

As an extra bonus, the pub by the feeding station who jointly runs the feeding along with a neighbouring farm has just been refurbished and now serves homegrown local food and a good selection of real ales

I think I can definitely see several return visits in the near future, it was only 40 minutes from my house.

Here are my 5 best shots of the day, just for an incentive for other WABbers to pay a visit!

camo · #2 (**permalink**) 13-04-2009, 07:21 PM

Hi Nicola

Fab pictures really enjoyed them! Roy

NicolaB · #3 (**permalink**) 14-04-2009, 07:16 PM

The kite feeding station I went to was just featured on The One Show 5 minutes ago!

Tracey.A · #4 (**permalink**) 14-04-2009, 07:30 PM

Stunning shots Nicola, must have been amazing to see so many at once

Tracey

dannie · #5 (**permalink**) 14-04-2009, 11:20 PM

Hey Nicola,

Great pictures!They really are beautiful birds aren't they?!

old soldier · #6 (**permalink**) 22-04-2009, 11:41 PM

Fantastic shots. I get them over my garden most days. Just hoping to be ready camera in hand before they have gained altitude!! Saw a group of six the other day, but too far off for good pics.

Lenswork · #7 (**permalink**) 29-04-2009, 10:55 AM

Hi Nichola, thanks for sharing this info. Was hoping to go to Gigrin but seeing that this site is closer to me, will be going there now instead.

Len

galanthus · #8 (**permalink**) 18-05-2009, 06:44 PM

I've just read this post and only this morning was passing 5 miles from usk reservoir en route from sennybridge, co-incidence or what ? A sign I'd say to go and visit on the weekend

Markulous · #9 (**permalink**) 18-05-2009, 08:00 PM

If anyone's ever on the Newtown/Aberystwyth road I can highly recommend Bwlch Nant-yr-Arian: Kite Feeding

When we went (October) we were the only photographers there - along with one other couple watching! And we reckoned on 2-300 Red Kites (and no other species 'hangers-on'). Totally non-commercial - you can wander pretty much where you like. Gigrin has always put me off due to the whole commerciality (I don't particularly mind them doing it - just me participating!)

PMG · #10 (**permalink**) 18-05-2009, 10:24 PM

Fantastic pics and very tempted to visit ssome time in the future .........

acherontia · #11 (**permalink**) 19-05-2009, 03:26 AM

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