Gigrin Farm

Venue information

The Gigrin is a family-run upland sheep farm of approximately 200 acres. It became the Official red kite feeding station in the winter 1992/93, following a request from the RSPB who had witnessed the late owner feeding the kites as and when food (rabbit) was available. The RSPB had noted this spectacle and came to the farm with a proposition – that the farm be opened to the public as a red kite feeding station, to assist the survival of young kites during winter and to draw the public away from nesting sites. Around six red kites were roosting on the farm at the time but by winter 2006 over 400 were coming in for food in the winter. Gigrin is now also the Red Kite Rehabilitation Centre on behalf of The Welsh Kite Trust for recuperating kites following veterinary care. Gigrin is renowned as a place to photograph kites and has been used by the BBC for filming. Fast, long telephoto lenses will capture a frame-filling view of the birds as they swoop in for food.

Venue verdict: Probably the best red kite photography anywhere in Europe.

Ratings (out of five): 5