The perfect day to fly a kite
The perfect day to fly a kite!
Together with Sue, Jayne and Jane, we headed off to Gigrin Farm near Rhayader in mid-Wales to enjoy one of the most amazing bird spectacles you could hope to see. We broke our journey at Trawsfynydd, where we checked the lake for wildfowl. A large flock of Fieldfares chuckled in the trees beside the car park while a Mistle Thrush flew into the top a tree beside the far end of the bridge over the lake. As it was our first Mistle Thrush of the day, Alan got the bird in the scope and was amazed to see a male Ring Ouzel joining it! A very late record, this obliging bird sat in full scope view for the whole time we were there. What a bonus!
Distant, but unmistakeable: male Ring Ouzel!
Heading further into mid-Wales, as we got closer to Gigrin Farm, we started to notice Red Kites in the sky, heading purposefully in one direction. They knew that lunch was about to be served!
Red Kite heading for Gigrin Farm
Arriving at the farm, we took our places in one of the hides and waited, as more and more Kites began to circle overhead.
Kite watchers!
The tractor arrived and the farmer distributed the meat
Even before his back was turned, Red Kites were swooping in to grab a chunk of meat in their talons which they then devoured on the wing
In every direction the air was filled with Red Kites, looking magnificent against the blue sky
Red Kites wheeled and dived down in all directions to snatch a meal on the ground
Other birds loitered at the edges of the scene, obviously wanting to grab a scrap of meat but nervous of the Red Kites. Some birds scooped up as much as they dared and retreated out of the firing line to eat in peace.
How much can you fit in one bill at a time?
While the adult birds fed, the juvenile Red Kites waited patiently in the trees all around until it was their turn. Once the adults had eaten enough, with plenty of meat still on the ground, it was the turn of the juveniles and they swooped in to grab the remaining scraps.
Juvenile Red Kite waiting its chance to feed
Watching all that feeding had made us hungry too, so we were glad to tuck into our own packed lunches. And a treat was in store for us - nifty baker Jayne had made individual carrot cakes for everyone, just another bonus of going on a Biggest Twitch tour!
Carrot cakes - yummy!
A resident at Gigrin Farm was interested too. Everyone knows donkeys like carrots, but what about carrot cake?
Close encounter of the donkey kind!
Clouds began to gather and the light soon began to fade, so we decided it was time to head for home. But what a wonderful day we'd all had!
Dramatic skies at the end of the day
If you'd like to join us to see the Red Kite spectacle, we're running another tour on Sunday 5th February 2012. For more details of this and all our other trips, please email us on
info@thebiggesttwitch.com. We look forward to sharing great birds with you!