Where in Wales best to see Kites (1 Viewer)

[Seamoor]

I will be visiting my daughter who is moving to Wales - Betws-ye-coeden Denbigh area can anyone give me ideas as where the best place to see Red Kites or other birds of prey might be

Thanks - email answers ok

 

[Rob Smallwood]

Try the feeding station at Nant-y-Arian near Aberystwyth - possibly the nearest feeding station where good numbers are guaranteed.

You can get really close and even look down on the birds - tea shop isn't bad either!

From the North
Head for Manchester. Take M62 / M6 to M56 towards Chester. Take M53 / A55 south. Follow A483 south past Wrexham, Oswestry and Welshpool to Newtown. Take A489 towards Caersws, but turn onto A470 south west to Llangurig
Take A44 west at roundabout towards Aberystwyth. Nant-y-Arian visitor centre is less than 2 miles beyond Ponterwyd.


From the Midlands
Head for Birmingham and then take M6 north. Turn west onto M54 past Telford. Take M5 round Shrewsbury then turn onto A483 south past Welshpool to Newtown. Take A489 towards Caersws, but turn onto A470 south west to Llangurig. Take A44 west at roundabout towards Aberystwyth. Nant-y-Arian visitor centre is less than 2 miles beyond Ponterwyd.

From the South and London
Take M4 /M5 over Severn Bridge into Wales (don't forget toll money). Take M4 junction 25 north on A4042 to Abergavenny, then take A40 / A479 /A470 to Builth Wells. Take A470 through Rhayader to Llangurig.
Take A44 west at roundabout towards Aberystwyth. Nant-y-Arian visitor centre is less than 2 miles beyond Ponterwyd. For Aberystwyth continue on A44. The nearest railway station is Aberystwyth, 8 miles away. For rail details call 08457 484950

 

[Atricapilla]

I will be visiting my daughter who is moving to Wales - Betws-ye-coeden Denbigh area can anyone give me ideas as where the best place to see Red Kites or other birds of prey might be

Thanks - email answers ok

Gigrin Farm between Builth Wells and Newtown they are open everyday even in winter ,check their website for feeding times

 

[mountain man]

Anywhere around the town of Rhayader in Powys will get you Kites. The Elan Valley just outside Rhayader (just drive slowly along the loop road via the dams) will guarantee you Kites, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and possibly Goshawk.

 

[Ant]

Although Grigin farm and Nant-y-Arian are the most reliable places to see red kites, they can be found anywhere in Wales. I saw one today a few miles east along the A5 of Cerrigydrudion.

 

[luke]

tregaron bog is another great place ( www.ccw.gov.uk then 'places to visit') its called cors caron, awell as kites you will get hen harrier in winter, SEO, Barn owl, whopper swan, and willow tit, some of many to be seen on the bog.

 

[Rob Smallwood]

Do you get cheese on the Whoppers?

Only kidding - Tregaron is a great site too.

 

[rezMole]

Gigrin. We went in the summer of last year and saw maybe 50 at the farm. In winter there are supposed to be even more! Good views of Buzzards and Ravens too. If you want to take photos, this place is ideal as the birds come close to the hides, but you have to be quick as they rarely land (unlike the Buzzards).

 

[luke]

:brains: didn't notice that, LOL

 

[White*Kite]

Gigrin is indeed fantastic, I was last there a couple of weeks ago and over 200 Kites came to feed. I regularly see them where I live, but the sheer spectacle of so many in the air together is really something. As rezMole says, it's great for photos, but the Kites rarely land on the ground as they feed in the air. I'm not sure if the leucistic bird is still around (I think there are 2 now), but it wasn't about last time I went.

 

[Geoff Brown]

Went to Gigrin last summer. Great place to see red kites feeding, and buzzards and crows!

 

[birdman]

Another vote for Gigrin...

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=52103

 

[Rob Smallwood]

I agree Gigrin is great - but I also think Nant-y-Arian is both under-rated, and, for those coming from the north (including Denbigh!) a lot nearer!