A Trip To Gigrin Farm Red Kites

Just Dave

Just Dave

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Hi

Were going to Gigrin Farm for 4 days tomorrow in our campervan as they have a campsite at the farm (y) Clicky linky to see the Red Kites

Is it worth going in the hides there? and do they get full?

Also any ideas what other photo opportunities close by

TIA

Dave
 
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every time I've been there's been plenty of room in the hides as to whats nearby you got the elan valley reservoirs just a few miles away , i think there's a good waterfall on the way to the claerwen dam. on the mountain road to aberystwyth there's a abandoned lead mine by the side of the road with plenty of ruins
 
Yes try the hides..

Nearby.. hmmm the dams are worth a look.


MD
 
1 mile east of cwmystwyth on the elan to devils bridge road is the old mine...spectacular too.
 
c_robinson said:
1 mile east of cwmystwyth on the elan to devils bridge road is the old mine...spectacular too.
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I agree - there are some fabulous views along this road and one of the highest waterfalls I have seen. I can't wait to get back there. Élan valley is usually good but the water is very low at the moment so nothing coming over the top. abergwyssyn is worth a drive out to, you could then venture out to lyn brianne or cross country to tregaron. Llandrindod has some picturesque Victorian gardens.

Enjoy, I have this part of the country

Simon
 
Thanks very much everyone elan valley sounds fab and I'll keep my eyes open for the waterfall and old mine, also fancy Llandrindod Victorian gardens good stuff thanks for your help :clap:
 
My parents used to live in a small village just outside Rhayder. At the council campsite at Rhayder you can get right down to the riverside for some great river shots, plus also at the Elan Valley visitor centre (good cafe there too).

Take the road all the way around the dams, there's some great little car parks with photo opportunities, plus a lovely bit half way around where the road twists down below you leading to the water.

Caban Coch bridge is nice too, around the dams:
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As the others have mentioned, the Elan Valley would keep a landscape photographer happy for ages... If you head slightly to the north, you've also got Llyn Clywedog and if you don't want to pay for the privilege of photographing Red Kites, you can go to Nant-yr-arian at 3pm for their feeding time.

If you head over to the coast, there's Aberystwyth (of course) and there's the waterfall and water wheel at Dyfi Furnace and the RSPB reserve at Ynys Hir.

The possibilities are almost endless... Mid Wales really is a little bit of heaven. :D

Si
 
The old workhouse by the red kite feeding place at Rhayder does good food, or the Vulcan inn along the road to Llandrindod
 
Sorry to hijack the thread, but does anyone know which is the best of the two places to photographs the kites? I'm going to the Mach Loop on Monday, and would quite like to do some bird togging in the afternoon.
Thanks
Gareth
 
wippers said:
Sorry to hijack the thread, but does anyone know which is the best of the two places to photographs the kites? I'm going to the Mach Loop on Monday, and would quite like to do some bird togging in the afternoon.
Thanks
Gareth
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Hi Gareth,

Nant-yr-arian is closer to the Mach Loop but only by a small amount and it'll also depend on whereabouts you plan to go to photograph the aircraft.

Personally, I'd spend the morning up at CadWest and then drop down to Aber and head up the A44 to Nant-yr-arian in time for feeding at 3pm.

Hope that helps,
Si
 
Cheers Si - Was trying to decide between Cad West and Bwlch, so that may make my mind up. Can you get pretty close to the birds as I only have a 300mm F4 (which I'm getting today) and a 70-200 F2.8 along with a 1.4x TC?

Gareth
 
wippers said:
Sorry to hijack the thread, but does anyone know which is the best of the two places to photographs the kites? I'm going to the Mach Loop on Monday, and would quite like to do some bird togging in the afternoon.
Thanks
Gareth
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Afternoons tend to be busier in the loop though?

If it were me I'd probably do Cad West, then head back to Mach, over the mountain road to Llanidloes, and then onto Rhayader to Gigrin. Would probably take about about an hour to get there from Cad? Not much between Gigrin and Bwlch Nant yr Arian, Gigrin is probably 10 miles or so more, and Bwlch Nant yr Arian is probably quicker to get to, but I'd rather have some fun on the mountain road!

300mm would be about ideal for both the loop and the Red Kites on a crop body. (y)
 
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Jim B said:
Afternoons tend to be busier in the loop though... Bwlch Nant yr Arian is probably quicker to get to, but I'd rather have some fun on the mountain road!
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It's a bit variable... I drive through there a lot during the day and it's quite common to have a flurry of activity first thing in the morning and then b****r all until late afternoon. :)

The Llanidloes mountain road is a pain in the backside at the moment... too many idiot farmers with huge tractors and no road sense whizzing about the place. I nearly had a run-in with one last weekend 'cos he thought he owned the road! :mad:

Jim B said:
...300mm would be about ideal for both the loop and the Red Kites on a crop body. (y)
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:agree:

At Nant-yr-arian, they're quite close but you'll need to increase your ISO if you want to catch 'em snatching food from the lake.

Si
 
No prob Gareth, just thought you might get more replies on Transport boards (y)

Byker28i Yes been to the dams today not much water in the lakes, rained heavy last night todays been sunny all day, my arms are killing with all the panning LOL
 
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