Famous Rhayader Red Kite feeding station is not closing

The people in charge of Gigrin Farm, high up in the hills above Rhayader, say claims it is closing its Red Kite Feeding Centre are wide of the mark.

Rumours were circulating to such a degree locally that Gigrin officials took to Facebook in August to denounce them.

“We have become aware that a rumour has been circulating that the Red Kite centre here is closing,” said the centre.

“This is absolutely not the case and we have no idea what has prompted this. We do not know when or with whom the rumour started.

Red Kite action shots from Gigrin Farm. Picture by Rodney Holbrook.

“We understand that the visitor centre at Nant y Arian (near Aberystwyth) will be closing, but there is no connection between the Red Kite centre here and Nant y Arian.

“We are a small family-run business and we have no intention of closing.

“We are open daily and are looking forward to continuing to welcome guests to the farm to enjoy the Red Kites and beautiful Welsh scenery.”

Sue Howlett responded to the Facebook post in early August by saying Gigrin Farm was “well worth a visit”.

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Gigrin became the official Red Kite Feeding Centre in the winter of 1992-93 and celebrated its 30th anniversary last year.

It opened following a request from the RSPB, who had witnessed a local man feeding the kites as and when food was available.

The RSPB had noted this spectacle and approached the farm with a proposal for the family – that Gigrin should open to the public as a red kite feeding station.

The idea was seen as a way to increase the survival rate of Red Kites in Powys by providing a supplementary feeding to aid the birds during harsh times.

The majority of remaining native kites had established their stronghold in this part of Powys – overlooking the Wye and Elan valleys, since the late 20th century.

Thanks to the support of the public and visitors the farm has experienced an encouraging increase in the once endangered species’ population, and today it feeds anywhere up to 600 Red Kites a day, every day.

Over the last three decades the farm has gained worldwide recognition and is credited by many organisations for single-handedly increasing the numbers of native wild Red Kites not only in Wales but in the UK overall.

The Red Kite can now be found almost all over mainland Britain but is still considered synonymous with Wales, and was officially named as the national bird of Wales in 2007.

In a previous article celebrating the 30-yer milestone, Gigrin Farm said it hopes the Powys public will continue to support them in their goals of protecting the Red Kites and helping them flourish, while educating visitors about these amazing animals.

Times vary depending on the time of year, but the feeding station is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday throughout September and October.

For more information on Gigrin, phone 01597 810 243, email office@gigrin.co.uk or check out the Facebook page.