Gigrin Farm - Red Kites

gramps

gramps

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I know a number of photographers regularly visit Gigrin Farm to photograph the Red Kites.
I notice that they now have a new hide called the Kite Field Hide that is inside the feeding area and gives a different view of the Kites ... just wondering if anyone has used that particular hide and can comment on how it compares to the other hides. :)
 
Last time I was there the. Owner was telling me he was thinking of building a sunken hide in the middle of the field ,is this it ?
 
the black fox said:
Last time I was there the. Owner was telling me he was thinking of building a sunken hide in the middle of the field ,is this it ?
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I think it's at the side but actually inside the perimeter if that makes sense ... not in the middle though :)
 
Check out the prices in the "photo" hides and then visit Bwlch Nant yr Arian - only £2 for parking and imho better all round photography.. and the cake and tea after Kite feeding are great too !! :)
(Btw I've no connection with BNYA or Gigrin, just like a bargain ;) )

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johnty52 said:
Check out the prices in the "photo" hides and then visit Bwlch Nant yr Arian - only £2 for parking and imho better all round photography.. and the cake and tea after Kite feeding are great too !! :)
(Btw I've no connection with BNYA or Gigrin, just like a bargain ;) )

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Hi I first visited Gigrin farm many years ago before it became as popular as it is now, I visited again more recently and was shocked at the charges now, next time I'm in the area I will give this place a try.
 
A friend of mine went in the new hide, said she wouldn't again as it wasn't worth the money £45. I went in one of the others when I went last year the gateway hide, a wide opening so lens movement not restricted and £15
hope this helps with your decision.
 
TrishR said:
A friend of mine went in the new hide, said she wouldn't again as it wasn't worth the money £45. I went in one of the others when I went last year the gateway hide, a wide opening so lens movement not restricted and £15
hope this helps with your decision.
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Thanks Trish, did your friend give any reasons for feeling the way she did (other than the cost)?
@TrishR
 
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Always wanted to go there but to date never been. Is there a best time of year to go?
 
The problem with feeding stations is that they are only as good (or bad) as the surroundings which have a big influence on available backgrounds. Gin grin has been done to death and Chris now tries every which way to increase his margins. Prices there are very high for what you get. The surroundings at Nant y arion are far more picturesque but I think the car park may have gone up to £3. You can stay as long as the food lasts,use the hide or find your own vantage point with the added interest of pics over water and the sky is completely free- you pay extra at Gingrin.

There is a third choice at Llanduesant in the Black mountains where the hide is a bit ramshackle but the charge is £5.00 to stay as long as you like with some good access points to the sky and some strategically placed perches which are used by other species with the added bonus that ravens come down quite frequently. You are also closer to the action when they swoop in.

Regen
 
KDBee said:
Always wanted to go there but to date never been. Is there a best time of year to go?
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Not sure there is a best time. If you want blue skies and strong light you stand a better chance in summer but this is Wales and that area in particular gets a lot of rain. I have tried on a sunny day and an overcast day and did not like the results from the latter, but this may be down to my poor photographic skills. Well worth a visit.
 
Totally agree with the cake is so much better at Nant yr Arian, but personally I'm not keen of the photographing the kites over water.
 
Roger I think you'll have a fab time at N Y R (I'm not even going to try and write that:D),Ive not been to gigrin buddy so can't compare ,but a few years back we visited the former. I didn't have the tools back then, (only an old film camera), that I have now,. You have even more reach than I do now,plus your skillset!!!!!!! I personally think you'll do really well there. Mate the chilterns might be another option for you for the kites,There is meant to be a good cafe in Stokenchurch if that's your thing,(the birds are definitely there I worked at Stokey for a while but no chance of taking the camera,but haven't visited the cafe. If that isn't your thing there have got to be good spots around the chilterns,the birds are all over the place,Sure not quite the guarantees of a feeding station,but I'm sure a guy like you wouldn't draw a blank:)

Mate they are getting ever closer to you,have you ever seen them down in glos? We have had the occassional visit here not frequent by any means but I see them much more oft on the wolds not so far from Cheltenham actually,so really not so far from you. Roger there is a comment here from Archie about preferring to shoot them on sunny days .I'm also of that mind and as you well know learning all this. any thoughts buddy?

good luck where ever you go kiddo

Stu
 
I can see them everyday from my bedroom window, front and back gardens in Berks. If I set up a feeding point perhaps I can charge £40 a head with a £10 premium for those using a 5Div?!

Whatever, they are beautiful birds.
 
Stuart Philpott said:
Roger there is a comment here from Archie about preferring to shoot them on sunny days .I'm also of that mind and as you well know learning all this. any thoughts buddy?
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Sun can be a blessing or a curse Stu, toward the end of the day at Gigrin you can get the evening light and still have plenty of Kites coming in and that's fine but mid-afternoon in bright light it can be a spoiler. On the other hand the diffused light from a bit of cloud cover can give great opportunities for detail without shadows or blowing out whites. :)
 
gramps said:
Sun can be a blessing or a curse Stu, toward the end of the day at Gigrin you can get the evening light and still have plenty of Kites coming in and that's fine but mid-afternoon in bright light it can be a spoiler. On the other hand the diffused light from a bit of cloud cover can give great opportunities for detail without shadows or blowing out whites. :)
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All agreed, but when it is grey and overcast, give up?
 
Archie747 said:
All agreed, but when it is grey and overcast, give up?
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No, I never give up ... if you are a hobbyist and go out for enjoyment then you just make the best of whatever you get, I would rather have grey/overcast than bright/harsh.
Of course if you are seeking that special photo it's different, you will look for the ideal conditions. :)
 
Saw a red kite by Andoversford so they are moving a round
gramps said:
No, I never give up ... if you are a hobbyist and go out for enjoyment then you just make the best of whatever you get, I would rather have grey/overcast than bright/harsh.
Of course if you are seeking that special photo it's different, you will look for the ideal conditions. :)
Click to expand...
 
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