SS15 wildlife watching: Trip away from SS15

On 9th May 2022, I visited the following sites:

RWT Gilfach near Rhayader, Powys

Gigrin Farm near Rhayader, Powys

After being woken up by a male Tree Pipit singing on the fence right outside my tent and the dawn chorus at around 4:30 a.m., I packed up and drove 6 miles to RWT Gilfach.

For centuries, RWT Gilfach was a working hill farm but now it is a spectacular nature reserve tucked away in the Marteg valley in the heart of rural Mid Wales. The old farm buildings are used as visitor facilities and a series of way-marked trails provide access to the woodlands, rough grazing areas and heather moorland. A hide close to the reserve entrance overlooks the River Marteg.

RWT Gilfach is another of my favourite sites in Wales for its beautiful scenery and excellent wildlife and it is now always included on my trip itineraries.

The highlights, amongst 29 species recorded during my visit, were as follows (heard only records in italics): Dipper (2, possibly a pair, seen from the hide), Goosander (2), Red Kite (2), Sparrowhawk (1 female), Raven (2), Common Redstart (2 singing males), Pied Flycatcher (1 singing male), Tree Pipit (2), Cuckoo (2 calling males), Garden Warbler (2), Willow Warbler (2 singing males and 3 other singing males heard), Chiffchaff (2 singing males and 3 other singing male heard), Blackcap (2 singing males and 1 other singing male heard), Nuthatch (1), Goldcrest (2 singing males and 1 other singing male heard), Mistle Thrush (1), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Brown Hare (1), Grey Squirrel (1)

Addition to my 2022 year list: Dipper

Photo: RWT Gilfach

Photo: Dipper

Photo: Red Kite

Photo: Nuthatch

Photo: Swallow

Photo: male Blackbird

Photo: Brown Hare

Photo: Grey Squirrel

After visiting RWT Gilfach, I drove back to Rhayader and then took a circular minor road from Elan village via Llanwrthwl which passes through woodland and alongside the River Wye.

The highlights, amongst 22 species recorded along this short route, were as follows (heard only records in italics): Common Sandpiper (1), Grey Wagtail (1), Common Redstart (1 male), Tree Pipit (1 singing male), Wood Warbler (4 singing males), Willow Warbler (3 singing males), Chiffchaff (4 singing males), Blackcap (1 singing male), Swallow (2), Red Kite (1), Common Buzzard (2)

Additions to my 2022 year list: Common Sandpiper, Grey Wagtail

RSPB Carngafallt, accessed from Elan village, primarily comprises oak woodland with many ancient trees plus wood pasture and its special birds can easily be heard and seen by just walking along the road.

The highlights, amongst 15 species recorded during my visit, were as follows (heard only records in italics): Common Redstart (2 males and 2 other singing males heard), Wood Warbler (1 singing male and at least 1 other singing male heard), Pied Flycatcher (1 singing male and 2 other singing males heard), Willow Warbler (3 singing males), Blackcap (1 singing male), Red Kite (1), Nuthatch (1 and 1 other calling bird heard), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1)

Gigrin Farm is located just outside Rhayader and is a family run upland sheep farm of approximately 160 acres. The land is 700 feet rising to 1200 feet above sea level providing wonderful views of the Wye and Elan valleys.

Gigrin Farm became a Red Kite feeding station in the winter of 1992/93 following a request from the RSPB who had witnessed the late Mr Powell feeding the Red Kites as and when food (Rabbit) was available. The RSPB had noted this spectacle and came to Gigrin Farm with a proposal i.e. it should open to the public as a Red Kite feeding station as it would have a positive impact on the young Red Kites that were being lost over the winter and would also draw people away from nesting sites where losses were occurring due to disturbance.

Around 6 Red Kites were roosting on the farm at that time but by the winter of 2006 over 400 were coming in for food and now around 600 can be seen each day during the winter months. Gigrin Farm also acts as the Red Kite Rehabilitation Centre working in partnership with the Welsh Kite Trust. This allows Red Kites that have fallen ill or been injured to recuperate after having any required veterinary care elsewhere.

I have visited Gigrin Farm previously but this was my first visit for many years. On this occasion, I paid the additional fee for access to one of the photographic hides which provide an elevated and better perspective of the Red Kites coming in to feed. I was joined by a young photographer, Amy, and her Mum who provided good company and conversation during our visit.

Red Kite feeding is an amazing spectacle and provides unrivalled views of one of our most beautiful raptors. The photographic opportunities are incredible if not slightly overwhelming as huge numbers of birds come down to the food scattered around for them.

During my visit, there must have been at least 150 Red Kites which were joined by probably at least 5 Common Buzzards and a few Carrion Crows and Rooks but surprisingly no Ravens.

Initially, the Red Kites flew high over the feeding area, gradually increasing in numbers and gathering much closer as 2 p.m. approached ....

Photo: Red Kites

Photo: Red Kite

Photo: Red Kites

Once the tractor carrying the meat appeared, excitement levels increased significantly amongst the Red Kites (and the assembled observers and photographers) and a feeding frenzy commenced as soon as the food was thrown out across the feeding area ....

Photo: Red Kites

Eventually, the feeding frenzy subsided and photography of individual or small groups of Red Kites either feeding on scraps of food or still flying over the feeding area became much easier ....

Photo: Red Kite

Photo: Red Kites

Photo: Red Kite

Photo: Red Kites

Photo: Red Kites

Photo: Red Kites

Photo: Red Kite

Photo: Red Kites

Photo: Red Kites

Photo: Red Kite

Photo: Red Kite

Photo: Red Kite

Photo: Red Kite

Photo: Red Kites

Photo: Red Kite and Rooks

Photo: Red Kite

Photo: Red Kites

Photo: Red Kite

Photo: Red Kite

Photo: Red Kite

Photo: Red Kite

Photo: Red Kite

Photo: Red Kite

Photo: Red Kite

Finally, everything quietened down. Some Red Kites flew off whilst others retired to the nearby trees to digest their meals ....

Photo: Red Kites

After spending over 3 hours at Gigrin Farm, I drove for around 1.5 hours to my campsite …. Cae Glas Camping. En-route, I saw my first Swifts of the year, 2 birds flying over Builth Wells.

Cae Glas Camping is located just outside Pen-y-Cae on the southern edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The campsite is on a working farm and comprises a field plus showers and toilets and costing £12.50 per night. I received a warm welcome from Mel who showed me around. I was the only person camping there.

Whilst a lovely campsite with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, I did not get much sleep due to the appalling overnight weather. Extremely heavy rain and strong winds started just after 9 p.m. and continued to around 4 a.m. when I finally got off to sleep. I was then woken up by a loudly calling male Cuckoo at around 6 a.m.!

Campsite records (heard only records in italics): Cuckoo (1 calling male), Willow Warbler (1 singing male), Stonechat (1 calling bird), Green Woodpecker (1 calling bird), Swallow (2), Robin, Blackbird, Dunnock, Magpie