Guardians of the Sky: A Weekend with Red Kites in Mid Wales

Wales is known for its rain, and fittingly, it has a rich vocabulary to describe it. This weekend, the weather could only be described as glaw tinwyn or piso—a persistent, steady rain that followed me throughout my trip to Mid Wales. Despite the gloomy weather, I was determined to make the most of it and spend time with one of my favorite birds: the majestic red kites.

based myself in a small B&B called Ty Morgan’s, located just a short drive from my main destination—Grigin Farm, famous for its daily red kite feeding sessions. If you’re planning a trip like mine, I highly recommend staying there for its value and proximity to some incredible natural spots like the Elan Valley.

The Elan Valley and Grigin Farm

Saturday began with a leisurely drive to the Elan Valley. After a short walk by the reservoir, I headed to Grigin Farm, arriving well ahead of the 3pm feeding session. Red kites are magnificent birds, and they once teetered on the edge of extinction in the UK due to persecution. Projects like the one at Grigin Farm have helped revive their population, and it’s amazing to witness such success. Over the past few years, I’ve been lucky enough to spot these birds more frequently in the East Midlands, even over my own house this past June.

When I arrived at Grigin, I could already see hundreds of kites soaring in the distance. The feeding process itself is simple: a tractor arrives and a worker tosses food into the field using a shovel. As expected, the crows and rooks came first, only to be chased off by the more dominant kites. Just as things were getting interesting, the rain started again, sending the birds into nearby trees to wait it out.

It wasn’t until about 45 minutes later that the skies cleared, and the red kites began to circle again. Finally, they started diving down to snatch the food from the ground. Watching these birds swoop in in groups, was truly a sight to behold. I even spotted two rare leucistic kites, whose white patches of plumage made them easier to track through my lens.

The session ended around 4:30 when, true to the day’s theme, the rain came back.

A Rainy Sunday

Sunday morning brought more rain, and I reluctantly scrapped my plan to capture a sunrise in the Elan Valley. Instead, I opted for a lazy morning in the B&B until checkout time. Afterward, I wandered through the Cnwch Wood Trail, hoping for some good mushroom photography. Despite the wet conditions, I only found a lone elf cap and a small patch of honey fungus.

By the afternoon, I was back at Grigin Farm for another feeding session. This time, I opted for the Tower Hide, which I found slightly better than the Big Tower Hide I used on Saturday. It provided a better angle on the field and a more picturesque backdrop. The kites, seemingly more eager for food, began swooping in even before the tractor left the field.

However, another downpour sent them back to their perches for a while.

Despite the challenging light, the leucistic kite saved the day. Its pale feathers stood out beautifully against the dark, rain-soaked landscape, allowing me to capture some ethereal shots. Fewer people visited on Sunday, and I found the kites more confident and active compared to the previous day when the larger crowds seemed to make them warier.

Tips for Photographing Red Kites

Photographing red kites, especially in bad weather, is no easy feat. Their speed requires a fast shutter, so I shot most images at 1/2000 sec or higher. I used my Sony A7RV with a 200-600mm lens, shooting in manual mode with the aperture wide open at f/6.3. ISO was set to auto, with limits between 2000 and 6400.

Even with these settings, it felt like I was constantly battling underexposure. I ended up dialling in +2 stops of exposure compensation, but the low light was relentless. A 300mm f/2.8 lens would have been ideal for capturing these birds in flight. The weight of my setup made it a workout for my arms, but I managed to get some shots I’m happy with.

The trick to photographing kites is to isolate a single bird, which is harder than it sounds when dozens are swooping around the field. I found that the best shots came when I tracked one bird against a backdrop of trees or fields, rather than the overcast sky.

Final Thoughts

Despite the less-than-ideal conditions, it was an unforgettable weekend. Seeing the red kites up close, especially the rare leucistic ones, was a rare privilege. Grigin Farm is a fantastic place for anyone who loves wildlife photography or simply wants to experience these magnificent birds in action. I’ll definitely be back in the future—hopefully with better weather—to capture the perfect shot of a kite in flight.

For now, I leave Mid Wales with a deep appreciation for the conservation efforts that have brought these birds back from the brink, and the hope that others will take the time to witness them as I have.

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