Watch Birds of Prey being Fed at Gigrin Farm, Rhayader
Mid Wales is one of the UK’s true strongholds for birdlife, and The Pines Holiday Park sits right at the heart of it. From the moment you arrive, you’ll notice red kites circling over the River Wye, buzzards calling from the hillsides, and smaller songbirds flitting through the hedgerows around the park. For anyone who loves wildlife, this is a very special place to own a holiday home.
Red Kites – The Iconic Bird of Mid Wales
The red kite is now a familiar sight in Mid Wales, with its striking forked tail, russet body and graceful, buoyant flight. It’s hard to believe that these beautiful birds of prey once came close to disappearing from the UK altogether. Thanks to careful conservation and dedicated local work, the hills and valleys around Doldowlod, Rhayader and the Elan Valley are now one of the best places in the world to see them.
From The Pines, you’ll often spot kites drifting above the park, following the line of the River Wye or riding the thermals over the surrounding hills. Step out for a gentle walk and you’re likely to see them almost daily, sometimes in small groups, sometimes gliding alone against the big Mid Wales sky.
Gigrin Farm Red Kite Feeding Centre – Just Up the Road
Just a short drive from The Pines, on the outskirts of Rhayader, you’ll find Gigrin Farm Red Kite Feeding Centre – one of the most famous red kite sites in the UK. This working family farm became an official red kite feeding station in partnership with the RSPB, and it now attracts hundreds of birds every day.
At set times each afternoon, the kites gather from all directions, waiting for feeding time. As the food is put out, the sky suddenly fills with activity: kites swoop, circle and dive with incredible precision, joined by ravens, buzzards and other carrion-feeding birds. The spectacle is both noisy and mesmerising, and it offers a rare chance to see these birds at very close proximity.
Gigrin Farm has a series of purpose-built hides and viewing areas, including options designed with photographers in mind. Whether you are an experienced birder, a keen photographer or simply curious to see red kites up close, it is an unforgettable experience and a must‑visit during your time at The Pines.
Bird Watching from Your “Home from Home”
One of the joys of owning a holiday home at The Pines is that bird watching doesn’t have to be a planned outing – it’s part of everyday life here. Enjoy your morning coffee on the decking while watching kites and buzzards overhead, listen for songbirds in the hedgerows, or wander down towards the River Wye to spot wagtails and dippers along the water’s edge.
Because the park is quiet, owners‑only and set within a conservation‑minded landscape, wildlife feels very much at home. You can return throughout all four seasons and see how the birdlife changes with the year – from busy spring activity and summer soaring to the atmospheric winter gatherings of kites over the valley.
A Peaceful Base for Nature Lovers
If you are drawn to places where nature still feels wild and close at hand, The Pines offers a peaceful, secure base right in the heart of red kite country. With Gigrin Farm just up the road and daily sightings from the park itself, it’s an ideal location for anyone who finds joy in looking up and watching the sky.
