The Gigrin 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 became the Official Red Kite Feeding Station in the winter of 1992/93 following a request from the Royal Society of Protection of Birds,who had witnessed the late Mr Powell feeding the kites,as and when food (rabbit) was available.
The Royal Society of Protection of Birds had noted this spectacle and came to the farm with a proposal – that we should open to the public as the red kite feeding station as it would have an impact on the young kites that were being lost over the winter, and would also draw people away from nesting sites where losses occurred due to the disturbance.
This was a major step into the unknown for what was a very successful livestock farm but Mr Powell had the foresight to take on the challenge. Around 6 red kites were roosting on the farm at that time but by the winter of 2006,over 400 kites were coming in for food, and we now see around 600 or so each day during the winter months. The farm’s Red Kite Centre is now well known throughout the world.
