In 2007 a joint BBC Wales/RSPB Cymru poll conducted with viewers of the TV programme ‘Iolo’s Welsh Safari’ voted the Red Kite the most popular bird in Wales beating even the humble Robin! Its not really surprising as the kite is indeed a beautiful and charismatic bird of prey. Millions of years of evolution has endowed it with impressive aerial skills which are a delight to watch. The intensive persecution of the Red Kite in Britain throughout the last few centuries is well documented and its remarkable recovery from near extinction as a breeding species is the most successful long term conservation project in history spanning over one hundred years. So why not take the opportunity to celebrate the kite’s extraordinary recovery and join me Elfyn Pugh your driver and guide on a relaxed and leisurely safari through the spectacular countryside of Central Wales.

Alternatively I can take you to one of our local birding ‘hot-spots’ here in mid-Wales. Our region has many places of historical interest too and if you wish I can organise a bird tour to include a visit to some of these sites. My aim is to provide guests with a memorable experience of Wales its wildlife and cultural heritage. Please look at the ‘Tours’ page on our website for further information.

My venture “Red Kite Safaris” is based in the thriving ancient market town of Machynlleth which is the starting point for our safaris or birding tours however if desired and by prior arrangement I can collect clients from the coastal towns of Aberdyfi or Aberystwyth.

Our Red Kite Safaris follow two different routes depending on your preference. We start in Machynlleth and head south towards the coastal resort and university town of Aberystwyth. Our journey then proceeds inland through the scenic Rheidol Valley (Cwm Rheidol) up to Devils Bridge (Pontarfynach). There will be a stop here to allow clients to view a famous Welsh landmark which is the three bridges and the falls. From here we will take a short journey up to Cwm Ystwyth which was once a thriving lead mining community. Here you will see a rugged landscape which is the haunt of mountain birds such as Peregrine Falcon, Red Kite, Buzzard, Kestrel and Ravens. In the mountain streams we may see Dippers and Grey Wagtails and in the summer months we may see the telltale flash of white rump of that lover of rugged rocky places the Wheatear.

From Cwm Ystwyth we will make our way to the Bwlch Nant-yr-Arian Forest Centre near Ponterwyd which is a well known Red Kite feeding Station. The “wild” kites are fed daily at 3pm during the Summer months and 2pm in the Winter months. There is a café at the centre offering light snacks as well as a children’s adventure area and some pleasant walking trails including a short ‘all ability’ walk.

The other Red Kite Safari which we offer is to the famous and immensely popular Gigrin Farm Red Kite Feeding Centre which is located on the outskirts of the town of Rhayader. On this safari we start our journey in Machynlleth and travel to Llanidloes and then onto Rhayader. We will take a drive up to the picturesque Elan Valley (Cwm Elan) to look for kites, Peregrine and Buzzard. We will look at the various man made reservoirs and you will marvel at the magnificent engineering feat which it took to build the dams. These look particularly dramatic when the reservoirs are full following a period of heavy rainfall and the water cascades over the dams. The reservoirs supply water to the Birmingham area 70 miles away.

During the summer months we will visit the superb Elan Valley visitor centre where there is a small gift shop and a café providing light snacks. At the centre you can view a short interpretive film about all aspects of the Elan Valley. Our main aim is to get to the Red Kite Feeding Station at Gigrin farm by 3pm (summer) or 2pm (winter). Here you will see spectacular numbers of kites, buzzards, crows & ravens all trying to get a share of meaty morsels put out for them on a daily basis throughout the year by Chris Powell. There are five hides in order to view the birds at close range as they feed providing ideal photographic opportunities. The ‘BBC Wildlife Magazine’ has voted the centre as one of the ‘top ten’ British Wildlife spectacles. It is well worth a visit at any time of the year.

On our return journey back to Machynlleth via Llanidloes we will make brief stops at scenic locations on route.

Both these ‘Safaris’ will show you the ultimate Welsh Kite Country.

For information about the other well known ‘birding’ hotspots in Mid-Wales please view the ‘The Tours’ page.

We now have a wide selection of books about the Red Kite available - see Red Kite books.

For further details regarding fees, booking conditions, local accommodation etc; please view the ‘Tour Fees’ page.

Part of this site now in Welsh.