Red Kite Photography Workshop – Gigrin Farm
- Daniel Rotheram-Smith
- May 1
- 3 min read
Date: 28th March 2026
Location: Gigrin Red Kite Feeding Centre
Workshop Host: P23 WayPhoto
A Day Among the Red Kites
On the 28th of March, I had the chance to attend a red kite photography workshop at Gigrin Farm in Rhayader, a location that’s become legendary among wildlife photographers. Run by P23 WayPhoto, the day promised fast-paced action, challenging conditions, and—most importantly—the opportunity to capture one of the UK’s most iconic birds in flight.
From the moment I arrived, there was a sense of anticipation in the air. Even before the feeding began, red kites were already circling overhead—graceful, effortless, and constantly moving. It was clear this wasn’t going to be a relaxed shoot; it was going to demand focus, quick reactions, and a bit of luck.
The Setup & Kit
For this workshop, I brought along:
Cameras: Nikon D800 & Nikon D5300
Lenses: Sigma 150–500mm f/5-6.3 & 70–300mm
The Sigma 150–500mm quickly became the main workhorse for the day. Its reach was ideal for isolating birds mid-flight, especially when they stayed just beyond the closer range. The 70–300mm came in handy when the action moved closer than expected—which, at Gigrin, happens fast.
The D800 handled most of the action thanks to its solid autofocus performance with the Sigma lens, while the D5300 played more of a supporting role.
The Experience
Once the feeding session began, everything changed. What had been a calm sky suddenly erupted into controlled chaos. Dozens of red kites swooped in, diving and twisting mid-air as food was thrown out across the feeding area.
Photographing this was intense. The birds move unpredictably, often crossing paths mid-flight, and their speed makes tracking a real challenge. It pushed my skills in:
Continuous autofocus tracking
Burst shooting
Anticipating movement rather than reacting to it
One of the biggest takeaways was learning to watch behaviour patterns. The kites often circle before committing to a dive, and spotting that moment early makes all the difference in getting the shot.
Challenges on the Day
Wildlife photography is never easy, and this session was no exception.
Speed & unpredictability: The kites don’t follow a pattern for long
Crowded frame: Multiple birds constantly entering your composition
Light conditions: Changing light meant constant adjustment of settings
There were plenty of missed shots—but that’s part of the process. When everything did come together, the results were worth it.
Highlights
A few standout moments from the day included:
Capturing a kite mid-dive with wings fully extended
Freezing a moment just before grabbing food mid-air
Getting sharp detail on feather patterns during a banking turn
These are the types of shots that make the hours of tracking and missed frames worthwhile.
What I Learned
This workshop wasn’t just about getting photos—it was about improving technique.
Shutter speed is everything: Keeping it high is crucial for freezing motion
Positioning matters: Even small changes in angle affect background and light
Patience pays off: The best shots often come after long stretches of misses
It also reinforced how important it is to know your gear inside out, especially when working with fast-moving wildlife.
Final Thoughts
The red kite workshop at Gigrin Farm delivered exactly what it promised—fast-paced, challenging, and incredibly rewarding wildlife photography. With expert guidance from P23 WayPhoto and one of the UK’s best wildlife locations, it’s an experience I’d highly recommend to anyone looking to improve their bird-in-flight photography.
It’s not an easy shoot—but that’s exactly what makes it so good.
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