Red Kites At Llanddeusant by Cled Lewis
17th October 2025
In: News, Members' Articles
RED KITE FEEDING CENTRE.
Pam and I and a friend visited the Red Kite Feeding Centre at Llanddeusant in July and August.
This site is located within an hour of Llanelli which we will be visiting next year with the Fellowship.
There is plenty of parking space and the entrance fee for us is £5. This is far cheaper than the sites at Rhyadr and Aberystwyth but in our opinion is the equal.
On the first occasion Pam used her Lumix G9 ii with the 50mm - 200mm lens and I used the Lumix GX8 with the 200 mm, both Leica/Panasonic lenses. Our friend Norman used a recent model Nikon full frame with the 70mm-300mm lens.
As the red kites can reach speeds of 70mph and were close to us it was difficult to pick them up and track with the relatively long lenses, although when we captured a picture they were very good but the success rate was limited, actually less than 10%.
On our second visit in August we had learned from our July visit and were better prepared.
Pam and Norman used the same equipment but I took the Leica M11 and the 75mm Summilux but a 90mm or 135 mm would probably have been better in hindsight but the 135 mm was with Malcolm Taylor for cleaning.
Pam and Norman had better results than the first visit but the M11 was a revelation.
It was possible to see the birds clearly in the viewfinder and put them in the 75mm frame lines and panning was much easier.
The weather was great and I used the M11 at 1/2000th sec, f5.6 and 400 ISO and hyperfocal distance. Next time I will use 1/3,000 sec and f5.6 and an ISO appropriate to the lighting, metering off the grass meant that the birds were still well lit when against the lighter sky.
The M in this situation is in my mind far superior to the Auto/focus, Image stabilised lenses although photographers familiar with their cameras might get similar results. The Q3 /43 would be an interesting camera to use in the same situation.
Cled Lewis.
Leica M11 - 75mm Summilux
Leica M11 - 75mm Summilux
Leica M11 - 75mm Summilux
Leica M11 - 75mm Summilux
Pam - Panasonic G9
Pam - Panasonic G9
Pam and I and a friend visited the Red Kite Feeding Centre at Llanddeusant in July and August.
This site is located within an hour of Llanelli which we will be visiting next year with the Fellowship.
There is plenty of parking space and the entrance fee for us is £5. This is far cheaper than the sites at Rhyadr and Aberystwyth but in our opinion is the equal.
On the first occasion Pam used her Lumix G9 ii with the 50mm - 200mm lens and I used the Lumix GX8 with the 200 mm, both Leica/Panasonic lenses. Our friend Norman used a recent model Nikon full frame with the 70mm-300mm lens.
As the red kites can reach speeds of 70mph and were close to us it was difficult to pick them up and track with the relatively long lenses, although when we captured a picture they were very good but the success rate was limited, actually less than 10%.
On our second visit in August we had learned from our July visit and were better prepared.
Pam and Norman used the same equipment but I took the Leica M11 and the 75mm Summilux but a 90mm or 135 mm would probably have been better in hindsight but the 135 mm was with Malcolm Taylor for cleaning.
Pam and Norman had better results than the first visit but the M11 was a revelation.
It was possible to see the birds clearly in the viewfinder and put them in the 75mm frame lines and panning was much easier.
The weather was great and I used the M11 at 1/2000th sec, f5.6 and 400 ISO and hyperfocal distance. Next time I will use 1/3,000 sec and f5.6 and an ISO appropriate to the lighting, metering off the grass meant that the birds were still well lit when against the lighter sky.
The M in this situation is in my mind far superior to the Auto/focus, Image stabilised lenses although photographers familiar with their cameras might get similar results. The Q3 /43 would be an interesting camera to use in the same situation.
Cled Lewis.
Leica M11 - 75mm Summilux
Leica M11 - 75mm Summilux
Leica M11 - 75mm Summilux
Leica M11 - 75mm Summilux
Pam - Panasonic G9
Pam - Panasonic G9
Comments
By David Askham: Congratulations to you both for sharing the fruits of your projects with us, the Fellowship members. Your results are remarkable considering the breadth of your photographic interests. I am particularly struck by the pictures you obtained using a rangefinder camera. But the main lesson to be learned from your project is 'perseverance'. Mastering the photographic capture of birds in flight challenges even specialist bird photographers. You returned with a fresh approach and improved your skills. Now, with winter approaching, why not face the challenge of capturing pictures of wild birds in your garden. Be inspired by watching videos on the subject, such as by Roger Hence. By Ken Davis: Your whole approach has been inspirational Cled. I've tackled this subject with a telephoto zoom on a Panasonic GX8 and it was hit and miss. When we are at Llanelli I'll try the 135 or 90mm on the M11 rather than Don's 400mm Noflexar! By Keith Walker: Great confirmation of what a good and versatile tool a rangefinder is in the right hands and with a bit of forethought. Super images and love the back lit tail feathers. They are magnificent birds. By Sally: Tony and I went here for the first time last week- a third visit for Pam and Cled! The scenery and the weather were wonderful and we so enjoyed watching the kites swoop down and feed. As well as seeing the huge numbers circling in the sky above. I think we got a couple of good photos each but the whole experience was to be recommended when we visit Llanelli next year. Well done Pam and Cled for your excellent photos. By Andrew Cunningham: Ah - birds in flight are amazing and superb photography - a great combination.