Here are five of Europe's most
impressive natural wonders
6 AUGUST 2016 • 6:00AM
It is approaching 3pm at Gigrin
Farm, and feeding time. For a few hours now, red kites have been steadily
streaming in from their perches across the sparse, steep valleys of Powys. The
birds scythe overhead in holding patterns, tawny plumage fluttering and amber
eyes staring with intent. A scarlet tractor trundles into view and the sky
clouds further.
The driver parks in the
middle of a field and begins shovelling 90lb of gristle-grey meat on to the
grass. He is still unloading when the birds begin to dive, their 5ft wings
hooked into a corkscrew to accelerate the descent. They feed on the wing,
fanning their tail feathers at the very last moment and snatching the food in
their talons before wheeling away screeching.
As the frenzy reaches its
peak the kites number 300 at the very least, a single swirling vortex from
earth to sky. Only after 30 minutes or so, when most of the kites have soared
off into the afternoon, does a column of crows feel sufficiently emboldened to
mob over from the branches of a dead chestnut tree, fighting for the few
morsels left behind.
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