Welcome to Argaty Red Kites! Here on our farm just north of Stirling, we run Central Scotland's only red kite feeding station where visitors can watch these exciting birds and their spectacular flying. The farm lies on the Braes of Doune in the area of Central Scotland where the RSPB and Scottish Natural Heritage have reintroduced the red kite. It is with their help that we are providing a facility for enjoying the birds in comfort but without the risk of disturbing what is still a fragile popluation.

The Kite Feeding Station

Food is put out for the kites each day throughout the year. The feeding, by the way, is actually minimal, it just gives the birds a helping hand. Up to thirty or so are attracted to the food depending on the weather and the season. Watching from our brand new hide you will have the chance to view the spectacle of the kites' flying acrobatics set against the backdrop of our hill fields. Kites tend to feed on the wing and so you will see them swoop down to seize the food in their claws before they soar upwards again, sometimes being challenged by another bird for their haul. Other birds you may be lucky enough to see include peregrine, kestrel, buzzards, sparrow hawk and hen harriers as well as a wide variety of smaller birds attracted by our conservation management. A recent survey recorded over a hundred species on the farm.

The Kites

The population of kites is still small and extremely vulnerable but it is expanding steadily. The birds are easiest to see during the October to March period when the young ones are particularly gregarious. At other times of the year the birds are busy breeding and can be much more secretive - there is still a chance to see them though, along with the many other species that live on our farm. Here at Lerrocks Farm, we want you to enjoy the countryside, see the birds and learn how farming and wildlife conservation can work hand-in-hand. While running an economic farm business on our thirteen hundred acre sheep and cattle farm we are aiming to help support wildlife and to give our visitors the chance to learn about the countryside and what we do. We are also lucky to live in a part of rural Scotland which is still very accessible from all the major routes north.