Blogger: Erica Howe, Communications Manager
What is it about seeing a rainbow that makes you feel totally exhilarated? We all know the science behind a rainbow. Even as a youngster, the theory behind the rain and then the sun was a process that we learnt inherently. Of course, the pot of gold and the leprechaun was always the preferred fantasy! But seriously, seeing a rainbow is a magical experience, like you're being let in on a secret. One that instantly brings a smile to your face, connects you with nature in a split second and allows you to appreciate something scientifically marvellous, in such a simple terms.
This isn't a story totally dedicated to rainbows so I hope you're still with me. I'll get to the point - I have someone i'd like to introduce you to. You may have seen them recently being flashed about the news, local and national, in all their glory. No, it's not Will and Kate, I'd like you to meet a star of our skies, the red kite. I'm pretty sure that many of you will have seen or heard of this creature before so it will come to no surprise to you that they are fast becoming the most talked about bird across the country.
And here's the science bit ... at the start of the century, the red kite was extinct, driven to extinction through egg collecting, shooting and poisoning. It sounds so harsh and clinical, but it really was this dramatic. The red kite vanished from our skies in an extreme fashion and for some, was never seen again. In the 1980s, the red kite was one of only three globally threatened species in the UK, and so it was a high priority for conservation efforts. And it was some effort that followed to bring the red kite up to the population it holds today. The RSPB's 2011 Big Garden Birdwatch survey recorded as many as 2,000 breeding pairs of red kite, an increase of over 130% since last year.
Now, for the not-so sciencey bit ... watching a red kite soar over your back garden is a sight that stops you in your tracks. Quite literally! A majestic bird that has the 'rainbow effect' and instantly connects you with the natural world. Whether you're interested in the history; the dark past of the red kite, the science behind it's remarkable comeback or, just simply, the sight of that sleek, fanned-tail against a backdrop of great British countryside, moving elegantly and effortlessly through our skies, I urge you to take a second to indulge in the moment. Our natural world offers us many complex and deeply scientific phenomena, but often the most modest of occurrences; a rainbow over your house or a red kite soaring into your vision, can have the deepest impact and instantly lift your spirits.
Photo Credit: Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)
Article in Eastern Daily Press on Sunday 8th May 2011.