In England around this time, they were protected as they had a crucial role as an avian street cleaner in urban areas, scavenging on the plenitude of filth and rubbish. In the middle ages, kites were numerous all over Britain. ![]() ![]() Kites have been revered, despised, hunted, poached and protected. The red kite, 2 touted as the national bird of Wales, has a complex, contested and simultaneously remarkable history. The continual trill of birdsong becomes part of the quiet, until – WEEEOOOWEOOWEOOWEOO – the calling of a kite punctuates, resonates, awakens and keeps me pushing on towards the grounds in time for feeding. I expect those kites – despite their distance away – still have the grounds in their sights. ![]() Two of them go so high they become almost imperceptible dots, yet their jizz 1 is unmistakable, their harnessing of the air, its updrafts and velocities seem inconceivable to me as I trudge on through the mugginess and the scent of musty pines. They drift, glide, soar and turn (the mode of travel most practical for theirs) they are together, but loosely connected. As I approach by way of foot (the mode of travel most practical for my body), eight red kites circle above me – perhaps anticipating their feed – they keep watch over the site. I have risen, to the North east, my eye-line meets with the highest points of the Cambrian Mountains as the trail begins to arc back towards the feeding grounds. There is an enduring, sonorous hum in the air, an unfluctuating bass-line acting as an accompaniment to a continually varying mingling of woodland birdsong. It’s warm, humid, there is a faint but persistent drizzle in the air and as the droplets gather on my brow, I am no longer able to differentiate them from beads of sweat as I rise and fall with the trail. Aberystwyth is nestled comfortably at the valley’s mouth where the ground levels with the sea. To the west, the ground falls away and keeps rolling. Many feet have trodden here, many birds have flown above, the rising thermals and updrafts are almost perceptible to my own eye. I’m up high on the ridgeline – Miners’ Trail – the single track path follows the contours and clings to the steep slope at the head of the valley as it cuts away from the visitor centre. The research navigates and explores the natures of the event-site and elucidates an affective zone of emergence that materialises where diverse Umwelten overlap. Intriguingly, this is driven not by leaflets, documents, devices or schooling, but by an encounter with charismatic nonhumans, difference, affect and experience. Following this practise the meanings of feeding red kites has evolved and metamorphosed into something less about kite survival, and more of an environmental pedagogy. The gatherings at this site compose an alluring spectacular display which is a charged, affective experience. ![]() This article seeks to explore the unfolding and infolding topological relations that ensue at the Bwlch Nant yr Arian feeding grounds, near Aberystwyth as a site-based ontology. Part of this success story has been the provision of feeding stations. In Wales, there are now over 1,000 breeding pairs, with a successful reintroduction programme throughout the United Kingdom. Once extinct from England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, a few remained in the upland valleys of Wales. Red kites are one of Britain’s rarest birds. All subjects Allied Health Cardiology & Cardiovascular Medicine Dentistry Emergency Medicine & Critical Care Endocrinology & Metabolism Environmental Science General Medicine Geriatrics Infectious Diseases Medico-legal Neurology Nursing Nutrition Obstetrics & Gynecology Oncology Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Otolaryngology Palliative Medicine & Chronic Care Pediatrics Pharmacology & Toxicology Psychiatry & Psychology Public Health Pulmonary & Respiratory Medicine Radiology Research Methods & Evaluation Rheumatology Surgery Tropical Medicine Veterinary Medicine Cell Biology Clinical Biochemistry Environmental Science Life Sciences Neuroscience Pharmacology & Toxicology Biomedical Engineering Engineering & Computing Environmental Engineering Materials Science Anthropology & Archaeology Communication & Media Studies Criminology & Criminal Justice Cultural Studies Economics & Development Education Environmental Studies Ethnic Studies Family Studies Gender Studies Geography Gerontology & Aging Group Studies History Information Science Interpersonal Violence Language & Linguistics Law Management & Organization Studies Marketing & Hospitality Music Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution Philosophy Politics & International Relations Psychoanalysis Psychology & Counseling Public Administration Regional Studies Religion Research Methods & Evaluation Science & Society Studies Social Work & Social Policy Sociology Special Education Urban Studies & Planning BROWSE JOURNALS
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |