Bobolink – Extraordinary Migrant… ~ by a j mithra

Rice bird, meadow-wink, skunk blackbird, reed bird, butter bird—these various names for the member of the blackbird family most commonly known as the Bobolink reflect the diversity of ways in which humans have looked upon this gregarious songbird.

Nesting in the prairies and cultivated land of south Canada and the northern United States and wintering in the grasslands and marshes of Argentina, the Bobolink migrates at least 5,000 miles each way.

The Bobolink is an extraordinary migrant, traveling to south of the equator each autumn and making a round-trip of approximately 20,000 kilometers (12,500 mi). One female, known to be at least 9 years old, presumably made this trip annually, a total distance equal to traveling 4.5 times around the earth at the equator! These birds migrate to Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay. One bird was tracked flying 12,000 miles (19,000 km) over the course of the year, and up to 1,100 miles (1,800 km) in one day. The vast distance is more impressive in relation to the Bobolink’s diminutive size, averaging 7 inches in length, 11.5 inches in wingspan, and 1.5 ounces. in weight.

• Feeling small?
• Get ready to do greater things for God…
• You know, God does not use boulders to stop the waves of the sea from entering the land..
• But, He uses tiny grains of sand to do it..

God has designed this bird to travel long distances to encourage us that we too can do great and mighty things for God..

A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time. (Isaiah 6:21)

God seems to have a liking to use small things to fulfill great missions..

• He chose the small Miriam to find a way to take care of Moses..
• He chose a small slave girl to bring healing to a Commander of an army..
• He chose a little shepherd boy David to bring down a mighty giant..
• He chose a small boy to feed the multitudes…

Here again, this small bird He uses to inspire us to do great things for God..

If this small bird can travel 4.5 times around the world at the equator in its life time, how much more God will expect from us? Most of rely on our strength that is the reason we find it so difficult to travel next door to share the gospel isn’t it?

What sense does it make to say, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me when we find it so difficult to stand for God?

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. (James 1:22-25)

Bobolinks begin their journey northward in South America in early March, reaching Colombia and Venezuela in late April. From there, most take a route over the Caribbean Sea to the Florida peninsula, although some will cross the Gulf of Mexico from the Yucatan Peninsula to Louisiana and Texas. From there they fan northward and westward, arriving on the breeding grounds in May. These Birds breed in open grasslands and hay fields.

Bobolinks migrate at night. The distinctive “clink” notes of these nocturnal travelers can be heard as they pass overhead in large flocks, apparently using the earth’s magnetic field as a compass and the locations of the stars as a map.

• Human race boasts about technology, innovation and inventions…
• We feel great pride in finding unknown routes with the help of satellites and compass…

But, these birds use the earth’s magnetic field as compass and locations of the stars as a map…

• How difficult it is for us to tread on unknown path?
• When we worship in church we feel so good to call Jesus as the Brightest Morning Star…
• Do we really turn towards this Morning Star to seek direction in life?
• Who is our inspiration in life?

If God be with us who can be against us? But the million dollar question is, are we with God?

Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings: (Jeremiah 32:19)

In summer, Bobolinks feed primarily on insects switching to grain crops as they migrate south. In migration and in winter uses freshwater marshes, grasslands, rice and sorghum fields.

Although the Bobolink typically feeds during the day, in migration, while building fat reserves for its long over water flight, it has been observed feeding in rice fields after dark on bright nights.

We all know that we are on the verge of migrating once and for all to heaven..

• Have we stored reserves to migrate that long?
• His words has the power to heal the broken and strengthen the weak…
• His words shall never return empty…

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. (Proverbs 3:1-8)

How many times do we read His words in a day? Maybe we should learn from these birds to eat His words even during our dark hours.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105)

Judging by sight or sound, the Bobolink is a bird of distinction. Their song has been vividly described as

• “a bubbling delirium of ecstatic music that flows from the gifted throat of the bird like sparkling champagne,”
• “a mad, reckless song-fantasia, and outbreak of pent-up, irrepressible glee,” and as
• “a tinkle of fairy music, like the strains of an old Greek harp.”

We may not be a good singer, yet, God loves to hear us sing. The reason for creating us is to sing, glorify and thank Him.  But, we seem to do every other thing except thanking Him…  Many of our prayers are unanswered, because, we have failed to thank when we pray..

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Philippians 4:6)

Have a blessed day!

Your’s in YESHUA,
a j mithra

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The Bobolink is in the Icteridae Family of the Passeriformes Order

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