Be Still and Know ...

The knowledge bird song is the birdwatchers most powerful tool. Approximately 80% of all the birds I see are found because I heard them first. If it weren't for bird song, I can assure you that many species would be missing from my life list. Becoming accustom to bird songs and calls is a key that opens a new world of birdwatching! The minute I learned bird songs was the minute that I learned that Tennessee has "tropical" birds!
The first step in learning bird song is obvious; becoming accustom to each bird species voice. Listening to bird song recordings is a great start. In the same way that a song can get stuck in you head after listening to it repeatedly, so bird songs can get stuck in you head if you listen to them over and over! Also, get out in the field! Connecting the bird with the song, is like connecting the name with a face. Putting the birds songs to words is another great way to began memorizing them. For example, many think that the Barred Owl sounds like he is saying, "Who cooks for you, who cooks for you all." Other common ones are "Sweet sweet sweet, little more sweat", and "Drink your tea." You can make up your own versions if you want. As you become accustom to each individual birds song, you will become more confident in identifying them. Truly, it will open up for you a whole new world of birding.
Amid the hustle and bustle of life, sometimes we forget to be still and know the power of birdsong. But more often than not, we forget to be still and know the power of God. Just like when we began birding, some times we don't know God's song, we don't know His voice. We can know His voice by hiding His Word in our heart. As we have seen with birding, there is power when music and words come together. So we can put God's Word to song. Scripture songs are a great way to store God's Word in our heart. When we know His Word, we will know Him when He speaks to our hearts. I encourage to spend extra time this week in Bible study and prayer. Take some time this week to get outside and be still and know that He is God!

Posted on December 17, 2022 01:01 AM by prestonthomas