My wife and I have enjoyed for many years subscribing to the Guardian Weekly. Even as students when the paper came on what looked like onion skin paper via air mail there was one column that was consistently there no matter what the world events held. ‘Country Diary’ documented in a short space, various sightings in nature, and even at times agricultural political features. I only recently learned that the article has been going since 1904 and was first started by Mr. Thomas Coward in Cheshire who wrote every day. While I am by no means wanting to expand the Diocesan newspaper, The Highway, I did think it rather timely if I could include a small article on something of an environmental interest considering the “Season of Creation” happens through September and ends with the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi in October.
For those who don’t know, I am a Birder. I’m not a Twitcher (a person who travels a long way to see a bird), but I may be considered a Lister (someone likes to check off birds being seen), as I look for Lifer’s (birds to add to a lifetime list of firsts). There are many confusing terms in the Birding world, not unlike that of Church – BAS, BCP, and Consubstantiation. You get the idea. Despite all the lingo and the university studies, I just simply enjoy birds. Birds have much to teach us about ourselves. Only recently there has been a trend on Instagram where people have ‘befriended crows.’ Which initially started with giving a single crow a handful of cashews everyday for about a week. The following week the scene is dozens upon dozens of crows on the lawn, in the trees, and along the wire. A relationship had certainly formed! The collective noun for a group of crows is a ‘murder’ which sounds as equally villainous as an ‘unkindness of Ravens.’ However we wish to look at birds, we can certainly acknowledge that we have a relationship with a great many of them even if you don’t walk around with binoculars in hand.
The crow is one of my favourite birds, but truth be told I am hard pressed to find a bird I do not appreciate either for its intelligence, its beauty, or maybe its behaviour. Having studies in ornithology, despite all the details and learning names in Latin, birding has been a way of life. There is not much needed and in fact the less you have in the way of equipment it makes for some of the more memorable moments of birding. The slowing down, the listening, the watching, the appreciation. This all sounds like a mediation, and I suppose it is. Giving thanks for the wonders of the birds around us has connected me to God many times and certainly connected me with my own father as he passed on his love of birds in nature to me. Even while being an Assistant Curate in the Diocese of BC and working at Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria I came to see that all sorts of people recognize God’s handiwork in birds. The stonemasons of the cathedral paused work on one of the interior pillars so as to let a family of American Robin’s grow and fledge. It affected the workers so much that if you look up at that particular pillar near the front lectern side of the building you will find a carved robin sitting atop a nest. Now just imagine what one could find and appreciate in the woods, the fields, and the streams. This creationtide I encourage us all to spend a little time outside enjoying our relationship with the birds. After all, birds being mentioned roughly 300 times in scripture makes us curious about them, but here is one reference to get you started finding many more!
“God will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and defense.” Psalm 91:4
