Montserrat Oriole – The Super Survivor ~ by a j mithra

A British led expedition has discovered one of the world’s rarest species of bird surviving yards from the crater of the volcano that devastated the Caribbean island of Montserrat four years ago. Led by a scientist from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the research team found at least 25 pairs of Montserrat Orioles (Icterus oberi) living beneath the rim of the Soufriere Hills volcano.

Since 1997, the birds have remained hidden, marooned by ash in a square-mile patch of forest less than a mile from the crater. They have survived regular showers of volcanic debris and frequently endured rock falls caused by the active crater.

Your life may be marooned by ash and debirs…  People may think that you will not survive and your chapter is over…  But, when you start serving the Lord, He will start everything afresh for you..

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. (Isaiah54:17)

This promise from God is not for everyone you know? It is the heritage of the servants of the Lord…

Start serving the Lord and claim the promise of God…

Chris Bowden, the RSPB biologist who led the expedition, said, “It’s incredible to think that one of the last remaining havens for a bird teetering on the verge of extinction is so close to the crater of an exploding volcano. These birds live near the crater of an exploding volcano, and they still survive..

But, no matter how close you’re from danger, remember that, nothing can harm you when Jesus becomes your refugee…

The fiery fire couldn’t consume even a single hair of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, when they were thrown inside the furnace..

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. ” (Isaiah 43:2)

The oriole once was found in three main areas: the bamboo forest east of Galways Soufrière, the leeward slopes of the Chances Peak mountain and the Centre Hills (especially the Runaway Ghaut area). The diet of the bird consists mainly of insects and fruits…

If God can provide fruits and insects to these birds which lives near a volcano, will He not take care of your needs?

Remember you, whom God created in His own image are more precious than these birds aren’t you?

In common with other members of its genus, the Montserrat Oriole expertly weaves a basket nest which is suspended beneath a leaf of a broad leaved plant. More unusual, the Centre Hills population of orioles uses almost exclusively the leaves of Heliconia caribbaea as a nest plant. Appropriately enough, this is the national plant of Montserrat. This preference is a distinct oddity. It is unusual for a bird to be so specialised on one plant species, and the orioles take it even further, as they avoid both young and old leaves, selecting those that are of intermediate age.

The use of Heliconia leaves is convenient for researchers, making nests rather easy to find, but perhaps an imperfect strategy for the birds. Heliconia leaves are vulnerable to falling over in droughts and under ash fall… And how these leaves are able to hold the nest of these birds in spite of being vulnerable to falling over in droughts and under ash fall?

How these birds are able to select leaves of intermediate age, though it is considered as an imperfect strategy?

We have a God who brings everything from nothing…  Human knowledge cannot comprehend His wisdom…

And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. (1 Corinthians 1:28,29)

The Montserrat Oriole has a curious relationship with the people of its island home. It is the national bird, and a ubiquitous symbol, seen all over the island in arts, crafts and advertising and is a source of pride and great interest. Yet most Montserratians confess to never having seen one in the wild. Having become Montserrat’s only endemic bird species it has shown a remarkable longevity.

Its ability to withstand the various assaults of volcanic eruptions and hurricanes is undoubtedly one of the reasons for its popularity and it symbolizes the resilience that the people of Montserrat have demonstrated in abundance in recent years.

God has called you to inspire people around you by your presence…

They should see Christ in you and they should say,

… These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; (Acts 17:6)

Have a blessed day!

Your’s in YESHUA,
a j mithra

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The Montserrat Oriole is part of the Icteridae Family of Oropendolas, Orioles and Blackbirds.
See Also:

Bird of the Month – April 2007