Built in barometers.

Scientists now believe that birds ae sensitive to air pressure so that they can detect very slight differences in the air conditions that make the weather. If this is true, then birds have a built-in barometer.

A Year 7 science demonstartion on air pressure is to place a card on top of a glass of water and then turn it upside down (holding the card). When my hand is removed, students eyes widen, becausethe card stays there, holding the inverted water. The air pressure is greater than gravity. There are invisible forces all around us.

You may have heard the weather person say that the barometric pressure is falling or rising. Barometric pressure is simply the pressure of the air on the earth. It is hard to imagine, but air weighs a lot. The movement of air across the surface of the earth and its changing temperatures causes the pressure to change, and consequently causes the weather to change.

Air pressure is measured on an instrument called a barometer.

Approaching bad weather is generally associated with a weather front, and various kinds of winds come before, during, and after these fronts. Since birds migrate north and south with the aid of winds, it would be useful to them if they could know when favorable winds are present. Thus, it is exciting to learn that birds do in fact have some sort of barometer that enables them to be sensitive to slight changes in air pressure. It is believed to be in their ears.

So, when a migrating bird senses a change in the barometric pressure that is not detectable to us, it knows that certain winds are either coming or are already moving in the skies above it, and it can then decide what to do.

We do not have the weather-sensing ability birds have, but we do have a God who has told us what will come to pass, and what to do when it happens.

Apart from a built in barometer, birds have remarkable navigation abilities that enable them to undertake long-distance migrations and find their way across vast distances. They utilize various cues and mechanisms to navigate effectively.

Firstly, birds rely on their keen sense of vision. They can detect polarized light patterns, allowing them to navigate using the sun’s position, even on cloudy days. They also have an internal magnetic compass, probably situated in their eyes, which aids in detecting the Earth’s magnetic field. This enables them to perceive direction and align themselves with their migratory routes.

Secondly, birds possess a remarkable ability to hear and interpret infrasound and low-frequency sounds. They use environmental sounds like ocean waves or specific topographic features to navigate, especially during non-visual conditions like fog.

Thirdly, birds exhibit a strong homing instinct, remembering specific landmarks and visual cues during their initial journeys. This memory of landscapes helps them during return journeys.

Lastly, some bird species may rely on their olfactory senses, detecting specific odors associated with their destination or feeding grounds.

This plethora of sophisticated sensory navigation devices allows birds to perform extraordinary migratory feats.

The remarkable navigation abilities of birds remind us to trust our inner spiritual senses and the compass God has provided in His Bible. Like birds, we can rely on our intuition, aligning ourselves with divine guidance even in challenging times. Additionally, recalling our spiritual landmarks and staying connected to Biblical ‘landscapes’ (teachings) will aid us on our spiritual journey. Just as birds integrate various cues, we too can embrace a holistic approach, integrating our mind, heart, and soul for a purposeful and successful spiritual migration from here to eternity.