Ten Bird Commandments

Having been listening to the soundtrack for Hamilton this past week, I got a brainstorm for alternative lyrics to "The Ten Duel Commandments."  If you don't mind wading through a thicket of birding in-jokes!

(Here's the original!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7iHmuco_zo

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine!

It's the Ten Bird Commandments!

Number One:

The challenge – identifications.

You'll need your sharpest eyes, plus a bunch of patience.

Number Two:

In your pack, have a Sibley (the Second

Edition) for when field marks are reckoned.

Number Three:

Hit the hotspot when the rain clears.

Binoculars are nice

If a Code 5 rarity appears.

Also train your ears, catch the flight calls fast.

Don't Just Rely On Expensive Glass!

Number Four:

If you can't clinch ID, that's all right -

Time to post to OBOL, get some twitchers on site.

Everybody scans to the best of their ability;

Some birdseed as a gift is a marker of civility.

Five:

Start before the sun is in the sky.

Chorus song is high, spare an eye to spy!

Number Six:

Leave a note on the eBird site.

Make your case airtight.

Pray reviewers will confirm it's right.

Seven:

Confess you did

Not get a photo but

It might still be amid

That other flock of butterbutts.

Number Eight:

Last chance to equivocate!

Send Dave Irons in, maybe he can set the record straight.

--On the third branch?

--That's the bird. --Sure,

But you can't see projection from that perch. --Heard

It call, somewhere over in that birch. --Bird's

Dropped down.  --If we had another searcher...

--Hang on! That back is too gray. You see, an Acadian

won't fit the facts.

--Okay... It's “Empidonax”.

Number Nine:

Next migration time, it might transpire.

Finally start a big year, aim much higher.

Count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Sand Martins on the wire!