tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14762010.post2893697388662042930..comments2008-06-23T15:40:57.553-04:00cyberthrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01883119145892591610cyberthrush@gmail.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14762010.post-49164520207653500492008-06-23T15:30:00.000-04:002008-06-23T15:30:00.000-04:00The fact that methodologies dreamed up by people who have never gotten their boots muddy are being forced on the funded searchers is one of the reasons why this unfunded searcher has obtained three IBWO videos while Cornell has obtained none and Auburn has obtained only one. The Auburn video was obtained during their first year in the field, which was before they were forced to tie their hands behind their backs. They did indeed drive the birds away in the second year--I was there and saw it happening. I also witnessed an ill-conceived search in the Pearl this year in which four talented naturalists were forced to search with their hands tied behind their backs. <BR/><BR/>Mike Collins<BR/>Pearl RiverAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14762010.post-52681965811003922732008-06-21T23:29:00.000-04:002008-06-21T23:29:00.000-04:00I surmise that one of the reasons that the Auburn team is scaling back next year is that they too realize that their presence has driven the birds deeper into the swamp, away from the disturbance of a new group of searchers each week or so. <BR/><BR/>But I wouldn't be too hard on these folks - we are really turning a new page of learning with each search effort. I still go back to the Auburn's team first effort before their annoucement as perhaps the most effective method...put a couple of guys down there for a 3-6 month period in an isolated area where there have been regular sightings. Let the birds and wildlife get used to their presence and take their time with the search effort, maybe do other research as well.<BR/><BR/>This seemed to be a pretty successful strategy. But it takes a special person(ss) to persevere. I think it would be fun - and tremendously rewarding. But who but the young can make that kind of committment!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14762010.post-46969145229094267902008-06-20T20:29:00.000-04:002008-06-20T20:29:00.000-04:00You won't allow this, but my guess is that if there were some ivorybills in the Choctawhatchee they were most likely run out by heavy handed nitwits from academia.<BR/><BR/>Same story in Arkansas.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com