-- Mid-October --

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Dwight Norris, proprietor of the main Ivory-bill Facebook group, has been posting LOTS of basic, historical, past info on the IBWO for awhile now (he started taking a much more hands-on, and moderating approach to the account quite awhile back). Very interesting and helpful for the continuing flow of new folks focusing on this subject. Again, it doesn't necessarily move the needle forward as far as documenting the species now once-and-for-all, but it is material folks should be acquainted with.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/179784035376368

And just for entertainment, one interesting thing he posted that I don't recall seeing before, and which is not too IBWO-pertinent, was a simulation of an overhead Passenger Pigeon flock, accurately depicting the description given in several historical writings: 

https://vimeo.com/92192308

Meanwhile, Gizmodo reports on a study concluding the Endangered Species Act is "toothless":

https://gizmodo.com/endangered-species-act-is-toothless-research-shows-1849648576

They conclude this because only a very tiny percentage of those species placed under the Act's protection have ever been saved, though they also note that the USFWS has always "been starved for resources" (also worth noting that the vast majority of species listed for protection have been plants and another 18% were invertebrates). What tends of course to get most publicized are the  larger-scale, but rarer, successes. The article further argues that the problem is that species tend to be given protections only when it is already too late and any real chance of saving them has passed. That fits with one of the arguments some IBWO skeptics make, saying that even if a few Ivory-bills remain they are still functionally extinct and unsalvageable. Not a view we all hold. Reminds me a bit again of what excellent Tennessee birder Bill Pulliam once said to me of the possibility of IBWOs in western Tennessee (where he had searched): 'If Ivory-bills are there they've shown they can make it this far and deserve to just be left alone.'

No word, as of this writing, from Matt Courtman as to any upcoming Monday Zoom meetings. He did post on FB a photo of a Tensas cavity he found interesting:

Always hard to tell from a photo, but the tree's girth doesn't look promising for an IBWO, although for a roosthole it could be adequate. Moreover, the hole doesn't appear fresh, but more like an old hole likely enlarged by other critters over time (I see holes like this every year in my area, which is definitely not IBWO-country), but am not on site to see the cavity up close, so will wish him well in his endeavor.

Soon the leaves will be falling from the trees (if not already started) and that will aid searchers.

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ADDENDUM:

A new piece in BirdWatching Daily on the USFWS de-listing review process:

https://www.birdwatchingdaily.com/news/conservation/ivory-bill-delisting-update-feds-looking-at-everything/