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Most believe the USFWS will announce its decision regarding de-listing of a certain somewhat-interesting avian species this month ;)))

I suspect (with low confidence) it will choose to de-list, while still possible it might again put the decision off (choosing NOT to de-list, but to re-visit the issue a year from now). The Agency is no doubt under great pressure from many birders, conservationists, scientists, etc. to declare the Ivory-bill extinct (for too many reasons to delineate). But the smaller group of passionate and vocal “believers” have also successfully applied pressure on the decision-to-be. I’m not aware of any new significant evidence that USFWS has seen since the last batch of asked-for and publicly-presented evidence… and none of that evidence, unfortunately, truly met the especially high bar of clarity and consensus that USFWS was asking for. So if it’s a matter of sticking to their own criteria as well as bowing to pressure of a majority, again, I suspect they’ll de-list. BUUUUT, if (as could well be the case) they are concerned about potential egg-on-their-face from this decision, they may realize they risk suffering far more embarrassment (and having their competency questioned) by declaring the species extinct only to be documented later, than by delaying de-listing even if no conclusive evidence arises in the next couple of years.

I wish I knew more about the actual process of the decision: i.e. in short, how many folks are in on the decision, and must the vote be unanimous or simple majority rule (that alone making a huge difference in the potential outcome).

Ohh well, soon we’ll all know… and searches and discussion (...and hope) will continue no matter what the headline from USFWS is.

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