-- 4th ! --

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I was (pleasantly) surprised a month ago when I heard that an upcoming 'Nova' edition would list the discovery of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker as one of the top 10 science stories of 2005. Now, the latest edition of Discover Magazine (Jan. 2006, pg. 31) lists the discovery of the Ivory-bill in Arkansas as its 4th TOP science story for 2005! Even I'M skeptical of THAT ranking -- I guess for those of us who have known all along that the bird was out there, the story seems big, just not THAT BIG!!
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-- Another Idea... --

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As many of you know helicopters and small planes have often been used in the past to search for Ivory-bills by flying over large land tracts and watching for the birds to flush out of the forest canopy (in theory, viewing their size, shape, color pattern from overhead should make them easier to ID than spying from ground level) -- the counter possibility is that overhead airplane noise may cause the birds to hunker down and be less mobile. Anyway, a poster on the Arkansas bird listserve today offers a different approach I've not heard proposed before:

"Has anyone considered using hot air balloons in the search for IBWO's? Seems like it would be more effective than helicopters which were used in Louisiana. One could quietly drift over the Big Woods at low elevation covering a lot of ground. Cameras could be mounted on the bottom of the basket for constant filming as one drifted. When something flushed below it would be caught on film. Of course the winds would have to be just right to take you in the direction you want to go. Also, the balloon could be colored the same as the sky (blue for clear days, white for cloudy) to help camouflage it. Balloons could also be used as stationary observation posts that could be moved around to different places and raised and lowered to give the best view of an area. This would make an incredible observation platform as the balloon would be tethered to the ground and raised and lowered as needed."

I don't know enough about hot air ballooning to know if this is as practical, safe, or easy as it sounds, but seemed like an interesting thought.

Follow-up: David Luneau has responded with this note:

"Hot air balloons have been discussed as have ultralight aircraft. Some
ultralights may be used to fly some transects. (They are the ultralights
from the Whooping Crane migration.) With hot air balloons not only are you
at the mercy of the wind, but they are not as quiet for the operator as they
would seem. The periodic fiery blasts are quite noisy.
A helium balloon might be a good idea. Does anyone still fly them (besides
the big ones used by Goodyear, Fuji, etc.)?"

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-- Last Minute Shopping? --

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Looking for a last minute gift for that Ivory-billed-obsessed friend??? One lesser-known volume they may be lacking from their bookshelf is "Ivory Hunters" by veterinarian Dr. Greg Lewbart. Little known, because 1) it's a NOVEL, and 2) it came out in 1996 long before the current hubbub over the species. The plot revolves around Ivory-bills discovered in the Big Cypress swamp of Southern Florida (a locale still of great interest/potential) and the good and ill-willed people who pursue them. You can check it out at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1575240092/103-0626673-4626246?v=glance&n=283155
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-- The Duck Stamp Program --

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Several recent articles have stressed the significant role played by hunters/fishermen in the salvation of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker through their purchase of yearly Federal Duck Stamps which help preserve wild habitat. And you need not even be a hunter/fisherman to purchase these handsome collectable stamps ($15). If you're interested in buying one or just want to learn more about them check 'em out here:

http://www.fws.gov/duckstamps/

(also, keep in mind that Ivory-bill conservation stamps are available through the site listed at bottom of the "links" section in left-hand margin.)
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-- More Reuters --

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"Here we look for A holes," he said. "An A hole in a swamp is a good thing, not a bad thing."

Uhhhh, that's a direct quote from another Reuters news story on the Arkansas IBWO search... you'll have to read the article for a clearer idea of what's being discussed (or make up your own joke) :

http://go.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=scienceNews&storyID=10577264&src=rss/scienceNews

For the time being there are several news-folk 'embedded' as it were with the searchers so at least for awhile there may be some frequent reporting, with or without solid news to add. Just maybe we'll get lucky and a real Arkansas A hole will be found soon.

Addendum: Yet another Reuter's article (Wed.) notes at end that 375 possible IBWO cavities have been seen thus far.

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-- Nature Conservancy Announcement & Partners --

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The official Nature Conservancy announcement of the 2005-6 winter search for the Arkansas Ivory-bill(s) is now posted, if you just can't get enough of these bulletins:

http://nature.org/ivorybill/press/press2174.html

Largely the same info that is already out there, but I did find the current list of "Ivory-billed Woodpecker recovery partners" rather impressive and noteworthy (the charisma of this bird can't be denied!):

Ivory-billed Woodpecker Recovery Partners

• American Bird Conservancy
• American Forest Foundation
• Anderson Tully
• Arkansas Forestry Association
• Arkansas Forestry Commission
• Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
• Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission
• Arkansas Parks and Tourism
• Arkansas State University
• Arkansas Wildlife Federation
• Audubon Arkansas
• Audubon Mississippi
• Civic Enterprises
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology
• Ducks Unlimited
• Earth Conservation Corps
• Environmental Defense
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Florida Gulf Coast University
• Georgia Department of Natural Resources
• Greenwood Plantation
• International Paper Company
• Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
• Louisiana Forestry Association
• Louisiana State University
• Mack’s Prairie Wings
• Mississippi River Trust
• Mississippi State University
• National Audubon Society
• National Council of Air and Stream Improvement
• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
• Natural Resources Conservation Service
• The Nature Conservancy
• Smithsonian Institution
• South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
• Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
• Trust for Public Land
• Turner Endangered Species Fund
• University of Arkansas at Little Rock
• University of Georgia
• University of Missouri
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Farm Service Agency
• U.S. Forest Service
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• U.S. Geological Survey

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-- IBWOs at Smithsonian/Cornell Bulletin --

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For your perusement: Here's a somewhat interesting read going back to last June which revolves around the apparently 18 Ivory-bill specimens housed at the Smithsonian in Wash. DC. My favorite lines are the very last paragraph:

"There's a lesson in all this. Despite our best efforts to eliminate its habitat, the ivory-bill nevertheless survived. As British zoologist Sir David Attenborough so fondly points out, life on Earth is tenacious. If it can find a way, it usually does, and if the ivory-billed woodpecker has been surviving for over 60 years without our help, maybe it should be left alone to do just that. Perhaps the "Lord God Bird's" love for deep-forest solitude is truly the key. It's payback time. Arkansas should be closed to humans, and all traffic rerouted."

Well of course THAT isn't going to happen, and here's a link to the last Cornell "Ivory-bill Bulletin" which gives a few more details of the search than many of the news-wire stories currently making the rounds :

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/ivory/field/from_field_html/nov1

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-- One More Episode --

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Last night, Jeff Probst hosted this season's final episode of CBS's "Survivor," that saw Danni Boatwright win $1 million for "outwitting, outplaying, outlasting" all comers during 39 days in the Guatemala jungle. Seems pretty clear we deserve a different episode of "Survivor," hosted by David Attenborough, and focussed on surviving 60 years in bottomland swamp... we already know the winner.
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-- huhhh...??? --

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Another news article (Reuters) on the Arkansas search with nothing much new to add, but a few lines struck me as somewhat odd:

"Asked what would silence all doubters, Andrew [of USF&W] said a bird in the hand would be definitive, but good, clear video or an eggshell fragment or feather would help put questions to rest.... What happens if they find one [an Ivory-bill]? 'The first priority is protecting the bird, and treating it if it is injured', Andrew said." (all italics added)

Where did that come from? Has there been ANY suggestion that this bird which is so adept at evading pursuers might be injured? Probably just some sort of meaningless slip of phrase in the rush of an interview, but seemed like an odd remark to me, and certainly hope it doesn't imply that any folks are looking for an excuse to take 'Elvis' into captivity for closer study.

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-- Ivory-bill VISA Card & eBay --

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I don't want to get too commercial, and I'm no great fan of credit card companies, BUUUT... I couldn't resist temptation -- had to order a VISA card graced with a picture of a flying Ivory-bill available through Birdwatcher's Digest. (Can't say any cashier has even noticed it yet, but still love flashing that thing out of my wallet.)

And of possible interest to some folks, another check of eBay found the usual array of enticing Ivory-bill trinkets (artwork, books, t-shirts, etc.) up for sale here. Included is another copy of J. Tanner's original monograph currently bid at just $69 (with 3 days of bidding left), and also another copy of the original Brinkley (AR.) Argus newspaper announcing discovery of the IBWO.
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-- Patience, Patience --

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I hear a lot of grumbling out in cyberspace among folks starving for a good photo or videotape of the Arkansas Ivory-bill(s). There is a low drumbeat of concern and nervousness. Please be patient and keep in mind that:

1. Virtually no organized searching took place during the hot uncomfortable summer months.
2. The winter search only recently got underway; the leaves probably aren't even entirely off the Big Woods trees yet, and all the logistics may still be getting worked out.
3. In 14 months and 20,000+ man-hours of previous searching, Cornell attained less than 2 minutes of sightings.

The task ahead, in short, is no cakewalk; only the sheer number of people now involved in this once super secret mission, gives raised hopes for an encounter... and even then, clearcut photographic evidence may remain difficult to attain.
Moreover, it is possible, depending on the precise circumstances, that even if good documentation is gathered, Cornell might wait months to release it. The ultimate object here has to be to save the bird and its habitat, not to feed the appetite of the birding masses.
So take a deep breath everybody, and just know that the first truly large-scale Ivory-bill search ever conducted in a given area in human history is now underway.
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-- The Jackson (Florida) Talk --

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I asked anyone attending Dr. Jerome Jackson's Ivory-bill talk Wed. night in Collier Cty., FL. to please send in a synopsis, and I've received one anonymous response, worth reading in the 'comments' section of that earlier post -- Here. Jackson appears to be as critical as ever of Cornell's work, and will apparently be countering Dr. Fitzpatrick on a PBS Nova episode scheduled for Jan. 10. (Geee... I may have to take him off my Christmas list!). Many have already speculated about the competing egos, personalities, etc. involved in the whole Arkansas IBWO debate. I don't wish to dwell on that here except to say that it looks like Jackson's talk does nothing to quell such scuttlebutt.
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-- My Christmas Wish List --

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Dear Santa, I have a short Christmas list this year, please do what you can:

1) New hiking boots
2) An Ivory-bill roosthole found in the Big Woods of Arkansas with a pair of birds photographed/videotaped by either Jerry Jackson or David Luneau (they deserve it), and other Ivory-bills spotted in Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi (...for starters). Safety, warmth, good health, and hot baths for all the staff and volunteers involved, and give Gene Sparling WHATEVER he wants.
3) Chocolate
4) World peace
5) a nice slab of Crow baked and fricasseed to perfection for Tom Nelson for Christmas dinner.

Thanks, (please do your best -- but I do have a birthday in February, so some of these things can wait, if necessary... well, not the chocolate).

Cy
(p.s., I was a good boy for most of the year...)
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-- Shootin' From the Hip (...aka 'My Thoughts') --

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(warning: longish and rantish...!) :

The 'Rorschach' nature of the Arkansas Ivory-bill evidence continues to confound: I keep reading of folks who are swayed to IBWO 'believer' status by Cornell's acoustic evidence, which oddly, still strikes me as their weakest armament. The 'double-raps' released thus far seem to me unconvincing, and for now I trust my instinct on this -- in 2002 the only evidence brought forth from Pearl River was a 'double-knock' audio clip, which upon hearing, I was sure, was NOT an Ivory-bill (didn't know what it was, just that it certainly wasn't any IBWO); it took Cornell additional weeks of analysis to identify the sound as gunshots. It was hugely disappointing that after 30 days in the field this was the best evidence searchers could produce or that this was even perceived/offered as possible evidence.
Nor do I believe the Jan. 29 'kent' calls emanate from Ivory-bills (again, not sure what they are, just don't sound like IBWOs). The Jan. 31 calls are more intriguing and might rate them a 50/50 chance of being IBWO, but 50/50 is not as great as one would hope for.
The grainy Luneau film I think rates higher -- not because it clearly shows an Ivory-bill, but because (to my eyes) it DOESN'T look much like any of the alternative options. If I had to stick a number on it I might say 60-75% probability IBWO, based on the visual, and if you accept and add in Cornell's computed measurement data the probability goes up from there.
What continues to be most convincing for me (and yet is problematic for others) are simply the sheer number, details, credibility, and firmness of the various sighters across time -- essentially, what in an earlier era would have been a gold standard for acceptance -- only because we live in a now video-saturated world, and for 50 years people have been prejudiced/indoctrinated by a notion of IBWO extinction (despite little evidence for such), has that gold standard changed. What others speak of as brief, poor quality sightings, I view as repeated, consistent, and most importantly, credible (i.e. coming from people with experience, and familiar with Pileateds in the field). The talk of aberrant Pileateds has been somewhat confused and inconsistent -- if they are present why has no one (out of all the excellent birders that have been there) simply stated, "I saw something that looked like an Ivory-bill at first, but turned out to be a leucistic Pileated." I don't recall anyone specifically yet saying they saw an abnormal Pileated 'that if seen by others, could easily be mistaken for an Ivory-bill.' (...it seems to be just a given assumption, unfounded I think, that if abnormal Pileateds exist they will be easily mistaken for IBWO 16+ separate times, rather than recognized as abnormal PIWOs). And of course no photo of one.
Like 'creationists' who relentlessly and effectively focus on a few weakpoints and gaps to tear away at evolutionary theory (and in so doing make persuasive arguments to lay people), so too IBWO skeptics employ narrow arguments, I believe, to create doubts about IBWOs, downplaying the totality or breadth of the evidence. Unlike the Passenger Pigeon, the Carolina Parakeet, the Great Auk, the Heath Hen, Bachman's Warbler... the Ivory-bill has been reported repeatedly over decades by credible observers in various locales across it's former range -- this alone should be enough for faith in its presence, until proven otherwise beyond a reasonable doubt (by the passage of decades with NO such reports coming in from credible observers).
If the IBWO is finally verified, only to then die out years from now, it won't be the loggers and hunters and collectors of yesteryear who pounded the final nails in its coffin, but the 20th century ornithologists and skeptics who, upon such scant flimsy data, prematurely wrote the species off and failed to do the hard professional work needed to save it decades ago. For a scientist, a bigger sin is usually committed NOT by being SO open-minded that one accepts as possibly true, things which later prove to be false, but rather, the bigger sin is made when being so closed-minded as to dispute as false, things which are later shown to be true -- that is the error we ought be guarding against as birders, conservationists, and/or scientists.

Or,... so it seems to me. . . . .
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-- J. Zickefoose Observation --

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Artist/writer, astute observer, Julie Zickefoose, writing on the Birdchick blog, has a current note about Ivory-billed/Pileated comparisons in flight (as she works on a new painting of the former):

http://www.birdchick.com/2005/12/ice-white-wing-white.html
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-- Bob Russell's Top 10 Hunches --

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Mary Scott has finally posted long-time Ivory-bill researcher and USF&W employee, Bob Russell's 'Top 10 Sites' to look for Ivory-bills:

http://www.birdingamerica.com/toptenibwpsites.htm

Somewhat interesting that he ranks the Congaree National Park in S. Carolina above both the Atchafalaya region of Louisiana and the Apalachicola area in Florida. Not sure many would do that despite a lot of S.C. rumors through the years. And disappointed to see him 'definitely write off' Missouri and Tennessee, which, if only because of their proximity to northeast Arkansas and their great LACK of attention over the decades, I think deserve greater scrutiny. But nonetheless, a nice, compact, thoughtful list. Given that most folks tend to focus on areas of the most recent sightings/rumors, his mention of the Wacissa and Aucilla River Swamps in Fla., based on more distant history, is also interesting. And finally worth noting, the Cache River area falls into his also-ran category, not even breaking into the Top 10...

Read, enjoy, and contemplate....
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-- South Carolina Hopes --

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South Carolina has long been on many people's short-list of likely Ivory-bill homes (actually I have a rather longer list), since the 1930's when James Tanner named it is as one of only 3 states remaining he suspected of harboring the birds. The Santee and Congaree River regions have long been the source for IBWO rumors, and a credible-sounding 2004 spotting report of 2 IBWOs off the Waccamaw River near the Green Swamp area brought attention to that locale.
Cornell has earlier stated they would be conducting winter IBWO searches throughout the species' former habitat range (from S.C. to Texas), but Federal, State, and private biologists in S.C. apparently couldn't wait and are already organizing a search plan similar to Cornell's Arkansas efforts for their state:

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/sports/outdoors/13323461.htm
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-- Epiphany --

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HEY, I suddenly realized last night that the name "Elvis" is an anagram for the word "lives" --- hmmmm... do ya sense some sorta Karma at work here...?!!
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