==> THEblog devoted, since 2005, to news & commentary on the most iconic bird in American ornithology, the Ivory-billed Woodpecker (IBWO)... and sometimes other schtuff [contact: cyberthrush@gmail.com]
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Taking note of the near insurmountable travails that will face the next U.S. President (passed along from the current wretched Administration), columnist Hal Crowther concludes a recent essay, simply and aptly stating, "God help Barack Obama if he wins the election. God help us all if he loses."
And I'll end with the same verbatim quotes from T. Gilbert Pearson, one of America's premier 20th century naturalists/ornithologists, that I used in a blog post here exactly one year ago today:
"The supreme moment of my life as a bird student came in May, 1932, when in a great primeval forest in northern Louisiana, I saw, for the first time, a living ivory-billed woodpecker... The ivory-bill is decidedly larger than the pileated, and this difference in size is very apparent, as we had ample opportunity to observe, when by chance birds of both species fed at the same time on a tall decayed stump within 80 feet of our hiding place."
"The reduction in abundance in this species is due most probably to persecution by man, as the species has been shot relentlessly without particular cause except curiosity and a desire for the feathers or beaks."
A tad annoying of course to still not have an official overall summary released of last year's search. I believe it's safe to say that possible IBWO sounds were heard and/or recorded in at least four states, and sightings were made in at least two of those states (of course more sightings if you count those from individuals not officially part of the "Recovery Team" ). Whether the summary delay is due to the chilling effect critics have had on the public reportage of findings that are short of definitive, or reflective of a low-level of credence attributed to results from last year, don't know??? Also worth noting that last season Cornell's "mobile team" again named additional habitat areas in need of more thorough exploration. While it's disappointing to see the manpower put forth thus far yielding such a small number of possible sightings/sounds, it is entirely false to say or imply that NO evidence has thus far been found, as is sometimes reported. It is possible there will be no lengthy summary released, but simply a brief summation of last year tacked onto a forward-looking document for the upcoming season released shortly before the new season gets underway. There seems to be much disagreement on how best to even proceed at this point in terms of specific techniques, protocols, methods, assignment of personnel, etc. as the Government (and other agencies) enter their likely last organized effort in the field, unless the species is photographically documented in the next six months. Also, I've seen no further word on the additional analysis Cornell did earlier this year on the Luneau video attempting to compare a digitally-created Ivory-bill to the real bird in that video... inconclusive, no match found, or, yet to be published??? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Further brief piece on Cornell's scale-back in Arkansas here.
I assume that there will still be some sort of "mobile search team" activity this year, but article doesn't say. Also, assume that some official searching will continue in at least 2-3 other southern states, besides AR., this season, but again specifics not given. Nor has an official USFW summary from last season yet been released. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arkansas Public Radio segment here confirming that Cornell will be scaling back it's efforts in Arkansas this coming season (although efforts by other agencies will continue). No mention made of the specific search plans for other states at this point.
Still no major IBWO news (...Bobby Harrison does report, after almost a year wait, finally getting permission to utilize decoys in the search for IBWO). Most of what I've been reading lately about birds in general, especially on the conservation front, is extremely pessimistic stuff, even though often quite predictable. For one rather more unpredictable and bizarre story, this dispiriting news item out of West Virginia:
Again, off on a NON-Ivorybill tangent today. This will probably be of interest to only a small percentage of you, but still feel it is too good not to pass along: The Large Hadron Collider, recently 'switched on' in Europe, has been the focus of much science news of late, and on "bloggingheads.TV" Sean Carroll (from Cal Tech) and science writer Jennifer Ouellette elucidate some of the particle physics and cosmology involved that make this such a momentous science story (before wandering into miscellaneous math and probability toward end). Hour-long video presentation from two excellent science communicators for anyone who finds modern-day physics fascinating. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A couple of emailers in last month have suggested that an official extended summary report of last season's Ivory-bill search might not be publicly released this year. Don't know if that's true or not --- and if true, don't know if that would be a reflection of a paucity of significant findings from last season, or rather because the quick burst of cynicism that now follow such reports make it less worthwhile to issue one (I'd think however, that legally, this type of Federally-sponsored work requires routine public disclosure in summary form).
In any event, while awaiting such a report, or the start of 2009 searching, LAST year's summary can be viewed here (as a pdf). I imagine any summary from this year will read quite similarly in its conclusions, though with dwindling funds, a smaller number of state areas may be included for future study efforts.
And the much longer (180 pg. pdf.) "Draft Recovery Plan" is available here, if you need more reading material to review while awaiting news. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Collins has returned to Stennis Space Center, in pursuit of indisputable documentation for Ivory-bills' persistence in Louisiana's Pearl River region (...well, I s'pose he'll do some Gov't. work while there too ;-). His new "2009" search season log here. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bobby Harrison's Ivory-billed Woodpecker Foundation blog has now been updated after an extensive lapse, here. Bobby is continuing to focus on certain areas with additional signs/sounds from Arkansas, while reviewing images captured by automatic cameras. Thanks for the update, Norma. The official IBWO Recovery Team apparently met in Atlanta the first week of this month in preparation for the upcoming search season. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This coming week a further short-term search of prime habitat in South Carolina gets underway. Over the past two years various key Ivory-bill researchers have pointed to S.C. as having the best, oldest, largest stretch of habitat (primarily the Congaree, but other areas as well) suitable for Ivory-billed Woodpeckers anywhere in the United States. Several signs/sounds of possible IBWOs have been reported in the state (more than publicly disclosed), and of course S.C. was one of the last bastions where Tanner himself believed the species held on 60 years ago. Having said all that, and for a different set of reasons, I've never personally held out great hope of Ivory-bills being documented in S.C., or at least not ahead of other states. Of course, I'd be thrilled to be wrong. GOOD LUCK to all involved.
For further inspiration, this recent story of the elusive Okapi (ehhh, not exactly a tiny creature) finally being caught on film in the wild for the first time in 50 years:
Sorry, not IBWO, nor birds, nor nature today, but feel like I oughta post something pre-weekend (in case we all get sucked into a Black Hole from CERN's Large Hadron Collider by then --- not that THAT would be a BAD thing) --- so this clip of one of Jill Bolte Taylor's talks about the experience of her own brain stroke at age 37 (18 mins. long, but worth reaching the end). She's the neuroanatomist author of the bestselling "My Stroke of Insight" that describes what she learned about the left and right brain hemispsheres, and herself, from that personal experience. (And actually, truth be known, I'm not so sure that there isn't a smidgen of applicability submerged in all this, to the whole IBWO debate.) Enjoy....
A couple of folks emailed me last week asking if I knew any more about Bill Smith's purported Florida Ivorybill book... I certainly have no special knowledge of the book Mr. Bill has dangled before folks for 2 years (...and I prefer not to be emailed about it or his claims). I do know that he continues to post regularly on at least one aquarium group website (a subject about which he actually appears to have at least some first-hand knowledge, and puts aside plenty of time for... the IBWO, uhhhh, nnnot so much). Some folks believe the supposed IBWO volume will NEVER appear, and some think it will eventually appear, and easily be categorized, like many other monthly releases, as fiction (ought we dare say 'science' fiction?). I'm guessin' that given the miniscule interest he has generated, Bill must be insanely jealous of the Georgia yahoos who received weeks of international attention for their inane Bigfoot hoax. Some folks have all the luck... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following not-terribly-cryptic message/request for a volunteer appeared on a bird listserv today in case any reader has particular interest:
"Permitted research project on Picidae [woodpeckers] in prime habitat in SC is looking for one volunteer to complete a 6 man team for 6 days starting Monday, Sept. 15 and ending Sat. the 20th. Should know all field marks, calls and knocks/drums of E. Picidae, be able to camp and meet others in SC if possible. Project being done in cooperation with non-profit and govt. entities. Send contact info to NBP@comcast.net"
Sorry for lapse of posting, but warned earlier on that I wasn't expecting much to report on through the summer months, prior to USF&W issuing a final summary report from last season, or the next winter search season getting underway. For the moment, am occupied with other things as well, but to keep folks entertained in the interim go ahead and play with this film clip if you like, or have only seen it 922 times before:
Hmmm, David Sibley was blogging for awhile; now we just need to get Pete Dunne blogging (I mean the guy writes about 10 hours a day anyway, doesn't he?). Speaking of Pete, he will be the keynote speaker at the Georgia Colonial Coast Birding and Nature Festival coming up in October. The times they are a changin': this, and other yearly birding festivals are no longer including Ivory-bill themes or presentations as was almost obligatory a couple years back. Let's hope the upcoming search season changes all that, but then again don't be holdin' your breath.
Last year USF&W released their summary of the prior search season before the end of Sept. Given a slightly more restricted search this past season and less to report maybe the release date this year could be a tad earlier... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've previously mentioned the newly-revised Peterson Guide to Birds of North America, but only this weekend saw and held it in my hands. Very handsome, wonderful volume. Call me old-fashioned, nostalgic, or clinging to the past, but I still find Peterson's artwork unmatched in field guide circles (and these are of course mostly the same old depictions already published numerous times) --- simple yet alive; not too minimal, and not too detailed; just right. The text is, as always, succinct but instructive. The images are enlarged (for us ol' codgers I guess ;-) I still think this is potentially the best guide for beginning and intermediate birders. (For those who don't know, this new version combines the earlier Eastern and Western editions into one volume, and is almost as large as the original Sibley guide, but not quite as unwieldy.) The cover is fittingly a beautiful portrayal of yellow-shafted flickers, the bird that started it all for Roger. With all the new bird field guides flooding the market in the last few years, nice to see this old friend still holding its own.
'Rip' Lyttle reports a couple of partially leucistic Pileated Woodpeckers in the part of South Carolina he is searching (additional white on wing/back area). He has posted a few pics on the Ivory-bill Researchers Forum site (you need to be a member to access pics I believe) -- nothing that would be readily mistaken for IBWO. Still awaiting for someone to capture on film one of these birds having symmetrical patterning across the wings that actually mimics an Ivory-bill's large patches (Noel Snyder claims to have seen one years ago, but no pic). Even statistics for the number of significantly leucistic Pileateds that are recorded across the southeast would be interesting to know. But for now this is just auxiliary information. [SEE comment/clarification below] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Audubon is advertising for a field technician to head up the search for the Ivory-billed Woodpecker in southeastern North Carolina (stationed in Wilmington):
"The North Carolina Ivory-billed Woodpecker Search Field Technician will be responsible for implementing standardized protocols developed for systematically searching for the presence of Ivory-billed Woodpecker in the swamp forests and associated woodlands of southeastern North Carolina. Simultaneously, the field technician will survey the study area to assist in research pertaining to the North Carolina Important Bird Areas program. The study locations include the Waccamaw River bottomlands and associated tributaries, selected areas along the Lumber River, and other site TBD. Search efforts will require long days in remote locations and will be physically demanding. After each search day, the field technician will be required to download and enter field data, and maintain all field equipment. Other duties will include: camping, use of canoe or motorized boat, organizing and training volunteers, use of audio and video recording equipment."
The position is currently funded for one year; more details given at the above link. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
