-- Time Slogs On --

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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???
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-- Tad More on the Search --

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Here.
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-- "Backs Against A Wall" --

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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.
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-- Cornell Scaling Back in AR. --

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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.

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-- West Virginia Tragedy --

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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:

http://www.timeswv.com/westvirginia/local_story_274113358.html
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-- Physics --

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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.
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-- Old Reading Material --

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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.
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-- Collins Back in Louisiana --

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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.
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-- IBWO Foundation Update --

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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.
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