Ivory-billed Woodpecker (formerly updates) (3 Viewers)

[Jane Turner]

I'll second that. If you're willing to donate $100 US to the African Bird Club if there's no evidence by the end of the next search season (say this time next year), I'll donate $200 towards IBWO conservation the minute there's conclusive evidence of an IBWO and pay you the $100 back if the evidence comes after this time next year!

Me too

 

[Woodchatshrike]

So I never have to read this whole thread again, is there no evidence suggesting the IBW exists? its not just a case of sower grapes that some other ornithologists did'nt see it and are out to disprove them.

 

[Jane Turner]

Oh go on read it, its so entertaining.

 

[Bonsaibirder]

I'll make a donation to the IBWO recovery effort or an equivalent donation to the OBC depending on the appearance of evidence in the timescale that you guys are talking about. The only condition, that the evidence is available for us all to see and discuss on this forum.

 

[MMinNY]

Alan,
OBC it is. And your requirements for proof are fair enough. Let's make May 3, 2008 the date. I won't reciprocate on the bit about eating my hat or shoes, but that was a pre-existing offer, so I hope you're good for it anyway. It would be. . .um. . .interesting. . .to watch.

Gambling is fun. . .almost better than endlessly rehashing the same arguments.

Curunir, I don't think this kind of contribution would be tax-deductible unless the organization has a US affiliate that's a 501(c)(3). Not positive, but I don't expect to take a deduction.

MM

On edit -- tell you what. I'll give the first $50 to the OBC when you return, if there's nothing new -- let's say a photograph or a sighting of a perched bird, bill included, accompanied by field notes of a quality roughly equivalent to TRE's. I'm certainly not expecting that to happen.

MM

Conservation Funds of:
Oriental Bird Club (you know you should), Neotropical Bird Club or African Bird Club. You decide. US$200 fine by me.

Proof? A good photo (no need for a National Geographic Cover but excludes wooden models or 6 pixel efforts). I'm off to Central Asia for a few weeks but looking forward to developments during the interim (predictions - nothing at all)

Hey, isn't gambling fun? Top tip: Never back a dead horse.

A

 

[Ilya Maclean]

Looks like for the first time the thread is turning out to do something worthwhile for conservation for a change!!! I've come to a private arrangement with Humminbird.

 

[Edward woodwood]

me too Ilya

cheers Hummer

MMinNY, i'm not happy about a 'sighting' as evidence/proof. There have already been lots of those. A recognisable photo seems to be the standard acceptable to most?

 

[MMinNY]

I wasn't thinking about proof in this context. I thought I'd throw in an early add on -- either a better documented sighting than has been made public thus far or a photo. This was in response to Alan's prediction of "nothing at all" in the next few weeks. But just to be a good sport about it, I'm good for the $50 if there's no photo. The balance of $150 to paid if there's no photo by May 3rd, '08.

me too Ilya

cheers Hummer

MMinNY, i'm not happy about a 'sighting' as evidence/proof. There have already been lots of those. A recognisable photo seems to be the standard acceptable to most?

 

[Jane Turner]

I wonder if Mr/Mrs/Ms Slushie wants to operate a similar arrangement with me?

 

[salar53]

Two Thousand Dollars

I know this is hardly the forum to say this: but with me it's all duck or no dinner.
So I will bet against myself but over a much shorter period of time.
If conclusive evidence, such as will convince the Tom Nelsons of this world, is found by the end of May 2007, I will immediately hand over one thousand pounds, or two thousand dollars, to an IBWO recovery plan.
If the evidence is produced, the pips will squeak all right, but I will gladly pay up.
I would in those circumstances consult with Fangsheath, who used to post here, as to how the money should be paid.
One way or another, it should be a glorious First of June.

 

[david.margrave]

Have any bird watchers here seen other members of the campephilus genus such as crimson-crested woodpeckers?

I think the ivory billed search should continue, but eventually there is the possibility that no conclusive evidence will be found. If the ivory billed woodpecker turns out to be extinct, would it be possible or desirable to introduce another member of the campephilus genus back into north america?

 

[david.margrave]

Here's an interesting article that says the ivory billed's closest living relative (imperial woodpecker) diverged from it about 1 million years ago according to DNA testing.

http://www.calacademy.org/science_now/academy_research/

Here's some more on campephilus DNA & family tree

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ConservationAndScience/SpotlightOnScience/ivory-billedwoodpeckers.cfm

 

[hudsonbirder]

Report of ivory-billed sighting in Arkansas by Rich Guthrie

Rich Guthrie has today posted that he has seen the Ivory-billed WP in Arkansas this April. It is here http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html#117862


Rich is a widely known and respected NY birder.

 

[Ilya Maclean]

Rich Guthrie has today posted that he has seen the Ivory-billed WP in Arkansas this April. It is here http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html#117862


Rich is a widely known and respected NY birder.

Same old story though:

"I had the bird in sight only for a very brief few seconds"

 

[emupilot]

Here is a direct link to Guthrie's blog. Here's a snippet:

What I saw was a large black bird with very conspicuous blocks of white on the TRAILING EDGE of the wings.

I glimpsed some bit of red on the head.

The total aspect of this bird was equally compelling. It flew with a generous grace, not the labored work that I associate with the Pileated. This may be a factor caused by the long slender wings, long pointed tail and less undulating flight. It took only a few wing beats to clear the area I was in.

The sun was still relatively low to the east. While looking at the bird, I needed to be sure that I was not looking at any sun reflections glinting off feather shafts. Because of the well defined shape of the trailing white blocks on this bird, I was fully confident that was not the case.

Also, I was sure that I was not looking at an abberant Pileated Woodpecker. Again, the well defined white features and the general shape and mannerisms of this bird ruled out that as a possibility in my mind.

He says he'll put his field notes on the blog as soon as he figures out how to do so.

 

[Blackstart]

Same old story though:

"I had the bird in sight only for a very brief few seconds"

I was alone (what a surprise) and didn't dare attempt a picture.

Why didn't he attempt a picture? Oh, here's why:

I was that close and didn't want to spook it anymore...

Two questions spring immediately to mind, since the searcher said he was with the Cornell team:

1. Why is Cornell sending people out alone?
2. Why are they not telling their people to point their digicams at anything that looks suspicious and is "that close"? Even a pocket job will pick up enough field marks if the bird is "that close".

Adam

 

[Edward woodwood]

ha ha ha

and so it goes on

an IBWO that is not wary but 'that close'

and another single observer record

still, if it's gen it will be refound and seen by others

won't it?

Tim

 

[humminbird]

Personally, having read the blog and the post, I find this the most compelling post I have read yet. He talks of the aspect of the bird, the wing shapes, the tail shape and (most importantly for some) how he can be sure the white was not an artifact of the sun. Note, this is a well respected birder in the NY area - not some "unknown" as many have put the others off as (how you can say that about Luneau is beyond me)!

I would still like to see a photo. As to the critics, given the same situation I don't know that I would not try to extend the experience as long as possible rather than spook the bird trying to get the shot. This week while viewing a county record bird (review species for the state) I did just that for the first three visits the bird made to the hide.

 

[Edward woodwood]

Personally, having read the blog and the post, I find this the most compelling post I have read yet.

not another most compelling post! 8-P

just think if he'd lifted the cam, the arguments would be over and you'd have pockets full of dollars.

shame

Tim

 

[Blackstart]

Reading the blog now.

When he first saw the bird, it was "flying diagonally away".

Then: "It took only a few wingbeats to clear the area I was in."

So when was it "that close"?

Adam