Ivorybills Live!

[blindpig]

Just heard on NPR that Ivorybilled Woodpeckers, largest in the United States and thought to be extinct, have been spotted in the river swamps of the White River in Arkansas. I am weeping profusely. The head of the Cornell Ornithology Lab is on board, this is the real deal. They say that while these forest are not ideal habitat for the birds, the woods are a little young, that if they can hang on for a decade or two the forest will mature into ideal habitat.

Now comes the battle for the ESA. Let any who would in any way compromise the survival of this species face the wrath of gods and man.

[okasha]

1. Link?

For the love of God, Montressor! Link?

[blindpig]

2. here ya go

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4622633

[theHandpuppet]

3. Oh my god!!

This is FANTASTIC news!! Now let's all pray that they will be protected from humankind.

[dragonkeep]

4. That is SO-O-O cool.

I've called everyone I know.

[Deb]

5. Woo Hoo!

"Now, in an intensive year-long search in the Cache River and White River national wildlife refuges involving more than 50 experts and field biologists working together as part of the Big Woods Partnership, an ivory-billed male has been captured on video.

"We have solid evidence, there are solid sightings, this bird is here," says Tim Barksdale, a wildlife photographer and biologist."

I can't wait for the still photos and sound recordings. This is very exciting!

[GumboYaYa]

6. That is awesome news.

I grew up in the area where the ivorybills were last spotted on the Tensas River. As a kid when we roamed the river banks we always looked out for ivorybills, but I never saw one. You made my day with that news.

[hatrack]

7. YEEEEEEEE-HAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!

Can't wait to email my brother on this - he's a total obsessive on the ivory-billed, and when we last talked, he was almost certain that they were still out there somewhere.

The ivory-billed researchers called the area the "Hot Zone" - southern Arkansas and northern Lousiana - and swore that given the extent and generally human-unfriendly nature of the region that there was a good chance the IBWs were still there.

Looks like they may have been right!!!!

:toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: