Re: [Paddlewise] Ivory Billed Woodpecker

John is so right, and it is through acknowledgements such as this that we
diversify the pool of kayakers and thereby increase the pool of stewards of our
waterways.  I'm forwarding the note below for those who would like more info.  I
just received this news update from the Nature Conservancy on the Ivory Bill:

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Subject: Breaking News: Ivory-billed Woodpecker Discovered

Dear Jennifer,

That's right an ivory-billed woodpecker!

A bird that had not been reliably reported anywhere in the United
States for nearly 60 years, a bird thought by many to be long extinct
has returned.  With its three-foot wingspan, its swift,
arrow-like flight, and its resplendent plumage, the bird awed 19th
century observers with its dazzling blend of beauty, power and
majesty.

The re-discovery of a living ivory-billed woodpecker in a remote,
swampy Arkansas forest is nothing less than a miracle.  This
amazing discovery occurred in the Big Woods of eastern Arkansas, a
region in which The Nature Conservancy has been working for over 20
years.

While kayaking in the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge in February
2004, Gene Sparling of Hot Springs, Ark., saw an unusually large,
red-crested woodpecker fly toward him and land on a nearby tree.
He noticed several field marks suggesting the bird was an ivory-billed
woodpecker.

Today, a research team has confirmed that at least one ivory-bill
still survives in the vast areas of the Big Wood's bottomland
swamp forest.  The team's findings include multiple
sightings of the elusive woodpecker, frame-by-frame analyses of video
footage taken by searchers and possible recordings of the bird's
distinctive double knock.

Working together with The Nature Conservancy, as part of the Big Woods
Conservation Partnership, the evidence was gathered during an
intensive year-long search involving more than 50 experts and field
biologists

I know you agree that the rediscovery of the ivory-billed woodpecker
will be remembered as one of the major ecological finds of the 21st
century. Thanks to the caring support of people like you, there is
hope for this majestic woodpecker and countless other unique species.

For more information about the search and the efforts to save the
ivory-billed woodpecker and the Big Woods, visit
http://support.nature.org/site/R?i=gySvXtBgxJ82En3mW7B2Dg.. .

Thank you for all you do!

Scott Simon
Arkansas State Director
The Nature Conservancy
nature.org
http://support.nature.org/site/R?i=yggQUPXJOaEWGZN4Fo2WTw..

p.s.  The remarkable re-discovery of the ivory billed woodpecker
is a conservation milestone.  Share the news by sending our
ivory-billed woodpecker e-card to your friends and family!
http://support.nature.org/site/R?i=O2yxt8npeYqsWAOcc4kiyA..

....
>
> While we all have our own reasons for paddling, paddle craft are
> unsurpassed for viewing wildlife and a lot of paddlers include bird
> watching during their outings.  On a couple of occasions I've spent a
> couple of days in Chincoteague on the way to a longer vacation in the outer
> banks and unknowingly was there during the annual bird migration festival
> held there every spring.  The time also coincides with the last week before
> mosquito season so if there are any paddlers that also really enjoy bird
> watching it's a good destination and time  of year to go.




----------------------------------------------------------------
This message was sent using IMP, the Internet Messaging Program.
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************