I don't find much encouraging in Cornell's overdue final summary of last season's Big Woods search. Indeed one is almost left to wonder if the report's very late public release has anything to do with fears that earlier publication would've discouraged applications from new volunteers for the coming search season (but maybe I'm being too negative)???In this instance, Cyberthrush raises a good point. The report is devastating to the "body of evidence" argument, and I see no other plausible reason why it wasn't released earlier. Note that it is dated "October 2006".
I thought about Cyberthrush's point as I read the latest updates from CLO's Mobile Search Team here. It seems slightly surreal to me that paid IBWO searchers are still out there, given that the "evidence" has been so thoroughly and publicly debunked.
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I can't seem to get to those pictures of that white PIWO on the Cornell Lab website anymore. Those were some nice pictures - solid evidence, of a sort. I wish I had copied them when I had the chance.
http://www.fws.gov/ivorybill/january06/LeuPIWO54.jpg
If the IBWO still flys and breeds, the best chances by far it appears would be in Florida or along the Pearl River in Lousiana/Mississippi. Its very important to search the other areas, but if the Cornell folks had searched with the same thoroughness a few river flood plains in Florida or the Elgin Air Force Base in Florida or the Pearl, the results probably would have been different. Again, if nothing is found in terms of the "killer photo/video" by late April, a severe blow will be dealt to interest in the IBWO and searching for it.
Then again, if the "million dollar photo/video" IS obtained, skeptic and believer alike can engage in a giant group hug, and holding hands with heads reverently bowed, Amy can lead us in a heartfelt prayer of joy and thanksgiving...
Then again, if the "million dollar photo/video" IS obtained, skeptic and believer alike can engage in a giant group hug, and holding hands with heads reverently bowed,...
This is true only to a point. It will put to rest the question about whether or not it exists, but only in one specific place.
If an IBWO is found to exist in one location, some believers will say that it proves that all of the reports (or reports from their particular region of interest) are validated. This, of course, isn't even close to being true. If the bird is proven to exist in, say, Florida, there will still be reams of crappy evidence and unsubstantiated reports from Arkansas, Texas, Louisianna, etc.
The evidence for every locale must stand or fall on its own. And believers and skeptics will remain at loggerheads over these other claims.
Oh, yeah. And the Luneau video will still be of a normal Pileated.
Then again, if the "million dollar photo/video" IS obtained, skeptic and believer alike can engage in a giant group hug, and holding hands with heads reverently bowed, Amy can lead us in a heartfelt prayer of joy and thanksgiving...
Joy and thanksgiving over losing a couple thousand bucks? I don't think so.
Not that I'm the least bit worried.
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