A FEATHERED NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK--A FASCINATING JOURNEY INTO THE REDISCOVERY OF THE IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER

Anne Arundel Bird Club Richard E. Heise, Jr. Annual Wildlife Lecture
Thursday, March 2, 2006 at 8:00 p.m.. 
Blue Heron Room, Quiet Waters Park, Annapolis

Join naturalist and biologist Ron Rohrbaugh, Director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Ivory-billed Woodpecker Research Project, as he takes us behind the scenes in the historic search for the Ivory-billed Woodpecker in the Big Woods of Arkansas. The search was a monumental effort that involved over fifty people to confirm that this ghost of the old South, that flashed through a swamp, still does indeed live. 

Just when everyone thought this most regal of woodpeckers was extinct, a persistent search reveals its existence to the shock and joy of ornithologists, birders, and nature lovers globally. Ron will describe the rich history and ecological saga of North America's largest woodpecker and its rediscovery. Attendees will be treated to one of nature's most amazing stories in North America in modern history and will listen to actual tapes and see photo images of the rediscovered Ivory-billed Woodpecker. 

You won't want to miss this inspiring and dynamic story told by Ron Rohrbaugh who continues to lead a team of researchers in the effort to find, study, and restore Ivory-bill populations in Arkansas. He is also a member of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Ivory-billed Woodpecker Recovery Team and will speak on efforts to search for more of these elusive birds and to assure the protection of their critical habitat. Hear directly from the person who has been instrumental in developing and implementing the Team's search strategy, from writing search and study protocols to interpreting aerial photography and joining the searchers in their day-to-day work.

Ron Rohrbaugh has spent years studying and searching for rare, difficult-to-find species, such as Northern Goshawks, Short-eared Owls and Henslow's Sparrows. He did his undergraduate and graduate studies at The Pennsylvania Sate University and has been on the staff at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology since 1996. Ron is taking the lead at Cornell in developing an exhibit focused on the ecology and conservation of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. He also has done research focused on the nesting ecology and habitat selection of birds, with special emphasis on the impacts of habitat management strategies and human activities. He has studied and published professional papers on American Kestrels, Northern Harriers, and several species of passerines associated with prairies and grassland habitats. In addition to research, his career has focused on engaging citizens in scientific projects for the purpose of answering broad-scale biological questions and providing educational opportunities to the public.

"The Ivory-billed Woodpecker epitomizes the resiliency of our natural world. If recoveries of the Bald Eagle and Peregrine Falcon weren't enough, anyone who still doubts the efficacy of three decades of conservation need only look to the Ivory-billed Woodpecker for inspiration. I hope that the discovery and continued survival of this magnificent bird will finally galvanize Americans to become unified stewards of our world's natural resources." Ron Rohrbaugh. 

The Anne Arundel Bird Club sponsors this program to benefit the MOS Sanctuary and Scholarship funds.  Donations are accepted at the door.


Posted by Sue Ricciardi for Gerald Winegrad, Program Chair
Flyers are available for distribution.  Reply to Sue who will e-mail or snail mail a copy to you.