FW: The Ivory-billed and the IBA

[Mark Stackhouse <westwings at sisna dot com>]

Here's a note from the local folks about the Ivory-billed and the IBA 
program there. It's especially of interest to anyone who wants to try 
to see this bird, as it has a link to information about where to go to 
see it. Apparently there are certain areas off-limits, but they have 
designated sites where the bird has been seen that birders can go to 
look for it.

-------------- Forwarded Message: --------------
From: Dan Scheiman <birddan@COMCAST.NET>
To: ARBIRD-L@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU
Subject: The Ivory-billed and the IBA
Date: Fri, 29 Apr 2005 16:28:06 +0000

AR-BIRDers,

Little did I know when I moved to Arkansas three weeks ago to become 
Audubon Arkansas’ Bird Conservation Director that an Ivory-billed 
Woodpecker would be found in the state.  It is lucky for me, and 
especially lucky for Arkansas.  It is also good that the area where the 
species was found has already been declared an Important Bird Area by 
Audubon – The Cache-Lower White Rivers IBA.  The adjacent Bayou DeView, 
where sightings have occurred, also is an IBA.  The IBA program was 
established to identify and monitor sites that harbor birds of 
conservation interest, significant numbers of birds, and their habitat. 
 The finding of this woodpecker suggests that the IBA program is 
successfully identifying such sites.  And now the Cache-Lower White 
Rivers IBA is not only a state IBA but a GLOBAL IBA – that is something 
Arkansans can be proud of!

We are all eager to see this bird and add it to our lifelist, but I 
encourage restraint; too many birders out there at once could disturb 
the bird.  We should all promote the American Birding Associations code 
of conduct among birders and non-birders alike.  The Cache River NWR 
personnel have declared 5,000 acres off limits to the public, but have 
also suggested other areas where the bird may be viewed.  For more 
information, including a map, see http://www.fws.gov/cacheriver/

More about the IBA program

The Important Bird Areas program is the focal point for Audubon’s bird 
conservation work.  It is a global effort to identify areas most 
important for bird populations, and to focus conservation efforts on 
those sites.  The foundation of the IBA program is its emphasis on 
science-based identification, monitoring and conservation of birds and 
the habitats they need to survive.  The Important Bird Areas Program 
starts with the foundation of site identification and prioritization 
for conservation action.  It relies on local stewardship and at the 
core focuses on engaging individuals, private landowners, local 
communities, and government agencies.  The result is a network of IBAs 
with a community of support working to conserve, restore, and maintain 
bird habitats.  Audubon chapters and volunteers constitute a true team 
of IBA citizen scientists, studying species population trends, 
assessing breeding success, evaluating threats to bird populations, and 
keeping ever-watchful eyes o!
 n the places birds depend on.  These places can be National Wildlife 
Refuges, National Parks and other public, protected lands, but they can 
also be private farms, ranches, or reserves, local parks, and other 
important private lands.

A form for nominating your favorite birding area as an IBA can be found 
at Audubon Arkansas’ website www.ar.audubon.org


Dan Scheiman, Ph.D.
Bird Conservation Director, Audubon Arkansas
201 East Markham St., Suite 450
Little Rock, AR  72201
dscheiman@audubon.org
501-244-2229
501-244-2231 (fax)
www.ar.audubon.org


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