Birders: News from the Lab of Ornithology. Shane Adams East of Hamblen County Morristown, TN. 37813 Greetings Lab members and friends: We're writing to share the latest updates on the Ivory-billed Woodpecker search and next week's big event--the Great Backyard Bird Count. New Video Analysis Web Site In conjunction with the second Ivory-billed Woodpecker Recovery Team meeting in Brinkley Arkansas, February 6-8, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is making available online a detailed analysis of four seconds of an Ivory-billed Woodpecker in flight in the Big Woods of Arkansas, filmed in April 2004. This site has been in development for several months. Click here to check it out. This may be some of the most intensely-studied video ever taken. The new web pages contain a point-by-point analysis of the now-famous video clip by David Luneau of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The video analysis expands on the evidence presented in the peer-reviewed article for Science magazine published in April 2005, and presents numerous video clips that allow the public to examine the video data and the authors' original conclusions for themselves. Cornell Lab of Ornithology Director Dr. John Fitzpatrick says, "Even after the original announcement of the rediscovery, we kept going over our evidence and finding new ways to put it to the test--not only to answer questions others might have, but to continue to test the veracity of our own conclusions." After comparing the Luneau video with more than 60 videos of Pileated Woodpeckers now in their possession, Cornell scientists remain convinced that the Luneau video is unique and distinct in a number of characteristics. The bird is fully consistent with the plumage pattern and flight behavior of Ivory-billed Woodpecker, thus providing visual confirmation of a number of well-described sightings of that species in the area during 2004 and 2005. Let us know what you think about these new pages, especially after you look at the many video clips provided and move through them frame-by-frame. You'll also want to read the other new material recently posted on the ivory-bill pages, including descriptions of the search from crew leaders and volunteers. '"All About Birds" web site editor Sam Crowe has detailed accounts of his recent visit to Arkansas. The stories are listed under "Updates from the Field" on the Ivory-billed Woodpecker home page. More new material is in the pipeline and will posted in the coming weeks. Bird Count Countdown! The 9th annual Great Backyard Bird Count is just around the corner! The event takes place February 17-20 and we're hoping all of you will join in. Everyone can participate, no matter their age or skill level. You can count birds in your backyard, in a park, or public lands. This year's theme is to "Count birds with a buddy!" The idea is to share your love of birding with someone who is new to the pastime. The Great Backyard Bird Count provides valuable data on a continentwide scale about where the birds are and in what numbers. We've revamped the GBBC web site and we invite you to check it out at www.birdsource.org/gbbc. Another new thing this year is our contest--we'll award certificates to the states, provinces, and localities sending in the most checklists in the United States and in Canada. We'll also have a photo contest. Download the PDF of our poster and print it to help spread the word that the Great Backyard Bird Count fast approaching! As always, thank you for you continued support and enthusiasm, Your friends at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.2/253 - Release Date: 02/07/2006