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Loading... Ivorybill Hunters: The Search for Proof in a Flooded Wilderness (edition 2007)by Geoffrey E. Hill
Work InformationIvorybill Hunters: The Search for Proof in a Flooded Wilderness by Geoffrey E. Hill
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. After the excitement of the ivorybill sighting in Arkansas was starting to fade, this enjoyable book appeared claiming a similar sighting in Florida. Geoffrey Hill, an ornithology professor, describes the search for more evidence in the vast swampland of northern Florida, along the way discussing the validity (and problems with) previous ivorybill sightings, how such an expedition is arranged, the challenges of navigating such difficult terrain, any why he thinks there is still hope for that most wonderful of woodpeckers. I enjoyed this book thoroughly -- it was interesting, informative, and hard to put down. I don't usually buy nonfiction, preferring to check it out of the library because I rarely reread books, but this one is a keeper! This is an exciting story of a successful search. Hill presents a very exciting story but also lists evidence and credits the paid and volunteer staff for effort and data. Study of the bird at this site by Hill's crew has led he and his team to begin to learkn some details of the bird's habits and this comes through in the book as well. The book covers only Hill's search and search area. no reviews | add a review
The last documented sighting of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker--one of the rarest and most intriguing animals in the world--was noted over 50 years ago. Long thought to be extinct, the 2005 announcement of a sighting in Arkansas sparked tremendous enthusiasm and hope that this species could yetbe saved. But the subsequent failure of a massive search to relocate Ivorybills in Arkansas made hope for the species' revival short-lived.Here, noted ornithologist Geoffrey Hill tells the story of how he and two of his colleagues stumbled upon what may be a breeding population of Ivory-billed Woodpeckers in the swamps of northern Florida. He relates their laborious attempts to document irrefutable evidence for the existence ofthis shy, elusive bird following the failure of a much larger research team to definitively prove the bird's existence.Hill tells of his travails both in and out of the vast swamp wilderness, pulling back the curtain to reveal the little-seen political maneuvering that is part of all modern science. He explains how he and his group decided who to exclude or include as their findings came in, and why they feltthe need to keep their search a secret. Hill returns repeatedly to how expectations can guide observations, and how tempting it is to oversell evidence in the face of the struggle between an overwhelming desire to find the bird and the need to retain integrity and objectivity.Written like a good detective story, Ivorybill Hunters also delves into the science behind the rediscovery of a species, explaining how professional ornithologists follow up on a sight record of a rare bird, and how this differs from the public's perception of how scientists actually work. Hillnotes the growing role of amateurs in documenting bird activity and discusses how the community of birders and nature lovers can see, enjoy, and help preserve these birds.Ivorybill Hunters will prove a fascinating read for those with an interest in natural history, adventure, environmental conservation, and science, as well as the more than forty-six million Americans who now call themselves birdwatchers. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)598.7Natural sciences and mathematics Zoology Birds Scansores, climbersLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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