Sponsored by Carl Zeiss Sports Optics

If interested in applying for one of the two positions advertised widely on the web, here's what you need to know and do:

1. The two-person team will be chosen by me*, in consultation with personnel from the Louisiana Dept. Wildife & Fisheries.

2. The primary criteria will be:

a. expertise in field identification of birds, particularly by ear.

b. experience in conducting fieldwork in remote, generally roadless areas.

c. excellent physical condition (the team will be covering as much territory as possible every day, on foot and by canoe).

3. Additional requirements or desirable expertise:

a. operation of video camera and GPS unit.
b. willingness to deal with media (this effort will likely attract much national attention; daily reports to Zeiss etc. will probably be required).

4. Application: an application shall consist of a resumé and a letter (hard-copy regular mail preferred) that addresses specifically the criteria and requirements as stated above, as well as the names of at least two persons willing to be contacted to vouch for your qualifications.

If you would like a confirmation that your application was received, just email me: najames@unix1.sncc.lsu.edu

5. Timetable:

9 July 2001: deadline for receipt of applications (extended because this web page was unavailable for several days prior to the deadline). (As of 5 July, 46 applications have been received.)

1 September 2001: decision on which two people will get the contract.

January-February 2002: the search will begin sometime in January or early February 2002 and will consist of 30 consecutive days of fieldwork. The team will plan to arrive in Baton Rouge at least 5 days before the official search begins to devise a search plan in consultation with LA DWF personnel.

The lowland bottomland hardwood forests of the Pearl River consist of a mosaic of swamps, bayous, and forest that will be flooded to varying degrees during late winter/early spring depending on rainfall. There are few roads, so access to many areas is by foot or canoe.

The area where the Ivory-billeds were seen by David Kulivan in April 1999 was on a section of the Pearl River Wildlife Management Area that has been searched so many times subsequently that it is clear that it is not part of these birds' regular home range. Most of the search will be directed at more remote areas of the Pearl, especially where timber cruise data indicate the presence of more mature forest.

The goal, of course, will be to search as much of the area as possible, and if Ivory-billeds are located, to document the presence of Ivory-billed Woodpecker by means of digital video cameras. Broadcast of tapes of Ivory-billeds calls will be a critical part of the survey protocol.

The $2000 will be delivered upon satisfactory completion of the search and submission of a final report, which will consist of daily itineraries and sightings (completed each night in the field). Housing will be provided by LA DWF near the survey areas; we are in the process of securing a canoe, two digitial video cameras, and tape-playback equipment; all other expenses are the responsibility of team.