Do you believe in ghosts?
Scientists confirmed last week that a magnificent bird last seen 60 years ago - and long presumed extinct - has been rediscovered in the dense swamps of Arkansas.
At the very least, the discovery of ivory-billed woodpeckers within the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge is a modern miracle. At best, it illustrates hope that our world hasn't become as small and sterile as it sometimes appears.
The ivory-bill's last confirmed sighting was in Louisiana in 1944. The reason for its demise is simple: more than 80 percent of the forested river bottomlands where it once thrived have vanished.
If the ivory-bill, with its 3-foot wingspan and distinct markings, could survive among the 56,000-acre Cache River refuge, could they also be hiding elsewhere?
Dr. Whit Gibbons, a senior ecologist at Savannah River Ecology Lab at Savannah River Site, notes that South Carolina was among the final four states known to harbor the birds before they vanished.
"The other three states were Florida, Louisiana and Texas," he said. "So what's really funny is that we now find it in Arkansas, which wasn't even among them."
Unverified sightings have trickled in for years locally from the Congaree River swamp below Columbia, and occasional visitors to the Savannah River swamp below Augusta have claimed to have seen an ivory-bill.
"They've been reported from time to time, but you have to view 'reported' as different from 'verified,' " Gibbons said.
The ivory-billed woodpecker was greatly respected by American Indians, who believed its powerful bill conveyed magical powers. And it was once hunted for its ornate plumage, which also contributed to its downfall.
The few specimens found in Arkansas may or may not survive.
"That may be what this is, the last of the ivory-billed woodpeckers," Gibbons said. "But I think, with the publicity, you will get a lot more so-called sightings because of the pileated woodpecker, which is similar."
The pileated woodpecker, he said, is only a few inches smaller than the ivory-bill and is seen frequently in the Augusta area.
"They're both bigger than crows, and look very similar, at least in the males," he said. "So a lot of people might think the pileated is an ivory-bill."
George Robinson, of Graniteville, was intrigued by the stories about the ivory-bill's rediscovery. Then he noticed what he thought may be a pair of them in his yard near Interstate 20 in Aiken County.
"I've never seen such a beautiful bird," he said. "The brightest red, the darkest black, the whitest white. I wish I'd had a camera."
Gibbons thinks it is likely such sightings are pileated woodpeckers. But the simple fact that people are paying more attention to birds of any species makes the Arkansas discovery even more appealing.
"One of the things that makes it a marvelous find is that it provides greater awareness to other birds and it has people interested," he said. "It's an exciting find."
Sixty years after its apparent disappearance, the ivory-bill is inspiring people across the Southeast to stare up into the treetops to see what they might find.
Is it magic? Perhaps the Indians were right.
OUTDOOR VOLUNTEERS: Augusta is fortunate to be home to a number of groups that support shooting sports. But those sports need more volunteers to keep them afloat.
"In order to keep things running, it takes two to three concerned adults per program," said Phil Williams, a former NRA board member who supports and volunteers with local groups. "You don't want an entire program switched off on a Saturday because someone has to go to a wedding."
Local schools, including Academy of Richmond County, Butler, Evans, Aquinas, Hephzibah, Harlem and Laney, all have rifle programs.
"In 1993, the Georgia High School Association had 24 schools shooting three-position rifle as a varsity sport," Williams said. "We now have 119 schools."
Some local sports - including a 4-H BB-gun program - are not being delivered in part due to lack of volunteers, Williams said.
"The core issue here is finding volunteers to work with young people," he said. "We can provide training for them; all they have to provide is some guidance, mentoring, coaching - and a little bit of their time."
Local volunteer opportunities include:
- Boy Scouts of America: The Georgia-Carolina Council needs volunteers during the summer, at camps and for their shooting ranges where kids earn merit badges for marksmanship. Training is available locally. For details, call 733-5277.
- 4-H Target Sports Programs: Archery, a 5-meter BB gun program, air rifle competitions and other shooting sports are administered through the 4-H system. A sporter rifle competition and modified trap program also are offered. To discuss volunteering, contact Cynthia Cochran at the Richmond County Extension Service, 821-2482.
- USA Shooting: This spinoff program for Olympic style shooting also needs volunteers. Locally, facilities are available at Pinetucky Gun Club.
"We have very little participation in this area, again because we don't have enough volunteers willing to run the program," White said. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact White at 860-8217.
YUCHI FISHING: Georgia's Wildlife Resources Division is closer to breaking ground for a planned 100-acre fishing lake at the Yuchi Wildlife Management Area in Burke County.
"We've held interviews with engineers and are in the process of selecting someone to manage the construction," said Bubba Mauldin, regional fisheries management supervisor. "We think we may have a contractor onsite, moving dirt, by late summer or early fall."
Reach Rob Pavey at 868-1222, ext. 119 or rob.pavey@augustachronicle.com.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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