Ivory-billed Woodpecker - IBWFound: As it Happens!

Hello everyone this is Bobby --- As mentioned in a previous post the foundation has received an Endangered Species Permit to use decoys. The foundation has now received its Special Use Permit (SUP) to use decoys in the Cache River NWR. All paper work is now complete and as time permits I will deploy decoys in the Bayou Deview area.

I still believe that Bayou Deview is the best place to obtain further confirmation of the Ivory-bills existence. My April 2008 possible encounter makes me believe that ivorybills are still using the area. Bayou Deview is narrow, providing a higher probability of an encounter. I currently have 7 days schedule in March to use decoys on Bayou Deview.

In November, 2008 four members of the Houston Audubon Society joined the search for the Ivory-bill. Water levels were extremely low and the only way to traverse the swamp was to walk. Fortunately the ground was not mucky and walking was quite easy. We walked about 12 miles over the two day period. We saw lots of birds, but not the one we were looking for.

If you are interested in checking the water levels on Bayou Deview go to, (waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/uv?07077700) . The water gauge on this site is for Morton, Arkansas. When the water level reads 13.3 feet and falling the water level is too low to put a canoe in and travel north or south of Arkansas Highway 17 near Brinkley. When the water level reads 14.5 - 15 feet and higher you can go just about anywhere in the swamp. If you plan a trip to Bayou Deview check this site first to see if there is enough water to canoe.