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The Margaret Watson Bird Club will learn about the largest woodpecker in North America during their March meeting. On March 7, they’ll view “The Ghost Bird”, a documentary by Scott Crocker that details how the phantom ivory-billed woodpecker changed a Southern town. 

This story explores a small town in Arkansas which was overrun by birders and scientists all hoping to confirm a glimpse of the largest woodpecker in NA after being presumed extinct for over half a century. Destruction of its old-growth forest habitat in southeastern U.S. caused severe population declines in the 1800s, and only very small numbers survived into the twentieth century.

In 2004 the Ivory-billed woodpecker was seen flying through the swamps and bayous of eastern Arkansas by scientists who pronounced the Ivory-bill’s incredible rediscovery. Unfortunately, after years of searching, a second sighting has not occurred, and the bird’s fate remains a mystery.

The meeting will be held at the Prince Edward County Extension Office at 100 Dominion Drive; across from Lowe’s in Farmville. Light refreshments start at 6:30 p.m. and the program starts at 7. Runtime is approx 1.5 hours. A short business meeting will follow the program: We will have a complete list of this year’s field trips, plus membership information.