Recently, ornithologist surveying the bird population of the

Recently, ornithologist surveying the bird population of the remote forests of the Kamchatka Peninsula reported sighting a Banded Nuthatch. Most ornithologists consider the Banded Nuthatch to have become extinct in the 19th century, since the last verified sighting of a Banded Nuthatch was in 1895. It is therefore most reasonable to conclude that the ornithologists who claimed to have spotted the Banded Nuthatch recently were mistaken. Which of the following statements, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?

A) Although experienced, the ornithologists participating in the survey had never before visited the forests of the Kamchatka Peninsula
B) The Banded Nuthatch was always a rare bird, and the last verified sighting prior to 1895 was in 1815
C) It is rare that a species thought to be extinct is found to be still in existence
D) The Lesser Nuthatch, a bird known to be widespread in the forests of the Kamchatka Peninsula, is very similar to the Banded Nuthatch in appearance
E) The ornithologists surveying the birds of the Kamchatka Peninsula are among the most respected and highly regarded in their field