[hosepipe]

[ The only appropriate use of the word Progress in nature would be to describe something like trait appearence vs. time, or diversity of species vs time. ]

Has any living or dead human ever witnessed(observed) birth of a new species?..

[spunkets]

"Has any living or dead human ever witnessed(observed) birth of a new species?.. "

Folks only have archeological evidence that indicates a spiecies transition occurred in a rough time frame and maybe in a particular place, or region. They also have contemporary related species to examine. That evidence is supported by knowledge and understanding of the underlying biochemistry.

[js1138]

Has any living or dead human ever witnessed(observed) birth of a new species?..

Ring species are examples of species formation in progress. It's an illustration of one of the fundamental processes in evolution.