The Bellbird Newsletter T h e A s a W r i g h t N atur e C e ntr e

www.asawright.org Tel: (868) 667-4655 Email: [email protected] JANUARY 2011 UTT Honours Our Carol James he University of Trinidad and Tobago by the UNDP in 1993, following decisions Trecently bestowed the title of Honorary taken at the landmark Rio Conference on Distinguished Fellow upon our Dr. Carol Environment and Development in 1992, and James. The BellBird, and all of our staff and continued to serve on many international Friends of Asa Wright, congratulate Board conservation and sustainable Institutes and Member and Immediate Past Chairman Committees, working with governments in Carol on this well deserved Honorary the Caribbean, Africa and the South Pacific. Degree. A snapshot of her life’s work and Carol joined the Board of Asa Wright in the Citation for the Award, conferred at the 1991, became Vice Chair in 2002, and Presentation of Graduates 2010 of UTT, was elected Chairman in 2004, serving was read to the large audience by Public two terms until November 2010. She still Orator Dr. Natalie Persadie. serves on our Board as Chairman of the Carol has had a long and distinguished Sustainable Development & Outreach career in most areas of conservation in our Committee, and also on the Board of the country even as an amateur naturalist while Guardian Life Wildlife Trust. Her interest in still a young student at Bishop Anstey High balanced national development also focuses School. She began her career by choosing on youth and she is a member of the Board to work with the Forestry Division instead of of Bishop Anstey/ Trinity College East which embarking on an academic career and soon has pioneered, for the past ten years, a new headed the Wildlife Section of this Division. gendered approach to education. She became a hands-on practitioner of She continues to lecture and write her profession, surprising colleagues articles directed at the raising of public by insisting that they all get out into the consciousness and education on the field, “the field” being the rainforests environment. and wetlands of Trinidad and Tobago. Her Dr. Carol James Congratulations, Dr. Carol James -- We activism is credited with saving much of are all very proud of you!* the country’s biodiversity, particularly the Leatherback Turtles nesting on our East and North Coasts, and the critically endangered, *The BellBird acknowledges the Citation of uniquely Trinidadian – the Pawi. Dr. James’ Award of the UTT Graduation She was appointed the world’s first programme from which this synopsis is partly the jailbird Senior Sustainable Development Advisor taken. Barred Antshrike ( doliatus)

On the verandah, a laughing bird song heralds the for a perfect photo opportunity. Normally moving arrival of the Barred Antshrike. Not only is its call in pairs, one can sometimes spot a female not far distinctive but so is its appearance. The Antshrike away from the male. The female, however, has a has feathers the colour of the original uniforms different look: a chestnut brown body and crest used for prisoners: black and white stripes. So it with the black and white bars on its face. can undoubtedly be called a “jail bird.” It is interesting to note that during courtship, The Barred Antshrike is one of nine species of the male feeds the female. When foraging this found in Trinidad and Tobago. It frequents prefers insects although it will eat berries semi-open forest and gardens on both islands if the situation arises. If you think you have and is also resident in many South and Central spotted a Barred Antshrike, most likely you have, American countries, including our neighbour, as there is no other bird in Trinidad and Tobago Venezuela. which looks quite like it! – J.L. Ryan Although it only measures six inches, the Antshrike puts on a brilliant show when aroused. During this time, the bird raises its black crest References: giving the appearance of having a mohawk. ffrench, Richard. 1991. It then begins to chuckle, ka-ka-ka-ka, while A Guide to the of Trinidad and Tobago. simultaneously waving its tail. This often makes Hilty, Steven L. 2003. Birds of Venezuela. The Bellbird Newsletter T h e A s a W r i g h t N atur e C e ntr e January 2011 • Page 2 From Hungary to Spring hill

By J.L. Ryan had found out about special birds that one can see on the island and To describe Szabolcs Kókay simply as was pleased to discover that one a Hungarian would not be adequate. of them is right here at Asa Wright Szabi, as some call him, is a Nature Centre. That bird, the Tufted brilliant artist who has just received Coquette, is now his favourite at the the Don Eckelberry Scholarship Centre and his paintings of it are Award. This scholarship, set up quite impressive. He also has a large by the Society of Artists, is repertoire of beautiful paintings of awarded to a talented wildlife artist birds and other wildlife that he has who specialises in bird depiction and done in just ten short days here; is under 40 years old. As the prize, the Golden-headed Manakin, Green Szabi was offered his first rainforest Honeycreeper, White-tailed Trogon, experience, one which was fulfilled at Lineated Woodpecker and Golden the Asa Wright Nature Centre. Tegu are just a few. Szabi even noted Coming from an area in Hungary that because of the vibrant colours of which is rich in avifauna, Szabi started tropical birds, he had to use colours bird watching as a young boy. He has he has never used before. also been drawing from as long as he Although Mr. Szabolcs Kókay can remember. However, it was only is soon returning to Hungary we at age twenty, after seeing a book deeply appreciate the souvenirs he with bird illustrations, that he married gave us; two of his paintings. Thank the two. He is now a wildlife illustrator you, Szaboics, for the magnificent who does work for books, magazines paintings of the Bellbird and Golden and nature parks and his favourite Tegu! May you succeed in all your subjects are... birds of course! He endeavours. uses water colours, acrylics and oils Do you want to see more of as his media to bring alive whatever Szabi’s artwork? Visit his website at he paints. www.kokay.hu and blog at Before his arrival in Trinidad, Szabi www.kokayart.blogspot.com.

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