[email protected] Tel: (868) 667-4655 February 2019

T&T BIRDING SCENE February 2019: The T&T list gets longer ... and longer ... and longer

By Martyn Kene ck

It’s not often that an island, as small and as well-watched as Trinidad, can report no less than three new for their O cial List in the space of just three months. But we have (subject to Rare Bird Committee rati cation)! Sadly, two of these are (to date) just one person sightings, but the third has  nally settled down in an area where it has been seen by many. Back in December, a Stygian Owl was photographed late at night close to Caroni swamp ( see January Bellbird) whilst in mid-February a Dwarf brie y visited a Roadside Hawk Photo by Cyril Coomansingh garden in La Brea. Obviously the local birding community hopes that they will be rediscovered. Neither of these species were even on our radar as potential vagrants to Trinidad. The third, however, is long overdue. Being a common resident in nearby northern – an adult Roadside Hawk currently performs at the southern end of Nariva Swamp. Will there be a number four?

Stygian Owl Dwarf Cuckoo Photo by Ranier Deo Photo by Tricia Ganness-Moses

Design and Layout courtesy Lonsdale Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising Ltd, a friend of the Asa Wright Nature Centre FEBRUARY • PAGE 2 February 2019 New hiking tour Ever wondered what our other trails have in store? You have the chance to explore our trails like never before on our new hiking tour. A guide will lead the hike which will traverse a di erent route from our Discovery Trail. This hike will be done on a special day during the month and we have the schedule here for you. To join the hike, you must book in advance by calling or emailing our Reservations Desk. Feel free to enquire about our bu et-style lunch which is served at 12 pm.

Hikes for 2019 Saturday 6th April Saturday 4th May Saturday 1st June Saturday 6th July Saturday 3rd August

The hike Time: 10 a.m. sharp Tour length: Approximately 1 ½ hours Suitable close-toed shoes only Challenging trail Children 10 years and over Bookings must be made in advance by calling or emailing our Reservations Desk at: 667-4655 or [email protected] Limited space available. Photo by Wendell SJ Reyes

Design and Layout courtesy Lonsdale Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising Ltd, a friend of the Asa Wright Nature Centre FEBRUARY • PAGE 3 February 2019 Time to debunk this ‘Anansi Story’

By Ian Lambie of at the Natural History Museum in the U.K. and Richard  rench, the editor of A guide to the birds That the Amerindian word “Iere” means “the land of both expressed an opinion of the ” is without foundation. The for the reason why Trinidad has been known as “the opinions of two linguists, Dr. Keith Laurence, in an land of the hummingbird”. issue of the Caribbean Quarterly in 1967, and Dr. During the latter part of the 19th Century, bird’s Lise Winer, in her book The dictionary of English/ feathers were used extensively in the millinery Creole in Trinidad and Tobago, published in 2009, trade to decorate the hats of fashionable ladies both of whom did research on the meaning of the in Europe, and large quantities of Hummingbird word “Iere” have concluded that the word meant skins collected in South American Countries were “the island” or simply “island”, this with reference shipped to Europe via Trinidad for the purpose. to the island which became known as Trinidad, Hence Trinidad became known as “the land of the and not “the land of the hummingbird” as we have Hummingbird” although the Hummingbird skins been taught to believe. Further, in my opinion, the had not originated from Trinidad but from nearby Amerindians would have been aware that there mainland countries. were many more Hummingbird species on the Snow and  rench hypothesised that as a result, mainland than on the island, “Iere”. Trinidad became known as “the land of the Today, we know that there are 18 species of hummingbird”. This hypothesis is acceptable to me. recorded for Trinidad while in nearby countries there are many more species: Colombia (153); Venezuela (103); (38); Surinam (33) and (30), to name a few. P.S. The opinion of Snow and  rench was conveyed to In the early 1970’s, Dr. David Snow, a former Curator me by Richard  rench in 1973.

Ian Lambie worked at the AWNC for a total of 27 years A Tufted Coquette – one of the smallest hummingbirds and was its President and CEO from 1977 to 2001. in Trinidad Photo by Bill Wise

Design and Layout courtesy Lonsdale Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising Ltd, a friend of the Asa Wright Nature Centre FEBRUARY • PAGE 4 February 2019

A Special Retreat

By Pamella Allemany

I took this trip to Springhill, better known as Asa Wright, Because my airline, suddenly delayed my  ight. So here I am ready to spend a very cool, relaxing day, To exhale my depression, extremely far away. I walked into an old house, so clean I couldn’t care, Then came to a verandah, my eyes brought me a tears. I’ve never seen such place, so unbelievable, before, Not knowing I had landed on the foot of nature’s door. Pamela Allemany is a Senior Waitress at As I stand in one position, good God I was not alone, AWNC and has been working here for 29 And there I met some folks who spoke softly with a tone. years. This beauty that was shown, took my breath away, Photo by Johanne Ryan The mountains were all given from Mother Earth to stay. I saw the most amazing birds, of this beautiful universe, Then I really understood that nature did come rst. So pleasant were those birds, did we meet somewhere before? I kept admiring the strange I adore. My thoughts were running free, this depression felt release, I hadn’t spent a day yet, but this place had brought me peace. There I saw a guide explain the history about this place, Such an interesting tour was given, it lit a happy expression on my face. Came back up to that old house, it felt like a precious dream, My tension was all released, knowing where I’d been. The food was so delightful, with service all in one, It felt like a new beginning, to this place I had gone. I booked a room that day, for my  ight can wait in hell, When my thoughts are ready, my adventure I must tell. FEBRUARY • PAGE 5 February 2019

Congratulations Congratulations to Friend of Asa Wright, Amy Deacon, on the birth of her baby boy, Ferdia. Ferdia was born on Charles Darwin’s birthday, February 12. We wish Amy and her family health and happiness on this new journey. Here is Ferdia at just one week old with his mother, Amy, at Asa Wright.

Amy and baby Photo by Johanne Ryan

YOUNG ENVIRONMENTALIST OF THE MONTH If you think your child, aged 5-16, has done something helpful to preserve the environment, please feel free to share it with us. Either write a short story or send a few pictures to [email protected]. He/she may be selected as our Young Environmentalist of the Month. Once your child is featured in our monthly newsletter, he/she and two adults will be given a complimentary day visit to Asa Wright Nature Centre, which includes viewing birds/animals on the verandah, a nature tour and use of the clear water pool.