The Bellbird Newsletter THE ASA WRIGHT NATURE CENTRE

www.asawright.org Tel: (868) 667-5162 Email: [email protected] JULY 2010

An Asa Wright Farewell Blue Waters for Jason

In this issue we bid farewell to one of our Asa Wright staff stalwarts – Jason Radix. Jason left us in July to take up the position of Operations Manager at the Blue Waters Inn, Speyside, Tobago, and we congratulate him on this move, but look forward to cooperating with him on an JASON RADIX, former Marketing Manager of the Asa Wright Nature Centre, ongoing basis. photographed at the Centre by Conservation Officer Atkin Isaac. Many of the overseas visitors to Spring Hill also include a visit to Blue Waters as part soon Jason was helping two other tour guides the ranks of Tour Guide, Front Desk of their visit to Trinidad and Tobago, so we will with tours of Spring Hill. Supervisor, Marketing Assistant to eventually continue to be in touch with Jason. He finished school and returned to become Marketing Manager. One of his Jason first came to Asa Wright during work at Asa Wright as a tour guide and also responsibilities was the preparation and the August school vacation of 1992. He enrolled at the Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality production of the BellBird Newsletter, and it is says that his aunt, who was working as a and Tourism Institute where he acquired an here that he will be especially missed! kitchen supervisor, brought him here, and associate degree in Tourism Management. He We all wish Jason the very best in his he immediately fell in love with the place. then entered the University of the West Indies new position, and look forward to sharing Spending time on the verandah he learned to get his full degree in Tourism Hospitality guests with him in the future. the names of the birds and the flowers and and Management, and then continued And, for those who may not know, the plants upon which they fed, and then began postgraduate studies in this field. aunt who first brought him to Spring Hill to help identifying these to guests. This While at university he continued to is Ann Sealey, now Lodge Manager of the “help” got him recruited by the manager, and work at Asa Wright, progressing through Centre!

THE TROPICAL SCREECH OWL (Otus choliba) The Tropical Screech Owl or cross-streaks. However, perhaps and orchards as evidenced by Otus choliba (also known as Spix’s the easiest way of identifying their calls. They commonly nest Screech Owl) is one of the six this owl is by its call. One can in tree cavities or woodpecker species across T&T that gets much hear screech-like hoots in quick holes during the February to May less attention than it merits. It succession leading up to a loud period. At this time, a bird would belongs to the genus Otus, which single or double note. lay between one and four eggs. exists in both the Tropical and Tropical Screech Owls After being incubated by the Temperate regions of the world normally forage alone for a variety female, they hatch and 30 days excluding the Australian region. It of small and large invertebrates, later are ready for flight. ranks as the second smallest owl including grasshoppers, beetles, Recently, staff at the Asa in T&T, measuring 7.8 -9.5 inches spiders, moths and leaf-cutting Wright Nature Centre had the in length and is strictly nocturnal. ants. Sometimes there may even fortune of hosting an injured In addition to Trinidad & Tobago, it be a small bird on the menu! Tropical Screech Owl for a few ranges from Costa Rica to North Foraging often takes place on days. The poor fellow was too weak Argentina, Paraguay, Southern roadsides, resulting in roadside to even fly, but after three days of Brazil and parts of Venezuela. casualties. They, like many other close monitoring and care, he was This owl can be identified by owls, play an important role in as animated as one can imagine. its short ear tufts, greyish-brown controlling the population of many Lovingly named “Frank,” he was head and dark streaks on the types of invertebrates. released on the Spring Hill Estate, Show us your photography crown and upper part of the body. Although these owls are after his exclusive photo shoot skills by sending any such Its facial disc is brown and outlined mainly found in forests and the of course. How many species interesting photos to asawright1@ in white. The under part of this forest edge, they can also be of owls have you seen in your gmail.com. Your photo may be owl is pale grey with fine dark found living in coffee plantations neighbourhood? selected for a future issue! BellBird Newsletter JULY 2010 Page 2

September 2009 NT r e u r e C e T N AT The BellbirdSA W r i g h Newsletter T h e A Celebrating ‘e’! www.asawright.org UTC clears trails at

The Bearded Bellbird Asa Wright (Procnias averano)

nd most Listen for the Bellbird one is Bellbird By far one of the loudest a peculiar forest bird species he Mossy Throated likely to see, the Beardednaro because of its With this issue of the Bellbird receive from the good people at orate – also called t metallic sound nit Trust Corporation (uTC), in a Bellbird or Campa u ed volunteerh ill ard and recognised Staff of the to beard-like wattles and – can easily be he continuingresponsibility, effort to exercise he perform Asa their Wright Corp Spring s are of Social during forest excursions. trail-clearing work on t ur species which Newsletter we are celebrating Lonsdale Saatchi & Saatchi who These pigeon-sized Bellbird estate during the weekends from May 31 otinga family and staff) a small group of fo July 25, 2009. uTC staff members (just All hout most of the 250 form part of the C pendages, go) were are distributedropics. throug All Cotingas are An estimated ehaviours. under half of the company’s entire g American t participated in this year’s programme. adorned with strange ap pull all the graphics together for otingas, Bellbird males 12 months of the Bellbird on the colours and/or have odd b branch offices (except from Toba s (heard over great e company’s first Unlike other C represented, with most participants having teers commenting that it rforming explosively visited before on private trips,08. some havin are raucous bird ll-like sounds used aging distances), pe made their first visit during th done with some volun loud croaks orertise be their territories. volunteer programme in 20 rest and was their first time in the rainforest.nt Ms. Denise at mainly to adv Internet. The decision to share us before we send it off to you. l ated the programme, irds can be heard ojas, who they all During the clean-up sessions,r groups aver uTC’s Marketing Assista laying within the that it was a These forest b 30 persons were lead into the fo ential to Artherton, who coordin ions of the forest and observed disp overseen by Mr. Winston s. Clearance was in high praise of the work everyone conducted involved. hile the Bearded rsued sub-canopy reg claimed was veryhis assistance informative, was professiona ess the Centre and communicated (30-80 feetis the up). only W resident species in and helpful. -mile network of trails was rewarding experience for ften heard rather than And did you ever wonder: the programme’s overall succes Bellbird our information on the World Wide This exercise, she said, is just one of a series of t Trinidad, it ongis o the best places to see of the Centre’s ten uTC’s Corporate Social programmes pu seen. Amal bird is along the nature around the country, ful to the right Nature Centre. for the this speci trails of Asa W Management and Staff of the Asa Wrigh ard Web rather than mailing out lots Why the Bellbird? Well, as you Nature Centre are exceedinglyteer work donegrate over the unit Trust Corporation and thank them tremendous volun programme’s last two cycles, and look forw of printed paper was a natural can read in the September 2009 to hosting them again in the future. t.net.tt asaright@tst Email: step for a conservation-oriented issue posted on the Asa Wright CENTRE CLOSED FORTel: (868) RENOVATIONS 667-5162 The Asa Wright Nature Centre & Lodge will be closed to the visiting public for renovations from Thursday 3rd – Wednesday 16th September 2009. organisation. And our first e-edition website (www.asawright.org), The Bellbird Newsletter was sent out in August 2009. the Bellbird has the loudest call THE ASA WRIGHT NATURE CENTRE • March 2010 From April 2010 New Zealand to THE ASA WRIGHT NATURE CENTRE The decision was also in the forest, so we chose that Copper-rumped www.asawright.org Asa Wright in Hummingbird LEAVING HIS JOB December 2009, Courtneyand homeland Van B in Trinidad name to send out our message! set out as an explorer in search of his contingent upon the upgrade eek El Dorado – the As Centre, Trinidad. Still ina his Wright earl Nature Courtney recently completed y 20s, undergraduate training in This e-newsletter is graphic design at Massey done by our Internet provider, University, New Zealand, and is an enthusiastic amateur wildlife photographer. Courtney Van Beek and Asa Wright guide distributed via direct email, He arrived in Trinidad Atkin Isaac at the Na TSTT! Thanks to their support, our two months after leavi ture Centre. Zealand (with brief stopsng inNew Pan Courtney assisted in redesigning Argentina, Peru and Chile) to actualise Asa’s bar menus, produced bookmarks ama, his commitment to volunteer at the Asa and posters, and onotus) and posted on our website as Wright Nature Centre. in Asa Wright’s Butterfly expressed Garden keen i interest (Amazilia tobaci erythr His next stop is a jungle mission in sometimes problematic service Almost immediately on arrival nitiative. Whether green, blue, turquoise or Courtney went to work, though he was the Corcovado Reserve of Costa Rica, Outreach Programme Returns to Schools aquamarine… whether tufted, hooded or then to Nicaragua, his fina clearly distracted by the doz crested, hummingbirds are star attractions performing off the Asa Wrightens verandah, of birds returning to New Zealand wherel stop he before plan wherever they appear. This highly popular well as our personal Facebook and also visible from the large windows to hone his skills in graphic design. His Asa Wright Back in Class bird family, concentrated within the American s of the Ian Lambie Ed lifelong aspiration is to work tropics and Caribbean, comes in a variety of was sorted out early last year and artist for or the past three years, students and couldn’t contain his gleeucation when he Unit. was He sizes and colour combinations. Of the species, National Geographic as a graphic children have been the only stable and the Copper-rumped Hummingbird is the most asked to photograph some of th Asa Wright extends heartfeltmagazine. increasing segment of excursionists and wildlife he would later use to prepare a gratitude to Cour F common and well-distributed on both our day-trippers to the Asa Wright Nature Centre. account and fan page. Butterfly Identification poster an e priceless contributiontney and Van wishes Beek for his islands. At home in forests, savannahs and So it is timely that the Education Outreach best in his endeavours. The nature swamps, it also frequents flowering yards in educational material. d other him the Programme is now being reintroduced, we have enjoyed reliable service centre welcomes persons with similar residential areas. conducted by Denise Etienne, who at Asa First-time visiting birdwatchers to Asa commitment to the environm Wright is a contributor to the overall growth Wright Nature Centre are more likely to see Asa, Guardian Wildlife Trust share inpartner 5 withAddy us by becoming a volunteer, ent to in student and young visitors under age 12. the Copper-rumped Hummingbird before We may be physically intern or financial contributor. Denise, employed with the Asa Wright any other species, as they forage between Nature Centre for over 10 years, has worked flowering plants and nectar feeders. Trinidad and Tobago’s Lonsdale Saatchi & since then, so this e-edition in the Tour Guide department and once While not as brilliantly hued as many of Saatchi Advertising Ltd has won six Gold ® held the position of Senior Guide. During its more flamboyant cousins, this species 22 Silver Addy awards, including the Bes only endemic bird, won twoAwards Silver Addy her career at the Centre her knowledge An estimated 700 students from 14 schools is particularly known for its belligerence Show award, at the Caribbean Advertisingand Illustration and Publication Design. towards rival birds (not always other s – for and passion for nature has flourished with have been visited in the past two years, all remote, but we are just a click Federation’s annual Awards for Excellence.t of Production of hummingbirds) invading its territory. This a particular interest in naturalist teaching. located within and surrounding the Arima We are extremely proud of our part by Guardian WildlifeThe Trust Promise and the of Pawi the Paw She formalised this interest in 2008 during Valley. Classes selected to participate are behaviour may be typical of many (if not all) depends upon TSTT as well! We at Lonsdale for their achievement, espe Foundation (with a UNDP grant) began with i hummingbird species, but the Copper-rumped a nine-month teacher naturalist workshop at standards two and three, with children aged since five of the awards were given ners Lonsdale’s partnership with Asa Wright, the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed in New seven to 10 years old. Students and teachers is the best example of the family’s aggressive cially of the few habitats left for the endange territorialism. Written by Janice Hernandez done through the Lonsdale partnership with Jersey. Upon her return, discussions between are briefed on the programme’s objectives Illustrated by Leizelle Guinness for work one The Copper-rumped Hummingbird can be the Asa Wright Nature Centre. Pawi. Dr Carol James chairs both the Asa her and members of the Board lead to the and what is expected of them. Most of the away from you! So log in! further recognised by its straight bill, green red Wright Nature Centre and Guardian Wildlife creation of the “Valley Schools Outreach exercises are conducted at the school through Two of the Silver Addys were awarded crown, bright green face and underparts, Cover of the children’s book produce Trust boards. The book will be launched Programme” (VSOP) and she was appointed weekly visits by Denise, but also include a also appreciate the inputs we for illustrations in the “Step Away... (and visit white rear flanks, rufus wings and undertail April 14 at the Normandie. Lonsdale Saatchi & Saatchi for Gu Nature at Asa Wright)” concept, to the Education department. field trip to the Asa Wright Centre. Wildlife Trust and Pawi Fou d by Asa Wright enjoys a special w on coverts, green nape and back, coppery bronze ardian Life Silver was won for the “Asa Wright Birds” According to Denise, this programme is A new term began in April and it is Lonsdale’s partnership withndation, Asa Wright. through and another partnership with Lonsdale, who through their lower mantle and rump, and greyish blue tail. poster. orking broadly developed to connect the “great Denise’s hope that the programme will some Adult male and female birds look alike and The Promise of the Pawi worldwide Saatchi & Saatchi network’s B outdoors” to various classroom subjects at the day be expanded to schools outside of the book, which highlights the plight of Trinidad’s project have helped us with public relati can be seen from the main house verandah children’s Primary level. Some objectives include exciting Arima area incorporating national spread, initiatives over the past year, including theLUE and throughout the Asa Wright property. and educating students with nature which acceptance and participation. Persons willing Come see for yourself! production of this monthly ons exists in their own schoolyards, enhancing to contribute and/or participate in this Bellbird newsletter. basic English skills (grammar, spelling and programme are asked to contactor 667-4655. the Centre creative/poetry writing), as well as creative at [email protected] art skills and imagination, by various activities using examples from nature.

Asa Wright Bird Tour 2010 Binoculars for the bats Birding along any of Asa Wight’s forest trails BCI tours were led by BCI President is sure to produce countless flights of avian and Founder Dr Merlin Tuttle, fancy as some of the Centre’s feathered mammal field guide author Fiona citizenry show off their brilliant colours to Reid, and Trinidad-born wildlife mates, rivals and bird watchers alike, while naturalist Geoffrey Gomes. others display intricate foraging behaviour and delightful courtship performances. Bat Conservation International Guides: Trinidad wildlife naturalist Geoffrey Gomes (left) But not every animal that flies over the watches as BCI Founder Merlin Tuttle (seated) head of an overwhelmed birder on an Asa displays a bat for guests. Mammalogist Fiona Wright trail is necessarily a bird. Indeed, Reid is standing behind Tuttle. many birders have been beguiled away from focusing their binoculars on a target bird Both islandwide tours were highly by the distracting swoop of another master successful with a total of 27 bat species flier patrolling the forest path just a few feet caught and/or observed during the January overhead. trip, and 32 species during the May trip Sac-winged or White-lined Bats, to Trinidad. At Asa Wright itself, nets were Saccopteryx sp., are found in most positioned in various locations but the most forest habitats, and although these bats productive were those placed along the Discovery Trail, where, in just two hours, 14 are commonly seen flying and hunting species of bats were caught in mist nets. To mosquitoes and other small insects during provide a bit of perspective, when the BCI the day in Trinidad, this behaviour is actually Founders Circle visited Uganda in 2009, very unusual elsewhere in their range. they caught a grand total of 15 species of There are two species of White-lined Bats bats in their entire two-week visit! recorded on the island, among Trinidad’s A nectar feeder and flower pollinator: Bat species caught on the property almost 70 recorded bat species. This individual is being fed sugar water to display the were carefully bagged and taken back to the The Founders Circle of the Texas- long tongue it uses to probe flowers for nectar. Many Asa Wright verandah where the three guides based organisation, Bat Conservation species of forest plants and trees depend on bats for conducted an after-dinner “show and tell” for cross-pollination. At right, Sac-winged Bat. This insect International (BCI), visited Trinidad and the eater is commonly seen flying over forest paths during the 11 tour participants. After the display, Asa Wright Nature Centre twice this year the day. It will consume many pounds of mosquitoes each bat was safely released to continue its during the months of January and May. The during its lifetime. Photos: Geoffrey Gomes nocturnal foraging activities.

Design and Layout courtesy Lonsdale Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising Ltd, a friend of the Asa Wright Nature Centre