The Bellbird Newsletter THE ASA WRIGHT NatuRE CENTRE www.asawright.org Tel: (868) 667-4655 Email: [email protected] JUNE 2012 2012 awardees with Minister Moonilal. Photos courtesy EMA GREENLEAF AWARD FOR ASA ... AGAIN The Environmental Management Authority held its Biennial Green Leaf Awards Banquet at the Hilton Trinidad Conference Centre on June 5th, to coincide with World Environment Day. Among those attending from Asa Wright were Chairman Dr. Judith Gobin, former Chair Dr. Carol James, CEO Veronica Simon-Wallace, Kenneth Fournillier, Atkin Isaac and Peter O’Connor. The feature address was given by Minister of Housing & the Environment Dr. Roodal Moonilal and Environmental NGO’s present were pleased with government’s continuing improvement of its Environmental credentials, although much still needs to be done. Asa Wright Nature Centre won the category for Sustainable Eco Tourism, and our Conservation Officer Atkin Isaac, received the award from Minister Moonilal. This was Asa’s second Green Leaf Award, having won the “Environmental Conservation and Protection” category in 2000. Both awards now hang with other awards and honours in the main corridor of the main house at Spring Hill. Atkin Isaac receives award from Minister Moonilal Have you seen a bird, or an animal, or a plant that you could not recognise, WHAT’S THAT BIRD? or were uncertain about? Well, send us your photograph, along with location, Gina from Santa Cruz had this little and your “guess”, and we will try to visitor stay at her home for a few identify the species for you, and publish your question and our response here! days. If you guessed that this bird was the Long-billed Gnatwren, you Email your question and pic to: were correct. [email protected]. Design and Layout courtesy Lonsdale Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising Ltd, a friend of the Asa Wright Nature Centre The Bellbird Newsletter THE ASA WRIGHT NatuRE CENTRE JUNE 2012 • PagE 2 SPECIAL TREAT FOR ANN When our Lodge Manager Ann Sealy retired in January, her staff members gave her a rousing send-off on the verandah of the main house. However, the Board of Trustees was always aware that they would be honouring Ann for her service to Asa Wright in due course. “Due course” came to pass last month when Board Members gathered at Spring Hill for a Special Executive meeting, and to celebrate Ann. On Friday June 15th, local and overseas board members, and some former board members, hosted a double function in Ann (centre) with former Board member Ann, in green top, second row, joins chorus with the charming Jade Vine Arbor and then in Christine Toppin-Allahar, left, vice president Dianne Jeremiah in front row, second from left. Phil Schaeffer, former Chair Dr. Carol James the dining room to thank Ann for her years and Chair Dr. Judith Gobin. of dedication to the Centre. Among those Photos by Kenneth Fournillier present were Ann’s mother, an employee of Spring Hill in the early days, Ann’s husband Frank and daughters, Deborah, who still and kitchen staff produced a magnificent works with us and Rachel. banquet in honour of their friend and former Over cocktails and delicious canapés manager—Ann Sealy. prepared by Events Coordinator Joanne But possibly the highlight – and certainly Ramlal-Singh and her staff, guests reminisced the surprise of the evening – was when the over the good times of the past several years. chefs were called in for appreciation of the Following an address by former Chair Dr. evening’s excellent fare. With the diners still Carol James, Chairman Dr. Judith Gobin applauding the meal, chef Dianne Jeremiah Ann with her family members. presented Ann with a gift on behalf of the burst into song, and presented us with a Board of Trustees. Former Directors Everilde moving a cappella rendition of “To God be from her seat to embrace Dianne and join in Medina and Rodney De Bhoemler were also the Glory”. In a touching moment, Ann rose presented with gifts of appreciation for their the final chorus of the hymn. service. Following an engaging response from To Ann, the BellBird cries: We have in Ann, the whole party moved down to the two short evenings, tried to show you what dining room where the Asa Wright chefs you have meant to us over the years but it is you who have honoured us far more! BLUE-CHINNED SAPPHIRE (Chlorestes notata) The iridescence of the Blue-chinned Photo by Atkin Isaac large, deep cup nests out of plant down and Sapphire can captivate anyone - from the decorates them with lichen. Although not avid bird watcher to the curious young easily heard, the song of the Blue-chinned child. As a member of the Trochilidae Sapphire is a set of fast metallic notes of (Hummingbird) family, it is small, quick, on nectar and only occasionally eats ‘ssssoo, sssoo’. Despite its 0.0889 metres and beautiful of course. The green feathers insects. At our own Springhill Estate, it in length, the Blue-chinned Sapphire on its upper body glisten in the sunlight, is regularly seen feasting on the nectar of remains a shining example of the avian contrasting with its dark blue tail. In the the Vervine (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis) fauna that can be seen at the Asa Wright right lighting, it transforms into a brilliant plants in front of the verandah but it feeds Nature Centre. – J.L. Ryan subject to photograph, and the careful eye on all types of plants - large and small trees may even spot its namesake blue ‘chin’. (e.g. Ryania speciosa or Bois L’agli), shrubs This species, which is common in or herbaceous plants. References: Trinidad forests, is also found in northern This hummingbird breeds from Hilty, Steven L. Birds of Venezuela. 2003. South America, including the Brazilian February to June and normally nests about ffrench, Richard. Birds of Trinidad and Amazon. The feather-covered gem feeds two to five metres above ground. It makes Tobago. 1991 The Bellbird Newsletter THE ASA WRIGHT NatuRE CENTRE JUNE 2012 • PagE 3 Setting up mist nets Photos by Caleb Walker MIGRATORY BIRD MONITORING ur Nature Guide Caleb Walker experts retrieve birds from the mist Ois one of only three persons in nets, saw how gently they were handled, Trinidad & Tobago who is certified to and carefully banded and recorded conduct Bird Banding exercises and before being released. Caleb reported training. Bird Banding involves the that the students showed a genuine gentle, temporary capture of birds, interest in this “new” exercise, seeking recording the species, location and date answers to many questions. Ambassador of capture, then applying a tiny coded Welters was also very interested in band on the bird’s leg. If an already the programme and asked if students “banded” bird is captured, the relevant graduating from universities in the US data is recorded. The exercise allows could come to Trinidad to work with scientists to monitor the migratory patterns of several species of birds for our Bird Banders for their extra credits. research and conservation purposes. We certainly look forward to further In June, Caleb, along with certified collaboration with the Ambassador and Bird Bander Carl Fitz James of Brasso her Embassy. Seco, held a day-long banding exercise Caleb and Carl each attended a in Brasso Seco. The exercise was Bird Banding training course at the conducted with a group of students Klamath Bird Observatory in Oregon, from Bishop Anstey High School and USA, and have worked locally with United States Ambassador to Trinidad Klamath Executive Director Dr. John & Tobago, Mrs. Beatrice Wilkinson Alexander, who visited Asa Wright, Welters, and was done as part of Simla and Brasso Seco earlier this year. International Bird Migratory Day, with We look forward to Caleb developing a the United States Embassy hosting the leading role for Asa Wright in the future students in this learning and outreach banding and monitoring of migratory exercise. The students watched the birds travelling through Trinidad. A Silver-beaked Tanager ready for banding.