The Squirrel Cuckoo mimics the sound of a human whistle- the ‘woop, woooo’ that is sometimes made by males in the presence of an attractive female. It has a large repertoire of calls but the one mentioned above is the most common.

This member of the Cuculidae family is an inhabitant of forests and semi-open cultivated areas in Trinidad. Cuckoos stay mostly in the middle to the tops of trees, where they forage for preferred meals in insects and lizards. Our ‘Coucou Manioc’ as it is also called, likes large insects including caterpillars, cicadas, grasshoppers and beetles.

Characteristically, the cuckoo darts like a squirrel in trees, its long tail trailing behind it. When flying, it will glide for a short time. Stealthily, it stalks its prey and launches at them at the appropriate time or occasionally sallies for flying insects.

The Squirrel Cuckoo has a rufous head, back and long tail with white-tipped tail feathers, red eyes and a greenish-yellow eye-ring and bill. It resembles another one of our species in Trinidad, the Little Cuckoo, except for some distinguishing features. The ‘Coucou Manioc’ is larger (17 inches), has a longer tail and has a pale pinkish upper throat and pale grey lower breast. The Squirrel Cuckoo inhabits Southern Mexico to middle and south America and of course, Trinidad.

In Trinidad, breeding has been recorded in January, May, July and October. This cuckoo makes a nest out of twigs and lined with dead leaves, 15-40 feet above ground normally. It lays two pale yellow eggs which the male and female help incubate. Both parents also feed the young.

Come to Asa Wright Nature Centre in the right season and you may get a live viewing of the endearing Squirrel Cuckoo.

This painting of the Squirrel Cuckoo was done by Don Richard Eckelberry (1921-2001), a renowned wildlife artist who played a significant role in establishing the Asa Wright Nature Centre.

– J.L. Ryan

References:

Hilty, Steven L. Birds of Venezuela. 2003.

ffrench, Richard. Birds of Trinidad and Tobago. 1991

Rainbow against a rain-washed sky.

 
As weather patterns change everywhere, our little islands have also been affected.
While we hear of the extreme – from droughts to floods, and heat waves to
bitter cold – we are thankful that our changes have been benign…so far!
This year our dry season was sprinkled with almost daily showers. And so our hills
stayed green, and the little streams that run through Spring Hill sparkled and sang
happily all through the dry months. This meant there were no forest fires, so no
birds’ nests, or bee hives were destroyed, or ground dwelling animals were forced to
flee for their lives.
All this has resulted in natural blessings for Asa Wright! The trees and
plants are still in flower, and bird counts are up, and as regular BellBird readers
will know, unusual animal sightings have occurred around the estate.
Those of us, who worried that we may have had torrents when the rainy season
officially began, have been pleasantly surprised. The rains continue, but there
is the beautiful mix of sunny days and intermittent showers when the sunshine
and the rain create beautiful rainbows in the valley’s mist. When we wander the
forest trails, we walk in the embrace of these mists, eerie but poignant! Sunbeams
pierce the canopy above to highlight that bird, butterfly or flower just as we walk by.
Most visitors come to Asa Wright in the northern winter months between
December and March – mainly to escape the cold. But if you can, you should try
Asa in the summer. Everything you can wish for in a rainforest bird sanctuary is
there — with rainbows added!

Ann (centre) with former Board member Christine Toppin-Allahar, left, vice president Phil Schaeffer, former Chair Dr. Carol James and Chair Dr. Judith Gobin. Photos by Kenneth Fournillier.

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 the charming Jade Vine Arbor and then in the dining room to thank Ann for her years of dedication to the Centre. Among those present were Ann’s mother, an employee of Spring Hill in the early days, Ann’s husband Frank and daughters, Deborah, who still works with us and Rachel.

Ann with her family members.

Over cocktails and delicious canapés prepared by Events Coordinator Joanne Ramlal-Singh and her staff, guests reminisced over the good times of the past several years. Following an address by former Chair Dr. Carol James, Chairman Dr. Judith Gobin presented Ann with a gift on behalf of the Board of Trustees. Former Directors Everilde Medina and Rodney De Bhoemler were also presented with gifts of appreciation for their service. Following an engaging response from Ann, the whole party moved down to the dining room where the Asa Wright chefs and kitchen staff produced a magnificent banquet in honour of their friend and former manager—Ann Sealy.

But possibly the highlight – and certainly the surprise of the evening – was when the chefs were called in for appreciation of the evening’s excellent fare. With the diners still applauding the meal, chef Dianne Jeremiah burst into song, and presented us with a moving a cappella rendition of “To God be the Glory”. In a touching moment, Ann rose from her seat to embrace Dianne and join in the final chorus of the hymn. To Ann, the BellBird cries: We have in two short evenings, tried to show you what you have meant to us over the years but it is you who have honoured us far more!

Ann, in green top, second row, joins chorus with Dianne Jeremiah in front row, second from left.

Photo by Atkin Isaac.

The iridescence of the Blue-chinned Sapphire can captivate anyone – from the avid bird watcher to the curious young child. As a member of the Trochilidae (Hummingbird) family, it is small, quick, and beautiful of course. The green feathers on its upper body glisten in the sunlight, contrasting with its dark blue tail. In the right lighting, it transforms into a brilliant subject to photograph, and the careful eye may even spot its namesake blue ‘chin’.

This species, which is common in Trinidad forests, is also found in northern South America, including the Brazilian Amazon. The feather-covered gem feeds on nectar and only occasionally eats insects. At our own Springhill Estate, it is regularly seen feasting on the nectar of the Vervine (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis) plants in front of the verandah but it feeds on all types of plants – large and small trees (e.g. Ryania speciosa or Bois L’agli), shrubs or herbaceous plants.

This hummingbird breeds from February to June and normally nests about two to five metres above ground. It makes large, deep cup nests out of plant down and decorates them with lichen. Although not easily heard, the song of the Blue-chinned Sapphire is a set of fast metallic notes of ‘ssssoo, sssoo’. Despite its 0.0889 metres in length, the Blue-chinned Sapphire remains a shining example of the avian fauna that can be seen at the Asa Wright Nature Centre.

– J.L. Ryan

References:

• Hilty, Steven L. Birds of Venezuela. 2003.
• ffrench, Richard. Birds of Trinidad and Tobago. 1991

Setting up mist nets. Photos by Caleb Walker

Our Nature Guide Caleb Walker is one of only three persons in Trinidad & Tobago who is certified to conduct Bird Banding exercises and training. Bird Banding involves the gentle, temporary capture of birds, recording the species, location and date of capture, then applying a tiny coded band on the bird’s leg. If an already “banded” bird is captured, the relevant data is recorded. The exercise allows scientists to monitor the migratory patterns of several species of birds for research and conservation purposes. In June, Caleb, along with certified Bird Bander Carl Fitz James of Brasso Seco, held a day-long banding exercise in Brasso Seco. The exercise was conducted with a group of students from Bishop Anstey High School and United States Ambassador to Trinidad & Tobago, Mrs. Beatrice Wilkinson Welters, and was done as part of International Bird Migratory Day, with the United States Embassy hosting the students in this learning and outreach exercise. The students watched the

experts retrieve birds from the mist nets, saw how gently they were handled, and carefully banded and recorded before being released. Caleb reported that the students showed a genuine interest in this “new” exercise, seeking answers to many questions. Ambassador Welters was also very interested in the programme and asked if students graduating from universities in the US could come to Trinidad to work with our Bird Banders for their extra credits. We certainly look forward to further collaboration with the Ambassador and her Embassy.

Caleb and Carl each attended a Bird Banding training course at the Klamath Bird Observatory in Oregon, USA, and have worked locally with Klamath Executive Director Dr. John Alexander, who visited Asa Wright, Simla and Brasso Seco earlier this year. We look forward to Caleb developing a leading role for Asa Wright in the future banding and monitoring of migratory birds travelling through Trinidad.

A Silver-beaked Tanager ready for banding.

2012 awardees with Minister Moonilal. Photos courtesy EMA

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.

Atkin Isaac receives award from Minister Moonilal

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.

White-flanked Antwren (Myrmotherula axillaris)

The White-flanked Antwren is one of the most widespread species of its kind and is one of the most common in the lowland forests of the Orinoco. Its range extends from southern Honduras to Bolivia and eastern Brazil and, of course, Trinidad.

The males and females of this tiny 4-inched bird are dissimilar. Males are dark grey to black with white polka dots at the top of the wings. The edge of their tails appear to have been dipped in white. On the other hand, females are brown with yellowish underparts and rufous wings. The faint dots on their wings are barely noticeable. However, they have white flanks as do their male counterparts. For those who are unsure, flanks are the sides of a bird’s belly which are just below its wings.
An inhabitant of our primary and secondary forests, the antwren’s flanks are seen as flickers of white. It twitches its wings while foraging for its choice of insects and other small arthropods.
This antwren can also be heard chuckling rapidly, Chew- chew-cheew or whistling a high-pitched queep. It often follows flocks of other species, including antbirds and other antwrens.
Our tiny avian friend breeds from April to August and makes cup nests from leaves. Listen carefully for its song the next time you are at Asa Wright.

Participants of the workshop (photos by Kenneth Fournillier)

The Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) three-day workshop on communication, networking and building partnerships was recently held at our rainforest retreat, Asa Wright Nature Centre. On the first day, workshop leader Ms. Celeste Chariandy, introduced the session by telling us the best ways to “sell” our groups. The community groups present hailed from Aripo, Blanchisseuse and Brasso Seco, three villages in which CANARI is carrying out ongoing work.

We discussed the elements and types of communication and networking. Several entertaining and educational activities were used to help us understand the material being taught. Attempting to get someone standing in a specific corner using only signs, speaking or writing is harder than you think.

On day two we were privileged to listen to Mr. Dennis Sammy, president of Nature Seekers, as he chronicled the group’s development. He provided refreshing insight on leadership and networking. The advice that truly stood out was that to improve one’s group, one must start by improving oneself. This talk was followed by more interactive activities while Asa Wright’s culinary delights provided the energy for us to remain alert.

The final day was one of re-examination of communication methods that have been successful and continue to be challenging for the community groups. Participants used a video presentation, Power Point presentation and a skit to get these messages across. Among the group presenters was Asa Wright’s Mr. Kenneth Fournillier, president of the Blanchisseuse Environmental Art Trust (BEAT). Representatives from organisations such as IICA, UNDP, CDF and the CCIB, who witnessed these presentations, were able to address questions from the community groups.

Many persons left the workshop with a renewed sense of communication and its benefits thanks to CANARI facilitators Ms. Chariandy and Ms. Sandy.

Tropical Mockingbird photo by Mark Hedden/Caligo Ventures

The Tropical Mocking bird is a member of the Mimidae family, Mockingbirds and Thrashers, which are restricted to the New World. Although it is indeed a mockingbird it is not known to do what you would expect: mimic the calls of other species, but it shares other features of the same family.

The talented singer has quite a musical repertoire, which is unique to its species. The enthusiastic and oft repeated melodic phrases are sometimes likened to certain human phrases. The interpretations of these songs are as varied as the places in which the bird is found: southern Mexico to northern South America to the Lesser Antilles. Apart from whistling a tune, the Mockingbird can cluck and wheeze.

This graceful bird, just about ten inches, yellow eyes, black bill, white eyestripes and ashen plumage (grey upperparts and whitish underparts), will aggressively defend its territory, having the impudence to chase off larger birds and lizards. It forages near or on the ground, runs swiftly, and stops suddenly with its tail pointed up.

The Tropical Mockingbird eats insects, small vertebrates and likes fruits as much as you and I do. It makes a bowl-shaped nest out of twigs and normally lays two to three pale blue green eggs with brown spots. In Trinidad, breeding has been recorded in all months except August and December.

If you live in the suburbs, its delightful song will make you look up to a telephone line or fruit tree where you’ll see the Mockingbird perched.

– J.L. Ryan

References:

• Hilty, Steven L. Birds of Venezuela 2003.
• ffrench, Richard. Birds of Trinidad and Tobago. 1991

Photo of a peccary by Stephen Broadbridge

Recent visitors would have noticed, as you come down the driveway, a newly cleared area, through which the Arima River flows. This is being cleared to open the area for planting some big trees to create a high canopy over the stream. But it also brought some interesting “visitors”. One mid-morning in late March, gardener Ranbarran Bharath went to check the trees he had planted, and met two collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu) in the stream! Known locally as Quenk, these two did not appear concerned at human presence, and walked slowly off through the bamboo.

Naturally we are all delighted at the increasing number of animal species being sighted at Spring Hill over the past few months.