This mural entitled ‘The Washerwoman’ which was illustrated by Kenneth Fournillier, was done to commemorate the Blanchisseuse Sea Moss Project. It represents the culture of the Blanchisseuse community.

The Blanchisseuse Environmental Art Trust (BEAT) is an organisation closely aligned with the Asa Wright Nature Centre. Our Education and Outreach Officer, Kenneth Fournillier, is also the President of BEAT, and is involved with Community Outreach and Project Development among the Blanchisseuse community. The village sits on the coast at the end of the Arima Blanchisseuse Road, and is one of the better known birding areas for our visitors. The community also supplies us with our fresh fish, and soon might be providing us with Sea Moss.

“Sea Moss” is a popular health and restorative drink in the Caribbean. In Trinidad and Tobago it is made from special seaweed which grows along the underwater and tidal rock faces in the Blanchisseuse area of the North Coast. Sea Moss cultivation and marketing at the community and small entrepreneurial level provides a living for many persons who harvest and dry the seaweed before selling it to small shopkeepers who blend it with milk to sell as “Sea Moss Punch”. The particular moss for this drink is Gelidicius serrulatum which only grows on a stretch of coast between Las Cuevas and Toco. As demand created over-harvesting of the moss along this stretch of coast, BEAT, along with others, approached CANARI (Caribbean Natural Resources Institute) for help in developing a more sustainable “crop” of the moss. Working along with the Institute of Marine Affairs and others, BEAT began recording and assessing data on harvesting times and techniques in order to develop a more sustainable and constantly available “crop” of Sea Moss.

The BEAT group with members of the UNDP smile at the launching ceremony of the mural.

One of the important findings was that Sea Moss cut at its base grew back faster than sea moss pulled by its roots from the rock surfaces. Other practices were developed to enhance the regrowth of the moss, and the word was spread to other coastal communities, so that they could benefit from the knowledge gained. Sea Moss production is expected to increase through the North Coast, and parlours and restaurants expect a continuing supply to make and market the popular Sea Moss Punch islandwide.

Making Sea Moss Punch

Ingredients:

• 1 lb dried Sea Moss
• 2 limes
• 250 ml packet evaporated milk
• 1 tin condensed milk
• 2 tsp. Angostura Bitters
• 1 stick cinnamon bark
• Water and sugar to consistency and taste

Method:

Clean the dried moss, then soak in lime juice for 12 hours (to remove the “fresh” taste), wash and boil with the cinnamon until the mixture becomes gelatinous. Remove the cinnamon and blend and strain. When cool, add the evaporated and the condensed milk, blend again with bitters, and add sugar to taste. Leave to cool and serve with ice.

Germaine Hospedales exchanged marriage vows with Joseph Hopkins.

Although it has been a rainy dry season up at Spring Hill, the sun shone through on Wednesday 4th as Germaine Hospedales exchanged marriage vows with Joseph Hopkins. This happy couple had their morning Wedding Ceremony conducted on the beautiful Asa Wright Verandah, with about thirty-five family members and close friends present. Blessed with sunshine and the beautiful panoramic view down the Arima Valley, the formal ceremony then moved out to the beautiful Jade Vine Arbor for the reception.
In a setting decorated with the naturally beautiful hanging Jade Vine flowers, and exquisite cut wild flowers from the Spring Hill gardens, the happy couple entertained their guests at a luncheon prepared and served by the Asa Wright Staff.
We believe that weddings celebrated at Spring Hill will result in long and happy marriages! We wish Joseph and Germaine every blessing, and hope that they will return to enjoy our setting and hospitality on their future Anniversaries!

The White-necked Thrush is seldom seen in its mountain forest habitat. It ensconces itself in the nooks and crannies of the forest while still being clearly heard. It can also be likened to a blues singer for it whistles, a sad but melodious tune. Its song is one of the first to be heard on an early morning in our rainforest. The Thrush often calls from the undergrowth which it frequents.

Olive-brown feathers on the upperparts of the White-necked Thrush contrast with light grey feathers underneath it. This bird has a brown and white streaked upper throat and a clear white lower throat. The light grey colour of the belly fades to white at the bird’s posterior. The White-necked Thrush measures eight inches and is found in Central and South America, in areas east of the Andes.

On a quiet walk through Springhill Estate the White-necked Thrush may be seen hopping along our trails and even perched on our hand rails. However, it hardly allows you get close to it. This Thrush eats fruit as well as invertebrates from the ground. Its breeding season peaks between March and June.

Amid the rainforest, tracking down the White-necked Thrush can be both challenging and rewarding especially when one gets a peek of the bird, camouflaged among the foliage.

– J.L. Ryan

References:

• Hilty, Steven L. Birds of Venezuela. Princeton University Press. 2003.

• ffrench, Richard. Birds of Trinidad and Tobago. Cornell University Press. 1991

Shortly after the Government announced a freeze on NQL’s expansion and the proposed re-planting of trees, AWNC was invited by the Minister of Housing and the Environment, Dr. Roodal Moonilal, to attend a private “round table” discussion on quarrying and the environment. This was followed by a public signing of a document restoring quarry controls to the Environmental Management Authority (EMA).

Both events were held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Monday 19th March. The round table discussion was hosted by Dr. Moonilal and Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine. Other participants included the EMA, Council of Presidents’ of the Environment (COPE), Trini Eco Warriors, Forestry Division, and quarrying interests, as well as Dr. Judith Gobin for AWNC.

Each group was given a hearing by the Ministers, and most spoke of the need to have better controls on quarrying, and he need to minimise quarrying of the Northern Range. While the quarrying interests supported their activities, Dr. Gobin was firm in her statements about the potential damage done to our environment by quarrying activities and urged stronger controls.

The “round table” then moved into another room at the Hyatt to meet the media and to witness the formal signing of the document to restore quarrying controls to the EMA. Dr. Gobin spoke at this event, and expressed the deepest gratitude of the AWNC and environmentalists for the recent decisions of the Government, and the overwhelming support received on this issue.

The AWNC anticipates urgent implementation of these landmark decisions by government to stem the unacceptable rate of degradation witnessed around the country from quarrying.

Guardians of Mother Earth – AWNC CEO Veronica Simon-Wallace, Chairman Dr. Judith Gobin, Former Chairman Dr. Carol James (in front of mural painted by AWNC’s Community Outreach Officer Kenneth Fournillier). Photo by Kenneth Fournillier.

All the friends of the Asa Wright Nature Centre (AWNC) are aware of the quarrying activities down the valley at Verdant Vale. The four limestone quarries there create massive scars in the forested hillsides. We continue to lobby for better operating procedures and controls on the quarries, in order to minimise their impact on the environment. In one small way we were spared having to gaze into the sores from our verandah. There is a ridge and a line of trees which kept most of the operations hidden from our view.
But that changed early in March. All of a sudden, National Quarries Company Limited (NQL), the Government-owned quarry, sent equipment over the ridge, and began bulldozing a large swathe of hillside, in full view of our verandah. We could even hear the sound of the tractors!
Chairman Dr. Judith Gobin immediately sent a letter to the Minister of Planning and Development, Dr. Bhoe Tewarie, asking who, if anyone, had given NQL permission to expand their operations over the ridge. Others immediately wrote the media, and sent copies to relevant government ministers. All of these letters were posted on Facebook, and a massive outcry was raised against the expanded quarrying.
The reaction from the Government was immediate, and surprising, but warmly welcomed. The Minister of Energy and Energy Affairs, Senator Kevin Ramnarine called immediately to ask if he could visit on Friday 9th March to see the problem. Chairman Gobin and former Chair Dr. Carol James both came up to Spring Hill to meet the Minister and his entourage, which included officials of NQL. The Senator observed the situation from the verandah, and listened to the concerns of Asa Wright. He also heard the arguments from NQL for the expansion. Other government ministers, including Housing and the Environment
Minister Dr. Roodal Moonilal, Works and Infrastructure Minister Jack Warner, and Dr Bhoe Tewarie also expressed their support for Asa Wright’s position.
AWNC held a media conference in the verandah on Monday 12th March. Members of the media saw the destruction of the forest on the mountainside, and learned of the threats to biodiversity, future water supplies and the possibility of guests not wanting to visit in the future.
The media carried the story and our concerns through the week which followed.
On Tuesday 13th March, Dr. Gobin was a guest on CNC3 TV’s Morning programme, where she outlined AWNC’s concerns to the nation. Later that day the Government announced that NQL had been instructed to cease the expansion, return to their original area, and to begin a re-planting exercise to replace the trees felled. But more than this. They announced that the “control” of quarrying nationwide would revert to the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), from where it had been moved some four years earlier.
This meant that the overview of all quarrying operations would be conducted by the EMA, in the Ministry of the Environment, and not the Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs. This move has received the support of all environmental groups.

Dr. Carol James, Veronica Simon-Wallace, Minister of Energy Senator Kevin Ramnarine, Ag. PS Mr. Richard Oliver, Dr. Judith Gobin, Ag. Director of Minerals Mr. Monty Beharry. Photo by Atkin Isaac.

Just two years ago we wrote, in worry, about “The dry Dry Season”, the extended drought that we were experiencing. Our concern then was about the bush fires becoming forest fires and destroying our forests.

And today, when we should be over a month into the dry season, we are experiencing regular and sometimes heavy rainfall.

Is the weather confused? Or is it just confusing us who probably notice it more than we adapt to it. We are seeing subtle changes in the flowering and fruiting of some of our forest trees. While we are accustomed to seeing the flaming Immortelle flowering at this time, there are some Chaconia blooming as well, and this should not happen until around July.

But we can feel the Dry Season pushing through! The strong northeasterly breezes, the spanking blue sky between the sudden showers, and the fact that the trails underfoot are becoming drier makes this transition period an especially beautiful time to be at Asa Wright.

The forests are cooler, the birds are brighter, and seem to sing more stridently, and the rivers and streams are full, and go crashing down through the valley. It’s a beautiful time to be here with us, so, are you on your way?

“Beauty, strength, youth, are flowers but fading seen Duty, faith, love, are roots, and ever green.”

These lines are taken from the poem “A Farewell to Arms”, written by George Peele in the sixteenth century. The title was also used by Ernest Hemmingway in his novel of that name.

Ann Sealey, who retired in January, gave to Asa Wright and all of us here so much of her beauty, strength and youth for 32 years. But she departs leaving us with the benefits of her duty, faith and love for the place known as Spring Hill. And the roots of her service are deep and will remain ever green in our memories, and in the operations of the Centre.

When Ann joined us on January 13th 1980, as a kitchen helper, the Centre was a much smaller place. But she grew with us, and for the past four years served as Lodge Manager of the estate, overseeing all of the operations. She developed a full knowledge of all of our birds, animals, and even the flowers and the trees, and could advise visitors on all of these.
Ann’s duty to and her faith in Asa Wright were easily discerned. If we happened to be short-staffed, or if there was problem, Ann would literally roll up her sleeves and personally do whatever needed to be done to get us past the hiatus.

All of her staff gathered on the Verandah on Friday 13th to acknowledge her service and dedication to us, the Centre and to our Mission of conservation and preservation. Several stood with tears in their eyes to pay their tributes to a wonderful Servant and dear friend of the Centre

But Ann is not totally gone from our lives: She will be retained to assist us as and when needed, and to provide us with such advice and counsel as we may need on our journey. So an era has not really passed, but is slowly fading away. Bless you, Ann, and thank you for all that you were to us!

Images of Christmastime generally show either the scenes around Bethlehem on that first Christmas night, or the adopted North American and European versions of winter scenes and even “Santa Claus”. There is little credence given to the idea of Christmas, and even New Year’s Eve, being celebrated in the rain forests.

But we do! And here at Spring Hill we all work to ensure that our guests who have chosen to be in the forest at Christmastime enjoy our own traditional customs and fare.

Christmas is a “long season” in Trinidad and Tobago. It begins in early November with the traditional songs of the Paranderos, the people who play and sing the music of Parang. This is essentially music of our Spanish heritage, mixed with the rhythms of the first Amerindian peoples. There are songs of Advent, played on guitars, mandolins cuatros (a four-stringed instrument) violins and bass, supplemented with “chac-chacs” (maracas) and “toc-tocs” (claves). The songs are sung in Spanish, and the rhythm is largely Castillian waltz. Traditionally, Paranderos leave their homes to visit neighbouring villages, to sing and play their Parang, and to share in the food and hospitality of their hosts.

On Sunday 18th December, the Calbio Parang Group visited Asa Wright to serenade our guests. They sang the songs of Advent on the main veranda on a clear starry night, to the background sounds of our crickets, night frogs and pygmy owls.

On Christmas Day, our rain forest guests were treated to a day of sparkling sunshine, and enjoyed their Christmas lunch of turkey and ham, complemented with local traditional dishes of pastelles, pigeon peas and rum-soaked fruit cake.

The rains returned for New Year’s Eve, but the Old House at Spring Hill was warmed up with the scintillating sounds of Trinidad’s steel drum music. A small ensemble of steel played music for dancing on the verandah, and our visitors – all from cold climes – were able to dance in the cool open air! A steel rendition of Auld Lang Syne drifted down through the forest at midnight, while fireworks burst in the distant sky beyond our valley.

Happy New Year, from the Rain Forests of Trinidad and Tobago, to all of our wonderful friends!

The Silver-beaked Tanager belongs to the family of birds known for their beautiful colours: the Thraupidae (Tanager) family. As the name suggests, this bird’s beak, which is swollen at the base, appears to be a glistening silver in the field. Without sunlight shining directly on it, this bird appears to be black. However, when in the light, the Silver-beaked Tanager looks as if it were maroon-coloured velvet. One can see its bright crimson chest and throat. The female of this species is far less impressive with a black beak and dull reddish-brown feathers. This Tanager is found in South America and Trinidad where it inhabits forest borders, estates, semi-open areas, secondary growth and even some neighbourhoods. The Silver-beaked Tanager can be heard at dawn singing “che-wa” for its human and avian friends. It eats fruits of Melastomaceae, other small shrubs and several bromeliads. It will occasionally drink nectar and will also feast on insects. Instead of sallying for their prey, they simply flit forward to grab them.

Sometimes referred to simply as the “Silver- beak”, this bird will either be found in pairs or groups of an average size of seven birds. It moults from May to December with a peak in August and September. It calls regularly from January to July.

At this time of the year great swaths of our forests are turning brilliant vermillion! This is because the Immortelle trees (Erythrina poeppigiana) are flowering. These are large trees; they grow to a height of about 80 feet (25 metres), and begin to flower at the end of the rainy season, late December, each year.

The Immortelle flower is brilliant orange, and the whole crown of the tree is covered with these outstanding flowers. The view of our northern range hill slopes at this time of year is one of large bands of

orange spread across the deep green foliage. The Immortelle was also known to early cocoa planters as “madre de cacao”, or Mother of the Cocoa, because Trinidad and Tobago’s very fine cocoa thrives especially in the shade of the Immortelle trees. The Immortelle is also a “nitrogen fixing” tree, and is important to the biodiversity of the forest. The tree is obviously a good host to epiphytes, which grow liberally on its upper branches, and to the Crested Oropendolas, which builds their long hanging nests in

the canopy.

Known mostly to the layman for its beauty when flowering, the Immortelle is also called “the Flame Tree”, for obvious reasons.

But as lovely as is the spectacle of the flaming immortelles in the hills around the Centre, there is a slight downside to their presence: many of our humming birds, especially the White-Necked Jacobin, leave the precincts of our verandah to fly up into the vermillion canopies to enjoy the nectar of those flowers!