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February 2019 reservations@asawright.org Tel: (868) 667-4655

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 bird species 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 Cuckoo brie� y visited a 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 Venezuela – an adult Roadside Hawk currently performs at the southern end of Nariva Swamp. Will there be a number four?

T&T BIRDING SCENE

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

Stygian Owl

Photo by Ranier Deo

Dwarf Cuckoo

Photo by Tricia Ganness-Moses

Roadside Hawk Photo by Cyril Coomansingh

F E B R UA RY • PAGE 2 February 2019

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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.

New hiking tour

Photo by Wendell SJ Reyes

Saturday 6th April

Saturday 4th May

Saturday 1st June

Saturday 6th July

Saturday 3rd August

Hikes for 2019

The hikeTime: 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

reservations@asawright.org

Limited space available.

F E B R UA RY • PAGE 3 February 2019

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Time to debunk this ‘Anansi Story’By Ian Lambie

That the Amerindian word “Iere” means “the land of the hummingbird” is without foundation. The opinions of two linguists, Dr. Keith Laurence, in an issue of the Caribbean Quarterly in 1967, and Dr. Lise Winer, in her book The dictionary of English/Creole in Trinidad and Tobago, published in 2009, both of whom did research on the meaning of the word “Iere” have concluded that the word meant “the island” or simply “island”, this with reference to the island which became known as Trinidad, and not “the land of the hummingbird” as we have been taught to believe. Further, in my opinion, the Amerindians would have been aware that there were many more Hummingbird species on the mainland than on the island, “Iere”.

Today, we know that there are 18 species of Hummingbirds recorded for Trinidad while in nearby countries there are many more species: Colombia (153); Venezuela (103); Guyana (38); Surinam (33) and French Guiana (30), to name a few.

In the early 1970’s, Dr. David Snow, a former Curator

of Birds at the Natural History Museum in the U.K. and Richard � rench, the editor of A guide to the birds of Trinidad and Tobago both expressed an opinion for the reason why Trinidad has been known as “the land of the hummingbird”.

During the latter part of the 19th Century, bird’s feathers were used extensively in the millinery trade to decorate the hats of fashionable ladies in Europe, and large quantities of Hummingbird skins collected in South American Countries were shipped to Europe via Trinidad for the purpose. Hence Trinidad became known as “the land of the Hummingbird” although the Hummingbird skins had not originated from Trinidad but from nearby mainland countries.

Snow and � rench hypothesised that as a result, Trinidad became known as “the land of the hummingbird”. This hypothesis is acceptable to me.

P.S. The opinion of Snow and � rench was conveyed to me by Richard � rench in 1973.

A Tufted Coquette – one of the smallest hummingbirds in Trinidad Photo by Bill Wise

Ian Lambie worked at the AWNC for a total of 27 years and was its President and CEO from 1977 to 2001.

F E B R UA RY • PAGE 4 February 2019

A Special RetreatBy 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.

As I stand in one position, good God I was not alone,

And there I met some folks who spoke softly with a tone.

This beauty that was shown, took my breath away,

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 animals 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.

Pamela Allemany is a Senior Waitress at AWNC and has been working here for 29 years.

Photo by Johanne Ryan

F E B R UA RY • PAGE 5 February 2019

YOUNG ENVIRONMENTALISTOF THE MONTHIf 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 asawrightconsedu@gmail.com. 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.

CongratulationsCongratulations 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