Entries from July 2009 ↓
July 26th, 2009 — Conservation
Hunters are usually regarded as indiscriminate destroyers of our wildlife. This is not always the case.
As part of ensuring the sustainable use of Trinidad and Tobago’s wildlife resources, the South-Eastern Hunters Association conducts a fruit tree planting exercise every year. It was held this year on the 26th July with hunters being asked to plant fruit trees in the areas where they hunt and non-hunters were encouraged to plant fruit trees anywhere. The official ceremony took place on Saunder’s Road, Cat’s Hill (off the Rio Claro-Guayaguayare Road). It was expected that approximately 3000 fruit trees would be planted.
Hunting that is practiced for profit (for the wildmeat and pet trade) is destructive. These hunters focus on killing/collecting as many animals as quickly as they can. Sport hunters on the other hand are in it for the challenge. True, both forms result in the death of an animal, but the numbers taken by sport hunting are (in theory) considerably less. Sport hunters have a vested interest in ensuring that wildlife is hunted in a sustainable manner and several members of the hunting association are game wardens, actively working to prevent off season hunting. Internationally there are many hunting associations that are at the forefront of conservation.
The association’s president emphasized the need to develop a system of sustainable wildlife and forestry management. He pointed out the short-comings of current re-afforestation efforts by the Forestry division (which focus on non-native/commercial species) and how it was having a negative impact on forest ecology (reduced canopy cover). In the long run this not only affects Trinidad and Tobago’s wildlife but our water and air quality. The group intends to hold an in-depth seminar in September on this topic. I really must commend the SEHA for their efforts and I encourage everyone to take a second look at our hunters.
July 23rd, 2009 — Conservation
Following the amendment of our laws regarding the need for CEC’s in Trinidad and Tobago, a number of quarries have been opened in the Northern Range and while we cannot/should not impede the utilization of our natural resources, we need to ensure any resource extraction is done in a responsible and sustainable manner.
The following account comes courtesy of a local environmental lobby.
“The eight mile long Cumaca Road begins just after the Valencia junction, on the Valencia Road, and heads north into the mountains. At the end of the Road is the Cumaca/Platinal Village where there is a school and an isolated rural farm community.
This rainforest area feeds the Orupuche River, which is a major National source of our potable water.The Cumaca River starts inside the Cave and is the source of the Orupuche River. It is fed by many tributaries, one of which is the Turure River which crosses the first and only bridge at the beginning of the road, two miles from the bottom.
The Cumaca Quarry was recently re-opened and the operator began widening the access road without having to comply with any standards.
(On) Monday 18th May, large earth equipment began excavating 20 feet deep into the mountainside to widen the road leading up to the quarry.
Firstly, there is almost no benching and no drainage. When the rains come the road will become a massive mudslide.
Secondly, the excavated mountainside is being dumped over the side of the very steep road, sliding down the 60 to 70 degree slopes into the Turure River, completely blocking water flow.
In the rainy season the fallen trees, mud and rocks will create a dam. The bridge and roadway will be at risk, and everything downstream will be affected.”
July 20th, 2009 — Trip Reports
Highlights: Jabiru Stork, Crane Hawk, Spotted-Tody Flycatcher, Phyllomedusa trinitatis (frog)
On 18th July we went to see the two Jabiru Storks (Jabiru mycteria) that had been spotted in Nariva Swamp. After a short boat ride, we arrived in the viewing area at 7:30am and waited until 8:30am taking in the resident Red-bellied Macaws, before seeing a single Jabiru Stork flying into the marsh.
Jabiru Stork:Nariva Swamp, Trinidad
Undoubtedly the largest of Trinidad and Tobago’s birds, standing close to 5ft tall, it was well worth the wait. This is the 5th record of Jabiru Stork in Trinidad and Tobago. We also spotted two Blue and Yellow Macaws flying over the distant Bush-Bush Reserve. Near the boat launch area, an immature seedeater was observed singing. I later found out that this might have been a Lesson’s Seedeater. After this we went in search of the Crested Caracaras which of late seem to favor the Nariva/Manzanilla area and we eventually did locate two birds along the coconut lined Manzanilla stretch.
On the following day Tarran Maharaj and myself went down to Icacos Swamp in Icacos. On the way down we came across several
tree frogs (Phyllomedusa trinitatis) on the road,
- Phyllomedusa trinitatis: near Cedros
presumably feeding on insects attracted to the street lights. This species is know for its sluggish movement and I won’t be surprised if many of them get hit by vehicles while feeding on the road like this. Two Spectacled Owls were heard but not seen.
At Icacos we saw two Muscovy Ducks but they quickly disappeared in the mangroves on our approach. A lone Crane Hawk put in a brief appearance before being driven off by a Tropical Kingbird. We then left for Erin beach to examine the groups of seabirds which were resting on the shore (comprised of Brown Pelicans, Common and Large-billed Terns, Black Skimmers and Laughing Gulls). Of note were two Spotted Tody-Flycatchers heard in the nearby mangroves
July 12th, 2009 — Trip Reports
Highlights: Muscovy Duck, Red-bellied Macaw
A last minute decision to make a trip to Icacos netted some unexpected results today. We left home relatively late, arriving at Icacos Swamp, Icacos at 6:45am just in time to see a flock of nine Muscovy Ducks (Cairina moschata) making their way deeper into the mangrove waterways.
Muscovy Ducks: Icacos Swamp,Trinidad
The band of eight females/immatures was led by an adult male (red caruncles, crest/head shape and wing forewing, dark patch on bill noted). It is curious that I had previously seen 3 Muscovies here in Sept 08. Additionally, W. Murphy in his book “A Birdwatcher’s Guide to Trinidad and Tobago”, noted that Muscovy Ducks had been seen here as well. Perhaps the Icacos Swamp is a regular destination for these birds?
Another good sighting was of a flock of 8 Red-bellied macaws seen near the Los Blanquizales Swamp. I have on occasion seen wandering flocks of these small macaws as far south as Penal before, but this now becomes the furthest south I have seen them (and you can’t get much further south than Los Blanquizales). I assume this means that a population of macaws exists in the Los Blanquizales Swamp (where the Moriche Palm is present). Also of note were numerous breeding Black-necked Stilts, a yellow breasted crake and 4 White hawks.
