The 'Asa Wright Nature Centre and Lodge' consists of a
nature resort and scientific research station located in the
Arima Valley of the
Northern Range in
Trinidad and Tobago. The Centre is one of the top
birdwatching spots in the
Caribbean; a total of 159 species of
birds have been recorded there. The Centre is owned by a
non-profit trust.
The major properties consist of the 'Spring Hill Estate' and the adjacent 'William Beebe Tropical Research Station' (also known as 'Simla') which was established by
William Beebe as a tropical research station for the
New York Zoological Society. Both properties had previously been
cacao estates but contained large stands of original rainforest as well. Newcombe and
Asa Wright hosted many visiting scientists in this period, including noted ornithologist
David Snow who made detailed studies of the oilbirds and the fascinating and very complex courtship dances of the
White-bearded Manakin and the
Golden-headed Manakin.
The Wright's home became internationally renowned for its easy access to wildlife (especially the
oilbird (''Steatornis caripensis'') colonies in the nearby 'Dunston Cave', and large numbers of
humming birds). After the death of Newcombe Wright, the Spring Hill Estate was acquired by a non-profit Trust. Asa Wright continued to live at the Centre until her death in
1971.
The Centre recently acquired the 'Rapsey Estate' in the
Aripo Valley, just west of the Arima Valley.
Gallery
References
★
A Guide to the Birds of Trinidad and Tobago, , Richard, ffrench, Comstock Publishing, 1991,
★ Herklots, G. A. C. 1961. ''The Birds of Trinidad and Tobago''. Collins, London. Reprint 1965.
★ Linblad, Jan. 1966. ''Journey to red birds''. Trans. by Gwynne Vevers. Reprint: Collins, London. 1969.
★ Snow, D. W. 1956. "The dance of the Manakins." ''Animal Kingdom'' (59) 3: pp. 86-91.
★ Zahl, Paul A. 1954. '''Coro-Coro:' The World of the Scarlet Ibis''. Bobbs-Merrill, Indianapolis / New York.
★ Worth, C. Brooke. 1967. ''A Naturalist in Trinidad''. J. B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia and New York.
External links
★
Official Web Site
★
William Beebe Tropical Research Station
★
Article on the Centre from Nalis