kabalebo.com Summer Newsletter - September, 2016
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Rare bird alert: Ringed Woodpecker
Kabalebo Nature Resort
How often have you met a bird that is considered rare and near threatened for the outside world but at the same time considered common? Well we have, this time it is the Ringed Woodpecker who is entitled for this rather rare nomination.

The Ringed Woodpecker (Celeus torquatus) is a medium-size bird, one that is seen 'clinging' onto tall trees. Ants, termites, invertebrates, fruit and seeds are not safe when these woodpeckers are hungry.

The subspecies torquatus is only found in Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French-Guyana and Brazil. They are considered as uncommon rare birds and are enlisted as near threatened bird species.

The main reason why they are enlisted as near threatened is the fact that deforestation of the Amazon is threatening their population.

Ringed Woodpeckers are birds of the rainforest, inside forest birds. They cannot adapt to other habitats except the jungle. Disappearance of the rainforest means also vanishing of this wonderful species.

Since Kabalebo is surrounded by the pristine and uninhabited Tropical Rainforest, the Ringed Woodpecker have made Kabalebo's surroundings into its home.

They can be heard especially in the mornings, because they are quite noisy. Sometimes they travel alone and other times they are spotted in a small group around the resort.
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The Mamey Sapote Tree and Burlap (Jute)

Kabalebo Nature Resort
The Mamey Sapote tree is scientifically known as Pouteria sapota. One of these fruit trees has been recently added to our garden at the resort. The fruit of this tree is a berry, which is ovoid in shape. The skin is thick and woody with a russet brown, somewhat scurfy surface. The pulp of mature fruits is salmon pink, orange, red or reddish-brown in color, soft and smooth to finely granular in texture, usually low in fiber. The pulp has a sweet, almond-like, unique flavor.

Though this tree can take between 3 to 7 years before starting to bear fruits, the amount that can be obtained (between 200 to 500 fruits per year) will be quite rewarding.

However, we’ve noticed that this tree was under the attack of black honeybees, which made holes in the stems and in the trunk causing it great difficulty to strive. It was quite a challenge to fight off these pests, until we discovered that wrapping the young tree completely in burlap eliminates this problem.

Burlap also known as Hessian is a dense woven fabric that was historically produced as a coarse fabric, usually made from the skin of the jute plant or sisal fibers as an eco-friendly material for bags, rugs, rope, nets, and similar products.

It was traditionally used as backing for linoleum, rugs and carpet.

Burlap is known to be used to wrap the exposed roots of trees and shrubs when transplanting and also for erosion control on steep slopes.

At Kabalebo Nature Resort, we have found yet another great way to utilize this material. Since then the tree has been thriving and growing successfully.
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Dinner at Kabalebo
Kabalebo Nature Resort

At Kabalebo one of our most famous diners is the Javanese Night Cuisine. Of course everynight guests are served various well known Surinamese and international dishes. However, this menu is widely popular and consists mainly of Bamie (noodles), Nasie (fried rice), Barbequed Chicken, Chicken in Black Soy Sauce, Pitjel (a combination of string beans, cabbage and chappar) with Pinda Sambel (peanut sauce), and fried ripened bananas, all marinated and cooked the traditional Javanese/Surinamese style.

To compliment this meal, the very hot Bamie Sambel, made from hot red and hot yellow peppers (Madam Jeanette) are also served if you like to spice things up, as well as our homemade pickled red onions and fresh garden salad. This buffet is mostly served on the nights before the departure of a group, and is usually welcomed with "ooh" and "aah" as the guests are being introduced to the dishes.

Our buffet tantalizes the senses even before the actual meal is being consumed, and one often cannot wait to dig in. Come join us and experience this scrumptious cuisine in a most relaxed and comfortable environment.
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The White-Necked Jacobin
Kabalebo Nature Resort
The white-necked Jacobin, scientifically known as florisuga mellivora, is a large and attractive hummingbird that can be commonly found in South America. It is an inhabitant of forested areas, normally found at high elevations and is not often seen in open and busy areas.

This hummingbird can reach appr. 12 cm. According to other articles, we know that this one is a male. Males are unmistakable with their white belly and tail, a white band on the nape and a dark blue hood. Females are can vary in color.

We just recently spotted this beautifully colored hummingbird within close proximity of our Panorama Suites. So we had to write a short article about it. It seems to be a frequent visitor because of the many flowering plants and shaded areas. It can be seen drinking nectar from the “fire lobi” (jungle flames) and “monkey brush” flowers or skillfully catching insects.

This 'hummer' is known to be quite aggressive and territorial. Though it has been spotted before within the environs of the resort and the trails it was never seen this close by, and it was the first time that we were able to make photographs.


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