Trinidad’s Classic Birding~ March 20, 2015 Trinidad’s Classic Birding With Robert Buchsbaum Violaceous Euphonia by Ken Knowles Trinidad Itinerary: March 20 – 27, 2015 Optional Tobago Extension: March 27 – 30, 2015 In all the lush Caribbean, there is no place more popular for birders than the exquisite, mountainous two- island nation of Trinidad & Tobago. Here there is easy access to an extraordinary diversity of the world’s most stunningly beautiful birds, including Scarlet Ibises, iridescent jacamars, streamer-tailed tropics birds, and over 40 different kinds of hummingbirds. There are over 430 bird species here many of them South American since the islands are as close as 7 miles from Venezuela. We will stay at the world-famous Asa Wright Nature Centre, a charming lodge located in a 2,000 acre tract of rainforest high in the Arima Valley of the island’s Northern Range. Visitors usually see more than 40 species of birds before breakfast. In contrast, Tobago’s avifauna is more Caribbean in its makeup and here we will stay here at the charming Blue Waters Inn. This tour is a long standing favorite for those who are new to birding in the neotropics or those who simply want to relaxed and comfortable birding trip. Travel with the Massachusetts Audubon Society 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773 800-289-9504 Trinidad’s Classic Birding~ March 20, 2015 DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Friday, March 20, 2015 ~ Arrival Arrive at Piarco International Airport in Port-of-Spain (POS) in the evening and transfer as a group to the Asa Wright Nature Centre and Lodge. DAY 2: Saturday, March 21, 2015 ~ Asa Wright Nature Centre Morning begins with the raucous noise of the Crested Oropendola and a host of other exotic sounds. A first-time visitor might see 20-30 life birds before breakfast, and 40 species overall. Our day will start with a guided tour of the several trails that traverse this rich and diverse wildlife sanctuary. On our introductory walk we should see such species as Violaceous Trogon, Channel-billed Toucan, Chestnut Woodpecker, White-bearded Manakin, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Turquoise and Bay-headed Tanager. The Centre is situated in a typical valley of Trinidad’s Northern Range. These sites have been traditional centers of coffee, cocoa, and citrus plantations and many of these plants are still maintained at the Centre. Natural second-growth has taken over and festooned the abandoned plantation vegetation with vines and a host of epiphytes. The whole effect is one of being deep in a tropical rainforest. The afternoon will be free to allow you to relax, enjoy the trails and adjust to the tropical sun and heat. Birding from the veranda of the Asa Wright Nature Centre is one of the world’s most pleasant, and exciting, ornithological experiences. Ruby-topaz Hummingbird, Tufted Coquette, Barred Antshrike, Green Honeycreeper are among the many species that can be easily seen. DAY 3: Sunday, March 22, 2015 ~ Northern Range and Blanchisseuse This day sees us on an all-day excursion over the Northern Range towards the seaside village of Blanchisseuse. En route we will look for Swallow- tailed Kite, Common Black Hawk, Ornate Hawk- eagle, Bat Falcon, White-tailed Trogon, and Rufous-tailed Jacamar along with some of the more secretive forest birds such as Silvered Antbird, as well as special tanagers such as Speckled Tanager and Blue Dacnis. Along with rich birdlife, we will also have an opportunity to examine the fascinating world of leaf-cutter and army ants, and photograph orchids and other tropical flora. Depending on the weather conditions and the birds, we will picnic either at a nice spot in the hills near the village of Brasso Seco or on the beach near Blanchissiuse. (Bring a bathing suit, in case we have the opportunity for a swim.) Travel with the Massachusetts Audubon Society 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773 800-289-9504 Trinidad’s Classic Birding~ March 20, 2015 DAY 4: Monday, March 23, 2015 ~ Northern Range and Nariva Swamp Today we will wind our way out of the Northern Range to Trinidad’s east coast and the Nariva Swamp, the largest freshwater herbaceous swamp on the island. Along its edges are “palm islands,” where the tall Moriche Palm is common. Here too we will see a unique mangrove community, made up primarily of the stilt-rooted rhizophora mangrove, which often reaches a height of 80 feet. Along the way we will look first in the lowland habitats for such species as Savannah Hawk, Red-breasted Blackbird, Southern Lapwing, White-headed Marsh Tyrant and Green-rumped Parrotlet. In the coastal area we will have an opportunity to look for Pinnated Bittern, Pearl Kite, Azure Gallinule, Wattled Jacana, and Red-bellied Macaw. DAY 5: Tuesday, March 24, 2015 ~ Two Options: Asa Wright or Grand Riviere / Trinidad Piping Guan Today, everyone will participate in one of 2 options: 1) staying on Centre grounds for a leisurely day guided birding along the trails, or (2) rising pre- dawn, and departing for the coastal town of Grand Riviere. Those who go to Grand Riviere will arrive there before the sun is up and wait for the appearance of the Trinidad Piping Guan, known locally as the Pawi. It is one of the world's most endangered species, and is endemic to Trinidad. Once hunted to near extinction, the species has been the focus of a considerable local effort to protect the bird and its habitat. The bird has responded well, slowly increasing in numbers and visibility. Visitors to the Pawi’s territory also occasionally catch sight of a Bat Falcon, a Zone-tailed Hawk or a Plumbeous Kite. Breakfast at a small beachside hotel before returning to Asa Wright Nature Centre for a free afternoon. Those who spend the day at Asa Wright will have guided birding walks in the gardens and on the trails. Note: Those who decide to join the optional Trinidad Piping Guan trip should a sign up on the reservation form DAY 6: Wednesday, March 25, 2015 ~ Aripo Savannah This morning’s journey to the lowland Aripo Savannah could provide yet another batch of new species. In the savannah, Plumbeous Kite, Grey- headed Kite, Shiny Cowbird, Giant Cowbird, Yellow-rumped Cacique, Blue-black Grassquit, and Ruddy-breasted Seedeater are likely to be seen. The Aripo Savannah is an area of extremely acidic soil with poor drainage, and is a remnant of what once was a major habitat type of lowland Trinidad. These remnant savannahs are now surrounded by extensively altered landscapes where much sugar cane is grown, as well as small-scale agriculture and housing development sprawl. We will leave the centre in the late afternoon to return to the savannah region for some night birding. Our target species will include White-tailed Nightjar, Red-bellied Macaw, Common Paraque, Common Pootoo (see if you can find it in the photo below!), Tropical Screech Owl and Barn Owl. Travel with the Massachusetts Audubon Society 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773 800-289-9504 Trinidad’s Classic Birding~ March 20, 2015 DAY 7: Thursday, March 26, 2015 ~ Dunston Cave, Oilbirds and Caroni Marsh This morning we will visit Dunston Cave, a beautiful riparian grotto located on the sanctuary, to view the breeding colony of the fascinating nocturnal Oilbird. This is one of the most accessible Oilbird caves in the entire world and access is limited to protect this rare species. On the short hike to the Cave, you could see some of the secretive birds of the deep forest such as Red-crowned Ant-Tanager, Black-faced Antthrush, White-bellied Antbird, and Gray-throated Leafscraper. Later this morning, we will pick up picnic lunches and head to Yerreté, an idyllic private home in Trinidad’s Maracas Valley. Only recently opened to the public, the property’s feeder stations offer unparalleled, up- close views of the wide array of Trinidad’s hummingbird species. (Twelve of the island’s 13 recorded species have been seen at the feeders.) From Yerreté, we will depart for the the famous Caroni Marsh, a very specialized mangrove forest that contains several genera and species of mangroves, showing classic examples of plant adaptation in this unique brackish water community. We will seek out some of its more specialized denizens — Neotropical Cormorant, Anhinga, Striated Heron, White-cheeked Pintail, Large-billed Tern, Pied Water-tyrant, Bicolored Conebill, and Red-capped Cardinal. Our day will end with the spectacular flight of Scarlet Ibis returning to their mangrove roosts at dusk, truly one of the world’s most dramatic natural moments. Returning to the boat dock we will search the mangrove-lined channels for the mysterious sounding Common Pootoo. DAY 8: Friday, March 27, 2015 ~ Return Home or continue on to the optional Extension to Tobago Those who have chosen to continue the tour on the optional extension, will take a flight today to Tobago. Others who are ending their trip today will be transferred to the airport for their flight home. OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO TOBAGO Tobago forms the final link in the chain of mountain ranges extending from the Venezuelan Coastal Range, on the very edge of the South American Continental Shelf. Tobago’s climate and rainfall more closely resembles that of the Lesser Antilles, meaning it is drier and windier than its sister island of Trinidad. After arriving in Tobago we will visit marsh habitats searching for shorebirds, herons, egrets, and ducks, such as the White- cheeked Pintail. We will then take a leisurely drive to the lovely northern coast. We will check into the beachfront Blue Waters Inn for 2 nights and enjoy a a relaxing afternoon, where you can swim, snorkel or dive.