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Trinidad and Tobago February 26–March 6, 2019 New dates with Sue MacCallum

Tufted Coquette, by Patricia Maxwell Wood

In all the lush , there is no place more popular for birders than the exquisite, mountainous two-island nation of and Tobago. Here there is easy access to an extraordinary diversity of the world’s most stunningly beautiful , including scarlet ibises, rufous-tailed jacamars, white-tailed tropicbirds, and over 17 different kinds of . There are over 430 here, many of them South American since the islands are as close as 7 miles from . We will stay at the world-famous , a charming lodge located in a 2,000-acre tract of 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 at the charming Blue Waters Inn. A comfortable and relaxing birding trip, this tour is a long- standing favorite, particularly for those who are new to tropical birding.

Trinidad & Tobago with Sue MacCallum, Feb 26–Mar 6, 2019

Day 1: Feb. 26–Arrive and Explore the Asa Wright Nature Centre

Birding on the world-famous Asa Wright verandah, by Dave Larson

Plan to arrive at Piarco International Airport, , in late afternoon/evening (we will send flight recommendations once the traveler minimum has been met). You will be met by an Asa Wright Nature Centre guide and/or Mass Audubon naturalist Sue MacCallum, who will take you to the Centre. The Centre is located about an hour’s drive away in the Northern Range.

We’ll settle in, relax on the Centre’s wide verandah, and marvel at the almost tame hummingbirds, , honeycreepers, and other birds that frequent the feeders. At 6 p.m., we’ll enjoy rum punch and then dinner. This evening, we’ll get to know each other and review the itinerary and target species.

Overnight: Asa Wright Nature Centre and Lodge (D) || http://asawright.org/

Commonly Seen at the Feeders: White-chested Emerald; White-necked Jacobin; Rufous-breasted and Little ; Copper-rumped ; Tufted Coquette; Crested Oropendola; Blue-gray, Palm, White-lined, Silver-beaked, and Turquoise ; Barred Antshrike; Purple and ; and Violaceous Euphonia.

Seen from the Verandah: Double-toothed Kite; Scaled Pigeon; Black-tailed Tityra; Common Black, Gray-lined, White, and Zone-tailed ; Channel-billed ; Bearded Bellbird; Yellow-breasted, Piratic, and Boat-billed flycatcher; Yellow-olive Flatbill; Tropical ; Tropical ; Tegu ; and Red-rumped Agouti.

Mass Audubon Travel | massaudubon.org/travel | [email protected] | 800-289-9504 Trinidad & Tobago with Sue MacCallum, Feb 26–Mar 6, 2019

Day 2: Feb. 27–Introductory Birding on Trails/Night Birding

Barred Antshrike, by Patricia Maxwell Wood

Morning begins with the raucous calls of Crested Oropendolas and a host of other exotic sounds. A first- time visitor could see 20 to 30 life birds before breakfast and 40 species overall. After breakfast, we’ll have a guided tour along several trails through the sanctuary. Many participants will enjoy the challenge of spotting a Bearded Bellbird as its distinctive “BONK!” echoes throughout the forest. Not far from a known bellbird lek in the trees are two species of manakins attending their leks closer to the ground.

The afternoon will be free to allow you to relax, enjoy the trails on your own, and adjust to the tropical sun and heat. Birding from the verandah of Asa Wright Nature Centre is one of the world’s most pleasant and exciting ornithological experiences. Ruby-topaz Hummingbird, Tufted Coquette, Barred Antshrike, and Green Honeycreeper are just some of the exciting species one can expect.

After dinner, we will set off on a slow drive in the Arima Valley (or simply walk the grounds), looking for target night species.

Overnight: Asa Wright Nature Centre and Lodge (BLD)

Mass Audubon Travel | massaudubon.org/travel | [email protected] | 800-289-9504 Trinidad & Tobago with Sue MacCallum, Feb 26–Mar 6, 2019

Morning Birding Highlights: Trinidad Motmot, Cocoa and Spectacled thrush, Gray-fronted Dove, White-bearded and Golden-headed manakin, Green-backed Trogon, Channel-billed Toucan, Chestnut Woodpecker, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Turquoise and Bay-headed tanager, Green Hermit, Tufted Coquette, Black-throated Mango, Forest Elaenia, Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, Yellow Oriole, White-necked Thrush, Rufous-breasted Wren, White-flanked Antwren, and Bearded Bellbird.

Night Birding Possibilities: Fork-tailed Palm-Swift, , (extremely rare), White-tailed , Common Pauraque, , Tropical Screech-, and Barn Owl.

Day 3: Feb. 28–Birding Trinidad’s Northern Range and Blanchisseuse Road

After breakfast, we will head out on a scenic, all-day excursion following a lush and winding mountain road that passes over the Northern Range towards the seaside village of Blanchisseuse. Trinidad’s Northern Range is an eastern extension of the Coastal Cordillera of Venezuela, a connecting range to the .

We’ll leave just after breakfast to drive north on the Blanchisseuse Road into the upper elevations of the Northern Range forest. This is the only road on the island that bisects the Northern Range before finally descending to the Caribbean coastline at the fishing village of Blanchisseuse. Here we reach the highest elevation possible by motor vehicle, some 2,200 ft. Our day will be spent birding both quiet country roads and wide forest tracks seeking species more easily found at this higher altitude. Our picnic lunch will be enjoyed in the village of Brasso Seco where clean washroom facilities are available. We’ll make numerous roadside birding stops, never walking far from the vehicles. There are always coolers with both water and fruit juice on board.

Towards midafternoon, we’ll stop our northward journey at the village of Morne le Croix. Here we’ll take afternoon tea and cakes while looking for additional species such as Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Pale- breasted Spinetail, Southern Rough-winged Swallow, and Yellow-rumped Cacique before a late afternoon drive back south to the Centre in time for a shower before rum punch and dinner.

Overnight: Asa Wright Nature Centre and Lodge (BLD)

Birding Highlights: Short-tailed Hawk; Blue-headed Parrot; Lilac-tailed Parrotlet; Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl; Collared and Green-backed trogon; Golden-olive, Red-rumped, and Chestnut woodpecker; Stripe-breasted Spinetail; Streaked Xenops; Cocoa and Plain-brown woodcreeper; White-bellied ; Black-faced Antthrush; Gray-throated Leaftosser; Dusky-capped, Slaty-

capped, Streaked, and Euler's flycatcher; Gray-breasted Martin; Rufous-breasted Wren; Long-billed Gnatwren; White-necked Thrush; Golden-fronted Greenlet; Speckled and Hepatic tanager; Blue ; and Golden-crowned Warbler. Bright blooms of the forest canopy attract a number of - feeding birds.

Mass Audubon Travel | massaudubon.org/travel | [email protected] | 800-289-9504 Trinidad & Tobago with Sue MacCallum, Feb 26–Mar 6, 2019

Day 4: March 1–Rare and Caroni Swamp

Oilbird, by Patricia Maxwell Wood

This morning, we’ll enjoy coffee, tea, and breakfast on the verandah followed by a walk to see the Centre’s resident Oilbirds. We will start on a short but steep path to Dunston Cave, a riparian grotto at AWNC. Here, we’ll enjoy exclusive access to a breeding colony of Oilbirds—nocturnal, fruit-eating birds that congregate here at one of the world’s most accessible nesting caves.

In the afternoon, we’ll bird while en route to Caroni Swamp. We’ll search the of Caroni National Park for new species and then head to the dock. While birding by boat, we’ll keep an eye out for Ruschenberger’s Tree Boa and Silky Anteater, then moor at a quiet spot in the mangroves to let the sunset show begin. Hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of Scarlet Ibises cloud the sky as they come to roost.

Overnight: Asa Wright Nature Centre and Lodge (BLD)

Caroni Highlights: Long-winged Harrier, Yellow-hooded Blackbird, Bicolored Conebill, Masked (Red-capped) Cardinal, Straight-billed Woodcreeper, Green-throated Mango, Northern Waterthrush, Anhinga, Striated Heron, White-cheeked Pintail, Large-billed Tern, Pied Water-Tyrant, Common Potoo, and Scarlet Ibis.

Mass Audubon Travel | massaudubon.org/travel | [email protected] | 800-289-9504 Trinidad & Tobago with Sue MacCallum, Feb 26–Mar 6, 2019

Day 5: March 2–Aripo Savannah and Arena Forest After breakfast, we’ll depart for the Aripo Savannah, an area of natural savannah and palm marsh at lower elevation, just over an hour’s drive from the Centre. The Aripo Savannah today exists as a remnant of what once was a major habitat type of lowland Trinidad. This remnant, seasonally wet savannah is now surrounded by extensively altered landscapes where sugar cane is grown, as well as small-scale agriculture and housing development sprawl. This field trip involves a number of stops in known bird-rich areas for frequent scans of roadside and open-area vegetation. An old USA airbase from World War II, Waller Field, has groves of Moriche Palms, which are focal points for Fork-tailed Palm- Swift, Piratic and Sulphury flycatcher, and Epaulet (Moriche) Oriole. Open skies are good to scan for Long-winged Harrier, Yellow-headed , and Zone-tailed and Savannah hawk.

We’ll walk quiet farm roads before a short drive brings us to a walkable, unused railway track. During the morning, we will be seeking species that habitually associate with Moriche Palms, including Moriche Oriole ( of ), Fork-tailed Palm-Swift, Sulphury Flycatcher, and Red- bellied Macaw. But the site is also good for Savannah Hawk, Striped and Little cuckoo, Ruby-topaz and White-tailed Goldenthroat hummingbird, Green-rumped Parrotlet, and Crimson-crested and Lineated woodpecker. Even Falcon is possible here.

A 15-minute drive will bring us to the Arena Forest, an extensive area of evergreen seasonal forest. Here we will take our picnic lunch before driving and walking wide forest tracks seeking out Green-backed and Guianan trogon, Channel-billed Toucan, Plain Antvireo, White-bellied Antbird, and Golden- crowned Warbler. While the forest may appear initially quiet, patience and perseverance can reveal two of Trinidad’s most elusive flycatchers -- White-throated Spadebill and Short-tailed Pygmy-Tyrant. We’ll head back to the Centre for lunch and enjoy the afternoon on the trails and veranda.

Overnight: Asa Wright Nature Centre and Lodge (BLD)

Channel-billed , by Patricia Maxwell Wood

Mass Audubon Travel | massaudubon.org/travel | [email protected] | 800-289-9504 Trinidad & Tobago with Sue MacCallum, Feb 26–Mar 6, 2019

Day 6: Mar. 3–Travel to Tobago

Blue Waters Inn, courtesy same

Today, our week in Trinidad comes to an end, and we will transfer to the island of Tobago. This morning, we will enjoy our coffee on the AWNC verandah for the final time and then travel to the airport for our flight. Lunch in the airport is on your own. We’ll be met in Tobago at the airport by our local guide

On our way to the Blue Waters Inn, we will take a short drive to visit the sewage treatment ponds, a “don’t miss” stop for all birders! We might spot Caribbean Martins flying low over the ponds where Anhinga, Purple Gallinule, Wattled Jacana, Tricolored and Little Blue heron, and other herons and egrets gather.

At the Magdelena Golf Course, there might be Rufous-vented Chachalaca, Neotropic Cormorant, and Black-crowned Night-Heron. The drive to Blue Waters Inn along the eastern shore of Tobago is beautiful. Upon arrival, we will check into our beachside rooms, enjoy a delicious dinner, and be lulled to sleep by the sound of breaking waves.

Overnight: Blue Waters Inn | http://www.bluewatersinn.com/ | (BD)

Day 7: Mar. 4–Gilpin Trail The loud, distinctive vocalizations of the Rufous-vented Chachalacas will be your wake-up call for the next two mornings! Before breakfast, there will be some birding on the grounds. We will look for Red- crowned Woodpecker, Blue-gray Tanager, Barred Antshrike, and Bananaquit. Out at sea, Brown Booby, Brown Pelican, and should be flying about.

Our first stop today will be Argyle Falls, where we’ll look for Common Potoo, Trinidad Motmot, and Mass Audubon Travel | massaudubon.org/travel | [email protected] | 800-289-9504 Trinidad & Tobago with Sue MacCallum, Feb 26–Mar 6, 2019

White-fringed Antwren. In the Main Ridge Forest Reserve, we will hike the famous Gilpin Trail in a virgin forest. Rufous-tailed Jacamars are plentiful in the reserve, and Red-crowned, Red-rumped, and Golden-olive woodpecker, as well as Olivaceous and Cocoa woodcreeper are all commonly seen. We’ll return to the inn for an afternoon off (for swimming or snorkeling).

Overnight: Blue Waters Inn | http://www.bluewatersinn.com/ | (BLD)

Day 8: Mar. 5–Little Tobago Island This morning, we will do more birding on the grounds of the Blue Waters Inn, looking for Yellow- bellied Elaenia, Black-faced Grassquit, and Scrub Greenlet in grasses along the road.

After lunch, we’ll board Zolani Frank’s glass bottom boat to travel to Little Tobago Island. Here we’ll walk the well-maintained trails to the vantage point above the sea, looking down on cliffs covered with nesting Red-footed Boobies, Brown Boobies, and Red-billed Tropicbirds. Magnificent Frigatebirds should also be soaring overhead!

Overnight: Blue Waters Inn | http://www.bluewatersinn.com/ | (BLD)

Day 9: Mar. 6–Travel Home As we enjoy breakfast on the patio, we should see the overwintering Blue Waters Inn Ruddy Turnstones on the beach and the Bananaquits in our jelly for the last time before departing for the airport.(B)

Mass Audubon Staff Sue MacCallum is the Director of Mass Audubon’s South Shore Sanctuaries in Marshfield. During her 20 years with Mass Audubon, she has coordinated and led natural history and birding trips to many North American hot spots.

Her international trips include many visits to , , and the Galapagos Islands, as well as the in . These trips to the neotropics have sparked her fascination with tropical ecology, which she enjoys sharing. She graduated from Western Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in zoology and a minor in botany.

Pearl Kite, by Patricia Maxwell Wood

Mass Audubon Travel | massaudubon.org/travel | [email protected] | 800-289-9504 Trinidad & Tobago with Sue MacCallum, Feb 26–Mar 6, 2019

Tour Pricing

Tour Price: $3900 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement, $750 Price is based on a minimum of 10 travelers.

Price Includes:  All meals and accommodations as shown in the itinerary  Services of Mass Audubon naturalist leader, Sue MacCallum  Services of local guides and drivers  All excursions and entrance fees  Ground transportation within country  In-country flights from Trinidad to Tobago and back to Trinidad  All tips and gratuities (with the minimum number of travelers)  Carbon offset credits for your international flights  Medical evacuation insurance

Price Excludes:  International airfare: from/to your home to/from Port of Spain, Trinidad  Passport and visa fees; travel insurance  Airport taxes; excess baggage charges  Items of a personal nature, including alcoholic beverages, laundry, and telephone calls; other items not specifically mentioned as included.

Terms and Conditions

APPLICATIONS, RESERVATIONS, DEPOSITS: Early applications are strongly encouraged. Trip rosters usually must be finalized 4 months before departure! All applications must be accompanied by a completed reservation form and $500 deposit. Deposits can be by check or credit card (Visa or MasterCard). We reserve the right to decline your application. In the case of questionable health, we reserve the right to require a physician’s certification to affirm you are capable of the activities. Final payment is due 90 days before the departure date. Final payment must be by check or money order.

RATES: All tour prices are based on double occupancy. If you would like us to find you a roommate, we will do our best, but cannot guarantee a share. If we cannot find a share, you will need to pay the single supplement. All forms and fares are accurate at the time of publication (June2018) but are subject to change at any time prior to departure. It is our policy to only pass on the actual amount of any increases in airfares or land costs such as those increases due to the devaluation of the dollar. In the event the group size is less than 10, a small group surcharge may apply.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: A U.S. passport valid for at least six months beyond the trip’s departure date is required.

FLIGHTS: You, the traveler, are responsible for booking and paying for your own international flights. Once you reserve your space, we will provide you with suggested flights and tell you which flights our staff will take. You may book flights directly with the airline, online, or with a travel agent. We use June Doliber: [email protected]. Please be aware that most tickets are non-refundable, therefore you should not book your flight arrangements until you have checked with us to be sure the tour has the minimum number of participants for the trip to go. We ask that you provide us with your flight details.

Mass Audubon Travel | massaudubon.org/travel | [email protected] | 800-289-9504 Trinidad & Tobago with Sue MacCallum, Feb 26–Mar 6, 2019

TRIP INSURANCE: A brochure and application for optional trip cancellation, illness and baggage insurance will be sent to you upon registration. We strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself and the funds you have paid. See www.insuremytrip.com

PHOTOS: Mass Audubon reserves the right to make use of any photographs taken by our guides on the tour. We guarantee that no photos of a compromising nature will be used. If you have questions or concerns, please contact us.

CANCELLATION POLICY: If you need to change your booking, you must inform us immediately in writing. All cancellations must be done in writing and are effective upon receipt in the Massachusetts Audubon Travel Office. Cancellations received up to 121 days prior to departure will be refunded deposits less a $300 per person fee. For cancellations between 120 and 90 days prior to departure, all deposits are forfeit, but any balance paid beyond that is refundable. There are no refunds of any kind for cancellations 90 days or less from departure. We strongly urge all travelers to purchase trip cancellation insurance. You will be sent information from the Massachusetts Audubon Society upon receipt of your deposit.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITY: Although every precaution is taken to safeguard you and your belongings, group travel trips by their nature involve a certain amount of risk. Trip participants should understand that the domestic and international trips sponsored/operated by Massachusetts Audubon Society (Mass Audubon Tours) - hereafter collectively “M.A.S.” - involve known and unknown risks. M.A.S. assumes no responsibility for injuries, death, financial losses or damage to clients’ property caused by or occurring during participation in any of the travel trips sponsored/operated by M.A.S. Trip participants must assume responsibility for having sufficient skill and fitness to participate in the trips and activities offered or sponsored by M.A.S. Trip participants must also certify that they have no medical, mental or physical conditions which could interfere with their abilities to participate in the activities and/or trips they are participating in and they must assume and bear the cost of all risks that may be created, directly or indirectly, by any such condition. It is the responsibility of trip participants to have in place adequate insurance to cover any injury, damage or emergency transportation costs related to their travel and/or participation in trip activities Smooth-billed Ani, by Patricia Maxwell Wood and/or to bear the costs of such injury, damage or emergency transportation costs. Because of the risks associated with the travel trips sponsored by M.A.S. we urge all trip participants to supplement their own insurance with travel or vacation or emergency response types of insurance. M.A.S. requires that all trip participants acknowledge and assume these risks by reading and signing an M.A.S. Release and Waiver and Assumption of Risk contract prior to departure.

CONDITIONS OF TRAVEL: Travelers will be provided with an itinerary and trip preparation information. It is expected that travelers will read this information prior to trip departure. Travelers will be responsible for completing an application reservation form, including the personal information and a release of liability (see attached). Travelers will be expected to abide by the terms set for in the invoice. During the tour, travelers are asked to respect and follow the directions of their guide and leader.

Mass Audubon Travel | massaudubon.org/travel | [email protected] | 800-289-9504 Trinidad & Tobago with Sue MacCallum, Feb 26–Mar 6, 2019

Mass Audubon Natural History Travel Application Form

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Cell phone #: ______(needed during the tour) Home/office #: ______(Is this your preferred number for us to use routinely? (Yes/No) Email address: ______Room Preferences: I request single accommodations where available and will pay the single supplement. I would like to be assigned a roommate. If one is not available, I will pay the single supplement. DEPOSIT: $500 per person Please find my enclosed check (payable to “Massachusetts Audubon Society”) Please charge my credit card MasterCard Visa Card #: ______Exp.: ______CVV/CVC:______

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Mass Audubon Travel | massaudubon.org/travel | [email protected] | 800-289-9504 Trinidad & Tobago with Sue MacCallum, Feb 26–Mar 6, 2019

RELEASE AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK

Name(s) : ______

I would like to participate in the birding and nature tour named above (the “Tour”) organized by Massachusetts Audubon Society, Inc. (“Mass Audubon”). I am aware that participation in a Mass Audubon tour involves risk, including, but not limited to, the hazards of living in and traveling over unpredictable terrain often in remote areas without adequate medical facilities, exposure to disease and infection, being subject to the forces of nature, and travel by airplane and motor vehicle. In addition, I understand and acknowledge that, if I participate in the Tour, one or more of the risks described above or set forth below could result in or cause bodily injury or death to me or damage to personal property of mine: physical exertion; travel by foot, plane, train, auto, vans, bus, boat or other conveyance; consumption of food and beverages; civil unrest, terrorism, banditry, or criminal activity; high altitude; inadequate medical facilities or service.

I acknowledge that I have received and read carefully information describing the Tour, including, but not limited to, the Terms and Conditions and the paragraph in the Terms and Conditions entitled “Your Responsibility.”

I acknowledge that the enjoyment and excitement of touring is derived, at least in part, from the inherent risks incurred by travel and activity beyond the accepted safety and routine of life at home or work, and that part of the reason I have decided to participate in the Tour is to experience this enjoyment and excitement. I further acknowledge that I have had the opportunity to discuss with my medical provider the medical risks involved in the Tour. I have also had the opportunity to research the Tour and to understand fully the risks involved.

Therefore, notwithstanding the risks of participating in the Tour set forth and as described above, and in consideration of Mass Audubon permitting me to participate in the Tour: (1) I AGREE TO ASSUME AND ACCEPT ALL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TOUR; AND (2) I HEREBY RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE AND COVENANT AND AGREE NOT TO SUE, AND AGREE TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS, MASS AUDUBON AND ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS (COLLECTIVELY, THE “RELEASEES”), AND EACH OF THE RELEASEES, FROM AND AGAINST AND IN REGARD TO ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, ACTIONS, SUITS, LOSSES, COSTS, DAMAGES, AND EXPENSES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ATTORNEYS’ FEES), AND ANY AND ALL LIABILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF EVERY KIND AND DESCRIPTION, WHICH I SHALL OR MAY HAVE AGAINST THE RELEASEES OR ANY ONE OR MORE OF THEM ARISING OUT OF, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, MY PARTICIPATION IN THE TOUR.

I agree that this Release and Assumption of Risk shall be (a) binding upon me and my heirs, executors, legal representatives, successors, and assigns, and (b) deemed a contract made under seal under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the internal laws of said Commonwealth without regard to its principles of conflict of laws.

I HAVE CAREFULLY READ, UNDERSTAND, AND VOLUNTARILY SIGN THIS RELEASE AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK.

Signed (1)______Date: ______

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Name(s) (please print) ______

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Mass Audubon Travel | massaudubon.org/travel | [email protected] | 800-289-9504