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TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Birdwatching and Tropical Nature
led by Mark Smith
and regional naturalists
December 27, 2010 - January 5, 2011
Trinidad and Tobago provide a delightful introduction to tropical ecology and birdwatching. Ten miles from Venezuela, Trinidad has an essentially South American fauna and flora; all the classic South American bird families and plant families are represented on the island, but the bird diversity, at 400 species, is not overwhelming. This is especially true because for five leisurely days we are at one idyllic site, the famous Asa Wright Nature Center. The Center, located at 1200 feet in Trinidad's Northern Range and surrounded by forest and plantations, has been the site of many important discoveries in tropical ecology. The center combines comfortable accommodations within the forest with some of the easiest tropical birdwatching anywhere. Tanagers, honeycreepers and hummingbirds, among others, are attracted to feeding stations on the veranda and to plants in the gardens. Many gaudy species will become familiar faces as we search the grounds and forest trails during our extended stay. We can expect to find such tropical dandies as toucans, manakins, motmots, jacamars, cotingas, antbirds, ovenbirds, bellbird, and Oilbird.
From the Center we will take minibus excursions out to a variety of habitats, including Caroni Swamp with its incredible roost of hundreds of Scarlet Ibises and other waterbirds. During our birding forays we'll also watch for elusive rainforest mammals, lizards and butterflies and discuss ecological topics like seed dispersal, army ants, climbing vines and epiphytes. Just 15 minutes flight from Trinidad lies Tobago, an island ringed by beach and cocoa palms. Tobago offers fine snorkeling and, physically as well as biologically, is more like the other West Indian islands than is the larger Trinidad.
Tobago is drier and has been isolated from the South American mainland longer. Many birds not found in Trinidad occur in the forests, and one of the premier attractions are the seabird colonies on small offshore islands that we will visit by launch. Red-footed and Brown Boobys, and Red-billed Tropicbirds all nest on these islands.
Join me on this relaxed introduction to the Neotropics!
December 27, 2010 - January 5, 2011
GROUND COST: $2885 (includes Tobago flights)
LEADER: Mark Smith & Regional Naturalists
LIMIT: 14
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