TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Birdwatching and Tropical Nature

• ITINERARY

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!

Leadership

Mark Smith, the trip leader, has led numerous Nature Conservancy, Audubon and Oregon Museum trips over the years. Since his studies at Oregon State University he has worked as a researcher and educator for a variety of organizations, including the National Science Foundation, Portland Public Schools and the National Marine Fisheries Service. For 20 years he has operated Mark Smith Nature Tours and has led over 100 tours to Latin America, as well as tours to Australia, Eurasia and Africa. He has guided eight tours to Trinidad and Tobago and four to neighboring Venezuela.

Experienced regional naturalists will co-lead in Trinidad and Tobago.

Accommodations and Transport

We stay five nights at the famous Asa Wright Nature Center where all rooms have hot water and private bathroom--the traditional meals are sumptuous. In Tobago we stay at a beautiful beach resort with seabird colonies and fine snorkeling just off shore.

All overnight accommodations and all meals are included. Formal dress is not necessary. Transportation will be by van or small bus, with an experienced local driver, and three or more days we will take stable boats to watch wildlife or snorkel.

Activities and Expectations

The Asa Wright Nature Center on Trinidad where we stay five nights is one of the most comfortable of all rainforest lodges. There are fine birds to be seen from the veranda, where we will spend considerable time. Delicious family-style meals feature local specialties. From our two lodgings we will have several day trips by van to visit the various habitats of the islands. Walks will not be over two miles long and there are no long, steep sections. If there is rain there will be mud, and hiking boots, rubber boots, or wettable tennis shoes will be necessary. (The lodge has boots for us to use.) The lodgings are beautiful, and it is very pleasant to take time out from our schedule and just enjoy the grounds. In various habitats there will be some mosquitoes, but never hoards. On some lowland outings temperatures will be in the 80's, but our vehicles do have air conditioning.

Preparation

By October 2010 participants will be sent maps, an equipment list, health suggestions, visa requirements (simple), bird lists, selected articles and a list of suggested readings

Cost and Reservations

A deposit of $500 is required to reserve one of the 14 available spaces, although this tour will likely have less than 10 participants.

Pam Davis of Willamette International Travel is the tour air-ticket agent; Mark has worked with Pam for over 15 years. Participants are encouraged to make bookings through Pam, which helps to coordinate our flights and keep leaders informed.

Pam Davis
Willamette International Travel
1314 NW Irving St. #101
Portland, OR 97209-2721
Email: pamd@wittravel.com
Phone: 503-224-0180 or 1-800-821-0401

Please make deposit and final payment payable to Mark Smith Nature Tours and send to:

Mark Smith
PO Box 3831
Portland, OR 97208-3831

Work phone: 503-224-0180 or 1-800-821-0401
Home phone: 360-566-0458
email, in care of: marksmithnaturetours@hotmail.com

Please contact Pam Davis of Willamette International Travel when Mark is out of town.

Cancellations

For cancellations made more than 60 days prior to departure payments are fully refunded less $100. Cancellations made fewer than 60 days before the departure date forfeit 65% of the tour cost. We recommend that participants consider trip cancellation insurance, which can be bought through our agent, Willamette International Travel (above).

ITINERARY

Day 1	Monday, Dec. 27	Hometowns/Houston/Trinidad
Travelers meet in Houston for a 1:00 PM flight to Trinidad. Portland travelers depart at 6:00 AM to Houston, arriving at 12:00 noon. We arrive this evening at 8:51 at Piarco Airport, Port of Spain, Trinidad, where we are met by our van and transferred to Asa Wright Nature Center. Nestled at the top of a valley in Trinidad's Northern Range, the lodge was originally a plantation for coffee, cocoa, and citrus, and many of these plants are still maintained at the Center. Natural second-growth has taken over and festooned the abandoned plantation vegetation with vines and a host of epiphytes. Observing from the veranda of the Asa Wright Nature Center is one of the world's most pleasant and exciting ornithological experiences, with the Ruby-topaz Hummingbird, Tufted Coquette, Barred Antshrike, and Green Honeycreeper among the 50-odd species that can be easily seen coming to the feeders. Other species occur in the native rainforest trees that surround the plantation house clearing.
Day 2	Tuesday, Dec. 28	The Center
We awake this morning to the raucous noise of the Crested Oropendola and many other exotic sounds. A first-time visitor might see 40 new birds before breakfast! 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, and Turquoise and Bay-headed Tanager. On this walk and others we should find such Neotropical phenomenon as mixed feeding flocks, where many species of birds move through the forest together, each foraging in different ways; army ant swarms with their attendant birds preying on the invertebrates the predatory ants flush out; and fruiting trees where dozens of species may gather to enjoy the temporary bounty.
Day 3	Wednesday, Dec. 29	The Lowlands
Today we journey to the lowlands. In the Aripo Savanna, Plumbeous and Grey-headed Kite, Shiny and 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 sugar cane is grown, as well as small-scale agriculture. Our forest sojourn will take us into what remains of the lowland rainforest where we should have great looks at Orange-winged Parrot and Squirrel Cuckoo, among others.
Day 4	Thursday, Dec. 30	Caves and Scarlet Ibis
This morning we will visit Dunstan Cave, a beautiful riparian grotto located on the sanctuary, to view the breeding colony of the fascinating nocturnal Oilbird. This strange bird lives and breeds in dark caves during the day, coming out at night to feed on fruit, which it plucks from trees while in flight. After lunch you will depart for the famous Caroni Marsh and its spectacular highlights—Neo tropical Cormorant, Anhinga, Striated Heron, White-cheeked Pintail, Large-billed Tern, Pied Watertyrant, Bicolored Conebill, and Red-capped Cardinal could be among the new species seen here. The Caroni is 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. 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 Pootoo!
Day 5	Friday, Dec. 31	Nariva Swamp
Today we wind our way out of the Northern Range to Trinidad's east coast and the Nariva Swamp. This is the largest freshwater herbaceous swamp in Trinidad. Along its edges are found "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. Arriving in the coastal area we have an opportunity to look for Pinnated Bittern, Peal Kite, Azure Gallinule, Wattled Jacana, and possible Red-bellied Macaw and Red Howler Monkey! On the Atlantic shore we may swim. Keep a look out in the surf for the fascinating four-eyed fish. We end our day at dusk watching flocks of Red-bellied Macaws returning to their nighttime roost.
Day 6	Saturday, Jan. 1	To Tobago, the Beach
We depart this morning at 11:45am to Trinidad's sister island of Tobago. This island 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 than Trinidad, being drier and windier. Our first stop will be at the Water Treatment Plant and at Buccoo Marsh for shorebirds, herons, egrets, and ducks, such as White-cheeked Pintail. We'll walk the woodlands of the Grafton estate, hoping to find Blue-crowned Motmot, then take a leisurely drive to our lovely beach hotel. We check into the Blue Waters Inn for a relaxing afternoon, where you can swim, snorkel or dive. (Blue Waters Inn has a full dive shop.)
Day 7	Sunday, Jan. 2	Little Tobago
This morning, weather permitting, we depart by boat for Little Tobago Island, one of this nation's most important wildlife sanctuaries. As we cross over to the island we will watch for leatherback and hawksbill sea turtles and enjoy spectacular views of one of the Caribbean's most beautiful and pristine coral formations from the comfort of our glass-bottom boat. On the islet we will view nesting colonies of Red-billed Tropicbird, Red-footed and Brown Boobies, and Sooty and Noddy Terns.
Day 8	Monday, Jan. 3	The Rainforest
This day we travel to the Rainforest Preserve, where Tobago's best mountain forests are found at elevations over 2,000 feet. We will pass among charming quiet villages to the forested interior to look for White-tailed Sabrewing, Blue-backed Manakin, Yellow-legged Thrush and other Tobago specialties such as Rufous-vented Chachalaca, Red-crowned Woodpecker, and White-fringed Antwren.
Day 9	Tuesday, Jan. 4	Tobago and Trinidad
This morning there will again be time for snorkeling, swimming and pleasant birdwalks. The water here is exceptionally clear and the fish are varied and colorful. The Blue Waters Inn rests in a sheltered cove with a private beach. This afternoon we drive across the island with stops, to the airport for our 7:10pm flight to Trinidad, where we spend the night at an airport hotel.
Day 10	Wednesday, Jan. 5	Trinidad/ Miami/Home
We depart at 9:30am arriving in Houston at 1:15pm, where we connect to our various destinations. Portlanders depart at 6:25pm, arriving home at 8:45pm.