Trinidad & Tobago ........ 28th November to 11th December 2010

The Asa Wright Experience

As a result of its proximity to South America, Trinidad boasts an impressive diversity of Neotropical bird species and can prove to be an excellent, but gentle, introduction to the colourful, but sometimes bewildering avifauna found in such abundance on the mainland to the south. The world famous Asa Wright Nature Centre, situated deep in the Arima Valley rainforest, is justly renowned for its stunning location, fabulous bird life and excellent quality of service. Imagine sitting on the verandah as the rainforest awakes, sipping home-grown coffee and enjoying the various hummingbirds, Bananaquits, honeycreepers and motmots which seem ever present around the sugar feeders and fruit laden bird tables. The grounds around the Centre are full of birds and walks along the trails regularly produce exquisite birds like Tufted Coquette, White-chested Emerald, Blue-chinned Sapphire, Purple Honeycreeper and the diminutive White-bearded Manakins. A visit to another Asa Wright gem (and only granted to Asa Wright guests) is a must - its famous Oilbird cave, home to a colony of this strange nocturnal bird, affords visitors the chance to observe and perhaps photograph, the birds as they roost in the cave. We return to the Asa Wright verandah each evening to sip our sundowners as we sample the excellent twilight birding. Although it is difficult to leave such a wonderful bird habitat, Trinidad has many more to offer. The island’s largest freshwater swamp at Nariva holds, amongst others, Pygmy Kingfisher, Wattled Jacana, Pied Water Tyrant and perhaps a Pinnated Bittern. At Caroni a late afternoon boat trip amongst the mangrove swamps will reward us with the magical sight of vividly coloured Scarlet Ibises, their brilliant plumage illuminated by the rays of the evening sun as they fly in to roost amongst the mangroves. Then as the light fades the growing darkness is punctuated by the calls of Common Potoo and Spectacled Owl. In contrast, the Blanchisseuse Road in the north provides forest birding at its best - from the mixed feeding flocks that can suddenly appear to the noisy parrots, orioles and woodpeckers that congregate in the fruiting trees. The Aripo Savannah and Wallerfield areas support a profusion of birds including antshrikes, Green-rumped Parrotlet, Southern Lapwing and, not forgetting to look skyward, Yellow-headed Caracara and Zone-tailed Hawks.
Lying just a twenty-minute flight from Trinidad, the neighbouring island of Tobago is an island paradise largely unspoilt by tourism. It boasts the oldest rainforest reserve in the Caribbean, which is home to Blue-backed Manakins and the rare White-tailed Sabrewing. Our base, like Tobago itself, is an elegant resort and a place of quiet charm. Just off-shore a pristine coral reef boasts some of the best snorkelling on the island and a boat trip to Little Tobago affords us the opportunity of seeing a number of seabird species, including Red-billed Tropicbird.

Day 1: We leave UK by scheduled flight to Trinidad and then transfer to Asa Wright for a 7 night stay.
Overnight - Asa Wright Centre.

Days 2 - 7: From the moment you awake at Asa Wright you will be surrounded by the sounds of the forest. The dawn chorus that greets you will soon become familiar as will the morning ritual of coffee on the verandah. From this pleasant vantagepoint many of the Centre’s birds can be viewed as they take advantage of the sugar feeders and fruit laden tables. Over the next few days we will explore the extensive gardens and excellent trails in order to see the wonderful array of bird species that are typical of the Neotropic region: trogons, toucans, parrots, woodcreepers, antbirds, honeycreepers, oropendolas, manakins and tanagers. And we will of course visit the world’s most accessible Oilbird cave, venturing far enough into the gloom to see this most bizarre bird as it roosts. We will make several excursions to different habitats around the island – Blanchisseuse, Aripo Savannah, Wallerfeld, Nariva and Caroni Swamps in search of herons, bitterns, ibises, raptors, waders and much more.
Overnights - Asa Wright Centre.

Days 8 - 11: Depart Asa Wright and take a domestic flight to Tobago. Two of these days will be devoted to exploring the island’s excellent birdwatching sites of Buccoo Marsh, Gilpin Trace, Hillsborough Dam and the Grafton Estate. Here there are many splendid birds, including some species that do not occur on Trinidad. We shall hope to observe White-cheeked Pintail, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Red-rumped Woodpecker, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, White-tailed Sabrewing, Yellow-legged Thrush, Blue-backed Manakin and Ruddy-breasted Seedeater. There will also be a boat trip to Little Tobago Island. Little Tobago is renowned for its seabirds, and we should have few problems seeing Magnificent Frigatebird, Brown Booby and the elegant Red-billed Tropicbird. There may also be an opportunity for us to do some snorkelling!
Overnights - Tobago.

Day 12: We catch our return flight from Port of Spain to UK, where we arrive on the morning of Day 13.

Tour Ref: AA1035

Cost: £2,895
Deposit: £400
Single Room Supplement: £430

Leader: Martyn Kenefick

Max. Group: 12 plus Leaders

Includes:
Economy class scheduled return flights (UK-Port of Spain-UK), domestic flights, accommodation based on twin occupancy, all meals, ground transportation in Trinidad & Tobago, entrance fees to parks and reserves and services of leader and guides.

Excludes:
Travel insurance, drinks and items of a personal nature.