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Trinidad and Tobago Birdwatching Tour
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Trinidad and Tobago Birdwatching Tour
When: Sat 6 Mar - Mon 22 Mar 2010
Leaders: Chris Doughty and Martyn Kenefick |
Trinidad and Tobago Birdwatching Tour
Melbourne/Melbourne (17 days) $9,666
Single Room Supplement $1,260
Ground Content (ex Port of Spain) $7,105 |
| The Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago are situated on the continental shelf of northeastern South America, just a few miles off the coast of Venezuela. These two relatively small tropical islands are home to an exceptionally rich and diverse avifauna, boasting a combined total of around 470 species, of which a remarkable 280 species breed on the islands. This Trinidad and Tobago Birdwatching Tour offers superb birding in a dream-like setting of rainforests, beautiful beaches and crystal-clear blue waters. It also offers an easy introduction to most of the bird families of South America, including such exotic families as motmots, jacamars, trogons, honeycreepers, tanagers and of course, the exquisite hummingbirds. The birding is surprisingly easy, the accommodation idyllic, the Caribbean cuisine is very flavorful and the birding starts from your verandah! We will begin our exploration of Trinidad at the world famous Asa Wright Nature Centre, located in the heart of the Northern Range, the northernmost extension of the Andes mountain chain. The centre is home to the most amazing bird feeding station in the world and it is an absolute paradise for birders and especially, bird photographers. The extensive grounds at the centre should reveal much sought after species such as Oilbird, the only nocturnal fruit eating bird in the world; the diminutive Tufted Coquette, both White-bearded and Golden-headed Manakins at their leks and the stunning Bearded Bellbird. Away from the centre, we will also explore areas of montane rainforest, open savannah, freshwater swamps, mangrove swamps and tidal mudflats, before transferring to the northeast coast of the island and the enchanting village community of Grande Riviere. Here, our primary quest is to find the endemic Trinidad Piping-Guan and one or two other specialities. One evening we will watch flocks of Scarlet Ibis returning to roost in the mangroves, the last rays of the sun illuminating their brilliant plumage before the calls of Common Potoos and Spectacled Owls begin to penetrate the growing darkness. Our beach-side small hotel is ideally situated to observe nesting Giant Leatherback Turtles and it is hoped that the first few will be coming ashore by the time of our visit. We then take a short flight to the sister island of Tobago and transfer to a secluded beachfront hotel close to the village of Speyside. During our short stay, we will enjoy the spectacle of Red-billed Tropicbirds and Brown and Red-footed boobies gliding above the sparkling blue Caribbean Sea on Little Tobago Island and explore several areas of the Main Ridge Forest Reserve, the oldest protected rainforest in the Americas. The last two nights will be spent at the southwestern end of the island, again in a very comfortable and quiet hotel, which will allow us to explore several areas of lowland dry forest and freshwater wetlands. |
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