DISCOVER BIODIVERSITY IN TRINIDAD
Trinidad, along with its sister island Tobago, boasts a surprising diversity of habitats and wildlife for its size. From lush rainforests to coastal wetlands, and even a unique asphalt lake, the island offers nature enthusiasts a chance to encounter intriguing flora, fauna, and geological wonders.
HADCO Experiences at Asa Wright Nature Centre
HADCO EXPERICNES AT ASA WRIGHT NATURE CENTRE
Immerse yourself in the rainforest’s vibrant ecosystem. This renowned facility provides excellent opportunities to spot colourful toucans, bellbirds, manakins, and a dazzling array of hummingbirds. It is the easiest place to find the Channel-billed Toucan, Bearded Bellbird, the famous oilbird, Manakins leks, all three trogons, woodcreepers, honeycreepers, tanagers and over 10 species of hummingbirds. On one hike alone, you could encounter close to 50-60 species of birds.
Greenery of the north coast
BIRDING ALONG THE BLANCHISSEUSE ROAD
Birding along here is great but, easy to get lost without a guide. Species similar to the Asa Wright Centre, with more flycatchers and hawks. Areas such as Morne Bleu are great for the Hepatic and Speckled Tanager; Las Lapas for leaftossers, antbirds, antthrushes, antwrens and Squirrel Cuckoos. Moving on to Paria Junction and continuing north to Morne la Croix, one can find Blue-headed Parrots, Rufous-tailed Jacamar and a lovely burst of yellow, from the Yellow-rumped Cacique.
Macaws
THE POINTE-À-PIERRE WILD FOWL TRUST
Observe ongoing conservation efforts and the fascinating behaviours of wetland birds. See reintroduced species like macaws and whistling ducks thrive in this protected environment. This is a popular site for birdwatchers and nature lovers to see various waterfowl in their natural habitat.
Hummingbirds in Trinidad
YERETTE, HOME OF THE HUMMINGBIRD
Yerette is located in Maracas Valley and is a leading hummingbird attraction allowing visitors to see these small birds as close as possible. This is a place where one can see hundreds of hummingbirds throughout the year.
Scarlet Ibises in the sky
CARONI BIRD SANCTUARY
At this sanctuary, you will bird along the swamp, on a flat bottom boat, looking for herons, boatbills, kingfishers, egrets, Common Potoo, flamingos, followed by the grand finale – the Scarlet Ibis. The beautiful Scarlet Ibis comes home at sunset, after feeding all day in a protected swamp. This sanctuary is also a Ramsar site, with the Scarlet Ibis being an environmentally sensitive species. This is a sight to behold, one of the ‘must’ things to do in the world.
Leatherback Turtles
TOCO
Mixing great birding with history, one can visit the furthest eastern point of the island, where you can find the Toco Lighthouse. The lighthouse is used to warn boats of the rocky waters, where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. This is also the most accessible point to study the seabird migration of the Common Tern, Brown Noddy, as well as smaller numbers of the Sandwich and Roseate Terns. Sightings also include Blackpoll Warblers, Yellow-billed Cuckoos and Lilac-tailed Parrotlets.
Continuing along the coast is the village of Grande Rivière, famous for the nesting giant Leatherback turtles, in season April through August. One can witness the turtles as they come up the shore to lay hundreds of eggs along the beachfront. Take an early morning hike up to Montevideo Trace, a hilltop with a lovely platform among the nutmeg trees, where the Trinidad Piping-Guan can be found in the early morning feeding quietly. The Trinidad Piping-Guan is one of Trinidad’s two endemic species. As the sun rises, walk into the surrounding forest and agricultural fields to find species such as toucans, woodpeckers, kites, trogons, Silvered and White-bellied Antbirds.