Field Guides Tour Report

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

Feb 19, 2011 to Feb 28, 2011Megan Crewe with Dave Ramlal, Sukdeo Ramdass, Gladwyn James

Scarlet Ibis, Trinidad's national bird, dot the mangroves in Caroni Swamp. (Photo by participant Brian Schoeffler)

There's nothing like a tropical trip in the middle of winter to revive spirits dampened by long months of cold and snow andlack of color. And while this year's tour to Trinidad and Tobago certainly didn't lack in its own "dampening" department(thanks to the nearly omnipresent rain) we had lots of warmth and color and birdlife to enjoy regardless of the weather!Thanks to a combination of good luck, good local guides, patience and persistence, we notched up an excellent assortmentof the islands' specialties -- some of them even seen with rum punch and tea cakes in hand!

Top of the rarities table has to go to the family of Masked Ducks -- mom, dad and five fluffy ducklings we found onTobago. A close second was the Crane Hawk we watched flapping over a field near Carli Bay; this is a still-rare speciesthat first appeared on the islands less than a decade ago. We had super looks at seriously declining species like EpauletOriole (one preening in a nearby tree) and Ruddy-breasted Seedeater (two handsome males hanging out in a pasture), andfound a handful of Lesser Black-backed Gulls among the gulls and terns roosting in Waterloo. But of course it wasn't justthe rare species that made our highlight lists.

We didn't have to go far to find plenty to look at. The veranda at Asa Wright is a fabulous place to come to grips with aplethora of new birds and families, and we spent lots of time there getting long, repeated looks at the many regulars:motmots and honeycreepers, bananaquits and tanagers, oropendolas and hummingbirds, antshrikes and flycatchers. Thegrounds held other goodies too: Golden-headed Manakins doing their best Michael Jackson moonwalks and James Brownsidesteps, Oilbirds rocking in their damp "cave," a Gray-throated Leaftosser surreptitiously approaching its nest, TuftedCoquettes sipping daintily from tiny flowers, a male Bearded Bellbird "bonging" from his song perch with his beardwattles all a-quiver, White-bearded Manakins popping from perch to perch on their dance floors.

When we ventured further afield, we were amply rewarded. A pair of confiding Little Cuckoos (which are normallyincredibly secretive) slipped through the low branches of a lime grove. A displaying Pinnated Bittern, white shoulder tuftsflaring, stole across a wetland marsh, booming as he went. A Long-tailed Harrier quartered a soggy field. A TropicalScreech-Owl blinked down at us from its dayroost. A male White-bellied Antbird rummaged through leaf litter rightbeside the road while demonstrating just how many decibels he was capable of producing. Two Wilson's Plovers huddledin the shade of some mangroves. A Pearl Kite perched atop a nearby tree. Blue-crowned and Orange-winged parrots satside by side in a treetop, allowing easy comparisons. A female Crimson-crested Woodpecker hammered on dying palmtree. Two Long-billed Gnatwrens carefully examined the fissured trunk of a huge tree. A tiny American Pygmy-Kingfisher

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peered around from a mangrove root. A Masked Yellowthroat sheltered in a bamboo stand, sitting so long in the sameplace that we all got multiple views -- in the scope! A Yellow-chinned Spinetail showed its trademark yellow patch as itpreened on a nearby fence. Common Potoos did their best "don't mind me, I'm just a tree stump" imitations among themangroves. And we finished off our stay on the island with a visit to the Scarlet Ibis roost in Caroni Swamp, where theavian fireworks drew plenty of oohs and aahs!

The fun (and sadly the rain) continued on Tobago, with two Mangrove Cuckoos sitting near the edge of a mangroveswamp shortly after our arrival, and hordes of Rufous-vented Chachalacas. On our trip up to the (rain-free!) rainforest, weenjoyed a double handful of Yellow-legged Thrushes, several male Blue-backed Manakins (including a youngsterpracticing his dance steps), stupendous views of Rufous-tailed Jacamars and a pair of (rather misnamed) TrinidadMotmots, Venezuelan Flycatcher, and multiple White-tailed Sabrewings. A short boat trip to Little Tobago gave us thechance to marvel at the variety of fish, corals and sponges we passed over in our glass-bottomed boat -- and then yieldedfine views of a nesting Audubon's Shearwater, lots of graceful Red-billed Tropicbirds, Brown and Red-footed boobies(including lots of fluffy chicks), and plenty of menacing Magnificent Frigatebirds.

Thanks to all of you for making this trip such a fun one to lead. I hope to see you all again in the field somewhere, onanother great adventure!

-- Megan

We have more information about this itinerary and future departures on our web page for Trinidad & Tobago.

KEYS FOR THIS LISTOne of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced,E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant

BIRDSTinamidae (Tinamous)

(Crypturellus soui) – At least two (and possibly three) gave us a wonderfully close serenade at ourlast stop of the day along the Blanchisseuse road; the loud quavering whistles almost sounded like the forest itself wasspeaking. The "early birds" on the veranda heard another on our final morning at Asa Wright. [*]

Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl) (Nomonyx dominicus) – A male, a female, and five fluffy ducklings dove and paddled on one of the

sewage treatment ponds on the Tobago Plantations property. This is a rare species on both islands.

Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows) (Ortalis ruficauda) – Common and widespread on Tobago, with at least five pairs

calling from various spots around our hotel on our second pre-breakfast walk, and nearly a dozen hanging around theparking area at Grafton Estate. This is Tobago's national bird.

Podicipedidae (Grebes) (Tachybaptus dominicus) – Several at Tobago Plantations, including a close adult with a very insistent

stripe-faced youngster on the sewage treatment pond there.

Procellariidae (Shearwaters and Petrels) (Puffinus lherminieri) – One, looking surprisingly tiny, sat tight on its nest while we all

peered at it from nearby. Like all shearwaters, this one only comes ashore to breed.

Phaethontidae (Tropicbirds) (Phaethon aethereus) – Numbers in graceful flight over the hilly island of Little Tobago

(including a handful with thuggish mobs of frigatebirds in hot pursuit) with a handful of others -- an adult, a couple ofnearly-grown, yellow-billed youngsters and one fluffy ball of a chick -- on nests along some of the island's trails. Thisspecies comes to shore only to breed.

Fregatidae (Frigatebirds)

LITTLE TINAMOU

MASKED DUCK

RUFOUS-VENTED CHACHALACA

LEAST GREBE

AUDUBON'S SHEARWATER

RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD

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Two male Golden-headed Manakins on a lek at Asa Wright (Photo by participant Brian Schoeffler)

(Fregata magnificens) – The lurking menace of these big pirates over Little Tobagowas most impressive; we even got to see some in swift pursuit of hapless tropicbirds, which were quickly robbed of thefish they were trying to bring to their nestlings.

Sulidae (Boobies and Gannets) (Sula leucogaster) – Lots around Little Tobago, including some still fluffy (but already full-sized)

youngsters on nests.

(Sula sula) – Good numbers of two color morphs -- all white or brown with a white tail --sprinkled on nests on the hillsides of Little Tobago, with others gliding past over the sea.

Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags) (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)

Anhingidae (Anhingas) (Anhinga anhinga) – Common around ponds in Bon Accord and Tobago Plantation, including numbers drying

their wings and one demonstrating why the folk name of this species is "Snake Bird" (as it swam along with just itsskinny neck and head sticking out of the water).

Pelecanidae (Pelicans) (Pelecanus occidentalis) – Scores decorated the fishing boats anchored off Waterloo, and others flew

by while we ate our lunch at Manzanilla.

Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns) (Botaurus pinnatus) – WOW!! A booming male, sounding rather like a deep-voiced bullfrog,

crept across the marshes in the Melon Patch, displaying two big white shoulder patches. (Ardea alba) (Egretta thula) – Very common around Waterloo and in Caroni Swamp, including several big flocks

winging low over the water headed for the roost tree. The least fortunate was probably the one that got snatched -- andthen dropped into the water -- by the hunting Peregrine. It was still floating on the top (after diving underneath severaltimes when the Peregrine came back for another try) as it disappeared behind the island.

(Egretta caerulea) – Dozens sprinkled across the mudflats at Waterloo and in the mangroves ofthe Caroni Swamp, with others -- including a couple of blue-tinged white youngsters -- in wet areas across both islands.

(Egretta tricolor) (Bubulcus ibis)

(Butorides virescens) (Butorides striata) – One hunting along a little creek near the buffalypso barn at the Aripo

Agricultural Research Station gave us our closest views, and we saw others in the Melon Patch and at Waterloo. This

MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD

BROWN BOOBY

RED-FOOTED BOOBY

NEOTROPIC CORMORANT

ANHINGA

BROWN PELICAN

PINNATED BITTERN

GREAT EGRETSNOWY EGRET

LITTLE BLUE HERON

TRICOLORED HERONCATTLE EGRETGREEN HERONSTRIATED HERON

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The fantastic (and recently split) TrinidadMotmot (Photo by participant Brian

Schoeffler)

widespread species is also found in the Old World. (Nycticorax nycticorax) – An adult crept along the mangrove roots at Waterloo,

not far from a hunting Striated Heron. (Nyctanassa violacea) – A spotty youngster hunted among the roots at the

edge of the mangroves in Waterloo, and an adult flushed across the river in front of our boat in Caroni Swamp.

Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills) (Eudocimus ruber) – The evening flight of these stupendously colorful birds was certainly a highlight of

our time on Trinidad. Big mixed flocks of bright adults and more subdued youngsters flashed over and dropped onto anearby island of mangroves with much shuffling of wings -- particularly when a big Peregrine shot past, causing themall to duck into the vegetation. This is Trinidad's national bird.

Cathartidae (New World Vultures) (Coragyps atratus) – Daily on Trinidad, including flocks of hundreds circling in thermals over the

Aripo Savanna. (Cathartes aura) – Also daily, though in far smaller

numbers than the previous species.

Pandionidae (Osprey) (Pandion haliaetus) – A handful around Waterloo and Caroni

Swamp on Trinidad and others on Tobago, with especially good views ofone making repeated successful plunges after (rather small) fish in a pondat Tobago Plantations.

Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites) (Leptodon cayanensis) – One soared over the

Arima Valley, downhill from the Asa Wright veranda on our first morningthere; some in Ram's van spotted another perched (briefly) in a tree alongthe main east-west highway as we headed toward Manzanilla.

(Gampsonyx swainsonii) – Our first was a female on her sticknest, though we saw little more than her head and the end of her tail.Fortunately, we found another bird near Manzanilla Beach the followingday -- and it was sitting out in the open, where we could easily see thewhole bird.

(Circus buffoni) – Super views of a dark-morph bird as it coursed back and forth over a field in the AripoAgricultural Research Station, hunting for something -- hopefully notGrassland Yellow-Finches!

(Geranospiza caerulescens) – Flight views of an adultflapping over a field near Carli Bay, showing the distinctive whitecrescents near the tips of its wings. This species is a recent arrival (2001)to Trinidad, and is still quite rare.

(Buteogallus anthracinus) – Regular onTrinidad, including one seen soaring from the Asa Wright veranda on our very first morning, and another circling (andcalling) over the Blanchisseuse road.

(Buteogallus meridionalis) – Regular in the lowlands, with especially nice looks at one -- showingwell the very long legs of this ground-hunting species -- in the grass along the road to Nariva Swamp. We saw severalin flight over the Aripo Savanna, soaring on their striking rufous wings.

(Buteo platypterus) – One stood spread-eagled at the top of a tree along the Blanchisseuseroad, drying its soggy plumage after a downpour, while a second circled in the sky behind it. We saw others daily onTobago, including a pristine adult together with a very ratty-looking youngster over the Roxborough-Bloody Bay road.This species is resident on Tobago, but only an uncommon winter visitor to Trinidad.

(Buteo nitidus) (Buteo brachyurus) – Two light morph birds soaring in a thermal over Cumoto got us all out

of the vans in a hurry. We saw another from the top of Morne Bleu; it sailed over and then proceeded to kite in thewind blasting off the ridge top.

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON

YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON

SCARLET IBIS

BLACK VULTURE

TURKEY VULTURE

OSPREY

GRAY-HEADED KITE

PEARL KITE

LONG-WINGED HARRIER

CRANE HAWK

COMMON BLACK-HAWK

SAVANNA HAWK

BROAD-WINGED HAWK

GRAY HAWKSHORT-TAILED HAWK

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A male Tufted Coquette feeding at verbena at Asa Wright (Photo by participant Brian Schoeffler)

(Buteo albonotatus) – Two soared over the cemetary in Arima -- fortunately along a back roadso that we could pile out of the vans for a better look.

Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras) (Milvago chimachima)

(Falco columbarius) (Falco rufigularis) – One caught a bat late one afternoon over the Asa Wright veranda, then perched in a

nearby tree to eat it as dusk fell. As suggested by its name, this species is a bat specialist. (Falco peregrinus)

Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots) (Porphyrio martinica)

(Gallinula chloropus) – A handful chugged across the ponds of Bon Accord and TobagoPlantations, seen in good comparison with the previous species.

Aramidae (Limpkin) (Aramus guarauna) – One flapped over the marshes of the Melon Patch, headed for the taller vegetation -- great

spotting, Debby!

Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings) (Vanellus chilensis) – Particularly common in the overgrown sewage treatment ponds at

Tobago Plantations, including a few pairs that seemed to be reacting with alarm to something they could see among thewater weeds.

(Charadrius wilsonia) – At least two rested in the shade of some small mangroves at Waterloo,showing well their heavy all-black bills.

(Charadrius semipalmatus)

Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets) (Himantopus mexicanus) – A little group of these long-legged birds snoozed near the edges of

the mangroves at Waterloo. This species is an uncommon wintering species on the islands.

Jacanidae (Jacanas) (Jacana jacana)

Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies) (Actitis macularius) – Reasonably common in wet areas, including one already looking pretty

spotty at the start of our boat trip into Caroni Swamp. (Tringa solitaria) – A couple of birds shared pasture ponds with Spotted and Least sandpipers

at the Aripo Agricultural Research Station, and others rummaged among the Southern Lapwings at Tobago Plantations.

ZONE-TAILED HAWK

YELLOW-HEADED CARACARAMERLINBAT FALCON

PEREGRINE FALCON

PURPLE GALLINULE

COMMON MOORHEN

LIMPKIN

SOUTHERN LAPWING

WILSON'S PLOVER

SEMIPALMATED PLOVER

BLACK-NECKED STILT

WATTLED JACANA

SPOTTED SANDPIPER

SOLITARY SANDPIPER

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A Pinnated Bittern in the "Melon Patch," shoulder patchesexposed (Photo by participant Brian Schoeffler)

(Tringa melanoleuca) (Tringa semipalmata) – A handful fed and rested on the mudflats at Waterloo, looking plain until they took flight

with a flash of boldly-patterned black and white wings. (Tringa flavipes)

(Numenius phaeopus) – A few hunted on the mudflats of Waterloo, probing into the crab burrows with theirlong curved beaks.

(Arenaria interpres) – A handfulrummaged along the shores of Waterloo, but our best viewscame at Blue Waters Inn, where a tame flock mooched aroundthe tables in the bar searching for tidbits. This is a wintervisitor to the islands.

(Calidris alba) (Calidris pusilla)

(Calidris minutilla) (Limnodromus griseus) – A

mob huddled under the mangrove roots at Waterloo, trying(with more success than we had) to escape the worst of themidday sun.

(Gallinago delicata) – The only one we sawthis trip was dangling (half-eaten) from the branch below oneof our Peregrines -- which was busily tearing it to pieces!

Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers) (Leucophaeus atricilla) – Thousands -- including hundreds of youngsters -- in noisy loafing flocks

along the muddy shore in Waterloo; it was certainly easy to see (hear?) how they got their name! (Larus fuscus graellsii) – A handful of these bigger gulls -- at least

two adults and 4-5 immatures -- were sprinkled among the Laughing Gulls at Waterloo. (Thalasseus maximus) – Fairly common among the hordes of gulls in the roosts at Waterloo. This is

primarily a winter visitor to the islands, though a few non-breeding birds remain throughout the year. (Rynchops niger cinerascens) – Good numbers -- including a heartening

percentage of youngsters -- mingled with the mobs of Laughing Gulls in the roosts at Waterloo; we even got to see afew "skimming" as they approached the roost.

Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves) (Columba livia) [I]

(Patagioenas cayennensis) – Very common on Tobago, particularly around our hotel, wherethey routinely perched up on dead snags.

(Patagioenas speciosa) – Seen every day but one on Trinidad, with especially nice studies of one nearthe chicken sheds on Blanchisseuse road -- close enough we could clearly see its scaly neck (and red and yellow bill) inthe scope.

(Zenaida auriculata) – Though we saw a few in flight over the mangroves of Caroni Swamp, our bestviews came at Bon Accord, where numbers sat on roadside wires and trundled around on grassy lawns.

(Columbina talpacoti) (Leptotila verreauxi)

(Leptotila rufaxilla) – Regular (in small numbers) under the feeders at Asa Wright, wheretheir namesake gray foreheads were easy to see. Like the previous species, this one spends much of its time on theground.

Psittacidae (Parrots) (Forpus passerinus) – Our best views probably came near the ponds at Tobago

Plantations, where we found one perched up in the rain, but we also saw them well at the Aripo Agricultural ResearchStation -- after a rather frustrating first encounter with some particularly skulking birds near the entrance gate!

(Pionus menstruus) – Super scope studies of one sitting atop a snag in Morne La Croix --conveniently right beside a pair of Orange-winged Parrots for easy comparison.

GREATER YELLOWLEGSWILLET

LESSER YELLOWLEGSWHIMBREL

RUDDY TURNSTONE

SANDERLINGSEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERLEAST SANDPIPERSHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER

WILSON'S SNIPE

LAUGHING GULL

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (GRAELLSII)

ROYAL TERN

BLACK SKIMMER (CINERASCENS)

ROCK PIGEONPALE-VENTED PIGEON

SCALED PIGEON

EARED DOVE

RUDDY GROUND-DOVEWHITE-TIPPED DOVEGRAY-FRONTED DOVE

GREEN-RUMPED PARROTLET

BLUE-HEADED PARROT

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Red-billed Tropicbird above Little Tobago Island (Photo byparticipant Brian Schoeffler)

(Amazona amazonica)

Cuculidae (Cuckoos) (Coccycua minuta) – With a bit of patience, we all had great views of a couple of birds moving

through the lime trees of a little orchard near the Aripo Savanna -- definitely worth standing out in that hot sun for! (Piaya cayana)

(Coccyzus minor) – Two wonderfully confiding birds along the edge of a stand of mangrovesnear the airport got our Tobago birding off to a great start.

(Tapera naevia) – One singing from a lowbranch near the entrance to Waller Field led to an unscheduledhighway stop -- and some great views of its crest rising andfalling as it sang.

(Crotophaga ani)

Tytonidae (Barn-Owls) (Tyto alba) – One peered around from a dead snag

on the Aripo Agricultural Research Station, spotted as weheaded back toward the entrance at the end of our night drive.

Strigidae (Owls) (Megascops choliba) – WOW!!

One snoozing in a tree on a dayroost -- seemingly unfazed bythe constant hubbub of passing traffic, traffic, noisy birders,etc. -- was a great find by Dave.

(Glaucidium brasilianum) –Great views of one perched low in a tree over Jogie'sdriveway.

Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies) (Nyctidromus albicollis)

(Caprimulgus cayennensis) – We walked right up to several -- and the larger previousspecies -- on our night outing at the Aripo Agricultural Research Station.

Nyctibiidae (Potoos) (Nyctibius griseus) – We saw a few distant birds perched on fence posts (including one that was little

more than a huge reflective eyeball) during our night trip to the Aripo Agricultural Research Station, but had far betterviews of the day-roosting birds we found in the Caroni Swamp. And a lucky few heard the bizarre song of one echoingdown the Arima Valley early one morning.

Steatornithidae (Oilbird) (Steatornis caripensis) – Dozens crowded on their smelly fruit paste nest ledges in Dunstan Cave, rocking gently

in the dim torchlight. Several folks got a glimpse of a small chick (quickly shielded by its parents) and others saw a fewin brief flight around the cave. The harsh half-strangled call of this nocturnal species -- and its red eye shine -- gaverise to its local folkname: Devil Bird.

Apodidae (Swifts) (Chaetura brachyura) (Chaetura cinereiventris) – Easily the most common swift of the trip, seen in good numbers on

every day but one -- even in the rain! (Tachornis squamata)

Trochilidae (Hummingbirds) (Florisuga mellivora) – Up close and personal views of several dapper males at Asa

Wright, where they seemed particularly attracted to the feeders hanging from the veranda. (Glaucis hirsutus)

(Phaethornis guy) (Phaethornis longuemareus) – One made regular early-morning visits to the big ginger flower spikes

ORANGE-WINGED PARROT

LITTLE CUCKOO

SQUIRREL CUCKOOMANGROVE CUCKOO

STRIPED CUCKOO

SMOOTH-BILLED ANI

BARN OWL

TROPICAL SCREECH-OWL

FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL

COMMON PAURAQUEWHITE-TAILED NIGHTJAR

COMMON POTOO

OILBIRD

SHORT-TAILED SWIFTGRAY-RUMPED SWIFT

FORK-TAILED PALM-SWIFT

WHITE-NECKED JACOBIN

RUFOUS-BREASTED HERMITGREEN HERMITLITTLE HERMIT

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below the Asa Wright veranda, particularly the flower heads right at the bottom of the stairs. The all-rust color of thisspecies -- and its long, white-tipped tail -- is distinctive.

(Chrysolampis mosquitus) – We never did the get the full-on "yowza" view of a male-- though the perched bird sitting near the Moriche Oriole tree in Waller Field did flash us once or twice. We did have agood look at the distinctively rusty tail of one feeding in the Aripo Savanna, when it was conveniently backlit.

(Anthracothorax viridigula) – A couple of males perched up on snags in the mangroves,seen by some as we floated through the Caroni Swamp. Sadly, neither one stayed long enough for everyone to figureout exactly which snags we were looking at!

(Anthracothorax nigricollis) (Lophornis ornatus) – Cracking views of several males and a female feeding at the verbena and

lantana flowers below the Asa Wright veranda. Debby was lucky enough to see two males facing off -- with theirorange "scarves" flared -- in a territorial dispute over some flowers.

(Heliomaster longirostris) – A lucky few were still on the veranda on our last morningat Asa Wright, when a female made a brief visit to the ginger flowers shortly after the breakfast bell had rung. Thewhite patch on the back of this species is distinctive.

(Chlorestes notata) (Campylopterus ensipennis) – These proved more elusive than normal, with some folks

seeing them well, and others only seeing them in passing flight -- though everyone saw the bottom of one female's tail(and some the tip of her beak) when we found one on a nest along the Gilpin Trace.

(Amazilia brevirostris) (Amazilia tobaci)

Trogonidae (Trogons) (Trogon viridis) – A singing male perched near the track at Las Lapas gave us great

opportunity for scope study. This species was recently split from the White-tailed Trogon; it kept its former scientificname, but its common name was changed.

(Trogon violaceus) – We spotted a female on our first morning's walk along the Discovery trail atAsa Wright, and had good scope views of a male -- showing well its yellow eyering and barred undertail -- along theBlanchisseuse road. This is another recent split; it too kept its scientific name, but had its common name changed fromViolaceous Trogon.

(Trogon collaris) – A pair perched nicely in the open near the turnoff to the Guacharo Trail atAsa Wright, allowing good scope views, and others showed spectacularly well along the Roxborough-Bloody Bay road.

Momotidae (Motmots) (Momotus bahamensis) – Fine views of this species -- recently split from the Blue-crowned

Motmot -- on both islands, including regular visitors to the Asa Wright feeders and a close pair near the picnic shelterat Gilpin Trace. Despite its specific epithet, it is found only on Trinidad and Tobago.

Alcedinidae (Kingfishers) (Megaceryle torquata) – One at the Aripo Agricultural Research Station perched on a wire right

over our heads -- apparently a convenient spot from which to scan the nearby ditch. (Chloroceryle americana) – Our best views came in Nariva Swamp, when we watched a little

female -- with an even smaller fish -- as she moved back and forth through the nearby mangroves. We eventuallydecided she must have had a nest burrow in the nearby bank, and moved away.

(Chloroceryle aenea) – Lester, our boatman in the Caroni Swamp, knew exactlywhich little channels were likely to hold this species, which eventually led to fine views of a tiny male perched amongthe tangled mangroves roots on our way out to the ibis roost.

Galbulidae (Jacamars) (Galbula ruficauda) – The only way we could have gotten better looks at the male

hunting along the Roxborough-Bloody Bay road is if it had actually landed on one of us! We also had great views ofanother close pair along the driveway at the Blue Waters Inn before breakfast one morning.

Ramphastidae (Toucans) (Ramphastos vitellinus) – Believe it or not, this can be a tough bird to get a good look at

some years! Not this year though: we had super views of four in a dead snag right near the start of Las Lapas track, and

RUBY-TOPAZ HUMMINGBIRD

GREEN-THROATED MANGO

BLACK-THROATED MANGOTUFTED COQUETTE

LONG-BILLED STARTHROAT

BLUE-CHINNED SAPPHIREWHITE-TAILED SABREWING

WHITE-CHESTED EMERALDCOPPER-RUMPED HUMMINGBIRD

GREEN-BACKED TROGON

GUIANAN TROGON

COLLARED TROGON

TRINIDAD MOTMOT

RINGED KINGFISHER

GREEN KINGFISHER

AMERICAN PYGMY KINGFISHER

RUFOUS-TAILED JACAMAR

CHANNEL-BILLED TOUCAN

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A male Purple Honeycreeper visits the verandaat Asa Wright. (Photo by participant Brian

Schoeffler)

another trio seen well in Waller Field.

Picidae (Woodpeckers) (Melanerpes rubricapillus) – A pair with a nest in a dead palm tree beside one of the

Tobago Plantations ponds gave us many great views as they hitched up and down the trunk. (Veniliornis kirkii) – One along the Blanchisseuse road, looking slightly bedraggled

after a hard shower, sat for long minutes, allowing us all time to study it carefully in the scopes. (Colaptes rubiginosus) – Long

leisurely scope views of one tapping repeatedly on a nicely resonantbamboo shoot along the Blanchisseuse road. The pale cheek patch of thisspecies is distinctive.

(Dryocopus lineatus) – Regular on Trinidad,including an adult seen well in the scope from the Asa Wright veranda(and another resting in a tree along the Discovery trail) plus a nearly readyto fledge youngster protruding from a nest hole along the Blanchisseuseroad.

(Campephilus melanoleucos) –Super views of a female feeding (for the entire duration of our picniclunch) on a dying palm tree near the Arena Forest. Like North America'sPileated Woodpecker, this species makes large rectangular feeding holes.

Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers) (Sclerurus albigularis) – Super views

of a wary female around her nest burrow along the Asa Wright entranceroad. She approached the entrance very circumspectly, spending longmoments checking her surroundings from the roadside curb.

(Synallaxis albescens) – A territorial birdin Morne Le Croix gave us marvelous views as he shouted his challengesfrom some fruit trees in a garden.

(Synallaxis cinnamomea) (Certhiaxis cinnamomeus) – One

preening on a fence wire at the Aripo Agricultural Research Stationallowed us extended study in the scopes -- and even let us see its (quitesmall) namesake yellow chin!

(Xenops rutilans) (Dendrocincla fuliginosa)

(Sittasomus griseicapillus) – We heard the rising and falling trill of this species onseveral days in Tobago, but never did connect with the singer. Birds found on the island sound considerably differentthan do those on the mainland. [*]

(Dendroplex picus) – One foraging low on mangrove roots right near our boatwas a highlight of our journey out to the Scarlet Ibis roost. This species is a mangrove specialist.

(Xiphorhynchus susurrans) (Lepidocolaptes souleyetii) – Two interacted along Nariva Road, working their

way up and down a number of roadside trees.

Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds) (Taraba major) – Some of the group spotted a male under the veranda feeders at Asa Wright one

morning (while the rest had already headed in to breakfast). We all caught up with another male, singing from a bigstand of bamboo along the Blanchisseuse road.

(Sakesphorus canadensis) (Thamnophilus doliatus) – A young male regularly patrolled the vegetation at one end of the Asa

Wright veranda, occasionally singing energetically from open perches. (Dysithamnus mentalis)

(Myrmotherula axillaris) – After an unsuccessful attempt to see the singing birds alongthe track at Las Lapas, we had much better luck with another pair just down the Blanchisseuse road from Dave's house.

RED-CROWNED WOODPECKER

RED-RUMPED WOODPECKER

GOLDEN-OLIVE WOODPECKER

LINEATED WOODPECKER

CRIMSON-CRESTED WOODPECKER

GRAY-THROATED LEAFTOSSER

PALE-BREASTED SPINETAIL

STRIPE-BREASTED SPINETAILYELLOW-CHINNED SPINETAIL

STREAKED XENOPSPLAIN-BROWN WOODCREEPEROLIVACEOUS WOODCREEPER

STRAIGHT-BILLED WOODCREEPER

COCOA WOODCREEPERSTREAK-HEADED WOODCREEPER

GREAT ANTSHRIKE

BLACK-CRESTED ANTSHRIKEBARRED ANTSHRIKE

PLAIN ANTVIREOWHITE-FLANKED ANTWREN

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(Formicivora grisea) (Sclateria naevia) – We heard one calling -- frustratingly close but never in view -- in the

mangroves of Nariva Swamp. [*] (Myrmeciza longipes) – This species, on the other hand, cooperated magnificently, with a

calling male foraging right near the edge of Blanchisseuse road on our last morning.

Formicariidae (Antthrushes) (Formicarius analis) – We heard one calling from the forest below the Asa Wright

veranda on our final morning's pre-breakfast meetup. These were surprisingly scarce this year; Dave thought they mighthave been breeding earlier than usual because of the rain. [*]

Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers) (Camptostoma obsoletum)

(Myiopagis gaimardii) – Two regularly visited the big tree near one end of the Asa Wright veranda,providing multiple good looks at an often-elusive species.

(Elaenia flavogaster) (Mionectes oleagineus) – A couple, showing well the distinctive wing-flicking

behavior of this species (one wing at a time, switching wings regularly), hunted most days in the trees around the AsaWright veranda. We saw others -- and a large "debris caught in a tree" nest -- along the Gilpin Trace.

(Tolmomyias flaviventris) – Two hunting from vines along Nariva Road, seenwhen the rain FINALLY stopped, gave us all good first views, and another pair near their nest at Tobago Plantationsgave us further opportunities for study.

(Lathrotriccus euleri) – One hunted from the branches of a fallen tree along Las Lapas track,flashing in and out of view as it searched for tidbits.

(Contopus cooperi) – One hunted from a dead snag along the Blanchisseuse road, notfar from the wing-drying Broad-winged Hawk. This is an uncommon winter visitor to Trinidad, but is unrecorded onTobago.

(Contopus cinereus) (Cnemotriccus fuscatus)

(Fluvicola pica) – Plenty of these small black and white flycatchers, wagging their short tailsnear ditches and waterways throughout the lowlands of Trinidad; those at Carli Bay proved especially cooperative.

(Arundinicola leucocephala) – Scattered birds in wet open areas around Trinidad,with particularly good views of several hunting from posts and wires on the Aripo Agricultural Research Station. Thelocal name for this species is "Nunbird", a reference to its black and white plumage.

(Attila spadiceus) – We heard the "maniacal laughter" of this big flycatcher on severaloccasions from the Asa Wright veranda and we whistled one in quite close on our first morning, but never did see thebird. [*]

(Myiarchus tuberculifer) (Myiarchus venezuelensis) – A calling bird along the Roxborough-Bloody Bay road

made us work a bit, but finally dropped down where we could see him as something other than a silhouette! (Myiarchus tyrannulus) – Best seen on the grounds of the Blue Waters Inn on our

first pre-breakfast walk there, when we found one hunting from some of the big trees near the parking lot. (Pitangus sulphuratus)

(Megarynchus pitangua) – A pair hunted near the Pearl Kite nest. (Myiodynastes maculatus)

(Legatus leucophaius) (Tyrannopsis sulphurea) – Handfuls of these noisy birds -- which, like the Moriche Orioles

are dependent on the presence of the Moriche Palms -- chased each other back and forth through the grove in WallerField. They strongly resemble kingbirds, though with browner backs and faces.

(Tyrannus melancholicus) (Tyrannus dominicensis)

Cotingidae (Cotingas) (Procnias averano) – Great views of a male shouting his challenges (with beard wattles

WHITE-FRINGED ANTWRENSILVERED ANTBIRD

WHITE-BELLIED ANTBIRD

BLACK-FACED ANTTHRUSH

SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULETFOREST ELAENIA

YELLOW-BELLIED ELAENIAOCHRE-BELLIED FLYCATCHER

YELLOW-BREASTED FLYCATCHER

EULER'S FLYCATCHER

OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER

TROPICAL PEWEEFUSCOUS FLYCATCHERPIED WATER-TYRANT

WHITE-HEADED MARSH TYRANT

BRIGHT-RUMPED ATTILA

DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHERVENEZUELAN FLYCATCHER

BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER

GREAT KISKADEEBOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHERSTREAKED FLYCATCHERPIRATIC FLYCATCHERSULPHURY FLYCATCHER

TROPICAL KINGBIRDGRAY KINGBIRD

BEARDED BELLBIRD

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quivering) from a perch over the Discovery Trail at Asa Wright, with several others answering from the forest aroundus.

Pipridae (Manakins) (Manacus manacus)

(Chiroxiphia pareola) – Super views of multiple males -- including a youngster practicinghis dance steps on a log -- and a single female along the Gilpin Trace. What a stunning bird the adult male is!

(Pipra erythrocephala) – A number of pumped-up males on a lek at Asa Wright didtheir very best to attract the attention of a passing female. And who will soon forget Brian's great video of the two doingtheir "Michael Jackson moonwalk" and "James Brown sidestep"!

Tityridae (Tityras and Allies) (Tityra cayana) – One sat atop a tree downslope from the Asa Wright veranda on our first

pre-breakfast morning, and a couple of others made brief appearances in a fruiting tree nearby several mornings later. (Pachyramphus polychopterus) – A pumped-up male singing along a back road in the

Aripo Savanna almost took Dave's head off on one fly-by! It perched repeatedly in trees right beside us, while wesearched for a better vantage point to see the Pearl Kite nest.

Vireonidae (Vireos) (Vireo olivaceus chivi) – A pair working along the edge of the mangroves

at our first birding stop on Tobago were most cooperative, feeding for long minutes at eye level. (Hylophilus flavipes) – A pair flicked through some still-dripping low bushes right beside the path

at Grafton Estate, showing nicely. (Hylophilus aurantiifrons)

(Cyclarhis gujanensis)

Hirundinidae (Swallows) (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis)

(Progne dominicensis) – Common in the skies over Tobago, with our best looks coming at thoseover Bon Accord. Though similar to the next species, the Caribbean Martin has a darker throat.

(Progne chalybea) (Tachycineta albiventer)

Troglodytidae (Wrens) (Pheugopedius rutilus)

(Troglodytes aedon)

Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers) (Ramphocaenus melanurus) – A pair carefully examined the fissured trunk of a huge tree

(and all the vines attached to it) along Nariva Road, and others proved confiding along the Blanchisseuse road.

Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies) (Turdus flavipes) – We hit the motherlode of this species this year, with at least 10 seen

along the Gilpin Trace -- including several perched singing males. This is easily the best singer of the islands's thrushes. (Turdus fumigatus)

(Turdus nudigenis) – Easily the most common of the tour's thrushes, seen every day but one.This is the former "Bare-eyed Thrush", given a new common name to avoid any possible confusion with the AfricanBare-eyed Thrush.

(Turdus albicollis)

Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers) (Mimus gilvus) – Daily, including some frazzled parents with two recently fledged and

(incredibly insistent) persistently begging youngsters around our cabins at Asa Wright.

Parulidae (New World Warblers) (Parula pitiayumi) – One in a tree over our "tea break" spot in Morne Le Croix showed well, just

before we turned around to head back to the hotel.

WHITE-BEARDED MANAKINBLUE-BACKED MANAKIN

GOLDEN-HEADED MANAKIN

BLACK-TAILED TITYRA

WHITE-WINGED BECARD

RED-EYED VIREO (MIGRATORY CHIVI)

SCRUB GREENLET

GOLDEN-FRONTED GREENLETRUFOUS-BROWED PEPPERSHRIKE

SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWCARIBBEAN MARTIN

GRAY-BREASTED MARTINWHITE-WINGED SWALLOW

RUFOUS-BREASTED WRENHOUSE WREN

LONG-BILLED GNATWREN

YELLOW-LEGGED THRUSH

COCOA THRUSHSPECTACLED THRUSH

WHITE-NECKED THRUSH

TROPICAL MOCKINGBIRD

TROPICAL PARULA

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(Dendroica petechia) – Scattered individuals: a male in the Aripo Savanna, another at Carli Bayand a final one working along a mangrove edge in Bon Accord. This is a winter visitor to the islands.

(Setophaga ruticilla) – A wintering male made several passes through the vegetation in frontof the Asa Wright veranda during the course of the week.

(Parkesia noveboracensis) (Geothlypis aequinoctialis) – It's not often that you get one of these twitchy skulkers in

the scope! But thanks to some great spotting by Richard, who found one sitting quietly in a bamboo stand, we were ableto do exactly that. Though it strongly resembles the widespread Common Yellowthroat, this species has a far moreintricate song.

(Basileuterus culicivorus)

Coerebidae (Bananaquit) (Coereba flaveola) – If we only had a penny for every one we saw...

Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies) (Conirostrum bicolor) – A male low in the mangroves along the road through the Nariva

Swamp gave us great opportunity for study, as did another that approached to within yards of us on our Caroni Swampboat trip.

(Tachyphonus rufus) (Ramphocelus carbo) – Fine views daily on Trinidad, particularly of the territorial male

who sang from the sticks in front of the Asa Wright veranda every morning -- and we saw the effect of his singing on"the ladies" when we watched him mate with two different females in very quick succession one day.

(Thraupis episcopus) (Thraupis palmarum) – Almost ridiculously common, with point-blank views of the veranda regulars

-- including the pair that mooched around the bar most days and roosted on the rafters each evening. (Tangara mexicana)

(Tangara guttata) – A pair along the Blanchisseuse road were less than cooperative,disappearing into the misty clouds before everybody had a chance to get a good look.

(Tangara gyrola) (Dacnis cayana)

(Chlorophanes spiza) – Many stellar views around the feeders at Asa Wright. Somehow"green" seems like such an understatement...

(Cyanerpes caeruleus) – ...as does "Purple"! Good numbers of these handsome little birds -- eye candy of the first order -- swarmed over the Asa Wright nectar feeders.

(Cyanerpes cyaneus) (Saltator coerulescens) – One singing from a leafless tree in Verdant Vale gave us particularly

nice chances for scope study. Dave rescued another, when he put a nest of this species (still holding one long-from-fledged chick) back into the recently pruned bush it was lying beside.

Emberizidae (Buntings, Sparrows and Allies) (Volatinia jacarina)

(Sporophila minuta) – Our first, a scruffy female, flew shortly after we found her,but a lovely pair of males proved far more cooperative as they nibbled on weed seeds.

(Tiaris fuliginosus) – A male, singing in the rain along the Blanchisseuse road, allowed goodscope views.

(Tiaris bicolor) (Sicalis flaveola) – Several, including a few bright males among the more numerous duller, streaky

youngsters, fed in the grass and splashed in the puddles around Carli Bay. (Sicalis luteola) – One yellow male perched up on a little bush in the Aripo

Agricultural Research Station, showing us all sides. This species is a new arrival to the islands, first recorded in 2004.

Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies) (Habia rubica)

Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)

YELLOW WARBLER

AMERICAN REDSTART

NORTHERN WATERTHRUSHMASKED YELLOWTHROAT

GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER

BANANAQUIT

BICOLORED CONEBILL

WHITE-LINED TANAGERSILVER-BEAKED TANAGER

BLUE-GRAY TANAGERPALM TANAGER

TURQUOISE TANAGERSPECKLED TANAGER

BAY-HEADED TANAGERBLUE DACNISGREEN HONEYCREEPER

PURPLE HONEYCREEPER

RED-LEGGED HONEYCREEPERGRAYISH SALTATOR

BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUITRUDDY-BREASTED SEEDEATER

SOOTY GRASSQUIT

BLACK-FACED GRASSQUITSAFFRON FINCH

GRASSLAND YELLOW-FINCH

RED-CROWNED ANT-TANAGER

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(Sturnella militaris) – These flashy "blackbirds" (they're actually meadowlarks, in thesame genus as our North American meadowlarks) were satisfyingly common in the Aripo Agricultural Research Stationand the surrounding savanna.

(Quiscalus lugubris) (Chrysomus icterocephalus) – Surprisingly, we saw only females and youngsters

this trip as they sat on fence wires and paraded around the churned up pastures at the Aripo Agricultural ResearchStation.

(Molothrus bonariensis) (Molothrus oryzivorus) – One snooping around the oropendola colony at Asa Wright was soon

emphatically "escorted" from the area, and we saw others around the little flock of cattle near the entrance to therainforest on Tobago. This species is a brood parasite, specializing in caciques and oropendolas.

(Icterus cayanensis chrysocephalus) – One preening in a tree beside the road inWaller Field flashed its yellow cap, wing patch and rump. This species, dependent on the presence of Moriche Palms, isdeclining on Trinidad.

(Icterus nigrogularis) (Cacicus cela)

(Psarocolius decumanus) – Very common on Trinidad (including the noisy, somersaultingmobs in the nest tree above our cabins at Asa Wright) with smaller numbers on Tobago.

Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies) (Euphonia trinitatis)

(Euphonia violacea) – Seen most days on Trinidad, with especially good studies of the birdsseen feeding in the berrying trees near the Asa Wright veranda.

MAMMALS (Saccopteryx bilineata) – Regular on both islands, fluttering back and forth along

tracks and trails. This is one of the few diurnal bats -- though it only forages in cloudy or shaded areas. (Rattus norvegicus) – One scampered around on the ground under the Asa Wright feeders on

several mornings. (Dasyprocta agouti) – Though shy over much of their range (they are, after all, at the bottom

of the food chain), the animals at Asa Wright have become totally habituated to people -- and are tempted out of thewoods by hunks of that wonderful bread. We saw many, including one with distinctively white paws.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Other critters I could find information for include those listed below. I couldn't identify our Yellow Tree Crab nor theGolden Tree Frog (which, according to the references I searched, occurs only on Trinidad's two highest mountains).

Fer-de-Lance (Bothrops atrox) - One coiled up at the base of a trailside tree near the Golden-headed Manakin lek kept usall very firmly on the trail!

Golden Tegu (Tupinambis teguixin) - These were the big lizards that patrolled under the feeders at the Asa Wright NatureCenter.

Giant Ameiva (Ameiva ameiva) - This was the speedy streamlined lizard we spotted in the forest.

Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus) - One floated in a pond in the buffalypso pasture, its eyeball glowing in the lightof our spotlight during our night drive on the Aripo Agricultural Research Station. We saw another good-sized one at theTrincity sewage works.

Cook's Tree Boa (Corallus cookii) - Several seen on our boat trip through the Caroni Swamp, coiled up on branches overthe mangrove channels.

Cane Toad (Bufo marinus) - These were the enormous toads we saw around the airport.

RED-BREASTED BLACKBIRD

CARIB GRACKLEYELLOW-HOODED BLACKBIRD

SHINY COWBIRDGIANT COWBIRD

EPAULET ORIOLE (MORICHE)

YELLOW ORIOLEYELLOW-RUMPED CACIQUECRESTED OROPENDOLA

TRINIDAD EUPHONIAVIOLACEOUS EUPHONIA

GREATER WHITE-LINED BAT

NORWAY (BROWN) RAT

RED-RUMPED AGOUTI

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Red Land Crab (Gecarcinus lateralis) - Also known as Blackback Land Crab; we saw these on the mangrove roots inswamps across Trinidad.

Totals for the tour: 217 bird taxa and 3 mammal taxa

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