A number of years in the past, after touring for a pair weeks on a birding journey, I returned to my native Trinidad and Tobago completely confused. A chook darting throughout the street in entrance of my automobile took me for much longer to determine than earlier than, chook calls that matched species instantaneously grew to become mysteries. Between then and now, I don’t know what occurred – however happily after my final spate of wanderings I didn’t return to T&T as misplaced as earlier than.
It’s a nice consideration to shift one’s perspective sometimes. Returning to the place the place I grew up and discovered absolutely the most about birds and chook behaviour was an train in reacquainting with the species that noticed me develop as a birder, photographer, and information. Exhibiting folks birds right here has already taught me that even the most typical of all of them deserve consideration, and after some months away I used to be simply as excited to see these birds as the parents seeing them for the primary time.
Persevering with with this theme of celebrating these species, I figured I’d share a few of the sights we loved on a couple of native excursions I did since returning to the islands I name dwelling. Get pleasure from!
These Black-bellied Whistling-Geese had been a welcome addition to the avifauna the place we dwell. They’ve appreciable nocturnal habits and we’ve heard them pretty usually throughout the night time however that is the primary time I’ve seen them on the property. It was early within the morning, and though they had been wanting snug right here, after a while they flew off to some place else.
The paths at Asa Wright Nature Centre are well-known for leks of White-bearded Manakin and Bearded Bellbird, however there are such a lot of different points of interest for the affected person and keen-eyed. Tender chirps of Golden-headed Manakin could be irritating because the little birds are close to not possible to identify within the cover even with their good golden heads. Females are much more tough, till they determine to make themselves seen.
Golden-headed Manakin
Frequent Potoo is each more durable and simpler – the previous for its unassailable camouflage, the latter attributable to it roosting alongside a well-trodden path frequented by succesful guides with eagle eyes.
It doesn’t matter what number of occasions one encounters a Inexperienced-backed Trogon, these sizeable birds are at all times crowd pleasers.
Huge birds which can be vibrant are a boon for any photographer, particularly for these of us that share work on social media. We’re slaves to the algorithm that drools over the multicoloured and obscene. The Trinidad Motmot is certainly one, and solely generally the opposite. Both manner, it’s a lot simpler to catch view of this celebrated endemic on Tobago – and plenty of argue that it ought to have been named the Tobago Motmot in consequence.
Trinidad Motmot within the dappled mild of Tobago’s Predominant Ridge Rainforest.
Barely smaller but significantly extra vivid is the Rufous-tailed Jacamar, frequent on each islands however just like the motmot, way more seen on Tobago.
This White-tipped Dove paid us a go to whereas we had been having lunch overlooking the Caribbean Sea. It stayed for such a very long time that ultimately I bought up with a full abdomen and reached for my digicam. What a tough life.
Birding at a golf course is made obvious by the signage on show. This Nice Egret appears to be placing on its greatest caiman impression.
Tucked away within the northeast of Trinidad is a pretty new institution that’s been quickly rising in reputation over the past couple years. It’s a staple on all my excursions and for good purpose. Simply take a look at what could be seen between the driveway and eating desk!
Tufted Coquette
Blue-chinned Sapphire
Inexperienced Honeycreeper
Purple Honeycreeper
Lengthy-billed Starthroat
After all, a birding sweep of T&T won’t ever be full with out an journey within the well-known Caroni Swamp. Inside the previous couple of weeks I’ve been floating down the canals a number of occasions, every time is decidedly completely different. Sunsets are at all times spectacular, however the look on folks’s faces when flock after flock of Scarlet Ibis cruises previous is priceless.
Earlier than attending to the principle space, there are birds to be seen, naturally. Masked Cardinal, Inexperienced-throated Mango, Yellow-headed Caracara, and Little Blue Heron are commonplace. Catching a glimpse of the iridescent Larger Ani just isn’t one thing that occurs day-after-day, nonetheless.
Larger Ani
Though many individuals go to the swamp for the scarlet spectacle at nightfall, a sluggish cruise alongside quiet channels can reveal hidden Scarlet Ibis.
Fortunate contributors also can have an opportunity at recognizing roosting nightbirds, corresponding to Frequent Potoo or this Tropical Screech-Owl.
4 species of kingfisher are potential inside this wetland, the rarest of them can be the migratory Belted Kingfisher.
Ringed Kingfisher is the biggest kingfisher in T&T, and in all the western hemisphere for that matter.
Think about stumbling upon this flock of American Flamingo.
There are such a lot of tiny issues that may take one’s breath away, and it really doesn’t matter how far and large one can journey, nature is infinitely wondrous.
