Trinidad Two: Hikes around the Centre

Walking the trails around the Asa Wright Nature Centre are what birding is all about.  The guides have an uncanny ability to see things, and there was the van trips around the area as well. Here are some of the birds we saw away from the Centre.

Probably the most successful songbird in South America, the Bananaquit is almost

fearless.  Bob Rotberg told of discovering one in his room on Tobago.  It was after the 

sugar packets on the coffee tray. 

The giant soldier ant.  On the other side of that bulbous head is a set of ferocious jaws. 

At Waller Field, and old US army base, we enjoyed out dinner off the tailgate.

Dana, Barbara and Marjorie

Ymmmm!

Tropical Kingbird

Tropical Screech-Owl.  

I caught just enough with Rudol's flashlight.  

The only orchids I saw on the trip.

And a great sighting, a Rufous-tailed Jacamar.  We got a much better sight

on Tobago

And Sue's sharp eyes found us a good view of the Chanel-billed Toucan

Black-tailed Tytira

Plain-brown Woodcreeper

Violaceous Trogan

Wonderful birds, related to the Quetzal

Red-rumped Agouti, on the Asa Wright grounds. 

Female Purple Honeycreeper

And the much sought-after Bearded Bellbird.

His "Bonk" can be heard for miles.  

A lot of parties went out in search, and many came back without a sighting. 

We were fortunate. 

Enjoying the Bellbird

Dinner at Asa Wright.  

Green-backed Trogan

Collared Trogan

Turquoise Tanager

Double-toothed Kite (taken through a spotting scope with my I-phone)

First Trinidad Post: Around Asa Wright

What a marvelous adventure.  When you combine hikes along jungle trails, great company to hike with, terrific guides, great leadership and organization (Sue MacCallum, Mass Audubon), mostly superb food, and lovely lodging, well!  AND, superb birding.   I saw 156 species, 59 which were life list.
So here is the first of perhaps five blogs on my birding trip to Trinidad and Tobego.

Birding around the Asa Wright Nature Center

One of the bucket list destinations for birders, the Asa Wright Nature Centre is located in the mountains of

the Northern Range of Trinidad, about an hour north of Port of Spain.

The dining room.  The Centre had some hits and misses with its meals, but after hiking all day, 

everything was delicious.  The coffee was pretty intense. 

We always enjoyed the rum punch in the afternoon, on the veranda.

Bob Rotberg conferring with one of the guides.  The ability to find things in the darkest of rain forest

was astounding.  And all the guides, and help, at the Centre, were truly expert.  

Sue "Fearless Leader"  MacCallum on the famous veranda, capturing White-necked Jacobins

from two feet away.

The first impression, upon walking out and looking down, was to be dumb-struck by the intensity  of bird

activity all around you.  And the color!!

Barbara Silver and Martha Swan, captivated.

The coffee at 6:30 AM was especially appreciated. 

And my first photograph!  Two Blue-gray Tannagers and a Violaceous Euphonia, a bird

whose title uses every single vowel. 

A curious White-necked Jacobin, one of the most common, but

beautiful, of the hummingbirds.  

A typical feeder below the veranda.  Four Purple Honeycreepers, a female Purple H.

and a White-necked Jacobin

Violaceous Euphonia.  What a stunning bird.  

Our driver, and great bird guide, Rudoll, Susan, and Dana Swan

Wonderful, very noisy birds that greet our every morning, the Crested Oropendola

Palm Tanager

Blue-headed Parrot

Probably the second-most sought after hummer at Asa Wright, the Ruby Topaz Hummingbird. 

This one was out side of my room, but this was the best I could do, he was constantly being chased by 

the Copper-rumped  H.

And THE most sought-after hummer, the Tufted Coquette. 

Not a super shot, but I am so glad I saw him.  

Angel Trumpet

Probably the photo I am most proud to have, the White-bearded Manakin.

He was dancing in his Lek, and showed himself just for an instant in my viewfinder.

Green Honeycreeper.  A thrilling bird to see the first time. 

Southern Rough-winged Swallow

Crested Oropendola on his nest

Everything is so dark and green, that any color explodes. 

Spectacled Thrush

Silver-beaked Tanager

Heard every morning around the Centre, the Barred Antshrike

Copper-rumped Hummingbird

Purple Honeycreeper.  

The waterfall and swimming hole. 

I sat here for an hour, and it was balm to my soul. 

Next Blog: Hikes around the Centre.