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 totally confused. A hen darting throughout the street in entrance of my car took me for much longer to determine than earlier than, hen calls that matched species instantaneously grew to become mysteries. Between then and now, I don’t know what occurred – however luckily after my final spate of wanderings I didn’t return to T&T as misplaced as earlier than.
It’s a effective consideration to shift one’s perspective every now and then. Returning to the place the place I grew up and discovered absolutely the most about birds and hen behaviour was an train in reacquainting with the species that noticed me develop as a birder, photographer, and information. Displaying 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 oldsters seeing them for the primary time.
Persevering with with this theme of celebrating these species, I figured I’d share among the sights we loved on just a few native excursions I did since returning to the islands I name dwelling. Take pleasure in!
These Black-bellied Whistling-Geese have been a welcome addition to the avifauna the place we reside. They’ve appreciable nocturnal habits and we’ve heard them pretty usually in the course of the evening however that is the primary time I’ve seen them on the property. It was early within the morning, and though they have been wanting snug right here, after a while they flew off to someplace 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. Gentle chirps of Golden-headed Manakin will be irritating because the little birds are close to inconceivable to identify within the cover even with their sensible golden heads. Females are much more tough, till they resolve to make themselves seen.
Golden-headed Manakin
Widespread Potoo is each tougher 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 all the time crowd pleasers.
Huge birds which are 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 a great 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 gentle of Tobago’s Principal Ridge Rainforest.
Barely smaller but significantly extra vivid is the Rufous-tailed Jacamar, frequent on each islands however just like the motmot, rather more seen on Tobago.
This White-tipped Dove paid us a go to whereas we have been having lunch overlooking the Caribbean Sea. It stayed for such a very long time that finally I bought up with a full abdomen and reached for my digital camera. 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 recognition over the past couple years. It’s a staple on all my excursions and for good motive. Simply take a look at what will be seen between the driveway and eating desk!
Tufted Coquette
Blue-chinned Sapphire
Inexperienced Honeycreeper
Purple Honeycreeper
Lengthy-billed Starthroat
In fact, a birding sweep of T&T won’t ever be full with out an journey within the well-known Caroni Swamp. Inside the previous few weeks I’ve been floating down the canals a number of occasions, every time is decidedly completely different. Sunsets are all the time 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 Higher Ani will not be one thing that occurs day-after-day, nonetheless.
Higher Ani
Though many individuals go to the swamp for the scarlet spectacle at nightfall, a gradual cruise alongside quiet channels can reveal hidden Scarlet Ibis.
Fortunate individuals may have an opportunity at recognizing roosting nightbirds, similar to Widespread Potoo or this Tropical Screech-Owl.
4 species of kingfisher are attainable inside this wetland, the rarest of them could be the migratory Belted Kingfisher.
Ringed Kingfisher is the most important kingfisher in T&T, and in your entire 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 actually doesn’t matter how far and extensive one can journey, nature is infinitely wondrous.
Autor Faraaz Abdool
