We typically arrive in the evening at Trinidad's Piarco International Airport in Port-of-Spain, then transfer by road to Asa Wright Nature Centre and Lodge. We'll settle in for our first of SEVEN nights at Asa Wright, probably to the calls of a Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl and the Bottle-and-spoon Frog.

We have six entire days to explore the varied habitats in and around Asa Wright. These include the grounds with its feeders and beautiful plantings, numerous local trails, and day trips to a variety of wetlands and other habitats. If this is your first tropical experience you could easily see 20 or more life birds from the veranda before breakfast (!) including Violaceous Trogon, Channel-billed Toucan, Chestnut Woodpecker, Bearded Bellbird, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, and Bay-headed Tanager. On a typical day, birding walks will be offered before and after breakfast, with another walk following our afternoon siesta. All of these walks are optional, as you may choose to bird from the veranda, take a swim in the crystal-clear natural pool, or explore on your own.

In addition to the walks in the vicinity of Asa Wright, we will spend a full day at Nariva Swamp on Trinidad's East Coast. This is Trinidad's largest freshwater herbaceous swamp, dotted with Moriche Palms and the unique stilt-rooted rhizophora mangrove. New species that we may see en route to Nariva include Savannah Hawk, Red-breasted Blackbird, Southern Lapwing, White-headed Marsh-Tyrant, and Green-rumped Parrotlet. At the marsh we'll look for Pinnated Bittern, Pearl Kite, Purple Gallinule, and Wattled Jacana, with an excellent possibility for Red-bellied Macaw and Crimson-crested Woodpecker. What a day!

En route to Caroni we'll visit sewage ponds and rice fields for a nice variety of aquatic species that has included such rarities as Little Egret, Saffron Finch, and Long-winged Harrier on previous tours. We will take a late afternoon boat ride on Caroni Marsh, where the main spectacle is the flight of thousands of Scarlet Ibis and other long-legged waders between their feeding grounds and roosting areas in the mangroves. We may also see White-cheeked Pintail, Gray Potoo, Bicolored Conebill, Clapper Rail, and Red-capped Cardinal. Our drive home through the rice fields has produced Barn Owls. Dinner awaits upon our return to Asa Wright.

Early in the day we'll hike to Dunstan Cave to view the unique nocturnal Oilbird, a species that you are unlikely to see at any other time in your life! The afternoon will be spent exploring the grounds for local specialties, perhaps looking for the nearby flock of Trinidad Piping-Guans that has been present for the past two years. Our unique night-birding expedition usually produces White-tailed Nightjar, Pauraque, Gray Potoo, and perhaps a Tropical Screech-Owl. One year THREE Barn Owls came so close that we thought they might fly right into the open window of the van!

There will be extra time for birding the Asa Wright Preserve to search for the incredible Tufted Coquette, White-tailed Trogon, and Golden-crowned Warbler. We will also explore the highlands and beachfront of Blanchisseuse Road where we are likely to find colorful Speckled Tanagers, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, and Gray Kingbird.

I meet with the local guides upon arrival at Asa Wright to determine the exact schedule of activities during our incredible week. We may change things around between one day or another, but it will always be for your benefit. Every evening after the checklist we will review the itinerary for the following day. We will visit at least all of the above locations, and possibly one or two others. And the grounds at Asa Wright are so productive and beautiful that we allow plenty of time for exploring locally. For example, we don't want to miss the mid-day soaring White Hawks and Ornate Hawk-Eagle, the late day Short-tailed Nighthawk, or the after-dinner night exploration walk that is always exciting and educational. Then there is swimming in the natural pool in the heat of the afternoon, tea at 4PM, rum punch at 6 PM, and three incredible meals each day.

This morning we leave Asa Wright and fly to Trinidad's sister island of Tobago. This island forms the final link in the chain of mountain ranges extending from Venezuela, on the edge of the South American Continental Shelf. After birding the Bon Accord wetlands near the airport, where we have found Western Reef-Heron and Little Egret on recent tours, we'll move into the Blue Waters Inn for our next three nights. We will explore the grounds and become acquainted with some new birds on the shores of Batteaux Bay. We'll also enjoy the Blue-crowned Motmots that have the intriguing habit of roosting on our porch lights.

Today's plan is to visit Little Tobago Island by glass-bottom boat. Little Tobago is one of Trinidad's most important wildlife sanctuaries, with nesting colonies of Red-billed Tropicbird, Red-footed and Brown Boobies, and Brown Noddy. We are likely to see all of these species plus Magnificent Frigatebird, Blue-crowned Motmot, and Venezuelan Flycatcher. Hawksbill and Green Sea Turtles are possible during our short boat crossing and sometimes from the dock. There will be ample opportunity for exploring the reef and its inhabitants from shore or by boat. For SIX consecutive years we have found Ruddy Turnstones wintering on the beach that were color-banded on the Delaware Bay of New Jersey, thousands of miles away.

Our final adventure on Tobago is a visit to the Rainforest Preserve at an elevation of 2000 feet. We are likely to see Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Blue-backed Manakin, White-tailed Sabrewing, and Yellow-legged Thrush, plus additional forest-interior specialties. Green Kingfisher is possible near the river. We'll return to the Blue Waters Inn for another night on the shores of Batteaux Bay.

We'll make an early transfer to the Tobago Airport and an early flight back to Trinidad. Flights home can be scheduled for mid-morning or later.

NOTE: I will not know exactly where we are going on any given day until I arrive at Asa Wright and Blue Waters and discuss all of the options with our local guides. We will do all of the activities listed above, plus several others. We time the activities and trips according to the prevailing conditions. This method always works extremely well. We will also work in some free time for your benefit.

The Tropical Birding Adventure to the island nation of Trinidad & Tobago will be led by Bob Schutsky, with the added advantage of resident guides at both of our locations. Bob has conducted tours to the tropics since 1993 and has led numerous tours to Trinidad and Tobago.

$3595 per person based upon double occupancy. Single accommodations are available at an extra charge of $595. In the unlikely event that single accommodations are unavailable at either location, you will be refunded that portion of your extra charge.

Expert guide service, all ground, air, and boat transportation within Trinidad & Tobago, entrance fees, ALL meals, and lodging for 10 nights. ALL tips are also included in the tour fee, except for anything extra that you may wish to give to your tour leader(s), local guides, and boat captains.
Does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages, items of a personal nature, departure tax, or international airfare to and from Trinidad. Upon request Bird Treks will help you obtain the best possible airfare and coordinate our flights into Trinidad.

A $900 deposit will assure your reservation on the tour. The balance is due 15 November 2007. Please send your deposit SOON so that we can help you secure the least expensive airfare to Trinidad and guarantee your spot on the tour. This is a very popular destination and the tour often fills quickly.

We offer the services of our exclusive BIRD TREKS travel agent, Lori Heathcote, in arranging your air travel. Lori has 22 years of experience in the travel industry and is a veteran birder. Contact her through Bailey Travel at 1-800-224-5399, or you can e-mail lori@baileytravel.com. By dealing with Lori you have the security of a 24-hour toll-free telephone number in case of any travel emergency. She can also assist you with all pre- and post-tour travel plans.

With written notice more than 90 days prior to the first day of the tour, 100% of your deposit will be refunded, minus a $100 service fee. With 30-90 days notice, you will receive a 50% refund of the full cost of the tour. No refund can be made with less than 30 days notice. You will receive a full refund if you provide replacement for your spot on the tour. No partial refund can be given once a tour begins. We strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance to protect your investment in case of injury or illness to you or your family prior to or during a tour. Click on the following link to Access America or contact BIRD TREKS for information on obtaining this coverage.