Promoting Trinidad and Tobago's Flora and Fauna

Here is a listing of Crane Hawk (Geranospiza caerulescens) sightings in south Trinidad. I have been seeing Crane Hawks somewhat frequently here (despite being a new arrival to Trinidad) and while it may just be a reflection of the amount of time I spend in south Trinidad, it might hint towards population expansion as well. You can view the sightings on [...]

While writing my last post (Run to the hills 20100316) I had assumed that the severe fires currently experienced throughout south Trinidad would negatively affect the outcome of a trip in these parts. I was not entirely correct in that assumption. My father got it right when he suggested that extreme events like bush fires, [...]

The “dry” season has been particularly severe this year in Trinidad and Tobago and everywhere I look I see dry waterways, burnt vegetation and cracks in the earth. This has a negative effect on the local plant and animal life and reduces the productivity of a “nature trip” to the affected area, so I figured [...]

In July 2008 a juvenile Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) was found in the South Oropouche Lagoon. The bird bore a leg ring with the alphanumeric code “6PW” and it was assumed that the bird was either South or North American in origin. However, with the aid of Mark Grantham and a bird ringing group based in Spain, it has been discovered that the ibis [...]

Highlights: Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Muscovy Duck Change can be a good thing. Out of habit, you can get so used to doing things the same way that you miss out on valuable experiences that could be gained by mixing things up a bit. And this applies to aspiring students of natural history as well.  It is [...]

I had the opportunity to go to Cumuto over the weekend and visit an area on the edge of the Aripo Savanna. Comprised of 10 smaller savannas, the Aripo Savanna Scientific Reserve is dominated by marsh forest and open savanna and offers for study a very interesting environment for any naturalist (a sleepy naturalist in my [...]

Highlights: Wilson’s Snipe, Lined Seedeater, Ruddy-breasted Seedeater I headed out to the South Oropouche Lagoon on Saturday 7th November. My brother decided to come along with me and we planned to walk down the riverbank at Sudama Steps (while not a dangerous area it is always preferable to have company). Driving through Rahamut Trace we [...]

Highlights: Blackpoll Warbler With the official hunting season in Trinidad and Tobago currently in progress, the Cat’s Hill area is busier than usual with hunters. However we took the chance to go there today as it was Divali and I had hoped some hunters would spend the day at home. It did in fact turn [...]

Highlights: Nacunda Nighthawk I spent almost an hour on Sunday morning staring at a field of grass in Rahamut Trace. Rich in bird life and close to home, I come to this part of the South Oropouche Lagoon for an hour or two every weekend. The trace runs roughly parallel to the South Oropouche River and the [...]

Highlights: Northern Crested Caracara, Rufous Crab-Hawk. I generally try to visit Icacos one a month. The swamp here is beautiful and easily accesible thanks to the main road that cuts through it. Additionally, the area’s proximity to Venezuela increases the chances of seeing unusual birds and my expectations before these visits are always high. We [...]