The Beautiful Icacos Swamps 2009.08.23

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 left home in the pouring rain at 5:00am and arrived in Icacos by 6:30am. My dad quickly spotted the “regular” Pinnated Bitterns (two birds) in the reed beds while Fork-tailed Palm Swifts flew overhead. Driving along, it was hard not to notice an adult Crested Caracara flying towards and over us. Doubling back in pursuit, we were surprised to find the adult had landed on the ground with an another (immature) bird.

(Northern) Crested Caracara are seen occasionally in Icacos but it’s difficult to tell whether these birds breed here or simply visit.
The main lagoon was breathtaking as usual. Pygmy Kingfishers, a Little Cuckoo and Greater Ani flew by. From the depths of the swamp came the raucous calls of Gray necked-Wood Rails, and of course, the area specialty, Spotted Tody-Flycatchers (This was once the only place to find them in Trinidad and Tobago).
We headed down to Columbus Bay next and along the way I barely noticed a bird perched on a power pylon in the distance. I got some footage and, not convinced of its identification, dismissed the bird as an immature Common Black-Hawk in bright light.

However on review at home it turned out to be a Rufous Crab-Hawk (Buteogallus aequinoctialis).

Not a bad morning at all and even without the rarities Icacos Swamp is truly a joy to visit and hopefully this will encourage regular birdwatching in south Trinidad.