10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 19, 2020

This was actually the place where the late Richard ffrench spent much of his time as a music teacher, amassing countless observations of birds that would later form the basis of one of the essential birding guides for Trinidad and Tobago. Noisy Yellow-crowned Parrots indicated that it was time to stop the car and get out. Giant Cowbird.

Trinidad 205

Trinidad Birds Parrots Falcons 205

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 21, 2022

I’ve been leading a small but faithful group on Trinidad for several years to count birds within a livestock farm that is generally restricted to the public (you can read about some of those shenanigans here ); this was the first time I was to embark on a CBC on the smaller island of Tobago.

Falcons 241

Falcons Trinidad Ducks Groups 241

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 12, 2022

I make mention of birding done naturally ; the definition of which is taken as an action that is untainted by extraneous effort; consider birding within the framework of not interfering in the probability of seeing a species. A pair of Greater Ani hunted tirelessly to feed two voracious nestlings. We needed a spot to have breakfast.

Trinidad 162

Trinidad Hunting Rights Birds 162

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 22, 2023

The sky cracked open as we ascended into the modest hills of Trinidad’s Northern Range. Cocoa Woodcreepers are the largest species of woodcreeper in T&T, and they have a proportionately massive bill. Many friends and guests enjoyed seeing this particular bird soar, hunt, or even sit for hours in the valley.

Trinidad 162

Trinidad Eagles Bears Litter 162

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023

The islands of the Caribbean are home to 176 species of endemic birds unevenly distributed across the region. Some islands host one or two species, others more than twenty. For some species, conservation actions are well underway and we are seeing some measure of positive impact as a result.

Grenada 130

Grenada Parrots Trinidad 2010 130

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 24, 2021

Last weekend we headed into the mountains of northern Trinidad – the concept of mountains is surely a relative one, although it is the highest conglomeration of hills in the country (and the northernmost outcrop of the Andes) the Northern Range never crosses 1,000m above sea level.

Woodpeckers 247

Woodpeckers Trinidad Battery Hunting 247

10,000 Birds

JULY 8, 2020

The Trinidad Motmot is the only endemic species on the island. In addition to the species mentioned before, it is easy to have incredible looks at Red-crowned Woodpeckers , Barred Antshrikes , and Rufous-vented Chachalacas as they frequently are attracted to the fruit feeders. But I know, we’re here for the birds.

Trinidad 168

Trinidad Parrots Species Hunting 168

10,000 Birds

JULY 22, 2020

Drifting slower and looking closer, we observed a tiny Malachite Kingfisher hunting in the sheltered shallows. A familiar Striated Heron elicited the opposite reaction altogether as they are the default small heron here in Trinidad. It was even pumping its tail, much like the New World species I am accustomed to.

Kenya 156

Kenya Fish Trinidad Eagles 156

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 5, 2020

Scores of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks circled overhead, these vocal ducks are often hunted illegally here so it was refreshing to see so many. Two species of icterids populated the area, the presence of either was a direct indicator of the degree of water present. We had no idea if the nighthawks would hunker down or flee.

Livestock 215

Livestock Ducks ALA illegal 215

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 5, 2022

It may seem like an unnecessarily recurring theme in my posts about birding within Trinidad & Tobago, but the more I write on the subject the more it becomes apparent that the number three must have some significance, somewhere. The three main peaks of the Trinity Hills are what gave it its name, and by extension the island of Trinidad.

Trinidad 247

Trinidad Birds Tigers Groups 247

10,000 Birds

MAY 11, 2022

The confluence of fresh and salt water creates a small, nutrient-rich hideaway that is used by various species of fish as a nursery. As it got a little brighter, the terns took flight and began hunting in the shallows. I firmly believe that they are one of the more attractive species of tern.

Birds 211

Birds Fish Trinidad Hunting 211

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 20, 2023

On the slow crawl into the farm, the first sighting was a small group of Green Ibis – a new species for me. Endemic to the Guianan shield, this species has captivated me since I first laid eyes on a photograph of it. Most notably of which was a pair of Blood-colored Woodpeckers. I had never before seen a Limpkin do this.

Farming 221

Farming Guyana Birds South America 221

10,000 Birds

JULY 7, 2021

With that logic those trees, if left to grow, should produce something of use to at least one or two species of birds. It’s been some years since I’ve seen any Short-tailed Hawks as the entire valley is now overrun with concrete – but I’m trying my best to create some sort of oasis for any species.

Opossums 264

Opossums Barn Owls Hunting Reptiles 264

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 19, 2020

These intrepid travelers have captivated the very essence of my being, years ago when I used to work on an industrial port on the west coast of Trinidad I noticed each year these alien looking birds would appear, stick around for a while and then depart. Last weekend I wasn’t on the hunt for any species in particular though.

Trinidad 181

Trinidad South America Blackbirds Industry 181

10,000 Birds

MARCH 8, 2023

It was the first record of this species in Trinidad & Tobago and looks almost identical to our regularly seen Tropical Pewee. After not even an hour in position, I noticed a flycatcher hunting about twenty metres away. Previously I had only seen this species twice, and both were males.

Trinidad 226

Trinidad Bats 2020 Sanctuary 226