10,000 Birds

MAY 17, 2023

The southern forests of the island of Trinidad are home to the much-maligned Moruga Grasshopper. International organisations have provided “assistance” to the government of Trinidad & Tobago over the years to placate residents and aggrieved farmers. Naturally, I had to investigate. Then a second, and a third.

Trinidad 147

Trinidad Squirrels Investigation Bears 147

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 5, 2013

There were three profound questions my birding group discussed while we birded Trinidad and Tobago, back in December 2012: (1) How many Bananaquits could fit on a banana? (2) 3) What was the best guide to the birds of Trinidad and Tobago? 2) Which hummingbird was more beautiful—Tufted Coquette or Ruby-topaz Hummingbird? (3)

Trinidad 189

Trinidad Birds South America Research 189

10,000 Birds

MARCH 18, 2020

Many moons ago, when I used to work in the (supposedly) booming petrochemical industry in Trinidad, most of my time was actually spent birding. Before we got to our destination, I pulled the car over to investigate an almost deafening twittering. Golden-crowned Warbler is one of the three resident warbler species on Trinidad.

Trinidad 207

Trinidad Battery Industry Bats 207

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 236

Trinidad Birds Tigers Groups 236

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 19, 2022

While the combination of the words “coast” and “forest” may conjure images of tidal mudflats and mangroves or even coconut trees, the northern coastline of Trinidad features tropical rainforest that plunges steeply into the bejeweled waters of the Caribbean Sea. It almost looks as if the bird is underwater!

Trinidad 262

Trinidad Woodpeckers Bats Venezuela 262

10,000 Birds

MARCH 3, 2021

Several tour companies and birders seeking to investigate birding in the country with the second highest bird species density in the world indicated that it may be futile to pursue a birding trip to Trinidad & Tobago given the closure of a single (and undeniably significant) lodge. Dreaming of eye-level trogons? We got you.

Trinidad 259

Trinidad Woodpeckers Investigation Birds 259

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 6, 2021

For the fifth year in a row, I was assigned the prolific and well-known Aripo Livestock Station at the foothills of Trinidad’s Northern Range. While investigating a roadside patch, a couple wasps nailed me on my neck and head – almost scrambling my mental tally of Palm Tanagers , a Grey-fronted Dove , and Shiny Cowbirds.

Trinidad 264

Trinidad Livestock Groups Eagles 264