Nestled on the slopes of Trinidad’s Northern Range, the Asa Wright Nature Center is a world-class destination for birders and eco-tourists. The unique climate and location of the island—lying at the southernmost tip of the Caribbean just seven miles off the coast of Venezuela—create a unique habitat for thousands of species of flora and fauna. NYC Audubon naturalist Gabriel Willow, alongside expert local guides, will illuminate the natural secrets of this extraordinary land.

The biotas of Trinidad and neighboring Tobago are remarkably diverse. Thanks to the islands’ continental origin and proximity to South America, Trinidad and Tobago are home to 419 species of birds, 97 native mammals, 55 reptiles, 25 amphibians, and 617 butterflies, as well as over 2,200 species of flowering plants! And the list continues to grow.

The Center's main facilities are on the grounds of a former plantation, the Spring Hill Estate. In the 1950s and 60s the plantation owners, Newcombe and Asa Wright, hosted many visiting scientists, including David and Barbara Snow, who made detailed studies of the oilbirds. After Newcombe’s death, a group of naturalists and bird watchers established Asa Wright Nature Center in 1967 “to create a conservation and study area for the protection of wildlife.”

Four decades later, the plantation lands have been reclaimed by secondary forest, while the original climax rainforest grows on the steeper slopes, its canopy towering 150 feet above the forest floor.

Asa Wright Center is one of the world’s premier sites for accessible bird watching. On the NYC Audubon tour guests will awaken to the raucous morning calls of the crested oropendola. It’s not uncommon to see 20 to 30 life birds before breakfast. On a visit to Dunstan Cave, birders will view the only easily accessible colony of the fascinating nocturnal oilbird. The group will also visit the seaside village of Blanchisseuse and Nariva Swamp, the largest freshwater herbaceous swamp on the island. At sunset, the group will have the unforgettable opportunity to witness the spectacle of the world’s largest breeding colony of scarlet ibis returning to their nesting grounds.

The last days of the trip will be spent in Tobago, Trinidad’s sister island, where the mountains form the final link in the chain that extendsfrom the Venezuelan Coastal Range, on the very edge of the South American Continental Shelf.

Participants will look for the nesting colony of oropendolas, observe with ease a nesting pair of ornate hawk-eagles, as well as white-bearded and golden-headed manakins. On gentle trails, the bell-like "bongs" of the bearded bellbird echo in the forest.

Call 212-691-7483 or email Erik Karff to register or find out more about this exciting opportunity.

Based at the world-renowned Asa Wright Nature Center and Lodge, a 200-acre wildlife sanctuary in Trinidad's rain forest, and at the charming Blue Waters Inn in Tobago, participants will travel with expert local guides to visit the islands’ unique natural areas.

DAY ONE Arrival at Piarco International Airport in Port-of-Spain and transfer to Asa Wright Nature Center and Lodge.

DAY TWO Awaken this morning to the raucous noise of the crested oropendola and a host of other exotic sounds. A first-time visitor might see 20 to 30 life birds before breakfast! Our day will start with a guided tour of the several trails that traverse this rich and diverse wildlife sanctuary. On our introductory walk we should see such species as violaceous trogon, channel-billed toucan, chestnut woodpecker, white-bearded manakin, rufous-browed peppershrike, turquoise and bay-headed tanager. The Center is situated in a typical valley of Trinidad's Northern Range. These sites have been traditional centers of coffee, cocoa, and citrus plantations and many of these plants are still maintained at the Center. Natural second-growth has taken over and festooned the abandoned plantation vegetation with vines and a host of epiphytes. The whole effect is one of being deep in a tropical rainforest. The afternoon will be free, allowing you to relax, enjoy the trails, and adjust to the tropical sun and heat. Birding from the veranda of the Asa Wright Nature Centere is one of the world's most pleasant, and exciting, ornithological experiences: the ruby-topaz hummingbird, tufted coquette, barred antshrike, and green honeycreeper are among the many species that can be easily seen.

DAY THREE An all-day excursion takes us over the Northern Range to the seaside village of Blanchisseuse. Enroute we will look for the swallow-tailed kite, common black hawk, ornate hawk-eagle, bat falcon, white-tailed trogon, and rufous-tailed jacamar, among many others. Along with rich birdlife, we will also have an opportunity to examine the fascinating world of leaf-cutter and army ants, and photograph orchids and other tropical flora. At the seashore we will look for magnificent frigatebird and the green kingfisher. Be sure to bring your bathing suit for a very pleasant day on this Caribbean beach, where, if the tide is low, we might be able to explore and discover a host of tidepool organisms.

DAY FOUR Today we will wind our way out of the Northern Range to Trinidad's east coast and the Nariva Swamp. This is the largest freshwater herbaceous swamp in Trinidad. Along its edges are found “palm islands” where the tall Moriche Palm is common. Here, too, we will see a unique mangrove community, made up primarily of the stilt-rooted rhizophora mangrove, which often reaches a height of 80 feet. Along the way we will look in the lowland habitats for such species as savannah hawk, red-breasted blackbird, southern lapwing, white-headed marsh tyrant and green-rumped parrotlet. On the coast we will have an opportunity to look for pinneated bittern, pearl kite, azure gallinule, wattled jacana, and possibly red-bellied macaw, and red howler monkey! Again, another swimming opportunity, this time in the Atlantic. Keep a look out in the surf for the fascinating four-eyed fish. We will end our long day at dusk, when, with luck, we will see flocks of red-bellied macaws returning to their nighttime roosting areas.

DAY FIVE This morning we will visit Dunstan Cave, a beautiful riparian grotto located on the sanctuary, to view the breeding colony of the fascinating nocturnal Oilbird. After lunch we will head for the famous Caroni Marsh and its spectacular highlights: neotropical cormorant, anhinga, striated heron, white-cheeked pintail, large-billed tern, pied water-tyrant, bicolored conebill, and red-capped cardinal could be among the new species seen here. The Caroni is a very specialized mangrove forest that contains several genera and species of mangroves, showing classic examples of plant adaptation in this unique brackish water community. Our day will end with the spectacular flight of scarlet ibis returning to their mangrove roosts at dusk, truly one of the world's most dramatic natural moments. Returning to the boat dock we will search the mangrove-lined channels for the mysterious common pootoo!

DAY SIX We depart this morning to go to Trinidad's sister island of Tobago. This island forms the final link in the chain of mountain ranges that extend from the Venezuelan Coastal Range, on the very edge of the South American Continental Shelf. Tobago's climate more closely resembles that of the Lesser Antilles than of its sister island of Trinidad, which is hotter and more humid. We will visit a marsh, searching for shorebirds, herons, egrets, and ducks, such as white-cheeked pintail. We will then take a leisurely drive to our lovely beachside hotel. After checking in at the Blue Waters Inn, the afternoon is open: relax, take a swim, snorkel or dive. (Blue Waters Inn has a full dive shop).

DAY SEVEN This morning, weather permitting, we will depart by boat for Little Tobago Island, one of this nation's most important wildlife sanctuaries. As we cross over to the island we will watch for leatherback and hawksbill sea turtles and enjoy spectacular views of one of the Caribbean's most beautiful, and pristine coral formations from the comfort of our glass-bottom boat. After landing we will explore nesting sites and look for red-billed tropicbird, red-footed and brown boobies, and sooty and noddy terns.

DAY EIGHT This day will see us traveling to the Rainforest Preserve, where Tobago's best mountain forests are found, at elevations over 2,000 feet. We will pass through charming quiet villages to the forested interior, to look for white-tailed sabrewing, blue-backed manakin, yellow-legged thrush and other tobago specialties such as red-crowned woodpecker and white-fringed antwren.

DAY NINE This exciting learning vacation ends this morning as we depart for our flight home.

Want more infromation? Call Erik Karff at 212-691-7483 or check out our Frequently Asked Questions Page.