Geoffrey Gomes Birding & Naturalist Tours

Wetlands

The Caroni mangrove swamp on the west coast of the island, only half an hour’s drive from the capital, is the most easily accessible viewing point in the world for witnessing the roosting of thousands of Scarlet Ibis, arguably one of the most beautiful avifaunal sights in the world.
Other species seen are the Common Potoo, Green and Ringed Kingfishers and many species of Sandpipers and Plovers during the North American winter season.

The Nariva Herbaceous Swamp is the largest and most varied swamp system in Trinidad. Mostly of a herbaceous nature, it also includes Mangroves and the Moriche and Cabbage Palm forests in and around the Bush Bush sanctuary and the Manatee Protection Project, which is on the east coast.

Red Howler and Weeping Capuchin monkeys are widely spread and fairly abundant in this swamp as are many species of birds such as the Red-bellied Macaw, the Limpkin, Black-crested Antshrike and the Moriche Oriole. In the Manatee Project a large natural pond has been used as protection for the endangered Manatee or Sea-cow, which also inhabits this swamp.

Birding along swamp edges can be the best place to spot Silvered Antbirds, Bicolored Conebills, Cardinals and Pinnated Bitterns. Forest water ponds are habitat for White-faced, Black-bellied and Fulvous Whistling Ducks, Lapwings, several species of Sandpipers, Herons and Egrets. At one spot at the edge of Nariva, you can watch up to 200 Red-bellied Macaws on their way to roost.

The wet rice fields on the East and West of the islands are productive for Savannah Hawks, Aplomado Falcons, Wattled Jacanas, White-winged Swallows, Gull-billed Terns, Purple Gallinules and Pinnated Bitterns.