Based at the world-renowned Asa Wright Nature Centre and Lodge, a 200-acre wildlife sanctuary in Trinidad’s rainforested Northern range and at the charming Blue Waters Inn in Tobago, participants will travel with expert local guides to visit several unique natural areas throughout both islands. While birding is the primary purpose of most visitors to Asa Wright, your tour has been customized to include other wildlife and cultural stops of this fascinating, diverse nation that is as much a part of South America as it is of the Caribbean, but with a lot of the flavor from the East Indies.

March 30: DAY 1 Arrival at Piarco International Airport in Port-of-Spain and transfer to the Asa Wright Nature Centre and Lodge. One of the first non-profit ecotourism lodges in the Americas, the Centre 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 main-tained at the Centre. 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.

March 31: DAY 2 Morning begins with the raucous noise of the Crested Oropendola and a host of other exotic sounds. A first-time visitor might see 20-30 life birds before breakfast, and 40 species overall. Birding from the veran-da of the Asa Wright Nature Centre is one of the world’s most pleasant, and exciting, ornithological

experiences. Ruby-topaz Hummingbird, Tufted Coquette, Barred Antshrike, Green Honeycreeper are among the many species that can be easily seen.

Our day will start with a guided tour of the several trails that traverse this rich and diverse wildlife sanctuary. On our intro-ductory walk we should see such species as Violaceous Trogon, Channel-billed Toucan, Chestnut Woodpecker, White-bearded Manakin, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Turquoise and Bay-head-ed Tanager.

We will also visit Dunston Cave a beautiful riparian grotto locat-ed on the sanctuary, to view the breeding colony of the fascinat-ing nocturnal Oilbird. This is one of the most accessible Oilbird caves in the entire world and access is limited to protect this rare species. On the short hike to the Cave, you could see some of the secretive birds of the deep forest such as Red-crowned Ant- Tanager, Black-faced Antthrush, White-bellied Antbird, and Gray-throated Leafscraper.

In the late afternoon, we will be visiting the Tamana Hill Bat Cave home to 11 of Trinidad’s 67 species of bats (including the famed vampire). Wear light, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and good hiking boots for the short, steep climb to the cave. You’ll need to bring a small daypack with heavy-duty insect repellent and a headlamp or flashflight as well. The real adventure begins at dusk when an estimated 1 million bats leave the cave for their nightly foraging.

April 1: (no fooling) DAY 3 We will take a morning excursion over the Northern Range towards the seaside village of Blanchis-seuse. En route we will look for Swallow-tailed Kite, Common Black Hawk, Ornate Hawk- eagle, Bat Falcon, White-tailed Trogon, and Rufous-tailed Jacamar along with some of the more secretive forest birds such as Silvered Antbird, as well as special tanagers such as Speckled Tanager and Blue Dacnis. Along with rich birdlife, we will also have an oppor-tunity to examine the fascinating world of leaf-cutter and army ants, and photograph orchids and other tropical flora and visit the tiny village of Brasso Seco.

In the late afternoon we will depart for Matura Beach, one of the worlds’ largest

Trinidad & Tobago Natural History & Cultural Tour

March 30-April 8, 2013

Balcony at Asa Wright Nature Center

and most productive Leatherback Turtle nesting sites. After a sunset rum punch and picnic dinner, we will stroll this protected 12-mile stretch of undeveloped beach with our local guides, wait-ing for the giant Leatherback females to drag themselves onto the sand to lay their eggs, which typically take 60 to 70 days to reach gestation. The program is run by NatureSeekers, a world-re-nowned community-based organization (backed by EarthWatch) that has successfully protected 12 miles of pristine beach from any development and persuaded former fishermen and poachers to change their ways and become your guides.

April 2: DAY 4 We depart after breakfast for Trinidad’s West Central coast to explore the infamous Pitch Lake area of La Brea. Discovered by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1595, this 95-acre “lake’’ of tar, is the largest natural deposit of asphalt in the world, and a teeming, roiling, constantly evolving ecosystem.

On the return, we will drive through the sugarcane fields in the sleepy seaside village of Waterloo -- the official port of entry for many of the Indians who were originally brought to Trinidad as indentured servants and who have come to dominate a large portion of the island’s culture and politics. We will stop at the Siewdass Sawdoo Temple in the Sea. Sawdoo’s original shrine, built right after World War II was destroyed by the government in support of local sugarcane interests. Undeterred, Sawdass spent the next 25 years building another version in the middle of the water.

Sawdass died before his masterpiece was completed. Ironically, in 1994, the Trinidadian government completed the octagonal temple in the middle of the water to commemorate the 150th anniversary of first Indians arriving in Trinidad. We will also stop to marvel at the fascinating Dravidian style architecture of the Dattatreya Mandir ashram, temple and yoga retreat. Fourteen stonemasons were flown in from India to work alongside local artisans to create the filigree ornaments and life-sized elephant statues at the entrances to the meditation center. Adjacent to the complex stands the an 85-foot shrine to the warrior Hanuman -- reputed to be the largest one of its kind outside of India. On the way back to the Centre, we will bypass the city of Chaguanas, childhood home of the prize-winning author VS Naipaul.

April 3: DAY 5 Today we will wind our way out of the Northern

Range to Trinidad’s east coast and the Nariva Swamp, the largest freshwater herbaceous swamp on the island. Along its edges are “palm islands,” where the tall Moriche Palm is common. Here too we will see a unique mangrove community, made up primari-ly of the stilt-rooted rhizophora mangrove, which often reaches a height of 80 feet. Along the way we will look first in the lowland habitats for such species as Savannah Hawk, Red-breasted Black-bird, Southern Lapwing, White-headed Marsh Tyrant and Green-rumped Parrotlet. In the coastal area we will have an opportunity to look for Pinneated Bittern, Pearl Kite, Azure Gallinule, Wattled Jacana, and Red-bellied Macaw. There is a swimming opportuni-ty here, in the Atlantic, and you may choose to bring a swimsuit. Keep a look out in the surf for the fascinating Four-eyed Fish. We will also make a special visit to Bush Bush, a remote island located in the middle of this marshy habitat. In addition to the Red-bellied Macaws and various parrots, the island is one of the best places in Trinidad to encounter Red Howler and White-faced Capuchin monkeys and, on rare occasions, the silky anteater.

April 4: DAY 6 We will depart mid-morning and make a quick stop in the central city of Arima to ex-plore the vibrant local markets and learn about Trinidadi-an food and culture. Time permitting, we’ll make another quick stop on the edge of the Northern Range to check the sky for raptors and admire the magnificent view from the Mt. St. Benedict Monastery and Abbey, founded in 1912 by Brazilian monks fleeing religious persecution.

We will arrive around lunchtime at Yerreté, an idyllic private home in Trinidad’s Maracas Valley. Only recently opened to the public, the property’s feeder stations offer unparalleled, up-close views of the wide array of Trinidad’s hummingbird species. (Thirteen of the island’s 17 recorded species of hummingbirds have been seen at the feeders on a consistent basis). An option-al slideshow of the owner’s amazing photography will also be shown.

From Yerreté, we will depart for the famous Caroni Marsh, a very specialized mangrove forest that contains several genera and species of mangroves, showing classic examples of plant adapta-tion in this unique brackish water community. We will seek out some of its more specialized denizens — Neotropical Cormorant, Anhinga, Striated Heron, White-cheeked Pintail, Large-billed Tern, Pied Water-tyrant, Bicolored Conebill, and Red-capped Cardinal. 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 mysteri-ous sounding Common Pootoo.Nesting Leatherback Sea Turtle

April 5: DAY 7 This morning we will depart for Tobago, Trin-idad’s sister island. Tobago forms the final link in the chain of mountain ranges extending from the Venezuelan Coastal Range, on the very edge of the South American Continental Shelf. Tobago’s climate and rainfall more closely resembles that of the Lesser Antilles, meaning it is drier and windier than Trinidad.

After arriving in Tobago we will visit marsh habitats searching for shorebirds, herons, egrets, and ducks, such as the White-cheeked Pintail. We will then take a leisurely drive to the lovely southeastern coast. We will check into the beachfront Blue Waters Inn for a relaxing afternoon, where you can swim, snorkel or dive. (Blue Waters Inn has a full dive shop).

April 6: DAY 8 Today, we will travel to the Rainforest Preserve, where Tobago’s best mountain forests are found, at elevations over 2,000 feet. Formally established in 1764, this is the oldest legally protected rainforest in the world. We will pass among charming quiet villages, to the forested interior to look for White-tailed Sabrewing, once thought to be extinct but rediscovered here in the 1960s. We will also seek out Blue-backed Manakin, Yellow-legged Thrush and other Tobago specialties, such as Red-crowned Woodpecker and White-fringed Antwren.

April 7: DAY 9 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, all from the comfort of our glass-bot-tom boat. Upon landing we will explore the island for Magnif-icent Frigatebird, Chivi Vireo, Brown-crested Flycatcher and Pale-vented Pigeon. Depending on the time of the year, we will explore the nesting colonies of Red-billed Tropicbird, Red-footed Boobies, Brown Boobies, Sooty Terns and Brown Noddies.

Ask the boat captain about offshore snorkeling opportunities after lunch (for an additional fee) or simply swim and relax on the Blue Waters beach, or take a self-guided hike along the bird-rich fire trails on the cliff above the lodge.

April 8: DAY 10 This exciting learning vacation ends this morn-ing as you depart for your flight home.

Trip Cost

The cost of the trip is $3,010 double occupancy;$3,735 single occupancy.

The cost includes:

• all meals once we arrive in Trinidad,• all naturalists• all fees and admissions• all ground transportation• transportation to Tobago• all accommodations

It does not include:• Airfare (anticipate $700 to $800)• Naturalist Gratuity• Souvenirs or Personal Incidentals

DepositTo secure a place on the trip, please send a deposit of $500 per person to:The Wilderness CenterP.O. Box 202Wilmot, OH 44689-0202or call with a credit card: toll free 877-359-5235

Pre-trip Meeting

2:30 p.m., Saturday, September 8 at The Wilderness Center (right after the Winter Yellowstone Pre-trip meeting)

Questions

Call Gordon Maupin, Executive Director, The Wilderness Center 877-359-5235