18 - 23 April 1996
by Mark Lockwood
My wife, Cindy, my brother, Ron, and I visited Trinidad during April 1996. We stayed at the Asa Wright Nature Center and took day trip from arranged by the Nature Center. This was a short trip, with only four days of birding. On the three trips we arranged through the Nature Center, Roodal Ramlal was our driver and guide. Roodal was very friendly and easy going and an excellent birder.
I would highly recommend Asa Wright to anyone visiting Trinidad. It is likely more expensive than other accommodations available, but the birding on site as well as the food and atmosphere are worth the extra cost. At the time we were at Asa Wright, only overnight guests were taken to the Oilbird roost at Dunston's Cave.
18 Apr - Arrived at Asa Wright Nature Center after dark
19 Apr - Birded Asa Wright (AW) grounds in the mourning and visited Trincity Sewage Ponds (TSP) and Caroni Swamp in afternoon
20 Apr - Birded Arima Valley on the way to the Aripo Savannah (including the Aripo Agricultural Livestock Experiment Station {AALES} and Waller Field) and Arena Forest returning to Asa Wright at 2:30
21 Apr - At Asa Wright all day
22 Apr - Birded Blanchissuese Road (BR) and north coast at Blanchissuese, returned to Asa Wright at 3:30
23 Apr - Traveled from Asa Wright to airport
| SPECIES | WHERE OBSERVED |
| Least Grebe | eight were at the TSP on the 19th |
| Neotropic Cormorant | one was seen at Caroni on the 19th |
| Anhinga | two at Caroni on the 19th |
| Magnificent Frigatebird | two were high above the north slope of the North Range along BR and three were along the coast on the 22nd |
| Pinnated Bittern | one was at the AALES on the 20th |
| Great Egret | one at Caroni on the 19th |
| Snowy Egret | common (50+) at Caroni |
| Little Blue Heron | common (25-30) at Caroni |
| Tricolored Heron | abundant (100+) at Caroni |
| Cattle Egret | common at Caroni and on the Aripo Savannah |
| Striated Heron | six at TSP on the 19th, two at AALES on the 20th and one at Blanchissuese on the 22nd, the birds at Trincity showed considerable variation in color including a bird similar to a dull Green Heron |
| Yellow-crowned Night-Heron | about 10 at Caroni |
| Scarlet Ibis | approx. 350 birds were observed coming to roost at Caroni on the 19th |
| Black Vulture | common and observed daily |
| Turkey Vulture | abundant and observed daily |
| Osprey | two were at Caroni on the 19th |
| Gray-headed Kite | one adult was observed at close range at Arena Forest on the 20th |
| Pearl Kite | two on the Aripo Savannah on the 20th |
| Plumbeous Kite | one on the Aripo Savannah, one at Waller Field and two at Arena Forest (attaching White Hawks) on the 20th |
| White Hawk | two at Arena Forest on the 20th, one at Asa Wright on the 21st and one on the BR on the 22nd |
| Common Black-Hawk | three at Asa Wright on the 19th and seven along BR (including one on eggs) on the 22nd |
| Savanna Hawk | three at AALES on the 20th |
| Gray Hawk | one on the outskirts of Port-of-Spain on the 23rd |
| Short-tailed Hawk | one at the microwave tower on the crest along BR on the 23rd |
| Zone-tailed Hawk | one in the Arima Valley and Aripo Savannah on the 20th and one at Asa Wright on the 21st |
| Merlin | one at AALES on the 20th |
| Bat Falcon | a pair at Asa Wright seen daily and one along BR |
| Purple Gallinule | two at TSP on the 19th |
| Common Moorhen | two at TSP on the 19th |
| Southern Lapwing | about 12 at TSP on the 19th, 15 at AALES on the 20th and two at Port-of-Spain on the 23rd |
| Black-necked Stilt | four at TSP on the 19th |
| Wattled Jacana | 20+ at TSP on the 19th and about 10 at AALES |
| Lesser Yellowlegs | one at TSP |
| Solitary Sandpiper | two at TSP |
| Willet | five at Caroni |
| Spotted Sandpiper | several at TSP and AALES and one at Blanchissuese |
| Ruddy Turnstone | six at Caroni on the 19th |
| Short-billed Dowitcher | about 15 at Caroni on the 19th |
| Rock Dove | common in towns |
| Pale-vented Pigeon | two at Asa Wright on the 19th and one observed at length near Arena Forest on the 20th |
| Scaled Pigeon | two to four seen daily at Asa Wright, including excellent views of perched birds |
| Eared Dove | three near Caroni on the 19th |
| Common Ground-Dove | two pairs were at Waller Field on the 20th |
| Ruddy Ground-Dove | common (10/day) at Asa Wright and Aripo Savannah |
| Gray-fronted Dove | one at Asa Wright on the 21st |
| Ruddy Quail-Dove | one or two seen at Asa Wright daily |
| Green-rumped Parrotlet | at least 20 at AALES on the 20th |
| Lilac-tailed Parrotlet | 5-10 seen daily at Asa Wright, mostly seen as they flew up or down the Arima Valley |
| Blue-headed Parrot | four along BR on the 22nd |
| Orange-winged Parrot | about 10/day at Asa Wright, also observed at Arena Forest and along BR |
| Squirrel Cuckoo | two at Asa Wright on the 22nd |
| Striped Cuckoo | two at Waller Field on the 20th |
| Smooth-billed Ani | common, 15-30/day |
| Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl | frequently heard in forest areas, one was present in the tree over out cabin every day |
| Oilbird | 20+ were seen in Dunston's Cave, Asa Wright, on the 21st |
| Short-tailed Swift | about twenty over Aripo Savannah on the 20th |
| Band-rumped Swift | one was at Asa Wright (21st) and BR on the 22nd |
| Gray-rumped Swift | the most common swift, seen daily over the mountains, maximum of 100+ along BR |
| Fork-tailed Palm Swift | at least 10 were at Waller Field on the 20th |
| Rufous-breasted Hermit | one or two seen daily in the mountains, nest found on the 22 along BR |
| Green Hermit | one at Asa Wright on the 19th and 22nd and one along BR on the 22nd |
| Little Hermit | one at Waller Field and Arima Valley on the 20th |
| White-necked Jacobin | 15+ at Asa Wright daily |
| Green-throated Mango | one male at Caroni on the 19th |
| Black-throated Mango | two to five at Asa Wright daily |
| Ruby-topaz Hummingbird | one at Asa Wright on the 19th, two at Waller Field on the 20th |
| Tufted Coquette | up to six/day at Asa Wright |
| Blue-chinned Sapphire | up to five/day, primarily in the mountains |
| White-chested Emerald | up to 10/day at Asa Wright |
| Copper-rumped Hummingbird | up to 15/day at Asa Wright |
| Long-billed Starthroat | one at Asa Wright on the 19th and 20th |
| White-tailed Trogon | one at Asa Wright on the 19th and one along BR on the 22nd, frequently heard |
| Violaceous Trogon | most common trogon, 2-3/day at Asa Wright |
| Collared Trogon | male in the Arima Valley on the 20th, one at Asa Wright on the 21st and two along BR on the 22nd |
| Blue-crowned Motmot | common (5+/day) at Asa Wright |
| Green Kingfisher | two along BR on the 22nd |
| Rufous-tailed Jacamar | six along BR on the 22nd |
| Channel-billed Toucan | 2-4/day at Asa Wright, four along BR |
| Red-rumped Woodpecker | a pair along BR on the 22nd |
| Golden-olive Woodpecker | four at Asa Wright on the 21st and one on the 22nd |
| Chestnut Woodpecker | one to three seen at Asa Wright daily |
| Lineated Woodpecker | two to three daily at Asa Wright |
| Pale-breasted Spinetail | one seen in the Arima Valley on the 20th |
| Stripe-breasted Spinetail | one at Asa Wright on the 21st and two along BR on the 22nd, frequently heard |
| Yellow-throated Spinetail | one at Caroni on the 19th and one at AALES on the 20th |
| Streaked Xenops | one in the Arima Valley on the 20th and one along BR on the 22nd |
| Gray-throated Leaftosser | one in the Arima Valley on the 20th |
| Plain-brown Woodcreeper | one in the Arima Valley on the 20th |
| Straight-billed Woodcreeper | one at Caroni on the 19th, several others heard |
| Buff-throated Woodcreeper | common at Asa Wright |
| Great Antshrike | two or three pairs were frequently seen around the buildings at Asa Wright |
| Black-crested Antshrike | one male at Arena Forest on the 20th |
| Barred Antshrike | two pairs seen daily at Asa Wright |
| Plain Antvireo | one female was found at Asa Wright on the 21st |
| White-flanked Antwren | pairs were seen at Asa Wright on the 20th and 21st and a pair was seen along BR on the 22nd |
| Silvered Antbird | a male was found at Blanchissuese on the 22nd |
| White-bellied Antbird | a female was seen at Asa Wright on the 21st |
| Black-faced Antthrush | frequently heard, one was seen on the 21st at Asa Wright |
| Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet | one at Waller Field on the 20th |
| Scrub Flycatcher | one at Asa Wright on the 20th |
| Forest Elaenia | two at Waller Field and one at the microwave tower on BR on the 22nd |
| Yellow-bellied Elaenia | 5/day in the mountains |
| Ochre-bellied Flycatcher | one on the 20th, two on the 21st at Asa Wright and one along BR on the 22nd |
| Slaty-capped Flycatcher | one at Asa Wright on the 21st |
| Short-tailed Pygmy-Tyrant | a pair at Arena Forest on the 20th |
| Yellow-olive Flycatcher | two on the 20th, one on the 21st at Asa Wright |
| Yellow-breasted Flycatcher | singles at Asa Wright on the 20th & 22nd |
| Bran-colored Flycatcher | one at Waller Field on the 20th |
| Olive-sided Flycatcher | two along BR on the 22nd |
| Tropical Pewee | one at Arena Forest on the 20th, two at Asa Wright on the 21st and one on the 22nd |
| Euler's Flycatcher | two pairs at Asa Wright and one along BR |
| Pied Water-Tyrant | a pair at TSP and a male at AALES |
| White-headed Marsh-Tyrant | a male at TSP and four males at AALES |
| Great Kiskadee | 10/day at Asa Wright |
| Boat-billed Flycatcher | one or two/day at Asa Wright |
| Streaked Flycatcher | two-four/day at Asa Wright |
| Piratic Flycatcher | two at AALES & Waller Field on the 20th and a single at Asa Wright on the 21st |
| Tropical Kingbird | common |
| Fork-tailed Flycatcher | about 12 at AALES on the 20th |
| Black-tailed Tityra | two pairs seen daily at Asa Wright |
| Bearded Bellbird | males observed on the 19th (Asa Wright) and 22nd (BR), several heard daily |
| White-bearded Manakin | large lek at Asa Wright (20+ birds) |
| Golden-headed Manakin | two or three per day at Asa Wright |
| Gray-breasted Martin | 20 at AALES, 10 at microwave tower on BR and several at the airport on the 23rd |
| White-winged Swallow | 25 at TSP, 15 at AALES and one at the airport on the 23rd |
| Southern Rough-winged Swallow | two on the Aripo Savannah on the 20th |
| Bank Swallow | one at TSP on the 19th |
| Barn Swallow | 10 at TSP on the 19th |
| Rufous-breasted Wren | singles at Arima Valley on the 20th and Asa Wright on the 21st |
| House Wren | 5/day |
| Long-billed Gnatwren | one seen on the 21st (Ron only) |
| Cocoa Thrush | 15+/day at Asa Wright |
| Bare-eyed Thrush | 10/day at Asa Wright |
| Tropical Mockingbird | two at Caroni on the 19th, singles at Asa on the 20th-22nd |
| Red-eyed (Chivi) Vireo | four in Arima Valley on the 20th, singles at Asa on 21st & 22nd |
| Golden-fronted Greenlet | one in Arima Valley & two at Arena Forest on 20th, two at Asa on the 21st and five along BR on the 22nd |
| Rufous-browed Peppershrike | one at Caroni and 5/day at Asa Wright |
| Tropical Parula | one in Arima Valley on the 20th |
| Northern Waterthrush | three/day at Asa Wright |
| Golden-crowned Warbler | a pair at Asa Wright |
| Bananaquit | 75+/day at Asa Wright & smaller numbers everywhere else |
| Bicolored Conebill | five at Caroni on the 19th |
| Speckled Tanager | six along BR on the 22nd |
| Turquoise Tanager | 5/day at Asa Wright, Arima Valley and BR |
| Bay-headed Tanager | two/day at Asa Wright and BR |
| Blue Dacnis | female at microwave tower along BR |
| Green Honeycreeper | two or three pairs/day at Asa Wright |
| Purple Honeycreeper | 20-30/day at Asa Wright |
| Red-legged Honeycreeper | a pair at the microwave tower on BR |
| Violaceous Euphonia | 10/day at Asa Wright, Arima Valley and BR |
| Blue-gray Tanager | 25/day at Asa Wright, Arima Valley and BR |
| Palm Tanager | 30/day at Asa Wright, Arima Valley and BR |
| Silver-beaked Tanager | 15/day at Asa Wright, Arima Valley and BR |
| White-shouldered Tanager | four/day at Asa Wright |
| White-lined Tanager | 20/day at Asa Wright, Arima Valley and BR |
| Red-crowned Ant-Tanager | one pair on the 20th and three pairs on the 21st at Asa Wright |
| Hepatic Tanager | female along BR on the 22nd |
| Swallow-Tanager | two pairs at upper elevations along BR on the 22nd |
| Grayish Saltator | four/day at Asa Wright |
| Dickcissel | 150+ in rice fields near Caroni |
| Red-capped Cardinal | three at Caroni on the 19th |
| Blue-black Grassquit | two at AALES and two along BR |
| Ruddy-breasted Seedeater | female at AALES on the 20th |
| Red-breasted Blackbird | 20 at AALES on the 20th |
| Yellow-hooded Blackbird | 15 at TSP on the 19th |
| Carib Grackle | 12 at Caroni on the 19th, 3 at airport on the 23rd |
| Shiny Cowbird | 10-15/day at Asa Wright |
| Giant Cowbird | one imm. bird (pale bill) at Asa Wright on the 20th |
| Yellow Oriole | 5/day at Asa Wright |
| Yellow-rumped Cacique | 20 around the Aripo Savannah |
| Crested Oropendola | about 50/day at Asa Wright and elsewhere |
Mark Lockwood
Austin, Texas 78745
mwlockwood@juno.com