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ABA DONOR TRIP

Trinidad—Asa Wright Nature Centre

with John Kricher and Paul Green
8-15 January 2003

Report

LITTLE TINAMOU, Crypturellus soui — Heard most days from AWC but never seen. This is not unusual for such a secretive species. 

LEAST GREBE, Tachybaptus dominicus — About 8-9 on the sewage ponds near Caroni.

BROWN PELICAN, Pelecanus occidentalis — Seen along the coast at Blanchisseuse and Manzanillo Beach.

NEOTROPIC CORMORANT, Phalacrocorax olivaceus — A few flybys at Caroni Swamp.

ANHINGA, Anhinga anhinga — One flyby at Caroni Swamp.

MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD, Fregata magnificens — As with brown pelican, seen along the coasts.

GREAT EGRET, Casmerodius albus — Not abundant but a few seen at scattered locations.

SNOWY EGRET, Egetta thula — Several at the Caroni sewage ponds and in the Caroni Swamp.

LITTLE EGRET, Egretta garzetta — One bird at the sewage ponds. In scopes it was easy to see the pale, not yellow, lores and the lighter color of the base of the lower mandible. Otherwise, much like a snowy egret. This Old World species now is reportedly breeding in nearby Barbados.

LITTLE BLUE HERON, Egretta caerulea — Many around the Caroni area and a few at other places such as the lagoon at Blanchisseuse.

TRICOLORED HERON, Egretta tricolor — Several in and around the Caroni Swamp.

CATTLE EGRET, Bubulcus ibis — Abundant along roadsides and in fields throughout.

STRIATED HERON, Butorides striatus — Various locations. First observed at the lagoon in Blanchisseuse. Now officially split from the Green Heron (the two used to be considered conspecific, the "Green-backed Heron." Green Heron is now Butorides virescens).

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, Nycticorax nycticorax — One immature flyby at the sewage ponds.

YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, Nycticorax violacea — Several adults at Caroni Swamp.

SCARLET IBIS, Eudocimus ruber — At least several hundred coming to roost in the mangroves at the Caroni Swamp. One of the "signature species" of Trinidad birds.

BLUE-WINGED TEAL, Anas discors — Two males distantly at Caroni. BLACK VULTURE, Coragyps atratus — Abundant in the skies over Trinidad with a particular fondness for the old runways of Waller Field.

TURKEY VULTURE, Cathartes aura — Seen daily but never as abundantly as Black Vulture.

OSPREY, Pandion haliaetus — Seen at Manzanillo Beach and near the Caroni.

GRAY-HEADED KITE, Leptodon cayanensis — Several, seen from veranda, along Blanchissuese Road, but best seen at Waller Field around the moriche palms.

PEARL KITE, Gampsonyx swainsonii — Two seen, different locations, on the road to Nariva Swamp.

DOUBLE-TOOTHED KITE, Harpagus bidentatus — Seen from the veranda (scope view) and along the Blanchisseuse Road.

WHITE HAWK, Leucopternis albicollis — Seen at Asa Wright Centre and along the Blanchisseuse Road.

COMMON BLACK-HAWK, Buteogallus anthracinus — Seen most days. Likely the commonest buteo in Trinidad.

SAVANNA HAWK, Buteogallus meridionalis — One at the agricultural station and another near Aripo.

GRAY HAWK, Buteo nitidus — Several sightings, mostly along Blanchisseuse Road.

ZONE-TAILED HAWK, Buteo albonotatus — One flying with vultures near Blanchisseuse.

ORNATE HAWK-EAGLE, Spizaetus ornatus — One immature in the forest along the Discovery Trail and another soaring over Blanchisseuse Road.

YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA, Milvago chimachima — One on a fence post at Manzanillo Beach.

MERLIN, Falco columbarius — Jogie found us one perched in a coconut palm along Manzanillo Beach.

BAT FALCON, Falco rufigularis — Another Jogie find, distant but a good scope view, Manzanillo.

PEREGRINE, Falco peregrinus — A few high flying birds near Caroni.

PURPLE GALLINULE, Porphyrula martinica — Seen by one van at Nariva, the Melon Patch.

COMMON MOORHEN, Gallinula chloropus — Several seen at various places, including the sewage ponds.

SOUTHERN LAPWING, Vanellus chilensis — Good views at several locations.

BLACK-NECKED STILT, Himantopus mexicanus — Four at the sewage ponds.

WATTLED JACANA, Jacana jacana — Common at the Melon Patch and at sewage ponds.

SOLITARY SANDPIPER, Tringa solitaria — One seen along a river, where we stopped for lapwings and a lineated woodpecker.

SPOTTED SANDPIPER, Arctitis macularia — Several seen, various places. A common wintering migrant species.

ROCK DOVE, Columba livia — Towns, etc.

SCALED PIGEON, Columba speciosa — Great late afternoon scope views along Blanchisseuse Road.

EARED DOVE, Zenaida auriculata — Common around the Caroni area.

COMMON GROUND-DOVE, Columbina passerina — One bird with a ruddy ground dove at Waller Field, along the runway.

RUDDY GROUND-DOVE, Columbina talpacoti — Abundant at Centre and throughout.

GRAY-FRONTED DOVE, Leptotila rufaxilla — Seen daily at the feeder area at Asa Wright Centre.

RED-BELLIED MACAW, Orthopsittaca manilata — Good views of roosting birds near Melon Patch at Nariva.

GREEN-RUMPED PARROTLET, Forpus passerinus — Seen first at agricultural station and later at Aripo area.

LILAC-TAILED PARROTLET, Touit batavica — Seen briefly flying past veranda.

BLUE-HEADED PARROT, Pionus menstruus — Two seen flying overhead along Blanchisseuse Road. They fly with steady wingbeats, differentiating them from orange-wings, which have more fluttery wingbeats.

ORANGE-WINGED PARROT, Amazona amazonica — Abundant in Northern Range (and around Centre) and seen also at other places.

YELLOW-CROWNED AMAZON, Amazona ochrocephala — Roosting in royal palms with the macaws. Likely a naturalized population.

SQUIRREL CUCKOO, Piaya cayana — Heard on two occasions from Asa Wright Centre but never seen.

GREATER ANI, Crotophaga major — One brief glimpse at Caroni.

SMOOTH-BILLED ANI, Crotophaga ani — Common along scrubby roadside areas.

FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL, Glaucidium brasilianum — Heard daily at Asa Wright Centre and seen along Blanchisseuse Road, tucked among foliage in the interior of a tree crown.

MOTTLED OWL, Ciccaba virgata — Heard on one night at Asa Wright Centre.

TROPICAL SCREECH-OWL, Otus choliba — Heard by the "night riders" who returned to Waller Field with Jogie.

WHITE-TAILED NIGHTJAR, Caprimulgus cayennensis — Observed by Jogie's night group at Waller Field.

COMMON PAURAQUE, Nyctidromus albicollis — Observed by Jogie's night group at Waller Field.

COMMON POTOO, Nyctibius griseus — Observed by Jogie's night group at Waller Field and also perched in a mangrove at Caroni Swamp.

OILBIRD, Steatornis caripensis — Jason showed us oilbirds at Dunston Cave.

SHORT-TAILED SWIFT, Chaetura brachyura — The various species of Chaetura swifts are hard to separate but Jogie thought there were good examples of this species at Nariva.

GRAY-RUMPED SWIFT, Chaetura cinereiventris — Jogie thought this species to be the most abundant of the Chaetura swifts along Blanchisseuse Road.

NEOTROPIC (FORK-TAILED) PALM-SWIFT, Tachornis squamata — Common in the moriche palms at Waller Field.

RUFOUS-BREASTED HERMIT, Glaucis hirsuta — Seen daily around the Centre and also along Blanchisseuse Road.

GREEN HERMIT, Phaethornis guy — Seen most days from the veranda.

LITTLE HERMIT, Phaethornis longuemareus — Seen both around the Centre and along Blanchisseuse Road.

WHITE-NECKED JACOBIN, Florisuga mellivora — Male seen daily atfeeders from veranda.

GREEN-THROATED MANGO, Anthracothorax prevostii — Female at Nariva Swamp, male at Caroni Swamp.

BLACK-THROATED MANGO, Anthracothorax nigricollis — Seen daily from veranda.

RUBY-TOPAZ, Chrysolampis mosquitus — Male seen well at flowerheads at moriche palm area of Waller Field.

TUFTED COQUETTE, Lophornis ornatus — Both sexes seen daily at Centre, mostly on verbena flowers.

BLUE-CHINNED SAPPHIRE, Chlorostilbon notatus — Seen most days from veranda and other places around the Centre.

WHITE-CHESTED EMERALD, Agyrtria brevirostris — Seen most days from veranda. Other sightings elsewhere.

COPPER-RUMPED HUMMINGBIRD, Saucerottia tobaci — Common in many areas and seen daily from the veranda.

WHITE-TAILED TROGON, Trogon viridis — Seen several places: at Centre, along Blanchisseuse Road, at Arena Forest.

VIOLACEOUS TROGON, Trogon violaceous — Common around Centre and seen from veranda. Also along Blanchisseuse Road.

COLLARED TROGON, Trogon collaris — One male seen well in canopy along Blanchisseuse Road.

BLUE-CROWNED MOTMOT, Momotus momota — Seen and heard daily at Centre, coming to feeders, and also seen on drive from Blanchisseuse Road to Centre.

RINGED KINGFISHER, Ceryle torquata — One distant sighting near the agricultural station, at an impoundment.

GREEN KINGFISHER, Chloroceryle americana — One male seen at a stream along Blanchisseuse Road.

RUFOUS-TAILED JACAMAR, Galbula ruficauda — One briefly seen at Arena Forest.

CHANNEL-BILLED TOUCAN, Ramphastos vitellinus — Seen daily but distantly from veranda. Usually at least two birds.

GOLDEN-OLIVE WOODPECKER, Piculus rubiginosus — Seen excavating nest along Blanchisseuse Road and two males observed along Discovery Trail.

CHESTNUT WOODPECKER, Celeus elegans — A pair of these were coming to feeders and easily observed from the veranda.

LINEATED WOODPECKER, Dryocopus lineatus — One seen along Blanchisseuse Road and one seen near Aripo.

YELLOW-CHINNED SPINETAIL, Certhiaxis cinnamomea — Formerly called Yellow-throated Spinetail. Seen and heard well at Melon Patch and heard at sewage ponds.

PLAIN-BROWN WOODCREEPER, Dendrocincla fuliginosa — Seen along Blanchisseuse Road.

COCOA WOODHEWER (BUFF-THROATED WOODCREEPER), Xiphorhynchus susurrans — Seen along Blanchisseuse Road and in forest at Asa Wright Centre.

GREAT ANTSHRIKE, Taraba major — Seen various places but excellent looks from veranda as both sexes came around feeder area.

BARRED ANTSHRIKE, Thamnophilus doliatus — Common around Centre and elsewhere, and seen from veranda around feeders.

BLACK-CRESTED ANTSHRIKE, Sakesphorus canadensis — Good views of tape responsive male at Nariva Swamp.

WHITE-FLANKED ANTWREN, Myrmotherula axillaris — Good look at male along Blanchisseuse Road.

WHITE-BELLIED ANTBIRD, Myrmeciza longipes — Heard but not seen at Arena Forest.

SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET, Camptostoma obsoletum — Seen first along Blanchisseuse Road and later around Centre and elsewhere. Behaved and looked a bit like a gnatcatcher.

FOREST ELAENIA, Myiopagis gaimardii — Seen on drive from Blanchisseuse Road to Centre and around veranda. Also elsewhere.

YELLOW-BELLIED ELAENIA, Elaenia flavogaster — Seen briefly at Waller Field.

OCHRE-BELLIED FLYCATCHER, Mionectes oleagineus — Seen often around Centre including from the veranda.

SLATY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER, Leptopogon superciliaris — One seen well in understory along Blanchisseuse Road.

OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, Contopus borealis — Seen but mostly heard along Blanchisseuse Road and elsewhere.

TROPICAL PEWEE, Contopus cinereus — Seen several times along Blanchisseuse Road and elsewhere including around Centre.

PIED WATER-TYRANT, Fluvicola pica — Seen at Agricultural Station, Melon Patch, and sewage ponds.

WHITE-HEADED MARSH-TYRANT, Arundinicola leucocephala — Seen well at Agricultural Station, Melon Patch.

DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER, Myiarchus tuberculifer — Heard along Blanchisseuse Road. Not seen.

GREAT KISKADEE, Pitangus sulphuratus — Common throughout, including at the Centre feeders.

BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER, Megarhynchus pitangua — Seen around Centre, including around cabins and on Discovery Trail.

STREAKED FLYCATCHER, Myiodynastes maculatus — One seen distantly from veranda, a scoped bird.

SULPHURY FLYCATCHER, Tyrannopus suphurea — Several around moriche palms at Waller Field.

TROPICAL KINGBIRD, Tyrannus melancholicus — Common in many places throughout.

GRAY KINGBIRD, Tyrannus dominicensis — Seen along Blanchisseuse Road and elsewhere but not nearly as common as previous species.

BLACK-TAILED TITYRA, Tityra cayana — Seen on drive from Blanchisseuse Road to Centre and at Arena Forest. Also along Blanchisseuse Road.

BEARDED BELLBIRD, Procnias averano— Great looks at singing males at Bellbird Trail.

WHITE-BEAREDED MANAKIN, Manacus manacus — Males active on lek. Both males and females observed around lek and elsewhere.

GOLDEN-HEADED MANAKIN, Pipra erythrocephala — A few seen around Centre and four males in canopy along Blanchisseuse Road.

GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN, Progne chalybea — Seen around Nariva area.

WHITE-WINGED SWALLOW, Tachycineta albiventer — First seen at Blanchisseuse and later at other places including sewage ponds.

SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW, Stelgidopteryx ruficollis — Seen often, various locations.

RUFOUS-BREASTED WREN, Thryothorus rutilus — Heard along Blanchisseuse Road and at Centre.

SOUTHERN HOUSE WREN, Troglodytes aedon — Seen daily from veranda. Heard elsewhere.

LONG-BILLED GNATWREN, Ramphocaenus melanurus — Seen at several areas including Blanchisseuse Road.

COCOA THRUSH, Turdus fumigatus — Seen daily from veranda.

BARE-EYED THRUSH, Turdus nudigenis — Seen daily from veranda.

WHITE-NECKED THRUSH, Turdus albicollis — Seen around Centre and along Blanchisseuse Road.

TROPICAL MOCKINGBIRD, Mimus gilvus — Seen daily from veranda and elsewhere.

GOLDEN-FRONTED GREENLET, Hylophilus aurantiifrons — Seen briefly along Blanchisseuse Road and Arena Forest.

RUFOUS-BROWED PEPPERSHRIKE, Cyclarhis gujanensis — Seen along Blanchisseuse Road (at Trinidad Euphonia spot) and heard in forest at Centre.

AMERICAN REDSTART, Setophaga ruticilla — Seen in mangroves at both Nariva and Caroni.

PROTHONOTARY WARBLER, Protonotaria citrea — Briefly seen at Caroni in mangroves.

NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, Seiurus noveboreacensis — Seen from veranda, along Blanchisseuse Road, near Nariva, and heard frequently at Caroni.

BANANAQUIT, Coereba flaveola — The ubiquitous bird of Trinidad, abundant at Centre and elsewhere.

BICOLORED CONEBILL, Conirostrum bicolor — Good looks at several at Nariva Swamp.

SPECKLED TANAGER, Tangara guttata — Seen briefly along Blanchisseuse Road.

TURQUOISE TANAGER, Tangara mexicana — Seen frequently from veranda and also seen along Blanchisseuse Road.

BAY-HEADED TANAGER, Tangara gyrola — Seen along Blanchisseuse Road and around Centre, sometimes from veranda.

BLUE DACNIS, Dacnis cayana — One seen at Waller Field by the night group, another sighting along Blanchisseuse Road.

GREEN HONEYCREEPER, Chlorophanes spiza — Seen daily from veranda.

PURPLE HONEYCREEPER, Cyanerpes caeruleus — Seen daily from veranda.

TRINIDAD EUPHONIA, Euphonia trinitatus — Briefly seen along Blanchisseuse Road.

VIOLACEOUS EUPHONIA, Euphonia violacea — Seen daily from veranda and elsewhere.

BLUE-GRAY TANAGER, Thraupis episcopus — Seen daily from veranda and elsewhere.

PALM TANAGER, Thraupis palmarum — Very common throughout and seen daily from veranda.

SILVER-BEAKED TANAGER, Ramphocelus carbo — Common throughout and seen daily from veranda.

WHITE-SHOULDERED TANAGER, Tachyphonus luctuosus — Seen along Blanchisseuse Road at two places.

WHITE-LINED TANAGER, Tachyphonus rufus — Seen daily from veranda; perhaps the most abundant tanager at Asa Wright Centre.

GRAYISH SALTATOR, Saltator coerulescens — Seen at feeders at Centre. Also at Melon Patch.

BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT, Volatinia jacarina — Seen along Blanchisseuse Road and elsewhere.

RED-BREASTED BLACKBIRD, Sturnella militaris — First seen at Agricultural fields, later in Aripo area and around Caroni.

YELLOW-HOODED BLACKBIRD, Agelaius icterocephalus — A few at Melon Patch but a large flock at sewage ponds near Caroni.

CARIB GRACKLE, Quiscalus lugubris — Large numbers coming to roost at Caroni Swamp.

SHINY COWBIRD, Molothrus bonariensis — At least two seen most days from veranda at feeders.

GIANT COWBIRD, Scaphidura oryzivora — One at Melon Patch and one in horse corral near Arena Forest.

MORICHE ORIOLE, Icterus chrysocephalus — At least three in moriche palms at Waller Field.

YELLOW ORIOLE, Icterus nigrogularis — Seen most days from veranda. Also along Blanchisseuse Road and elsewhere.

YELLOW-RUMPED CACIQUE, Cacicus cela — Colony in pine tree near Arena Forest.

CRESTED OROPENDOLA, Psarocolius decumanus — Seen daily from veranda. Colony near main house at Asa Wright Centre. Also seen along Blanchisseuse Road and elsewhere.

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