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Upon arrival at the Piarco Airport in Trinidad, we were impressed with this modern, ultra-clean facility, which is an indicator of the seriousness Trinidad takes regarding tourism. We were whisked away by taxi to climb the hills above Port of Spain, the capital of this Caribbean island nation, watching along the curves of the Arima-Blanchisseuse Main Road where lush vegetation grows along side.
In about 30 minutes we drove into the portico of the Asa Wright Nature Center & Lodge. It encapsulates us in a wilderness of green, and flashes of magnificent color, impressing the amateur naturalists - which is what I guess we are. The Asa Wright Nature Center--yes there was an Asa Wright and this was her home --was established to provide a recreation and study area relating to tropical wildlife open to all, and to preserve the wildlife thereon.
Not your classic Caribbean resort, the Centre's "swimming pool" is a natural grotto on a free-running rainforest stream where guests can relax and escape from the tropical heat. All of the cottages feature rooms with private verandahs and guests can also retreat to their private oasis to observe the brilliantly colored birds found on the Centre grounds.
We were amazed at the perfectionist attitude of the visitors who brought high-powered binoculars and their very own telescopes and can spot a bird by name with only their eyesight and can identify a bird by sound from afar. We were entranced with the Bellbird who has a loud " clap - clang" instead of a chirp, quite a mating call!
Tea is served in the verandah as we watch the Red-legged Honeycreeper, the Green Honeycreeper, the Ruby-topaz Hummingbird as well as several other denominations of the hummingbird. The smallest, which I believe is the tiniest in the world, is not much larger than a cricket. We are actually beginning to recognize these species and can converse with the "birders" who really know their birds. I saw a Yellow Oriole, a Blue-gray Tanager, the Crested Oropendola (I nicknamed him a crow and then I was told that he acts as one and is a threat to the farmers).
In the afternoon just before dinner, complimentary rum punch is served in the verandah, where guests watch the sunset over the Arima Valley. . We continue to observe the birds until it's dark and the dinner bell rings calls us to the buffet. The guests entertain with their world birding experiences. After dinner birding videos made for nature television presentations.
If you never valued a bird or just took them for granted, a visit to the Asa Wright Nature Center and Lodge in the Caribbean Island of Trinidad, will open your eyes and mind to a new world- "birding."
ASA WRIGHT NATURE LODGE
Sylvia Frommer-Mracky
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