Birding
Practically anywhere in Tobago offers a good vantage point for spotting birds, so keep your eyes peeled and your binoculars or camera ready for the birdwatching treats that await you at these various locations: Store Bay, Buccoo, Mount Irvine, Plymouth, Hillsborough Dam, Grafton Caledonia Bird and Wildlife Sanctuary, Adventure Farm and Nature Reserve, and Cuffie River Nature Retreat.
Other popular birdwatching sites in Tobago include:
- Main Ridge Forest Reserve
The Main Ridge Forest Reserve is the oldest legally protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere and the crowning glory of Tobago due to its amazing history of environmental protection. This gem is home to half of the island’s avian population making it a favourite destination for bird watchers. Species of vibrantly hued forest birds include the Tobago Blue- backed Manakin, White-tailed Sabrewing Hummingbird, Blue Crowned Motmot, Rufous-tailed Jacamar known locally as the King Hummingbird, Yellow-legged Thrush, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Collared Trogon and the Cocrico, also known as the Tobago Pheasant one of two national birds depicted on the Coat of Arms of Trinidad and Tobago. For visitors, roaming in the Main Ridge Forest Reserve is exhilarating as the lushness and cool luxuriance of the natural environment is indeed a rewarding experience.
- Little Tobago
Although about a mile long and accessible only by boat, Little Tobago, situated off the Speyside coast, is considered to be one of the Caribbean’s most important seabird sanctuaries and well worth a visit.
A star-shaped and precipitous island, Little Tobago, also called Bird of Paradise Island - after the eccentric bird lover, Sir William Ingram who introduced the Greater Bird of Paradise to the island in an attempt to save the species from overhunting in its native New Guinea - offers a spectacular bird-watching experience from cliff-side vantage points at the end of well-marked trails.
Avid birding enthusiasts can catch a sight of any of the 58 species that have been recorded on the island including the Red-footed Booby and among its migrant seabird colonies are the Red-tailed Tropicbird, Brown Noddy, Sooty Tern, Roseate Tern and Laughing Gulls. Visitors wishing to schedule a stop here are reminded that, for conservation purposes, landings are controlled and a permit and guide will be required.
St. Giles Island
Ranked number 19 on Trip Advisor among 20 attractions in the North East Coast of Tobago, St. Giles Island covers a 72 acre area that supports one of the region’s most important large seabird breeding colonies. Twenty- four (24) land bird species have been recorded there as well as numerous reported sightings of migratory birds which include the Frigatebird, Red-billed Tropicbirds and Audbon’s Shearwater to name a few. Visitors are reminded, for conservation purposes, landings are controlled and a permit and guide will be required.
