John A. Logan College’s
24th Annual Tropical Adventure
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
June 1 - 8 2012
Learn about Tropical Ecology in this Beautiful
Two-Island Nation in the Caribbean
- Asa Wright Nature Center and Lodge
- Snorkeling in Coral Reefs
- Two Field Trips via Glass Bottomed Boat
- Tropical Evergreen Rain Forest
- Mangrove Swamp via Boat
- Tide Pools
- Tropical Deciduous Forest
- Bird Watching
- Giant Leatherback Turtle Watch
- Oilbirds in a Riparian Grotto
- Cultural Show, West Indian cuisine
- Visit Yerreté Hummingbird Center
- And Much More!
Land Cost: $1375 (with ten participants, includes all meals, lodging, and field trips with local naturalist guides)
College Credit: 1-3 Hours (Students register for Biology 241)
For information and current air fare, contact:
Prof. Nelda W. HinckleyLife Science Faculty
(618) 549-5588 or (618) 549-7335 ext. 8820
Residence: (618) 549-5588
neldahinckley@jalc.edu
Send $100 Deposit Check payable to Caligo Ventures, Inc. to Prof. Hinckley at John A. Logan, 700 Logan College Road, Carterville, Illinois 62918.
The Natural History of Trinidad and Tobago
Based at the world-renowned Asa Wright Nature Centre and Lodge, a 200-acre wildlife sanctuary in Trinidad’s rainforest Northern range and at the charming Blue Waters Inn in Tobago. We will visit several unique natural areas throughout both islands. We will also have an opportunity to experience the unique culture of this island-nation through its food, music, and history.
Trinidad and Tobago Guided Group Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival at Piarco International Airport in Port of Spain and transfer to the Asa Wright nature Centre and Lodge. 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 maintained 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.
Day 2 Awaken this morning to the raucous sound of the Crested Oropendola and a host of other exotic sounds. Our day will start with a guided tour of the several trails that traverse this rich and diverse wildlife sanctuary. On our introductory walk we will see colorful birds such as the Bay-headed and Turquoise Tanager, numerous hummingbirds and secretive antbirds that will be spotted by their haunting calls. We will search for the elusive Bearded Bellbird whose ’bonging’ call can be heard constantly through the day. And we will delight in the antics of the White-bearded Manakins as we visit their courtship display grounds, or leks.
The afternoon will be free to allow you to relax, enjoy the trails and adjust to the tropical sun and heat. Or you can sit on the world-famous verandah and enjoy the colorful array of tanagers, hummingbirds and honeycreepers attracted to the birdfeeders and flowers, as well as an occasional agouti. And for those who wish, there is the opportunity for a cooling dip in the natural pool.
Day 3 This morning we will visit Dunstan Cave, a beautiful riparian grotto located on the sanctuary, to view the breeding colony of the fascinating nocturnal Oilbird. In the late afternoon, we will take a picnic supper to Matura Beach to await the evening arrival of nesting Leatherback Turtles. These ancient giants come ashore between April and July, digging their nests and depositing their eggs. This 12-mile stretch of protected beach is one of the best spots in the Caribbean to experience this awe-inspiring event.
Day 4This morning we will explore more of the Centre and the tropical rainforest – perhaps observing leafcutter and army ants at work; searching the trees for orchids and bromeliads; observing a nesting colony of oropendola at work; or watching for special tropical birds such as trogons, toucans and parrots. We will depart before noon with picnic lunches for 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. (Twelve of the island's 17 recorded species have been seen at the feeders.) An optional slideshow of the owner's amazing photography will also be shown. After lunch we will depart for Caroni Marsh a very specialized mangrove forest that contains several genera and species of mangroves, showing classic examples of plant adaptation in this unique brackish water community. We will learn about this endangered habitat as we cruise the channels and lagoons, looking at both the marine and bird life that make this marsh their home. Our day will end with the spectacular flight of the 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 channels for the mysterious sounding Common Potoo. We will return to the Centre for a late dinner.
Day 5 We depart this morning for Trinidad’s sister island of Tobago. This island 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; it is drier and windier than Trinidad. We will take a leisurely drive to our lovely beach side hotel. We will check into the Blue Waters Inn for a relaxing afternoon of swimming, snorkeling or diving (Blue Waters Inn has a complete dive shop).
Day 6 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 from the comfort of our glass-bottom boat. Once landing we will explore the nesting sites and look for Red-billed Tropicbird, Red-footed and Brown Boobies, and Sooty and Noddy Terns. After lunch we will take a boat to snorkel the reefs off of Goat Island. The reef flora and fauna found here are diverse and abundant, containing over 40 species of corals and 65 species of fish, along with other reef invertebrates such as sea urchins, brittle stars, and sponges. We will return to Blue Waters Inn for the evening.
Day 7 This day will see us traveling to the Rainforest Preserve with a picnic lunch. Where Tobago’s best mountain forests are found; at elevations over 2,000 feet. We will pass among charming quiet villages, to the forested interior to look for White-tailed Sabrewing, Blue-backed Manakin, Yellow-legged Thrush and other Tobago specialties such as Red-crowned Woodpecker and White-fringed Antwren.
Day 8 This exciting trip ends this morning as you depart for your flight homeward.
