The ibis return
Red flocks at sunset.
Charles J. Sharp — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Grueslayer — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Grueslayer — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bas Leenders — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Chris Fitzpatrick — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Jimfbleak at English Wikipedia — CC BY-SA 3.0
The Caroni Bird Sanctuary is part of the Caroni Swamp, the largest mangrove forest in Trinidad and Tobago, on the west coast where the Caroni River meets the Gulf of Paria. Visitors go in by boat along channels between the mangroves to watch scarlet ibis come home to roost at sunset. The swamp covers 5,611 ha of mangrove, marsh and salty lagoons, and it is protected under the Ramsar Convention on wetlands. Its central section is a wildlife sanctuary. The scarlet ibis was chosen as a national bird at independence in 1962, and hunting it was banned. More than 100 bird species live in the swamp. The tour leaves the jetty around 4 pm, winds through narrow channels between the roots, then comes out on a wide lagoon and waits. Before sunset flocks of red birds arrive and settle on the trees until the trees look red. Their colour comes from the crabs and other shellfish they eat. Boats return around 6:30 pm. The jetty is 11 km in a straight line south-east of Port of Spain. One visitor reports about TT$140 per adult, cash, so book ahead. Bring binoculars and insect repellent, and leave nothing on show in the car.
Red flocks at sunset.
A boat between the roots.
Trees turning red with birds.
Caroni Swamp, off the Uriah Butler Highway, west Trinidad
The late-afternoon tour, to see the birds return before sunset.
Booking with a licensed operator is best; bring cash.