The twin island nation of Trinidad & Tobago is at the southernmost end of the Caribbean chain. Trinidad sits just off the east coast of Venezuela with which it was connected by a landbridge until 10,000 years ago whilst Tobago sits on a drifting tectonic plate which originated off north-western Venezuela. These facts explain the avifauna of T & T -both in terms of species shared but also why Tobago has some Venezuelan birds not found on Trinidad. Tobago also has a few Caribbean species & being on the edge of the continental shelf holds some interesting seabird colonies.

All the images from this trip were taken on a 2 week family holiday in late july 2006. We stayed at the Arnos Vale hotel which sits on a beautiful bay containing its own coral reef. Most of my birding was done in the surrounding area before breakfast & again in the late afternoon. I was lucky enough to hire the services of Newton George ( http://www.tka.co.uk/birds/trinidadandtobago/guides/newtongeorge.htm ) for a half day Rain forest preserve trip whilst Newton also took the whole family on an afternoon trip to Little Tobago. I also went out for a full day with Darren Henry ( http://www.tobagobirding.com/ ) which took in the limited wetland areas of Tobago as well as a 2nd visit to the Rain Forest Preserve.
Tobago is a beautiful, relaxed & peaceful island which is safe & easy to explore. The avifauna is rich & varied for such a small area of land & the island is the perfect venue for a birder's family holiday.