Caroni Bird Sanctuary
The Scarlet Ibis, one of Trinidad and Tobago's national birds, has its natural nesting grounds in the 12,000-acre Caroni Swamp and Bird Sanctuary. The other is the Cocrico, which is Tobago's lone game bird and is not found in Trinidad. The possibility to see the ritualistic roosting practices of thousands of these bright red birds close to dusk is the main attraction in this mangrove. Many of the guides believe that the birds fly to the Venezuelan mainland to feed on a regular basis, then return to the Swamp at sunset, a distance of around 11 miles. Migratory birds use the mangrove trees as nesting sites, making it ideal for birdwatchers. Tours of the mangroves are offered on a regular basis by flat-bottom boats.
If you're staying in Port of Spain, it's only a 15-minute drive south to the Swamp, where you may choose from a variety of boat tour guides who are well-versed in seeing many (if not all) of the Swamp's 100+ species of other birds, caimans, swamp boas, and crabs of various sorts. The Caroni Swamp is Trinidad's largest mangrove swamp. There are a tangle of natural and dredged channels, and motorized boats are not permitted.
The Scarlet Ibis population is threatened by poaching and pollution of the wetland and Gulf of Paria, although being legally protected. Inside, there is an open pond area around 20 minutes away where the boars congregate so tourists can watch the ibis return while rehydrating.
Location: Butler Highway, Caroni, Trinidad
