Asa Wright Nature Centre, Nature reserve in Northern Range, Trinidad and Tobago
Asa Wright Nature Centre is a protected tropical forest reserve spanning 270 acres in the Northern Range, home to more than 400 bird species. The property includes overnight lodging, guided nature walks, and early morning birdwatching from an observation platform overlooking the valley.
The property began as a cocoa plantation but was converted into a nature center in 1949. This transformation launched systematic scientific research in Trinidad's mountainous interior.
Local guides share traditional knowledge about medicinal plants and native wildlife, integrating Caribbean heritage into the center's educational programs.
Different light conditions reveal different wildlife, with early morning offering the best birdwatching opportunities. Sturdy hiking boots and insect repellent are necessary since the terrain is hilly and mosquitoes are common in the moist forest environment.
The center protects a rare Oilbird colony that nests only in an accessible cave system here. These nocturnal birds are the sole members of their family found in this region.
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