Birdwatching in Tobago

Some of the most commonly seen, thanks to the abundance of syrup-filled feeders draped from every balcony and branch – are the hummingbirds. The six species include the rare white-tailed sabrewing, seen mainly in the forest reserve, and the ruby-topaz – a photographer’s favourite with feathers as jewel-like as its name suggests. The large, blue-crowned motmot is another striking specimen, turquoise and emerald as the island it inhabits. The most sought after bird is arguably the male blue-backed manakin, a tiny, black bird with a sky-blue cape and splash of red on its head. You don’t have to go far to find birds though – yellow bananaquits will hop onto your breakfast table to steal guava jam, while the barks of the huge cocrico (aka the rufous-vented chacalaca) – Tobago’s national bird – is a guaranteed wake-up call.

Adventure Eco Farm

Hummingbird fans should head to the Adventure Farm and Nature Reserve where five of the six species can be found buzzing around the villa’s feeders. Leave a plate of freshly chopped tropical fruit out then go and ring the bell – they’ll come buzzing in, loud as a swarm of bees. Around 48 bird species have been counted here. A new tilapia pond attracts egrets and herons, woodpeckers can be heard pounding the trunks, and tanagers, flycatchers and doves swoop in and out of the surrounding fruit trees.