About 300 million years ago, early land animals had split into two major groups - Amphibians, which lay eggs in water and breathe partly through moist skin surfaces and Reptiles, which do not need to live near water, have waterproof skin and lay their eggs on land. Most large Marine Reptiles became extinct about 65 million years ago, leaving just Turtles and Crocodiles still living today.

Together with Fish, these groups, known as "Lower Vertebrates" illustrate life's transition over hundreds of millions of years, from a watery existence to a life on land. Many strange deep-sea creatures exist that are unlike anything found nearer the surface, while the World's largest Lizard, the Komodo dragon's bite is so deadly, that its prey dies of blood poisoning. There are as many Fish species alive today as all the Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Mammals put together.

Walking along the beach looking for seashells is enjoyed by millions of people worldwide and is certainly part of the holiday experience. While on vacation many people pick up a seashell or two as they make nice inexpensive mementos. Seashells belong to the kingdom Mollusca. Most Mollusca are soft fleshy slug like creatures having a hard external skeleton type structure to help protect them. Mollusca are found in both salt and fresh water as well as on the land (snails). In the oceans, this structure is known as a seashell; from seashells to sand dollars to starfish and more. A good cleaning is all that’s needed to destroy any odors seashells might have; soak in a 50-50 solution of bleach and water. If you want to give your seashells lustre you can wipe them with mineral or baby oil. Make sure to wear protective eyewear when cleaning seashells.
In the French Caribbean islands this little shell (top left) is known as ‘Caribbean money’. This follows the African tradition of using cowrie shells as special-purpose currency which was still in use until the end of the 19th Century. In the African tradition, cowries were also used as decoration on drums, clothing, jewellery,masks and head dresses as well as special-purpose
currency as payments of fines, bride- wealth, funerals and divination. Tobago’s master drummers follow this tradition and often decorate their personal instrument and clothing with cowrie shells.

HEAVEN FOR BIRD WATCHERS Tobago's Cuffie River Nature Retreat
	On the edge of Tobago's Rain forest, surrounded by ancient trees, bamboo groves and lush vegetation, the Nature Retreat and Eco-Lodge lies gently cradled in the Runnemede Valley - a secluded yet modern facility set against a backdrop of hills. It's encircled by cool fresh-water springs and pools - a veritable oasis of calm and serenity set in an ocean of greenery, perfect for naturalists and bird lovers. According to a recent bird census, the place offers the ultimate in bird watching with its 98 species; Tanagers and Bananaquits were feeding on a table of fruit just feet away, while a couple of stunning Mot-Mots looked on in their quiet unconcerned way. Walking in through the trails, we encountered no end of Fly Catchers, elusive Manakins, Humming Birds, Woodpeckers and Tree Creepers that followed us up the path - truly a bird watchers paradise. Celebrating a wedding, anniversary or honeymoon? The retreat offers several Togetherness Packages and there is a special if you have attained your Golden Anniversary. However, you don't have to be a resident of the Lodge to savour its delights. Enjoy a 3-hour stroll or hit the trails for a full days hike, or just come and have an excellent lunch in the company of nature's bounteous beauty.
Go on, spoil yourself ………for the rest of your life!! Tel: 868 - 660 0505 Fax 868 - 660 0606 E-mail - cuffiriv@tstt.net.tt http://www.cuffieriver.com

He's easily identified by his blue background colour and his 5 vertical black stripes. You're likely to find him loitering around a purple-green spot in a flattish area of the reef. The spot he's guarding is his eggs - thousands of them, which his lady has deposited in the sand, having encouraged her to do so with his courtship dance and which he subsequently fertilized. He then chases her away, as his maternal instincts take over and he begins to guard his spawn for a week or so until they're hatched and leave home. The cycle begins all over again as the dad with the mother complex begins clearing his nest site in preparation for his next set of youngsters. Look out for him on your snorkeling expeditions.

SOME FACTS ON FLIPPER THE DOLPHIN Dolphin hunting is not the norm in T&T. In fact, they are considered 'protected animals' under the Conservation of Wildlife Act, which states that…"no person shall hunt or shall be a party engaged in hunting any protected animal." Catching, killing or eating or being in possession of whale and dolphin parts is illegal in T&T. Dolphins are mammals; they are not FISH. They have red meat and live relatively long lives having on average a 20 year life span. An adult female does not reproduce until she is between 10-13 years old and the male is 12-14 years old before being capable of reproduction. They have one baby every few years and they spend a lot of time and energy bringing up their babies. For the first year, the babies feed only on their mother's milk and they are nursed for 2 years. 'Auntie' dolphins, either male or female may assist with the birth at calving time and are generally the only other dolphins allowed near the calf. When a new baby dolphin is born it immediately heads for the surface of the water for its first breath. The average calf is a little over 3 ft. (1 metre) at birth and can grow to just under 3 metres or 9 ft long. A mother dolphin may whistle to her calf almost continuously for several days after giving birth, in order to help the calf later on to locate its mother by this method of acoustic imprinting. Thought to be one of the most intelligent and beautiful creatures in our oceans, these warm blooded mammals belong to the group of Cetaceans which also encompass all whales and are some of the most highly intelligent creatures on earth. We see them jumping, playing and even hear them laughing as they have fun in the seas. There are tales of dolphins offering aid to sailors swept overboard or injured swimmers and surfers. There are 67 total species of dolphins, with 32 of them being oceanic. River dolphins and porpoises are among whales which make up the other species. Porpoises are often confused with dolphins which have rounded interlocking teeth; porpoise teeth are square. Bottlenose and Spotted dolphins are the varieties most common in these waters. They live in groups (pods), adult males rarely associating with teenage males (familiar or what?) Their predators are generally various types of sharks, whales and disease such as bacteria and parasites. Pollution in coastal areas is also responsible for the deaths of large numbers of these complex and amazing creatures. Boat Tours invariably offer a chance to enjoy the dolphins frolicking in the wake of the boat. Take a trip and perhaps you will be lucky enough to experience them at play. Environment Tobago is a proactive advocacy group that campaigns against negative environmental activities throughout Tobago. www.environmenttobago.net

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM - A GOOD IDEA Preserving Tobago's Fish Stocks As Tobago becomes increasingly popular as a great place to enjoy the pleasures of a Caribbean holiday, concerns regarding sustainable tourism become more important to all those involved in tourism - the world's fastest growing industry. Fittingly, a trio of industry stakeholders has produced a useful seafood sustainability chart for the island's restaurants and their patrons, that's you, as the Caribbean is no exception to fish numbers being under pressure throughout the world's seas. The Travel Foundation, Virgin Holidays and the Buccoo Reef Trust have jointly produced an enlightening poster sized tic-map, charting stocks of the most popular sea foods; this in order to assist restaurant owners and their patrons make informed choices when buying stock or ordering meals. The guide identifies three species that are currently 'at risk' - Groupers, Snapper and Queen Conchs. More than likely, you won't find any of them on the menu of the island's main sea food restaurants. Flying Fish, according to the guide, is at present one of the better choices for consumption due to its early reproductive maturity and prolific spawning rate. Tuna, King Fish, Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, (local dolphin fish, not to be confused with 'Flipper' the mammal) Shrimp and Lobster all receive moderate ratings i.e. some concerns due to declining stocks and over harvesting.

Be assured however that Tobago's restauranteurs are committed to the idea of sustainability and by all means do continue to enjoy the gastronomic pleasures of your favourite sea food restaurants.

The theory is around that the migration of birds from the Northern regions to Central & South America has to do with returning 'home' when desirable & nutritious food is prevalent & going North in Summer has to do with less predators being around when they have chicks in the nest . They spend longer times in their warm habitats than they do in the cold climates. Some of the birds start arriving in late August & start leaving in late March to the end of April. However, this is not the whole truth because a few of our migrants come from the South, such as, the Fork-tailed Fly Catcher. Several others are occasional visitors from other directions, as in the 80's & 90's we regularly had Scarlet & Glossy Ibis at Buccoo Marsh. Unfortunately many types of human developments are spreading like fungus over the tropical feeding grounds, creating starvation conditions. Like a flood out of control, shopping malls, beef farms for supplying cheap burger joints, housing developments, golf courses, car parks and such like are reducing the bird feeding grounds. The result is birds are going south but not returning having died of starvation from being unable to find their ancestral feeding plants with which they had evolved. Bird migration is phenomenal; tiny birds nest all over the US & Canada as far as the tundra and flocks appear as clouds when they leave as summer is coming to an end. One weather radar operator told me they appear as fog on his screens. The first start arriving in August; I once netted a Blue-winged Teal in early September that had a Fish & Wildlife I.D ring. Their response was that the bird was born that year and was ringed in Canada in August. Birds navigate by many means, such as the learned experience of their elders' memorized landmarks. Using the gravitational and magnetic forces of the Earth, they sometimes go wrong, when blown off- course by strong winds. On occasion birds from the tropics are found in New England and even old England or birds from England are seen here on the rare occasion and also the permanent resettlement of Cattle Egrets from Africa. The list of recorded migrants to Tobago is quite exhaustive and includes the Peregrine Falcon, Great Blue Heron, Laughing Gull, White Tailed Tropic Bird, Fork Tailed Fly Catcher and the American Coot. Birds of Tobago - A beautiful poster illustrating many of the islands's more common feathered inhabitants - Avl. PennySavers Liquor Dept. & Gift Shops Island wide.

TOBAGO'S BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY Biodiversity

It's a term that's used to describe the variety of life on earth in all its forms and the diverse kinds of habitats or ecosystems in which they're found. In Tobago's case these are the tropical rain forests, wetlands and mangroves and the marine ecosystems which include the popular coral reefs.
Due to the fact that aeons ago Tobago was once connected to South America, many of the flora and fauna of the mainland are to be found here.

Because of the volcanic separation of the land mass, many species of life forms are found nowhere else but in Tobago! The island has been blessed with a rich species biodiversity that includes over 210 species of birds, 17 bats, 16 lizards, 21 snakes, 14 frogs, 80 tropical reef fish and 3 endangered sea turtles.

T&T has a system of national parks and laws which promote conservation of biodiversity as many plant and animal extinctions can take place on islands like Tobago.

Environment Tobago is a non-governmental organization that actively
	promotes public awareness and education about our natural environment. Go visit their Education Centre @ #11 Cuyler St. Scarborough. Tel 660 7462 - Help protect Tobago's environment. Info Courtesy of Environment Tobago. www.environmenttobago.net

By David Rooks During the last ice age, Tobago was part of South America, human beings making hardly a footprint. Birds evolved. There are, today, 210 species of birds in Tobago. You will hear them whistling, even at night. I hear the haunting call of the Common Potoo and at dusk and dawn, the Chachalaca, our national bird. Go anywhere and you will see the Blue-Grey Tanager a flashing and eye-catching blue and be entertained by the most melodious whistling of the Tropical Mockingbird. Look on the overhead wires and see the King Bird, while the Copper-Rump Humming bird is at every flower. Nearer to home, the chirpy-cheepy House Wren and the ubiquitous Bananaquit hoping to find a sugar feeder or impatiently trailing wisps of dried grass to build a seemingly impossible strategically placed home at a bough's end. The Rain Forest is full of exemplary varieties, such as the White-tailed Sabrewing Humming Bird, the Blue-backed Manakin, the dancing birds of the forest. The Golden Olive Woodpecker, the Yellow-legged Thrush - our operatic star and that other melodious songster, the White Throated Thrush. Overhead the Orange-winged Parrot, iridescent green. We have a variety of Raptors: The Great Black Hawk over the forest, often the Broad-Winged. Near the sea the Osprey; between the coconuts, the high speed Merlin; the Yellow-headed Caracara and Peregrine Falcon. There are many other species of gorgeous Humming Bird such as the White-necked Jacobin, the Ruby-topaz, the Black-throated Mango, the Rufous-breasted Hermit, and the Blue-chinned Sapphire amongst others. At Little Tobago Bird Sanctuary the most delightful, the Blue Crowned Mot Mot and Tobago's superstar the Red-billed Tropic Bird. Then there are the wetland birds. Most common are the Cattle Egret, the Little Egret, the stately Great Egret, the Snowy Egret, the Black-Bellied Tree Duck, the White-cheeked Pintail, the Anhinga, looking like a flying javelin, the Grebes, the Least and the Pied, tiny birds that dive, the Gallinules, the common and the Purple, the Little Blue Heron and the Green-backed. Come to Tobago for a banquet of birds, they are right there, even in your hotel grounds - in fact, right outside your window. Birds of Tobago - A beautiful poster illustrating many of the islands's more common feathered inhabitants - Avl. PennySavers Liquor Dept. & Gift Shops Island wide.

TURTLE WATCH

Having made the trip myself just months ago, I can recommend that the place to see lots of giant Leatherback turtles laying their eggs nightly, is the little fishing village of Grande Riviere on Trinidad's wild north coast. The Save Our Sea Turtles organization and their Trinidad colleagues have been working together for some years now to protect the endangered species while at the same time creating opportunities for the public to witness these manifestations at first hand, under supervision and in an educational way. I was very impressed with the attitude and level of organization which offered the opportunity of booking an approximately 2 hour group tour with commentary and instructions from a knowledgeable guide. A free video is shown beforehand to help with understanding and expectations, all for an exceedingly modest fee of less than 2 pounds sterling. Although I say 'tour', it's more of an orderly walk on the beach (closed from 6 p.m nightly to facilitate the turtles coming ashore) going from turtle to turtle. Naturally, we didn't need to visit all of them but there were about a dozen on our end of the beach. No flash photography, no smoking, no noisy conversations allowed. Mind you, it would have been very understandable if one were to exclaim out loud when confronting these huge creatures which have been around since the dinosaurs. A very early morning beach visit is a definite bonus to see late arrivals or those not quite finished laying by day break and those making their way back to sea. There are three picturesque hotels facing the sea and a few basic guest houses in the village that cater for visitors at this egg-laying time of year. The drive along the secluded, rugged coastline through parts of a rain forest is another plus and an excellent reason to visit during the nesting months of March to August when numerous sightings are guaranteed, unlike in Tobago where there are not so many and certainly not en masse laying that I witnessed in Grande Riviere. A once in a lifetime experience. Established Tour Ops in Tobago can make joint arrangements with their Trinidad counterparts for you to be delivered door to door as well as the hotels arrange pick up and returns from Trinidad airport.

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