Preserving Wetlands for the Birds
From highlands to coasts, Tobago is a birder’s paradise. Faraaz Abdool shares his affection and appreciation for ducks that inhabit and visit the wetlands, and reminds us that all waterfowl are protected by law in Trinidad and Tobago. All photos courtesy Faraaz Abdool Mention of Tobago conjures images of beaches and coastlines, rugged or placid. Those who have visited the Main Ridge Forest Reserve dream of verdant, undulating hills and the myriad exquisitely feathered birds within. However, an undervalued part of the island’s landscape takes the form of fresh water and the surrounding terrain. Often abused and engineered into shape, bodies of fresh water have been drained, re-routed, dammed, and otherwise exploited for much of recorded history. Ever resilient, water finds a way, and life makes every attempt to adapt to changed layouts. In low-lying southwest Tobago, the network of wetlands has been significantly altered by human occupation and activity. Golf course...