Purple-throated Carib— Photo: David Ascanio

Our land-based tour to the Eastern Caribbean visits the major islands; seeking the region's many endemic birds is an overriding theme, but plenty of beautiful island scenery and interesting botany and geology are of equal appeal.

"Small is beautiful" is a common saying in the West Indies, and nowhere is this more apt than in the string of pearls known as the Lesser Antilles. On this Eastern Caribbean adventure, we will discover just how beautiful small is by visiting all four major islands that form the eastern boundary of the Caribbean Sea, including St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Dominica, and Guadeloupe. Island-hopping in a northerly path, our travels will bring exposure to one island paradise after another as we seek the many local and regional specialty birds that provide allure to this West Indian birding extravaganza.   

All of the islands of the Lesser Antilles are scenically spectacular—dominated by steep forested peaks and rugged terrain—yet each island is subtly different from the others. Most of the major islands contain birds found nowhere else, especially a remarkable group of scarce and endangered parrots that include the St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Red-necked, and Imperial parrots, and a dazzling assortment of hummingbirds.

Many other birds of equal interest occur here as well, some of which represent widespread families while others signal bird groups not found outside the Caribbean. Each island is limited in its overall quantity of birds, but collectively they offer a surprisingly diverse list of hawks, woodpeckers, thrushes, thrashers, tremblers, warblers, tanagers, orioles, and finches.

Our excursions will visit the forest sanctuaries where these birds persist, and at each site we'll travel with a local guide whose intimate knowledge of the islands' natural history will result in greater success in our bird-finding endeavors and greater understanding of our natural surroundings.

Complementing the outstanding birding is the supreme natural beauty of the islands. Among the highlights are the cloud forests of Dominica and the Pitons of St. Lucia.

Travel between the islands via plane and passenger ferry; accommodations vary from good to very good; diverse cuisine; walking conditions range from easy to moderately challenging; cool mornings and warm days expected; rain showers possible.