Yerette Hummingbird Sanctuary

Yerette is a private house and garden in the Maracas valley that the owners planted specifically for hummingbirds, with feeders and flowering shrubs, and the result is a concentration that is hard to match: more than a dozen of Trinidad's hummingbird species come through, including the tufted coquette, one of the smallest birds in the world. Visits are by appointment, taken in small groups with a talk, photographs and refreshments.

What you actually see

• The tufted coquette - among the smallest birds in the world, a regular visitor.
• The species range - more than a dozen hummingbird species recorded in the garden.
• The feeder stations - close viewing and photography from the veranda.
• The planting - shrubs and flowers chosen specifically to attract the birds.

When to go

Year round; hummingbirds are present in all seasons. Mornings are the usual visiting slot and the busiest for the birds. Booking is essential.

Honest expectations

Visits are strictly by appointment and cannot be dropped into. It is a private home and group sizes are small, so booking well ahead is necessary. The session is structured and short.

Nearby

St Joseph is south, and Maracas Bay is over the ridge.