Time: early morning to the evening for optimum bird watching. Difficulty: 1. Trailhead: At Point Cumana near the city of San Fernando on the southwest coast.

This former Texaco Oil operation, largest refinery in the island, was bought by the government in 1984.

Volunteers have created a 26-acre wild fowl preserve on the 2 lakes for breeding endangered species of fowl and birds and reintroducing them to natural wildlife areas.

About a hundred different birds nest here during a year, many visible from the forest trail and walkways around the lakes.

Although a pest on many lakes in North America, moscovy ducks were eaten to extinction and are part of the repopulation program, as are black-bellied, fulvous and white-faced whistling ducks.

More exotic species are the blue and yellow macaw and the blue-headed parrots. Gallinules, herons, cormorants, flycatchers and tanagers are among the birds usually found year-round.

An Environmental Learning Center with library, audio-visual room, a small museum of Amerindian artifacts and a souvenir shop is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Birdwatchers only will be admitted as early as 7 a.m. and may stay as late as 6 p.m.

Since this is a volunteer operation, reservations need to be made in advance: 868/658/4230, ext. 2512. Small admission fee includes a guide. Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic.

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