Managing to access the Bois Neuf area before the rains come proved to be a rewarding venture not only in the relative simple trek across the dry terrain but in the myriads of wildlife that were seen.

Though portions of the expedition was accomplished in cool forested areas, there were tracts of open land where the heat was so intense that even a sprinkle of rain would have been welcomed by the parched terrain. However, life in this territory seems to have achieved quite an adaptation to the changing seasons.

Members of our Nature Trailing Outfit entered Bois Neuf using the La Salle Road off Biche. We were pleased to have in our company Honourable Game Warden Kenrick Harris and experienced traveller in the area Edwin Joseph, alias Bobsy. The road led through working cocoa lands towards the fringes of a forest where our exploration began.

The first sound that greeted us that early morning was the roaring of a band of red howlers. The echoes emanated from two directions one of which we were headed toward.

Twairoo Forest provided a pleasant atmosphere. There were lots of huge matts scampering through the underbrush for cover and disappearing into holes upon our approach. The vegetation consisted mostly of roseau and bois mulatre, the latter homing porcupines, their odour a distracting assault on our olfactories.

The Twairoo River, now at its lowest level, flowed silently along. There was cascadu galore here, enlivening the water with their presence.

Red howlers greeted us as we entered the Bois Neuf forest, with immediate silence. Whereas they were creating quite a din when we approached, there was now a sudden hush as we stood directly under them. It was a peering game, they from above and we below, much to our disadvantage given our expsed positions and their hidden forms.

After a session of peeps and stealthy moves, they moved away gradually travelling to other canopies in the distance.

The Bois Neuf River forms a beautiful break in the forest with stands of cocorite, more bois mulatre and even a type of fern clothing its banks. Cascadu aplenty lives in the water. A log provided some amusing tests to the balance techniques of our party before it was decided to use poles for safely. The waters in these parts are always discoloured so it is difficult to discern the actual depth in some places.

Cocorite, carat, milkwood, guatecare, more bois mulatre and even a silk cotton created a tract of beautiful forest where matt, howler and porcupine survive. This featured on a more elevated terrain and was followed by a sandy area. This sandy area introduced graceful stands of fluorite. A large cattle ranch stood on a portion of the terrain overlooking Black Water River which flowed lazily across an extensive flatland.

Cattle Rancher Boysie Boodhai remembers the numerous large water ducks inhabiting the Black Water area in the past. However, their numbers were depleted by relentless poaching over the years. At present only a Caiman at the side of the bank and a few dragonflies flitting across the grasses represent any sign of life.

Now led by Boodhai amid intense heat across the flat, a small elevation some way off introduced us to an active mud volcano atop the hill. This was one of several in the area.

The entire hill is dominated by the viscous run off. Several trails flow in surges down the slopes in widening directions between carat, roseau and balisier. Roseau and balisier form a dense barrier at the base of the hill.

The mouth of the mud volcano is a mere two feet in diameter. However, the entire hill seems to be created by its action. Boysie told of loud explosive noises emanating from the area during certain times of the year.

Shimmering in the heat haze across this vast expanse of now dried out swampland, a stand of palmists marks the eastern section. To the north, undulations including Sand Hill seem dwarfed by the Brigand Hill elevation far though it seems. At present, Bois Neuf from whence we had come, beckoned us to return to its coolness, an invitation we most hurriedly accepted.

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