This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2003- 08) for.28th February 2003.  Sponsored by the T&T Field Naturalist Club, our aim is to promote birding and ornithology in the southeastern Caribbean by fostering communication among resident and visiting birders regarding the study of birds in the region. The SCBA and information about the TTFNC, T&T Rare Birds Committee and Photo Gallery are accessible at http://www.wow.net/ttfnc. Reports should be sent to Martyn Kenefick by phone at 674-7609 or by Email at "martynkenefick@hotmail.com" The TTRBC requests details for species indicated with an asterisk (see website above and RARE BIRD REPORTING below).

SAD NEWS: This past week Peter Bacon, Professor of Zoology at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. Professor Bacon was an enthusiastic lecturer and accomplished scholar who inspired thousands of West Indian students in his biology courses in Jamaica and Trinidad. Although his primary research interests focussed on the ecology of invertebrates and coastal wetlands, he supervised many student projects (including several that were published) on birds in the region. We extend our condolences to his family and friends.

BIRDING NEWS :- On St Martin,wetland surveys on the 22nd were very ""Rail-ly"" with a SORA being observed at Orient Pond (fourth island record), and more exciting, a CLAPPER RAIL at Fish Pond (first island record). During wetland surveys on the 26th, single male and female GREEN WINGED TEAL (second island record)were found on Little Bay Pond.

In the northern range of Trinidad, a hike from Luango to Maracas on 23rd Feb produced an immature HEPATIC TANAGER. This bird was at an altitude of only 800ft - possibly the lowerst altitude report from Trinidad. Also seen were single COLLARED TROGON and a QUAIL-DOVE sp, almost certainly RUDDY Q-d.

On the west coast of Trinidad, the usual boat trip into Caroni swamp on 25th Feb found 2 roosting TROPICAL SCREECH OWLS and a COMMON POTOO plus the first reported LARGE BILLED TERN of the year. A summer plumage COMMON BLACK HEADED GULL * was amongst the high tide gull roost at Brickfields on 26th Feb. DICKCISSELS are now roosting "in their thousands" in the sugar cane fields south of Caroni swamp.

In east Trinidad at Bush Bush reserve on 27th Feb, the first recorded PLUMBEOUS KITE of the year was seen together with 2 GREY HEADED KITES. Also present were 2 female CRIMSON CRESTED WOODPECKERS and a RED RUMPED WOODPECKER At Plum Mitan, the first of the DICKCISSEL flocks were reported during the week.

In Tobago, the NORTHERN SHOVELERS * first recorded at Lowlands on 5th Feb had increased to 4 on 22nd Feb (a male and 3 females). Also on 22nd Feb regularly seen WHITE TAILED TROPICBIRD * was watched repeatedly trying to land in one small area of the forested cliff face. It was also acting in a very aggressive manner to RED BILLED TROPICBIRDS nearby. Whilst only one bird at a time has been seen this year, could a second be "on a nest" ?

In St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, an unprecedented ten LEAST GREBES were found in four ponds in the western half of the island on 14 February, including two at Fortuna, four at Bordeaux, three at Perseverance Bay and one at Dorothea; none could be found the same day in eastern St. Thomas. Other birds noted in western St. Thomas on 14 February include the two NORTHERN SHOVELERS and an AMERICAN COOT at Perseverance Bay, and two LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSHES in a forested ravine with freshwater pools at Dorothea. On 23 February, the YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER was relocated at Sapphire Bay Condominiums.

ORNITHOLOGICAL TIDBIT: The following abstract is from: Berres, M. E. 2002. Long-term persistence of White-bearded Manakin (Manacus manacus) leks in the Arima Valley of Trinidad, West Indies. Department of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Occasional Paper 11:131-137. During 1997-2000, I searched for 11White-bearded Manakin (Manacus manacus) leks studied by Snow (1958-1961) and Lill (1967-1971) in the lower Arima Valley of Trinidad. Four of the leks described by Snow and one by Lill were found in precisely the locations indicated by these authors 29-42 yrs ago. Actively displaying males and visiting females attended each of these leks. However, two leks appear affected by a dissolution process. Of the six leks not found, habitat alteration by humans appeared responsible for the abandonment of three; the factors responsible for the demise of the remaining leks remain unknown. All surviving leks occur in areas distant from human activities, suggesting that leks will persist indefinitely in the absence of any significant disturbance.

RARE BIRD REPORTING :-  Do we believe what you see ? We want to ! Many of the identifications reported in the SCBA are tentative. For birds found in Trinidad & Tobago, the T&T Rare Birds Committee, formed in 1995, requests details for all rare birds observed (see Species Review List at our website) Please submit details to the TTRBC Secretary : Martyn Kenefick, 36 Newalloville Ave, San Juan, Trinidad - Email "martynkenefick@hotmail.com"