This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2003-14) for 28 April 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).

BIRDING NEWS :- In Aruba, a productive birding trip in late March produced an exceptional number of significant records. At the Tierra del Sol Golf Course, noteworthy birds include: a breeding plumaged LITTLE EGRET (1st for Aruba) from 25-30 March; two male NORTHERN SHOVELERS on 23 March; a male NORTHERN PINTAIL (3rd for Aruba) from 23-30 March; up to five GREEN-WINGED TEAL (1st for Aruba) from 25-30 March; two SOUTHERN LAPWINGS (1st for Aruba) on 30 March; and a male RED-BREASTED BLACKBIRD (1st for Aruba) on 28 March. At Bubali, a SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (1st for Aruba) was seen hunting over the trees on 25-30 March. A TENNESSEE WARBLER (1st for Aruba) was noted at Spanish Lagoon on 25 March. At least nine NORTHERN PARULAS (2nd plus for Aruba) were noted at four localities, including three at Bubali during 23-25 March, four at Spanish Lagoon during 23-30 March, and two at Pos Chiquito on 23 March. Other noteworthy warbler migrants include a CAPE MAY WARBLER (3rd for Aruba) at Bubali on 24 March, an OVENBIRD (4th for Aruba) at Bubali on 23 March, and a female HOODED WARBLER (3rd for Aruba) at Spanish Lagoon on 23 March and a male (4th for Aruba) at Bubali from 24-30 March.

In Dominica, a YELLOW-THROATED VIREO was seen on the northern peninsula on 22 April.

ORNITHOLOGICAL TIDBIT: The following abstract is from: Quesnel, V. C. 2002. Breeding biology of the Black-throated Mango (Anthracothorax nigricollis). Department of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Occasional Paper 11:166-179. During a 9 yr period (1985-1993), the Black-throated Mango (Anthracothorax nigricollis) built 28 nests in three open-sided greenhouses (GHs) at Talparo, Trinidad. One GH was particularly attractive, acquiring 23 nests; this was attributed to its provision of 140 sites with excellent support for the nests and a close cover overhead. Building material was partly identified and building methods are described. Nine nests were used more than once: four twice, four three times and one four times. Eighty-one eggs were laid, usually early in the morning. Five single eggs were lost before the second was laid. Nestlings hatched mostly in the morning after an incubation period of 16-18 days (x = 17.2 for first egg; x = 16.5 for second egg), but a few hatched in the afternoon. Fledging took 21-26 days (x = 22.6 for first nestling; x = 22.7 for second nestling). The female brooded the nestlings for 8-12 days. Fledging (first flight) of the nestlings was usually early in the morning. Reproductive success (percent of eggs producing fully fledged young) was 56.5%. Some causes of egg or nestling loss were identified.

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"