This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2003- 21) for 27th  June 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 :-From Barbados, undoubted highlight of recent days is news of an ALPINE SWIFT at St. Bernard's village, St. Joseph 21st-22nd June(2nd for Barbados,- the previous record of the African race "tuneti" was in 1955 following hurricane Janet. Probably only the 5th  West Indian record -  previously been recorded from Desecheo Island off Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe and St. Lucia).Photos will shortly appear on our Photo Gallery. Also on 22nd, 10 BLACK SWIFTS were present (highest count for the year). A 2 hr seawatch at Inch Marlowe on June 21st produced a small passage of 7 breeding plumaged ROSEATE TERNS.

From Grenada, an "island round-up" on 11th June produced a HOOK BILLED KITE close to St Georges; 2 BLACK VULTURES at Perserverence (rare in Grenada); 4 GRENADA DOVES at Perserverence and another at Mt Hartman; GRENADA FLYCATCHER at Mt Harman together with 6 LESSER ANTILLIAN TANAGERS and 5 YELLOW BELLIED SEEDEATERS close to Grand Etang.

On St Vincent 43 St VINCENT PARROTS were seen from the Vermont trails on 12th June together with 1 RUDDY QUAIL-DOVE, 3 CARIBBEAN ELAENIA, 2 GRENADA FLYCATCHERS, 1 BROWN TREMBLER, 2 WHISTLING WARBLERS, and 2 LESSER ANTILLIAN TANAGERS.

Highlights of 2 days birding St Lucia on 13th-14th June included 2 BRIDLED QUAIL-DOVES and 1 RUDDY QUAIL-DOVE at Praslin; 23 St LUCIA PARROTS at Quilesse, a RUFOUS NIGHTJAR seen (and another 6-7 heard), 2 St LUCIA PEWEES and 3 LESSER ANTILLIAN FLYCATCHERS at Praslin; 8 GREY TREMBLERS at Quilesse together with 15 WHITE BREASTED THRASHERS, 6 PEARLY EYED THRASHERS, 10 SCALY BREASTED THRASHERS, 7 ADELAIDE'S WARBLERS and 6 St LUCIA ORIOLES all at Praslin.

In Dominica, between 14th-16th June, a PEREGRINE flew over Layou river (locally very rare), 34 RED NECKED PARROTS, 3 IMPERIAL PARROTS were sen mainly in flight in the Syndicate trail region together with a BLUE HEADED HUMMINGBIRD,  2 CARIBBEAN ELAENIAS, 1 LESSER ANTILLIAN PEWEE,and 5 LESSER ANTILLIAN FLYCAYTCHERS, 6 BROWN TREMBLERS, 3 PEARLY EYED THRASHERS,6 SCALY BREASTED THRASHERS, 5 RED LEGGED THRUSHES, 2 FOREST THRUSHES 2 RUFOUS THROATED SOLITAIRES, 3 FOREST THRUSHES, 5 PLUMBEOUS WARBLERS, 4 LESSER ANTILLIAN EUPHONIAS and 2 LESSER ANTILLIAN SALTATORS.At the Emerald Pool, 2 RUFOUS THROATED SOLITAIRES and 3 FOREST THRUSHES were found.

In Tobago, a WHITE TAILED SABREWING on Merchison Rd, immediately south west of Speyside on 25th June, is the first known sighting from this area. Also 2 GREAT KISKADEES are now regularly being seen in the Louis D'or area together with a LEAST GREBE.

In the Caroni plain of Trinidad, 10 FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCKS were swimming on Valsayn ricefields and 3 PINNATED BITTERNS were in a flooded section of Caroni ricefields on 24th June...

BIRD MEETING :- another reminder that the Society for the Study and Conservation of Caribbean Birds meets in Tobago from 21st-25th July. (See SCBA 2003-17 for details) The Conference will combine lectures and field trips. Participating countries include Cuba Canada, Dominican Republic, UK, USA, Haiti, and Guadeloupe. Registration fee is TT$100.00. Special accommodation rates have been arranged at Hilton Hotel, Mt Irvine, Kariwak, Rovanel's, Violas Place and Golf View Apartments. Booking came be made at The Dept of Natural Resources and the Environment, PO Box 5566 Scarborough, Tobago - registration deadline 30th June. Cheque or Draft should be made payable to The Administrator, Division of Agriculture, Marine Affairs and the Environment. Contact Martyn Kenefick (Email or phone) for a summary of accommodation details & rates and daily conference agenda.

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"