This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2003-23) for 13th July  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 Barbados a WHITE COLLARED SWIFT (1st For Barbados) was found along saddleback, St Joseph on 6th July. The ALPINE SWIFT, first found on. 21st June was still present associating with BLACK SWIFTS at St Bernards Village. At Long Pond, St Andrew, a TRICOLOURED HERON, a 1st summer COMMON TERN. Together with 3 adult and one 1st summer ROSEATE TERNS were found on 29th June. At Graeme Hall, a BLACK CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was seen on June 29th On July 6th. The first returning SPOTTED SANDPIPER was seen at Inch Marlowe together with 2 ROSEATE TERNS.

In the Caroni plain of Trinidad, despite the heavy rains there is still little shorebird activity on Caroni ricefields. During a visit on 13th July, 2 juvenile COCOI HERONS (extremely late date for Trinidad) were found together with a PINNATED BITTERN, the first 2 WHITE FACED WHISTLING DUCKS of the season , 5 FULVOUS WHISTLING DUCKS, a light morph LONG WINGED HARRIER, a SAVANNAH HAWK and 8 LIMPKINS.

Further north west, a juvenile GREATER FLAMINGO * was reported flying over the western edge of Port of Spain on 6th July.

On the west coast, the adult RUFOUS CRAB HAWK seen intermittently in the Waterloo/ Brickfield area was again briefly seen in flight on 12th July.

In Tobago on 8th July, a WHITE COLLARED SWIFT * (2nd record for Tobago) was carefully studied amongst a flock of SHORT TAILED SWIFTS from the hilltop at Grafton Sanctuary;  an adult LITTLE EGRET was seen feeding in flooded fields close to Bon Accord lagoon and a WHITE WINGED SWALLOW remains in the recreational area at Plymouth. A pair of WHITE WINGED BECARDS are nesting and can frequently be seen in the Merchiston Rd area south of Speyside village.

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"