This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2003-25) for 7th Aug 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 the Caroni plain of Trinidad, the first STILT SANDPIPERS of the autumn returned to Caroni ricefields, with 10 birds on 1st Aug. Also in the area was a WHITE FACED WHISTLING-DUCK, 8 FULVOUS WHISTLING DUCKS, 4 PINNATED BITTERNS, 7 SOLITARY SANDPIPERS and a PECTORAL SANDPIPER. In the dry south-eastern quadrant of the area, 2 PLAIN BREASTED GROUND-DOVES and a COMMON GROUND-DOVE were found.

On the west coast of Trinidad at Brickfields, the high tide seabird/shorebird roost on 31st July produced a GREAT BLUE HERON, 3 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS and the first GULL BILLED TERN of the autumn, 9 SANDWICH/CAYENNE TERNS, 28 COMMON TERNS, 110 YELLOW BILLED TERNS and 200 LARGE BILLED TERNS. At Waterloo, a  BARN SWALLOW on 4th Aug is the first reported sighting for the autumn.

In south west Trinidad, an adult male GREEN THROATED MANGO and a juvenile LESSER NIGHTHAWK were both perched on overhead wires at Godineau, South Oropouche on 5th Aug.

In the northern range of Trinidad, a VARIEGATED FLYCATCHER * was found below Morne Bleu on 4th Aug.

In Tobago, a hike into the Bloody Bay end of Gilpin trace on 27th July produced at least 6 WHITE TAILED SABREWINGS, together with 2 GREAT BLACK HAWKS, 3 COLLARED TROGONS, a GREEN KINGFISHER, and an  OLIVACEOUS WOODCREEPER. Most seabirds on Little Tobago have completed their breeding and have gone out to sea the end of July. However there were still 20 RED BILLED TROPICBIRDS, 25 RED FOOTED BOOBIES (just 2 white phased birds), 20 SOOTY TERNS and 2 BRIDLED TERNS.

Unfortunately there have been no reports from other islands during the last two weeks.

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"