This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2003-30) for 27th  Sept  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 : On Guadeloupe, a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE (1st for Guadeloupe) was found on a 1 hectare pond at Pointe des Chaateaux on 21st Sept. it was still present on the 24th, joined by 2 WILSON'S PHALAROPES. 21st September. On 23rd Sept, the first BOBOLINK of the season appeared on Petite Terre and on the 25th the first PEREGRINE of the season flew over Pointe des Chaateaux.

In north west Trinidad, the first NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH of the season was found on Covigne trail in Chaguaramas on 18th Sept.

In the northern range of Trinidad, an adult ORNATE HAWK-EAGLE was seen soaring over the Blanchisseuse Rd at mile post 9.5 on 25th Sept. On the same date, there were 50+ WHITE COLLARED SWIFTS, 3 DUSKY CAPPED FLYCATCHERS, 3 HEPATIC TANAGERS, 2 SPECKLED TANAGERS, STREAKED XENOPS and a BLACK FACED ANT-THRUSH in the Morne Bleu area.

On the west coast of Trinidad, the high tide roost at Brickfields on 20th & 21st Sept produced the 1st WILSON'S PLOVER of the autumn together with 4 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, a STILT SANDPIPER and 12 RED KNOTS amongst the commoner shorebirds. Seabird numbers included 166 LARGE BILLED TERNS, 71 YELLOW BILLED TERNS, 5 COMMON TERNS, 3 CAYENNE TERNS, an adult GULL BILLED TERN still feeding a juvenile (where did it breed ?),  the first  ROYAL TERN for a couple of months and a 2nd summer LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL. A dark morph LONG WINGED HARRIER hunted over the mangrove. On 27th Sept, the flooded grass fields inland from Carli Bay  held  9 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, WHITE RUMPED SANDPIPER and a flock of 30-40 SAFFRON FINCHES. At least 5 BANK SWALLOWS accompanied much larger flocks of Barn swallows on the power lines.

In central Trinidad, and early morning hike into Todds Rd forest reserve south on 21st Sept produced 54 species including 2 SQUIRREL CUCKOOS,  CRIMSON CRESTED WOODPECKER, EULER'S FLYCATCHER and 2 BLACK TAILED TITYRAS. A lot of time was spent in vain trying to locate the owner of a call which may well have been BLUE GROUND DOVE.

BIRD OUTING :- the date for the trip to Chacachacare Island is now confirmed at Sunday 12th October. Numbers will need to restricted to a maximum of 16 persons for boat safety reasons. Cost will be TT$60 per head (subject to a minimum overall cost for the boat of $600). We will meet at the boat yard (which is the first slip-road on the left about 50 metres  beyond the entrance to Crews Inn) at Chaguaramas at 6.15am. Those wishing to participate, please contact Martyn Kenefick on 674.7609.

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"