This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2003-32) for 16th Oct 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 Tobago, on 8th Oct, the first BELTED KINGFISHER of the season was found at Bon Accord. On 9th Oct an adult male VARIABLE SEEDEATER* was reported near Bloody Bay, the first sighting for a number of years . On 12th Oct the first PROTHONOTARY WARBLER of the season was at Buccoo and there were YELLOW BILLED CUCKOOS at both Buccoo and Bon Accord. On 14th Oct, the first BLACKPOLL WARBLER of the season was at Buccoo marsh, the APLOMADO FALCON first seen on 7th Oct was again present at Lowlands together with SORA RAIL, 12 AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS and a WILSON'S SNIPE. On the same day at Turtle Beach there were 2 WHITE WINGED SWALLOWS

In south Trinidad, a near adult KING VULTURE * was well watched flying over the Trinity Hills on 9th Oct

Off of the north west coast, on Chacachacare, the TTFNC outing on 12th Oct was best described as "quality not quantity" Only 51 species were recorded but included an adult male LESSON'S SEEDEATER *, up to 10 YELLOW BELLIED SEEDEATERS, 3 TUFTED COQUETTES, 3 BRAN COLOURED FLYCATCHERS and 2 STREAKED SALTATORS

In central, the CRANE HAWK * intermittently showing at Wallerfield was again present on 12th Oct.

In the Caroni plain, a survey of the freshwater marshes surrounding Sumaria trace on 11th Oct produced 50 species including PINNATED BITTERN, 2 LEAST BITTERNS, the first PEREGRINE reported for the season, HUSDONIAN GODWIT, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, 2 WHITE RUMPED SANDPIPERS, 2 STRIPED CUCKOOS, 2 RINGED KINGFISHERS, 2 PALE BREASTED SPINETAILS and a MASKED YELLOWTHROAT

In the northern quadrant of Caroni ricefields, a small area held 2 PINNATED BITTERNS, light morph LONG WINGED HARRIER, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, HUDSONIAN GODWIT and a YELLOW BREASTED CRAKE was calling persistantly. On a small roadside pond on Valsayn ricefields, present were 10 BLUE WINGED TEAL, 5 BLACK BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK and 5 WHITE CHEEKED PINTAIL

On the west coast, a juvenile AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER and a 3rd winter LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL were amongst the high tide roost at Brickfields on 10th Oct .Earlier, at low tide 9 CARIBBEAN FLAMINGOES were still present

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"