This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2003-36.) for 1st Dec 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 the north coast of Trinidad, at the Marianne river estuary, 2 GRAY NECKED WOOD-RAILS were found on 16th Nov close to the road bridge, and a pair of CRIMSON CRESTED WOODPECKERS were investigating potential nest sites close by.

In the northern range, from 4th Nov onwards, an OLIVE SIDED FLYCATCHER has been regularly recorded at Asa Wright Nature Centre. Also at the Centre, a SHORT TAILED NIGHTHAWK hunted over the car park area at dusk on 20th Nov. Close to the village of Avocat, 2 BAT FALCONS were found on 16th Nov. On the same date, a BLACKPOLL WARBLER was amongst a feeding flock just north of Paria junction on the Blanchisseuse Rd and an adult ORNATE HAWK EAGLE soared over the same area. On 19th Nov, a GRAY NECKED WOOD RAIL ran across the Blanchisseuse Rd at MP 4.5.

On the east coast, at Kernaham village in Nariva swamp, a light morph LONG WINGED HARRIER has been regularly seen throughout November quartering the fields, and a juvenile AZURE GALLINULE was found on 17th Nov. At the traditional Royal palm parrot roost, 125 RED BELLIED MACAWS and 9 YELLOW CROWNED PARROTS flew in on 17th Nov.

On the west coast, a RUFOUS NECKED WOOD RAIL was seen at close range running across mangrove roots beside the Blue river in Caroni swamp on 21st Nov.

In central Trinidad, a LESSER ELAENIA was briefly seen at the eastern edge of Aripo Agriculture Stn on 17th Nov, 2 MORICHE ORIOLES were at Wallerfield aerodrome on 19th Nov and a WHITE TAILED GOLDENTHROAT was amongst long grasses at Trincity ponds on 21st Nov.

From Tobago, 2 LITTLE EGRETS were seen in the Bon Accord area on 22nd Nov together with a late WHITE RUMPED SANDPIPER. On 23rd Nov, a BLACKPOLL WARBLER was seen beside the Bloody Bay Rd and on 25th, a VENEZUELAN FLYCATCHER was found in forest close by.

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"