This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT April 2004 summary of sightings through the Region. Sponsored by the T&T Field Naturalists Club, our aim is to promote birding and ornithology by fostering communication among resident and visiting birders regarding the study of birds in the region. The SCBA and information about TTFNC, T&T Rare Bird Committee and our Photo Gallery are accessible at "http://www.wow.net/ttfnc" . Reports should be sent to Martyn Kenefick tel 674.7609; Email "martynkenefick@hotmail.com" The T&T Rare Birds Committee requires details for species indicated with an asterisk.

From Dominica, an ANTILLEAN NIGHTHAWK was heard calling as it flew over Savane Paille on the night of 5th Apr.

From Guadeloupe, further news of the spread of EURASIAN HOUSE SPARROW into the Caribbean with a report of one bird on 26th March at Capesterre Belle-eau. Additionally a LITTLE EGRET was found at Gaschet Res on 14th March and 4 SORA RAILS were at Pelletan pond on 2nd March

In the northern range of Trinidad, and adult male SCARLET TANAGER * was reported from Asa Wright Nature Centre and a juvenile BROAD WINGED HAWK flew over Mt St Benedict, both on 2nd Apr. A hike along Las Lapas trace on 5th Apr produced 2 BLACK FACED ANT THRUSH, plus single SLATY CAPPED and DUSKY CAPPED FLYCATCHERS. Again at Asa Wright, a female RUFOUS SHAFTED WOODSTAR* was seen on 22nd Apr

In the north east at least 4 TRINIDAD PIPING GUANS were seen at Montevideo on both 3rd and 11th Apr. Both male and female CRIMSON CRESTED WOODPECKERS were found on the same dates

On the east coast, an unseasonal APLOMADO FALCON * was found along the track from Kernaham to Bush Bush on 15th Apr

On the west coast both PINNATED and LEAST BITTERNS perched up in the early morning at Sumaria trace on 4th Apr. At Brickfields, and up to 30 RED KNOT and an adult LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL were at the high tide roost on 18th Apr. On 25th Apr both dark and light morph LONG WINGED HARRIERS were seen at Sumaria trace and on 26th Apr the first WHITE RUMPED SANDPIPERS and CAYENNE TERNS of the season appeared at Brickfields

In central, at least 20 GRASSLAND YELLOW FINCHES * are still showing well at the Aripo Agriculture Station. Also there on 2nd Apr were a COCOI HERON and 6 WILSON'S SNIPES. On Caroni ricefields, an UPLAND SANDPIPER * was found on 17th Apr. Also present were a group of 21 LIMPKIN, plus single PINNATED BITTERN, PEREGRINE and SAVANNAH HAWK. On 19th Apr a BLACK HAWK-EAGLE was reported from Wallerfield

RARE BIRD REPORTING :- many of the identifications from Trinidad and Tobago reported in the SCBA are tentative. The T&T Rare Birds Committee, founded 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 - Email "martynkenefick@hotmail.com"