This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT February 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 St. Martin, wetland surveys on 5th Feb produced 2 GREEN-WINGED TEAL at Grand Case Pond ,and singles at Fresh Pond and Little Bay Pond. A single AMERICAN WIDGEON (male) at Fresh Pond. On 16th Feb a first year RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, found by Gilles Le Blond, was observed at Grand Case Pond (2nd island record).The BUFFLEHEAD persists at Grand Etange. There have been 4 LESSER BLACK BACKED GULLS (2 first winter, 1 second winter, and an adult) flying between Great Bay and Great Salt Pond all month. Birds observed or banded at Lotterie Farm from the 8th-11th; 1 MAGNOLIA WARBLER, 1 CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER (2nd island record), 5 HOODED WARBLERS, 5 BLACK AND WHITE WARBLERS, 15 AMERICAN REDSTARTS, 4 BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER, 4 NORTHERN PARULAS (including one we banded in February 2002), 1 OVENBIRD, 1 INDIGO BUNTING (4th record for the year). From St. Kitts- on 21st Feb a 2nd winter HERRING GULL and a 1st winter LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL were found at Basseterre.

From Guadeloupe, the PIPING PLOVER continues to overwinter on the Nature Reserve of Petite-Terre, seen as recent as 26th Feb

From Tobago, a BELTED KINGFISHER was seen over Bon Accord sewage lagoons on 11th Feb.

In the northern range of Trinidad on Feb 1st, a SCALED ANTPITTA * led three observers a merry chase on the steep slopes below the Blanchisseuse Rd milepost 10.25. It began calling at 7.00am and took over four hours for all to actually see it. On 25th Feb, a hike along Las Lapas trace produced a male RUDDY QUAIL DOVE, at least 6 CHANNEL BILLED TOUCANS, GRAY THROATED LEAFTOSSER, BLACK FACED ANT THRUSH, WHITE BELLIED ANTBIRD and at least 5 SPECKLED TANAGERS. After an absence of several months, a male HEPATIC TANAGER was seen close to the scatter station on Morne Bleu also on the 25th

In north east Trinidad, the first SWALLOW TAILED KITES of the season were reported from Cumana where 3 birds were present on 12th Feb

In central Trinidad, 3 PIED BILLED GREBES were found on Piarco lakes, 13th Feb. At Todds Rd forest reserve, at least 2 SHORT TAILED PYGMY-TYRANTS were seen on 14th Feb

On the west coast of Trinidad at Waterloo, the high tide gull roost on 7th Feb attracted over 2,000 LAUGHING GULLS and 3 adult LESSER BLACK BACKED GULLS. At Cacandee mangrove, sightings on 28th Feb included MOUSE COLOURED TYRANNULET, and 3 NORTHERN SCRUB FLYCATCHERS

In south west Trinidad, 2 male GREEN THROATED MANGO'S and 2 STREAK HEADED WOODCREEPERS were found in the mangrove at Roussilac; at least 6 SPOTTED TODY-FLYCATCHERS were calling from the mangrove fringed river at Sudama Steps and both STREAKED XENOPS and a female WHITE WINGED BECARD was seen in Siparia forest reserve on 18th Feb

HABITAT UNDER THREAT Many subscribers will be both saddened and angered to note the proposed destruction of Bucco marsh, Tobago in favour of hotel and condominium construction together with yet another golf course. This site holds an extensive species list of both resident and migrant birds and is one of the few remaining fresh water marshes in T&T.

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"