This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT January 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 Barbados, a WESTERN REEF HERON first found on Dec 20th 2003 was still present at the end of January in Graeme Hall. There are up to 3 wintering female EURASIAN WIGEON at East Point, St Philip - a male found in late November has moved on. A male EURASIAN TEAL was seen on at East Point on 3rd Jan

There have been two new species for the island over the recent period, a BLACK THROATED BLUE WARBLER found at Turners' Hall Woods between 1st - 21st Dec and a YELLOW THROATED VIREO seen at Joe's River Woods, St Joseph on 18th & 24th Jan. ( per Martin Frost)

From Curacao, comes a record with photographic evidence of a WANDERING TATTLER (1st record for Dutch West Indies) at Vakantie on 13th Dec 2003 (per Floyd Hayes)

From St Martin, during banding at Lotterie Farm from 3-7 January, EPIC biologists banded/observed: 1 YELLOW BILLED CUCKOO, 1 YELLOW THROATED VIREO (banded; 2nd island record), 3 NORTHERN PARULA, 7 BLACK THROATED BLUE WARBLERS, 3 PRAIRIE WARBLERS, a KENTUCKY WARBLER (banded), 5 BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER, 24 AMERICAN REDSTARTS, 5 OVENBIRDS, a HOODED WARBLER, 2 INDIGO BUNTINGS (both banded, 2nd and 3rd island record), and a BALTIMORE ORIOLE (1st island record). During banding at Fish Pond from 10-14 January, EPIC biologists banded/observed: 4 WHITE WINGED DOVES, a PRAIRIE WARBLER, 7 NORTHERN WATERTHRUSHES and a PROTHONOTARY WARBLER During wetland surveys 22-24 January, EPIC biologists observed: 3 TRI-COLOURED HERONS (1 each at Orient Pond, Cupecoy Pond and Gallion Pond), 12 LESSER SCAUP at Lowlands Pond and a further one at Cul-de-sac Pond, a BUFFLEHEAD at Lowlands Pond (possible 1st Lesser Antillean record), 2 RING NECKED DUCKS (1 each at Little Bay Pond and Grand Case Pond), 170 STILT SANDPIPERS at Orient Pond. Finally there were, 2 LESSER BLACK BACKED GULLSl at Great Salt Pond (per Adam Brown)

From Anguilla, during banding in the Katouche Valley from 17-19 January, EPIC biologists banded/observed: 1 NORTHERN PARULA, a BLACK THROATED GREEN WARBLER (1st island record), 14 PRAIRIE WARBLERS, 11 BLACK AND WHITE WARBLERS and finally a SWAINSON'S WARBLER (banded, possible first Lesser Antillean record).(per Adam Brown)

From St John, USVI a BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER was found on 20th Jan (per Floyd Hayes)

In the northern range of Trinidad, a BLACK HAWK-EAGLE was seen over Temple village in the Arima valley on 2nd Jan. The following day, an OLIVE SIDED FLYCATCHER was present at Morne Bleu and a second bird was found just below Paria junction on 6th Jan. An adult ORNATE HAWK-EAGLE soared over the lower Blanchisseuse Rd and a WHITE THROATED SPADEBILL was at the entrance to Las Lapas trace also on 6th Jan. A SCALED ANTPITTA was again heard, but not seen, from the wooded slopes above the Blanchisseuse Rd east of Morne Bleu on 28th Jan. Close by, 2 YELLOW LEGGED THRUSHES were amongst a host of commoner forest birds attacking an ant swarm On the north coast, a BELTED KINGFISHER was at the mouth of the Marianne river on 6th Jan and a male SILVERED ANTBIRD was seen at close range by the river bridge

In central Trinidad, a BLACK HAWK EAGLE was found in the Aripo savannah early in the month

On the west coast on 7th Jan a WILSON'S SNIPE was along Sumaria trace, an adult male GREEN THROATED MANGO was on the Blue river, and a PROTHONOTARY WARBLER was reported from Cacandee. On 11th Jan, both RINGED and BELTED KINFISHERS were seen hunting over Cacandee freshmarsh

In the Caroni plain , 2 PINNATED BITTERNS and 2 over-wintering FORK TAILED FLYCATCHERS were on Caroni ricefields on 11th Jan, together with a possible BOBOLINK, only seen poorly in flight.

The Trinidad Christmas Bird Count, sponsored by Asa Wright Nature Centre, involved several teams working an area within a circumference of 15 miles from AWNC. A magnificent total of 185 species reported on 22nd Dec, especially considering the inclement weather. Further details are available from the Centre

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"