This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT March 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 Grenada ,up to two pairs of unidentified large flycatchers are being regularly seen in the dry forest hills close to St Georges. Descriptions most closely fit either GREAT KISKADEE or BOAT BILLED FLYCATCHER, neither of which have been previously recorded from the island

From St Martin, high counts from banding and point counts at Etang Poisson from March 3-9: 4 NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, 1 PROTHONOTARY WARBLER, and 1 PRAIRIE WARBLER. High counts from banding and point counts at Pic Paradis from March 10-14: 1 NORTHERN PARULA, 1 CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER (3rd island record), 1 MAGNOLIA WARBLER, 4 BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER, 9 BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, 10 AMERICAN REDSTART, 2 OVENBIRD, 1 KENTUCKY WARBLER, 2 HOODED WARBLER, 10 INDIGO BUNTING. During wetland surveys on 25 March, we re-found the male AMERICAN WIDGEON at Fresh Pond, the female LESSER SCAUP at Little Bay Pond, and the single TRI-COLORED HERONS at Little Bay Pond and Orient Pond. Also on the 25th, we located the 4 BLACK-HEADED GULLS at Great Salt Pond first found on the 10th. Along with the BLACK-HEADED GULLS were 16 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS and over 300+ LAUGHING GULLS (which are just now showing up). The over-wintering BUFFLEHEAD has not been obeserved since the March 11th. CARIBBEAN MARTINS have been continually seen flying around cliffs at Maho Village (4 birds) and Plum Bay (4 birds).

From Barbuda, highlights of a two day birding trip on 29th Feb - 1st March included 15+ RED BILLED TROPICBIRDS nest site prospecting along the north east coast; 2 pairs of WHITE CHEEKED PINTAIL together with 8 chicks; a FORSTER'S TERN; a EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE ( thought to be the 1st record for Antigua/Barbuda); a NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW ( thought to be the 1st record for Antigua/Barbuda) and a female CAPE MAY WARBLER In central Trinidad, a flock of up to 50 GRASSLAND YELLOW FINCHES * (1st for T&T) have been present in the Aripo Agricultural Research Station since the end of February. At the same site, both CRIMSON CRESTED WOODPECKER and PALE BREASTED SPINETAIL were seen on 2nd March. On 12th March, a BLACK HAWK-EAGLE * flew over Eastern Main Rd near Sangre Chiquito on 12th March

In the northern range of Trinidad on 4th March, an adult ORNATE HAWK-EAGLE flew over Temple Village and a BROWN VIOLET-EAR was seen feeding young close to Morne la Croix. On Mt St Benedict, a rufous morph BRIGHT RUMPED ATTILA was seen skinning a small lizard on 4th March. On the Blanchisseuse Rd, a probable first summer male SUMMER TANAGER* was found on 7th March together with the first SWALLOW TANAGER of the season. From Las Lapas, both DUSKY CAPPED and SLATY CAPPED FLYCATCHERS were found on 8th March and a BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER* was seen on 28th March.

On the east coast of Trinidad, 2 WILSON'S SNIPES were feeding in flooded ditches at Kernaham on 1st March. and the first LEACH'S PETRELS of the season passed along Manzanilla Beach on 12th March

On the west coast of Trinidad, up to 3 STRIPE BACKED BITTERNS can be seen sunning themselves early morning along Sumaria trace,, and a SORA were flushed there on 3rd March

From Tobago, a female ROSE BREASTED GROSBEAK * has been reported on several dates, latest being 31st March, from Grafton resort

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"