This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT May 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- on 10th Apr at Loterie Fm a WORM-EATING WARBLER (in the same tree as one found last year!), CANADA WARBLER (1st island record), BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER, 13 AMERICAN REDSTARTS, BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER, 5 NORTHERN PARULAS, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, 2 HOODED WARBLERS, and YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. On 7th Apr 3 BLACK-HEADED GULLS, 2 HERRING GULLS, and 7 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were at Great Salt Pond. On 15 Apr, there were single PRAIRIE WARBLERS at Cupecoy Pond and Maho Village. During EPIC-led bird walk on 17 April, group located 3 WHITE-WINGED DOVES and a WHIMBREL at Etang Poisson. Later, at Gallis Bay, a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHTHERON, 2 HUDSONIAN GODWITS, and a single EUROPEAN WHIMBREL were found. WHITE-WINGED DOVES were observed in good numbers this month, in addition to the 3 observed on the 17th at Etang Poisson, we also found 4 at Gallis Bay and a single at Grand Etang on the 18th. The first WILLET of the season were found on 19th Apr with 4 at Grand Case and 2 at Cul-de-sac Pond. At Mullet Bay Golf Course on 19 April, there was a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH and a single BLACK SWIFT (overdue first island record) among 18 CARIBBEAN MARTINS. The first LEAST TERNS arrived on 18 April, and a census estimated 55 pair island-wide by month end. A LAUGHING GULL census totalled 7,000 birds. On 27th Apr, 2 KILLDEER nests with eggs were found at Orient Pond. During May the BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON first observed in April at Gallis Bay, was seen regularly throughout the month. Two WILLET found daily at Grand Case Pond and a single at Etang Poisson daily as well. Single WHIMBREL continued at Etang Poisson all month. A single BLACK-HEADED GULL was observed at Cul-de-sac Pond on the 10th. A single CLIFF SWALLOW was observed amongst a small group of BARN SWALLOWS at Mullet Bay Golf Course on the 11th. The WORM-EATING WARBLER persists at Pic Paradis and was last seen on the 10th along with three AMERICAN REDSTARTS.

On Saba, single MYRTLE WARBLER and SCARLET TANAGERS were found at Windwardside on 20th Apr

From Anguilla - a pair of CASPIAN TERNS was observed among 20 ROYAL TERNS and a dozen LEAST TERNS at Dog Island on the 7th May

From Nevis - A group of three SCARLET TANAGERS were found near Banyon Tree during the week of the 17th.

From St. Thomas, an ANTILLEAN NIGHTHAWK was found at the northeastern end of island on 10th May

On Barbados, a female BOBOLINK (first spring record for 11 years)and a male SUMMER TANAGER were at Graeme Hall swamp on 28th Apr. A male RUFF was found on 16th May at the oil fields swamp. It was still present on the 22nd together with an immature CARIBBEAN FLAMINGO. Also on the latter date, 6 BLACK SWIFTS had returned near the east coast and a late migrating NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was found at Golden Grove

From Tobago, news of the largest northward passage of ROSE BREASTED GROSBEAKS * known for the island with reports of a male at Grafton on 26th March; a female at the same location on 27th March; a male on Little Tobago,17th Apr, and a male at Bloody Bay lookout on 6th May. On 14th May, an unidentified seabird, either LEAST or YELLOW BILLED TERN * was briefly over the Bon Accord sewage lagoons. On 18th May a GRAY THROATED LEAFTOSSER was seen at the entrance to Spring trail on the Bloody Bay Rd, and on 21st May, 5 FORK TAILED FLYCATCHERS were seen coming in off of the sea at Plymouth

In the seldom watched south east of Trinidad, three morning surveys of forest south of Rio Claro including the Catts Hill area produced a total of 78 species including GRAY NECKED WOOD-RAIL, RED RUMPED WOODPECKER, LITTLE CUCKOO (2), SILVERED ANTBIRD, DUSKY CAPPED and SLATY CAPPED FLYCATCHER, BRIGHT RUMPED ATTILA and, BEARDED BELLBIRD

In the northern range of Trinidad, a late migrant OLIVE SIDED FLYCATCHER was seen at Asa Wright Nature Centre on 21st Apr and a female RUFOUS SHAFTED WOODSTAR* was foraging on vervine in Herb Garden there the following day. Finally a BLACK HAWK EAGLE * was seen soaring over Nature Centre property west of the main house and up the Arima Valley on 13th May .

In north east Trinidad, a flock of 75 WHITE COLLARED SWIFTS flew over Monte Video trace on 30th May. Also present, single TRINIDAD PIPING GUAN and BROWN VIOLET-EAR HUMMINGBIRD

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"