This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT Sept 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 atof "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 Guadeloupe, sightings of unusual shorebirds included an immature male RUFF (4th for Guadeloupe) between 10th - 13th Sept; a BUFF BREASTED SANDPIPER at Petite-Terre Nature Reserve on 13th Sept and a WILSON'S PHALAROPE at Pointe des Chaateaux from 15th - 21st Sept. From Aeroport Poole Caraiibes, 7 UPLAND SANDPIPERS were found on 18th Sept and both single BUFF BREASTED SANDPIPER and HUDSONIAN GODWIT on 22nd Sept. The first BELTED KINGFISHER of the season appeared at Petite Terre on 13th Sept; the first AMERICAN REDSTARTS on 22nd Sept and in excess of 1500 CARIBBEAN MARTINS were at Pointe a Pitre town centre on 16th Sept.

In the northern range of Trinidad, a hike along Las Lapas trace on 2nd Sept produced the first AMERICAN REDSTART of the season together with 2 each of EULER'S and SLATY CAPPED FLYCATCHERS, WHITE THROATED SPADEBILLS and YELLOW LEGGED THRUSHES.

From north east Trinidad, an unexceptional 2.75 hr seawatch from Galera Pt on 28th Sept produced 263 COMMON TERNS, 5 BROWN NODDY, 3 LEAST TERNS and a CAYENNE TERN all flying east.

On the west coast of Trinidad at Brickfield, the high tide roost on 14th Sept included 2 AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS and a CAYENNE TERN. Additionally, the first 2 HUDSONIAN GODWITS of the season flew south along the tide line and a LONG WINGED HARRIER quartered the mangrove. At the same site, a BLUE AND WHITE SWALLOW was the highlight of the TTFNC outing on 12th Sept. and a peak count of small calidris sandpipers on 29th Sept. probably exceeded 2,000 birds, most of which were WESTERN SANDPIPERS. Elsewhere on 24th Sept a PARASITIC JAEGAR flew north over the mangrove at Cacandee and the first NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH of the season was found together with single CLAPPER RAIL, STRAIGHT BILLED WOODCREEPER and MOUSE COLOURED TYRANNULETS.

From central Trinidad, the first YELLOW WARBLER of the season was reported on 6th Sept from Carlson Fields. Visits to the Aripo Agricultural Station on 13th, 19th and 26th Sept, produced maximas of 7 AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS , 25 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, 15 SOUTH AMERICAN SNIPE. 6 SOLITARY, 6 SEMI PALMATED SANDPIPERS and single WESTERN and WHITE RUMPED SANDPIPERS in the wet meadows together with a PINNATED BITTERN and at least 14 GRASSLAND YELLOW FINCHES. Additionally, the fruiting trees in the north eastern quadrant held a feeding flock including at least 20 RED LEGGED HONEYCREEPERS and 6 BLUE DACNIS.

From Tobago, 3 AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS were feeding on the Crown Pt airport runway on 11th Sept and 5 BLACK SKIMMERS (1st for Tobago)* were found resting at the Bon Accord sewage ponds on 12th Sept. Also present were 2 LITTLE EGRETS and a BANK SWALLOW.

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"