This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT December 2005 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 1st year PURPLE HERON at Foster's on 4th Dec (2nd for Barbados and remaining till month end at least). The annual Christmas Bird Count was carried out on 31st Dec. A record number of 69 species were found including, GLOSSY IBIS and PURPLE GALLINULE at Graeme Hall Swamp; a NORTHERN PINTAIL at East Point and 2 LESSER BLACK-BACK GULLS and possible YELLOW-LEGGED GULL now at Oistins

From Guadeloupe the EURASIAN WHIMBREL remained at Petite Terre Nature Reserve all month. A total of 9.5 hours sea watching during the month produced 2 "small" SHEARWATER sp; 4 PTERODROMA sp, 1 MASKED BOOBY and 1 BOOBY sp . A GREEN WINGED TEAL was found at Grand Cul de Sac Marin on 10th Dec; a flock of at least 200 NUTMEG MANAKINS were at St Francois on 18th Dec and a LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was found at Capesterre Belle Eau on 23rd Dec

From Grenada - on 19th Dec, both male HOOK BILLED KITE and BELTED KINGFISHER were seen at the Rex Grenadian a female BELTED KINGFISHER there the following day together with up to 3 WILSON'S SNIPE. Between 20th-25th Dec, a WHITE WINGED SWALLOW (1st for Grenada) was present in St Georges harbour On 21st Dec several TRICOLORED HERONS (1st for Grenada) were at Telescope together with a BLACK BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK and a number of RED FOOTED BOOBIES (1st for Grenada) were seen off of the north coast. However, the most unusual sighting was of a unidentified WHITE PELICAN sp seen flying past Lauren Pt

From the Grenadines, 3 STILT SANDPIPERS and a WILSON'S PLOVER were found on Mayreau Is and a FORSTERS TERN was seen off of Union Is both on 23rd Dec

From Tobago, an unidentified COOT sp was seen at Bon Accord sewage lagoons on 14th Dec.

In the northern range of Trinidad at Asa Wright Nature Centre, belated news of a BLACK WHISKERED VIREO* on 25th Oct and more currently an exceptionally early SWALLOW TANAGER was found on 2nd Dec and an immature GREAT BLACK HAWK * was seen soaring over the valley on 6th Dec. Up to 3 PIPING GUANS * have been recorded on a number of dates through December in the Morne Bleu area . At least one, and quite possibly two different SCALED ANTPITTA's * were heard calling from dense forest between Morne Bleu and Paria junction on 27th Dec.

From central Trinidad, 34 RED BELLIED MACAWS, 23 LILAC TAILED PARROTLETS, 6 BLUE HEADED PARROTS, and single STREAK HEADED WOODCREEPER and, WHITE WINGED BECARD were found at Waller Field on 6th Dec . A BLACKPOLL WARBLER was seen at the Aripo Agriculture Research Station on 24th Dec. On 30th Dec an adult CRESTED CARACARA * was found on Caroni Rice Project together with 2 BANK SWALLOWS. On the same date, a CRANE HAWK * flew east over St Mary's village, Freeport

On the west coast of Trinidad, a female RUFF * was reported from Caroni swamp on 9th Dec. LARGE BILLED TERNS appear to be "over wintering" in the Waterloo area, at least 22 birds were present on 7th Dec with 6 still there on 29th Dec. Also present on the 7th were 40 ROYAL TERNS and single CAYENNE TERN, RING BILLED GULL AND LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL . 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"