This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT February 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 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 Barbados :- an ANHINGA was found at Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary on 1st Feb in juvenile plumage (1st for Barbados) together with 1 GRAY HERON

News from Grenada following the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Ivan in Sept 2004 indicates that GRENADA DOVES have recently been heard and HOOK BILLED KITES seen on a number of occasions. By contrast, there is genuine concern surrounding the future of RUDDY QUAIL-DOVE on the island as their preferred habitat has been totally destroyed . In the area of Windsor Forest,,the population of CHANNEL BILLED TOUCANS seems to be holding up despite most of their favoured trees being bare trunks. These birds were introduced in 1989 and appear, at least in the short term, to attain self sufficient breeding status. Whether they can adapt from a heavily vegetated forest, to this new environment remains to be seen

From Tobago, a YELLOW HEADED CARACARA was seen on 2 -3rd Feb over the central ridge rainforest. This is the first sighting of this species for NE Tobago, all other records coming from the south western lowlands. On Little Tobago, 2 WHITE TAILED TROPICBIRDS* were seen in display flight from the 2nd lookout on 6th Feb. On 13th Feb, a pair of WHITE WINGED BECARDS were present at Merchison Rd (nesting activity was watched on the 23rd). On 15th Feb, a SCALY NAPED PIGEON (1st for T&T)* was found on Little Tobago and on the 16th a MANGROVE CUCKOO was found at Bon Accord close to the bay. An AMERICAN WIGEON* was regularly seen at Bon Accord between 21st-24th. A second individual was found at the Hilton grounds on the 24th. Also at this site were single RING NECKED DUCK* and LESSER SCAUP* together with a MANGROVE CUCKOO and on the 26th, a SORA. Finally, on 26th a pair of MANGROVE CUCKOOS were seen mating at Buccoo

In the northern range of Trinidad, 3 BLACK WHISKERED VIREOS were found at Morne Bleu on 13th Feb with another bird seen at Asa Wright Nature Centre on the 17th. A moulting male SUMMER TANAGER* was reported from Las Lapas on the 16th. Finally from Mt St Benedict, a party increasing to 9 LESSER GOLDFINCHES * (1st for T&T) were carefully studied from 11th - 17th Feb

From north eastern Trinidad, early morning at Montevideo trace on 2nd Feb produced 4 TRINIDAD PIPING GUANS and 3 SILVERED ANTBIRDS. At the same site, an adult male BALTIMORE ORIOLE* (1st documented record in Trinidad for 24 yrs) was found on 18th Feb.

From central Trinidad, a GREAT BLACK HAWK* was seen over Tortuga on 6th Feb. A 1st winter GRAY HERON* was seen at the Aripo Agriculture Stn on the 16th. Also present were male RUDDY BREASTED SEEDEATER and at least 20 GRASSLAND YELLOW FINCHES. On 15th Feb, a BRIGHT RUMPED ATTILA was found in Arena forest.

From the west coast of Trinidad, a summer plumaged FRANKLIN’S GULL* was seen initially at Orange Valley, then Waterloo on 14th Feb. At the latter site, a 2nd winter RING BILLED GULL* was also present.

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”