This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT October 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.

Belated news from Grenada, large flocks of WHITE COLLARED SWIFTS were seen flying over St David's parish on 18th Sept.

From Guadeloupe, highlight of the month was a SWAINSON'S THRUSH at Desirade Is between 21st - 23rd Oct. (1st for Guadeloupe - and probably only 2nd for Lesser Antilles) Also at this site, the 21st produced a major fall of migrants including a flock of 70 BOBOLINKS , 12 YELLOW BILLED CUCKOOS, and 25 BLACKPOLL WARBLERS with a RED EYED VIREO the following day. Major migrant activity was also noted at Petit Terre nature reserve with a RED EYED VIREO on 1st Oct, single ROSE BREASTED GROSBEAKS on 18 and 26th Oct plus a fall of 17 YELLOW BILLED CUCKOOS and 33 BLACKPOLL WARBLERS on the 28th. Elsewhere on Guadeloupe, 620 CARIBBEAN MARTINS were at Pointe à Pitre on the 9th; a RED EYED VIREO at Fajou islet on the 11th; 5 BLACK AND WHITE WARBLERS at Le Gosier on 16th and a female CHESTNUT SIDED WARBLER at Pettit Bourg on the 20th. A total of 7 hours sea watching during the month produced single MANX SHEARWATER and LEACH'S PETREL

From Tobago, the first YELLOW BILLED CUCKOOS of the season were found at Betsy's Hope on 15th Oct and at the Main Ridge Forest Reserve on the 18th. The first reported BLACKPOLL WARBLER appeared at Betsy's Hope on 16th Oct and an adult male DICKCISSEL was found at Speyside on the 15th.

In the northern range of Trinidad, the first OLIVE SIDED FLYCATCHER of the season was found at Asa Wright on 23rd Sept. A BLACK HAWK-EAGLE was seen from the Caribbean slope of the Blanchisseuse Rd on 10th Oct. At Asa Wright, a male RUDDY QUAIL-DOVE frequented the balcony area on 15th - 16th Oct. A hike along Las Lapas trace on 16th Oct produced a BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER *, adult ORNATE HAWK EAGLE, OLIVE SIDED, DUSKY CAPPED and SLATY CAPPED FLYCATCHERS and 2 HEPATIC TANAGERS.

From central Trinidad, 2 GULL BILLED TERNS patrolled Trincity ponds between 9th - 16th Oct. with a LITTLE EGRET present on the latter date. Sightings from Waller Field during the month include a single WHITE TAILED GOLDENTHROAT, 6 SULPHURY and 4 BRAN COLORED FLYCATCHERS on 3rd Oct and a GREAT BLACK-HAWK on 10th Oct. On 6th Oct, 2 BUFF BREASTED SANDPIPERS* were found on Caroni Rice Project

On the west coast of Trinidad, a HUDSONIAN GODWIT was present on the tidal mudflats south of Waterloo on 15th Oct together with a roost of 138 LARGE BILLED, 68 YELLOW BILLED, 28 COMMON, 24 SANDWICH/CAYENNE plus single LEAST and ROYAL TERNS. Also present were 350 LAUGHING GULLS, 34 BLACK SKIMMERS and 23 BLACK NECKED STILTS. At the same locality on 22nd Oct, 221 WESTERN SANDPIPERS and 25 SEMI PALMATED SANDPIPERS were present with a single SANDERLING (rare on the west coast)

From the east coast of Trinidad, 2 adult and one immature CRESTED CARACARAS * were found near Kernaham on 10th Oct. .

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"