This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT March 2006 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 SHORT-EARED OWL (not only the 1st for Barbados but the first ever owl of any species on the island) was present at Hannays, Christ Church between 17-21 March.

From Guadeloupe, a total of 16 hours sea watching from Petite Terre nature reserved during the month produced impressive totals as follows :- 635 MANX SHEARWATER, 9 "shearwater sp" 3 AUDUBON'S SHEARWATERS, 6 WILSONS PETRELS, 4 LEACH'S PETRELS, 23 "storm petrel sp", 4 PARASITIC JAEGERS and 2 Jaegers sp. Also from this site, the 1st LEAST TERN of the season was found on 15th Mar; a total of 276 shorebirds of 10 different species, including EUROPEAN WHIMBREL, and a SORA were present on 22nd Mar and on the 28th, both MYRTLE WARBLER AND PROTHONOTARY WARBLER were found

Elsewhere on the island, 332 CARIBBEAN MARTINS were at Pointe a Pitre on 6th Mar and on the 27th, at Le Gosier, the long staying GARGANEY was still present associating with 52 BLUE WINGED TEALS and a LESSER SCAUP

From Tobago, unconfirmed news of a PINNATED BITTERN * at Lowlands on 11th Mar would, if substantiated be a new species for the island. On the 12th, the COCOI HERON initially reported last month was still present at BON ACCORD SEWAGE PONDS, as were the 2 LESSER SCAUP at Lowlands. An unseasonal AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER was found at Bon Accord on 14th Mar. In the central ridge rain forest, notable sightings during the month include nesting GRAY THROATED LEAFTOSSER on 13th Mar and both STRIPED OWL and WHITE THROATED SPADEBILL on 15th Mar. From Little Tobago, the WHITE TAILED TROPICBIRD put in an appearance on 18th Mar, after going missing for a few weeks. Further confirmation of the island being a regular migration route for BROAD WINGED HAWKS came with a party of 100 flying over Canaan on 22nd March. Finally there are unconfirmed reports of a VIOLACEOUS TROGON found dead near the Bloody Bay Rd. This species has been reported several times from Tobago, but is still undocumented.

From south Trinidad, a COCOI HERON, the 1st reported SWALLOW TAILED KITE of the season, 2 BAT FALCONS and 2 BLACK WHISKERED VIREOS were found at Trinity Hills on 1st Mar. In two visits to this site, the cumulative total of species recorded stands at 106

From the east coast of Trinidad, belated news of a GLOSSY IBIS * at Nariva on 16th Feb. and 3 MORICHE ORIOLES close to Bush Bush on 18th Feb. More recently, a CRESTED CARACARA * was again present amongst the palms south of Manzanilla on 7th Mar On the same date 3 LEACH'S PETRELS flew north along the coastline and 2 WHITE TAILED GOLDENTHROATS were found at Kernaham. Finally "thousands" of DICKCISSELS were seen in the Kernaham area towards the end of the month.

In the northern range, belated news from the Asa Wright Nature Centre of an OLIVE SIDED FLYCATCHER on 15th Feb; and both BLACK WHISKERED VIREO and YELLOW-OLIVE FLYCATCHER on 16th . In March a SPECTACLED OWL was found there on the 9th. Elsewhere, a BAT FALCON was found at Morne La Croix and the TRINIDAD PIPING GUAN continued to show at Morne Bleu, both on 6th Mar.

From north western Trinidad, an early FORK TAILED FLYCATCHER was photographed in Chaguaramas National Park on 19th Mar. From the same site, a CRIMSON CRESTED WOODPECKER and BRAN COLORED FLYCATCHER were found on 22nd Mar

On the west coast of Trinidad, the RING BILLED GULL remains at Orange Valley, seen on 8th Mar and a COCOI HERON was found in Caroni swamp on 11th Mar

From central Trinidad, sightings at the Aripo Agriculture Station include 2 COCOI HERONS , single male RUDDY BREASTED SEEDEATER and at least 20 GRASSLAND YELLOW FINCHES, all on 7th Mar. An adult BLACK HAWK-EAGLE was present at Waller Field very early on 30th Mar, perched beside one of the tracks north of the 1st runway. A male WHITE TAILED GOLDENTHROAT was found at the same site.

NEW GUADELOUPE BIRDING WEBSITE We are delighted to promote the launch of an excellent new birding website "www.amazona-guadeloupe.com" with text in both English and French . 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"