This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT November 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.

Belated news from Martinique, the 1st PEREGRINE and MERLIN of the season were found on 24th and 26th September respectively and individuals have been seen in the le Lamentin, Fort de France and Le Robert areas regularly during November. An extraordinary number of YELLOW BILLED CUCKOOS (conservatively estimated at 50) were found feeding in a young fallow field at Basse Pointe on 27th Oct with a late bird still present at Schoelcher on 28th Nov. A SORA was seen at Salines-Sainte Anne on 29th Oct an up to 4 BLACK CROWNED NIGHT HERONS were present at le Robert between 7th - 26th Nov

From Guadeloupe, sea watching during the month from Petite-Terre Nature Reserve produced 11 CORY'S SHEARWATERS, 1 BLACK CAPPED PETREL, 2 unidentified Pterodroma petrels, 1 PARASITIC JAEGAR, 2 unidentified Stercorarius Jaegars, 1 BROWN BOOBY and 3 "small Shearwaters" . At Ste Anne, a NORTHERN PINTAIL was present from 9th Nov to 26th Nov. At Port-Louis Swamp, on 18th Nov, a BALTIMORE ORIOLE was found (1st fall record for Guadeloupe), together with 19 NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, 2 PRAIRIE WARBLERS an AMERICAN REDSTART and a BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER. From the same site, a juvenile BLACK CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was found on 26th Nov

From Barbados, a BLACKPOLL WARBLER was found at Friendly Hall on 4th Nov and a GARGANEY frequented East Pt on 30th Nov

From Tobago, a SORA was found at Lowlands on 16th Nov

In the northern range of Trinidad, a report of an ORANGE BILLED NIGHTINGALE-THRUSH from Asa Wright Nature Centre on 7th Nov. From the same site a BLACK HAWK-EAGLE * was seen soaring on 13th Nov. ON 18th Nov, a female ROSE BREASTED GROSBEAK * was found at Morne Le Croix. Early morning in Lopinot valley on 19th Nov produced single BROAD WINGED HAWK, DOUBLE TOOTHED KITE, GREEN KINGFISHER and SILVERED ANTBIRD

On the west coast of Trinidad, at Waterloo and Orange valley, 10 GREATER (CARIBBEAN) FLAMINGOS ( 8 juvs, 1 sub-ad and 1 ad) were found on 11th Nov together with 5 (3rd winter) LESSER BLACK BACKED GULLS and at least 65 BLACK NECKED STILTS. An adult SNAIL KITE * was reported flying south in the same area. By 17th Nov, LESSER BLACK BACKED GULLS had increased to 7. On 21st Nov GREATER FLAMINGOS had increased to 14; 35 LARGE BILLED TERNS were still present and the numbers of ROYAL TERNS had increased to 26. Elsewhere, a RUFOUS CRAB-HAWK* was seen at Carli Bay and a road corpse SORA RAIL at Caroni, both on 11th Nov

In central Trinidad, a male RUDDY BREASTED SEEDEATER was found at the Aripo Livestock Stn on 28th Nov.

On the east coast of Trinidad a juvenile CRESTED CARACARA* was seen near Manzanilla on 13th Nov

NEW GUADELOUPE BIRDING WEBSITE A new birding website has been launched "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"