This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT April 2007 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 Antigua, a small pond in the Picarts area held up to 5 MASKED DUCKS between 6th - 13th April; 3 SORAS and 2 RUDDY DUCKS on 7th and a PURPLE GALLINULE between 10-12th. Another small pool, just north of the new Sir Vivian Richards cricket stadium produced a SORA on 12th Apr together with 3 KILLDEER and a YELLOW RUMPED WARBLER. At Jolly Harbour up to 8 WEST INDIAN WHISTLING DUCKS were present on 10th Apr. At McKinnons Salt Pond, there were a further 13 together with a 1st winter LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL and single RUDDY DUCK
From Monserrat, 5 MONSERRAT ORIOLES were present in the Centre Hills together with 4 FOREST THRUSHES and 3 BROWN TREMBLERS on 13th Apr.

From Tobago, the long staying SORA was still at Louis d’Or on 2nd Apr and a COMMON POTOO was found roosting in the mangrove at Lowlands the following day. The first reported SOOTY TERNS were present on Smith Is on the 13th and the first BROWN NODDIES of the season were on Little Tobago the same day.
On 15th Apr, 2 MANGROVE CUCKOOS were found at Lowlands (seen again on the 22nd ) and a pair of COMMON WAXBILLS* (1st record for Tobago) were close to the sewage ponds. The following day a BANK SWALLOW was found at Bon Accord (several were to be seen there 22nd-24th) and another MANGROVE CUCKOO was present. On 17th Apr, a one hour dawn seawatch from Crown Pt produced 100+ ROYAL TERNS, 31 ROSEATE TERNS, 20 CAYENNE TERNS, 2 GULL BILLED TERNS, 2 SOOTY TERNS and a SANDWICH TERN. Finally, a probably BOBOLINK was seen at Bon Accord on the 22nd.

From Asa Wright Nature Centre, a ROSE BREASTED GROSBEAK * was found on 11th Apr; an ORNATE HAWK EAGLE appeared over the valley on the 12th; a RUFOUS SHAFTED WOODSTAR * was seen on 15th ; single BROWN VIOLETEARS was seen on both 17th and 28th Apr with a female LONG BILLED STARTHROAT on the latter date.
Elsewhere in the northern range of Trinidad, a RUFOUS NIGHTJAR was heard in Lopinot valley on 11th Apr. On 26th Apr, single GRAY THROATED LEAFTOSSER, WHITE THROATED SPADEBILL and SUMMER TANAGER * were found in the Las Lapas area.

From north east Trinidad, a LEACH’S PETREL was seen briefly from Galera Pt on 18th Apr ; 4 SHORT TAILED NIGHTHAWKS and 4 WHITE COLLARED SWIFTS flew over Montevideo on the 19th
On the east coast of Trinidad, a WHITE TAILED GOLDENTHROAT was found at Manzanilla on 8th Apr
From central Trinidad, a COCOI HERON was at the Aripo Agriculture Stn on 24th Apr and 2 WHITE WINGED BECARDS were found at Waller Field on the 25th . Flocks totaling at least 500 DICKCISSELS remain in the Valsayn area to 27th Apr at least.

On the west coast of Trinidad, the first reported YELLOW BILLED TERNS of the season were found at Waterloo on 9th Apr. From the same site, a minimum of 6 LESSER BLACK BACKED GULLS were roosting on the tidal mudflats on 22nd Apr together with minimas of 400 BLACK SKIMMERS, 175 LARGE BILLED TERNS, 50 ROYAL TERNS and 20 YELLOW BILLED TERNS. At Caroni swamp ,a COCOI HERON, a RUFOUS NECKED WOOD RAIL, 2 PYGMY KINGFISHERS and 2 COMMON POTOOS were found on 27th Apr.

From south west Trinidad, early morning at Sudama steps on 6th Apr produced 68 species including at least 40 GREEN RUMPED PARROTLETS, at least 25 SPOTTED TODY FLYCATCHERS, 20 NORTHERN WATERTHRUSHES, 10 YELLOW WARBLERS, 6 immature CLIFF SWALLOWS * and 2 GREATER ANIS. At the same site, 2 late PEREGRINES were hunting the marsh on 22nd Apr

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”

Please note that Martyn will be away from the Caribbean from the middle of this month until early September. This is therefore the last bulletin for some while. He asks all contributors to continue to EMail him news and he will send out a "multi month issue" at the end of September.