This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT February 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 Guadeloupe, highlight of the month was a NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (1st for Guadeloupe) found on 9th Feb at Gaschet reservoir. A second bird was seen at Ste Anne, 19th-21st Feb

At Port Louis swamp a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER was found on 9th Feb; 9 AMERICAN PURPLE GALLINULES were present on 18th Feb and on the 23rd, there were 300 BARN SWALLOWS, 1 BANK SWALLOW, 1 CLIFF SWALLOW and 1 CAVE SWALLOW.

Elsewhere on the island, a male BLACK THROATED BLUE WARBLER was at Capesterre Belle-eau on 3rd Feb, a PEREGRINE at Ste Anne on 12th Feb, an AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER at Petite Terre on the 15th and 5 LESSER BLACK BACKED GULLS at Riviere Salee on 16th Feb. On the 17th, a CAPE MAY WARBLER was at le Gosier, 5 SORAS at Desirade island and a pair of RING NECKED DUCKS at Gaschet reservoir. On 24th Feb, 323 CARIBBEAN MARTINS and a male PURPLE/CUBAN MARTIN were over Pointe-à-Pitre town centre.

In excess of 9 hours sea watching from Petite Terre Nature Reserve during the month produced 261 MANX SHEARWATERS (of which 151 passed in one hour during 21 Feb) and 1 AUDUBON'S SHEARWATER.

From Tobago, an AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER * (the first for nine years) was found on the shore of Little Tobago Is and a DOUBLE-STRIPED THICKNEE ( the first for eleven years) was on Lowlands golf course both on 25th Feb

In the Northern Range of Trinidad, early morning 25th Feb on Lalaja ridge produced the first reported PLUMBEOUS KITES of the season together with single RUDDY QUAIL-DOVE, STREAKED XENOPS, WHITE BELLIED ANTBIRD, SLATY CAPPED and DUSKY CAPPED FLYCATCHERS and SOOTY GRASSQUIT; 3 RED-RUMPED WOODPECKERS, 2 YELLOW LEGGED THRUSHES and 2 RED EYED VIREOS. The SCALED ANTPITTA was seen along the Blanchisseuse Rd on 28th Feb , as were single ORNATE HAWK EAGLE and SHORT TAILED NIGHTHAWK at Asa Wright Nature Centre, and at least 2 TRINIDAD PIPING GUANS continue to periodically show close to Morne Bleu

In central Trinidad on 2nd Feb, a female RUFOUS SHAFTED WOODSTAR * ( the first reported since 2000) was seen in the grounds of Pax Guest House. The first reported WHITE TAILED GOLDENTHROATS of the season were found at the Aripo Agriculture Station on the 28th Feb together with at least 40 GRASSLAND YELLOW FINCHES and 2 male RUDDY BREASTED SEEDEATERS. On the same date, a MORICHE ORIOLE was found at Waller Field

On the east coast of Trinidad, a CRESTED CARACARA * was seen amongst the coconut palms along Cocos Bay Road on 5th Feb and at least one AZURE GALLINULE continued to perform close to Kernaham trace. On 28th Feb, a LITTLE EGRET was hunting along the shoreline at the northern end of Manzanilla Bay

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"