This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT March 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 Martinique, at Fond Moustique, Sainte Anne, 46 BLUE WINGED TEAL were present on 17th Feb together with 2 SORA and a long staying WILSON'S SNIPE. On 23rd Feb 2 LEAST BITTERN, a GLOSSY IBIS, a LITTLE EGRET, single PEREGRINE and MERLIN together with 2 AMERICAN COOT were present at Carriere, Le Lamentin.

During March, a LITTLE EGRET was at Salines, Sainte Anne and 35 BLUE WINGED TEAL remained at Fond Moustique on the 17th March. The following day in the mangrove at Fort de France's Baie there were single LEAST BITTERN and TRICOLORED HERON together with a number of NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH and a PROTHONOTARY WARBLER. Another SORA was found at Pointe Royale, Le Robert on 30th March whilst 2 young BLACK CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS were seen at Mansarde.

From Grenada, a SORA at La Sagesse St. Davids Grenada was found on 1st Mar together with a BELTED KINGFISHER and 75 BLUE WINGED TEALS

From Guadeloupe, at Gaschet reservoir, 2 male GARGANEY were found on 8th March; 16 MASKED DUCKS on the 9th; a pair of GREEN WINGED TEAL on 11 Mar and 86 RUDDY DUCKS, a pair of LESSER SCAUP, 3 SORAS and 3 PURPLE GALLINULES on the 26th At Port Louis swamp, 400 BARN SWALLOWS and 4 BANK SWALLOWS were found on the 2nd and 3 GREAT BLUE HERONS, 8 OSPREYS, 3 YELLOW RUMPED WARBLERS and a CAPE MAY WARBLER were present on the 15th

Elsewhere on the island, 5 LESSER BLACK BACKED GULLS were at Riviere Salee on 5th March; an impressive total of 594 COMMON MOORHEN, 82 PIED BILLED GREBES, 7 RING NECKED DUCKS, 10 AMERICAN COOTS, 22 CARIBBEAN COOTS and 15 MASKED DUCKS were found on the 23rd. CARIBBEAN MARTINS peaked at 620 in Pointe a Pitre town centre together with a single PURPLE/CUBAN MARTIN on 25th and a PEREGRINE was seen at Saline du Gosier on the 28th

From Tobago, a CLIFF SWALLOW (3rd for Tobago) was found at Bon Accord sewage lagoons on 18th and a SORA was at Louis d"Or

In the Northern Range of Trinidad, several probable VAUX SWIFTS * were carefully studied in the upper Arima valley by a very experienced observer on 1st March. If accepted, this will be the first record of this species for T&T. The following day, an OLIVE SIDED FLYCATCHER was seen on the Blanchisseuse Rd and two each of SLATY CAPPED and DUSKY CAPPED FLYCATCHERS were found along Las Lapas. At the Asa Wright nature centre, a BLACK WHISKERED VIREO* was found on 11th March, and the following day, a SPECTACLED OWL was seen close to the balcony at first light. Also on 12th Mar, single SOOTY GRASSQUIT and GREY THROATED LEAFTOSSER was found beside the Blanchisseuse Rd. On 15th Mar, a SUMMER TANAGER * was seen close to the textel tower at Morne Bleu

In central Trinidad, single CRANE HAWK* and SPECTACLED OWL were seen in the Waller Field area on 2nd March with at least 60 RED BELLIED MACAWS, and single WHITE WINGED BECARD the following day. On 12th Mar, at least 40 GRASSLAND YELLOW-FINCHES were at the Aripo Agriculture Station together with a single male RUDDY BREASTED SEEDEATER, whilst at Waller Field, 2 MORICHE ORIOLES were present on 15th Mar and a LITTLE EGRET was found at Trincity ponds on the 17th

On the east coast, 5 LEACH'S PETRELS flew north past Manzanilla on the 13th

On the west coast of Trinidad, a RUFOUS NECKED WOOD RAIL * was seen in the mangrove at Caroni swamp on 3rd March and 2 LARGE BILLED TERNS and a single CAYENNE TERN were at Waterloo on the 15th

In south west Trinidad, early morning in the freshwater marshes adjacent to Sudama Steps produced 4 CLIFF SWALLOWS * (3 immatures and an adult) and 3 LONG WINGED HARRIERS

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"