This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2001-07) for 2 March 2001. Sponsored by the T&T Field Naturalists' Club, our aim is to promote birding and ornithology in the southeastern Caribbean by fostering communication among resident and visiting birders regarding the study of birds in the region. The SCBA and information about the T&TFNC are accessible on the Internet at http://www.wow.net/ttfnc. Reports should be sent to Floyd Hayes by phone at 662-5918 (H) or 645-3232 x2206 (W), or by e-mail at floyd_hayes@hotmail.com. The T&T Rare Bird Committee requests details for species indicated with an asterisk (see SCBA website above and end below).

HOTSHOTS IN HOT SPOTS: In the Northern Range of Trinidad, the solitary TRINIDAD PIPING-GUAN* continues to be seen beside the TSTT communication station near Morne Bleu, just off the Blanchiseusse Road, where it was reported on 22, 23 and 26 February. Birders are requested not to approach it too closely. Hopefully it will remain in the area, providing birders with an unprecedented opportunity to observe it. Two different BLACK-WHISKERED VIREOS* have now been found dead at the Morne Bleu station: the first on 22 February and the second on 23 February. Presumably both vireos crashed into the structures while migrating over the ridge at night--a phenomenon rarely reported in the region for any species of bird and, in this case, providing evidence for nocturnal migration of Black-whiskered Vireos through Trinidad.

Elsewhere in the Northern Range, a CRIMSON-CRESTED WOODPECKER was seen north of Brasso Seco on 26 February and several large flocks of small, brownish birds thought to be DICKCISSELS were seen flying south through Maracas Valley in the morning of 2 March.

A complete census of the colour-banded TROPICAL MOCKINGBIRD population at Caribbean Union College, Maracas Valley, revealed that nine of 14 (64%) adult males and 12 of 17 (71%) adult females survived from last year's breeding season. Adult annual survivorship during the 4-year study is 74% for males (34 bird-years) and 73% for females (51 bird-years). The same territory is defended from one year to the next by 64% of males (33 bird-years) and 65% of females (51 bird-years); only a small percentage of individuals move from one territory to another. Obviously these demographic parameters do not differ between the sexes.

Along the north coast of Trinidad, a TRINIDAD PIPING-GUAN* was noted along remote Warden Trace, just east of the Madamas River, on 28 February. The feathers of a dead TRINIDAD PIPING-GUAN* believed to have been the victim of a natural predator (rather than a human hunter) were found along the trail to Lakatan Waterfall, near Grande Riviere, on 26 February. At the 'Pawi Site' 1 km south of Grande Riviere, TRINIDAD PIPING-GUANS* are being observed sporadically, though they were routinely observed during July-December; one was briefly seen in the morning of 1 March. A male BELTED KINGFISHER, possibly the same individual seen for the fourth consecutive spring, was seen perched on wires hanging over the ocean east of San Souci on 1 March. A nest-building BRIGHT-RUMPED ATTILA was noted at Warden Trace on 28 February and another was heard calling a few kilometres to the east the same day. On 27 February, a pair of RED-AND-GREEN MACAWS* (presumably escapees) was noted building a nest overlooking the ocean near the top of a hill between La Filette and Las Cuevas. Several 'firsts' for the season include two SWALLOW-TAILED KITES at Grande Riviere on 28 February, a PLUMBEOUS KITE at Warden Trace on 28 February, and (for Trinidad only) a singing RED-EYED VIREO near Grand Tacarib on 27 February.

Along the west coast of Trinidad, four LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS* (two adults and two 2nd-winter) and a 1st-winter RING-BILLED GULL* were noted among roughly 300 LAUGHING GULLS at San Fernando on 25 February.

Along the east coast of Trinidad, a pair of CRIMSON-CRESTED WOODPECKERS was noted nesting in a tree north of Matura on 1 March.

In Tobago, a WHITE-TAILED TROPICBIRD* (2nd for T&T assuming it is one of up to two birds seen irregularly since 1 April 1998) put in a rare appearance by the first seabird overlook atop Little Tobago on 27 February. Its landing maneouvers resembled those of nearby RED-BILLED TROPICBIRDS arriving at their nests, leading an observer to suspect it may have been nesting. Nesting RED-FOOTED BOOBIES were also noted at Little Tobago on 27 February and an AUDUBON'S SHEARWATER was seen in its nest on 25 February. Efforts to relocate the Western Reef-Heron* (1st for Tobago, 2nd for South America) at Buccoo on 26 February were unsuccessful, but 97 BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS and 17 WHITE-CHEEKED PINTAILS were tallied. An additional 30 BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS were noted in the large pond beside the Claude Noel Highway on 28 February. Waterfowl are clearly benefitting from the numerous small, artificial ponds created within the past decade in southwestern Tobago.

Elsewhere in Tobago, recent sightings include: a GREAT BLUE HERON along the Goldsborough River on 28 February; a GRAY-THROATED LEAFTOSSER* along the Niplig Trail (across the paved road from Gilpin Trace) on 28 February; a female WHITE-TAILED SABREWING entering vegetation for prolonged periods, but no nest found, near the lower (main) entrance to Gilpin Trace on 28 February; the colour-banded RUDDY TURNSTONE lingering at Blue Waters Inn; and a second-hand report of a VIOLACEOUS TROGON (1st for Tobago, unless an aberrant Collared Trogon?) along the Davison Trail (where is this?) on 17 January and seen responding to a calling COLLARED TROGON along the Roxborough-Parlatuvier Road roughly 2 miles south of Gilpin Trace about 2 weeks ago.

BIRDS OF A FEATHER: The T&TFNC Bird Group will be sponsoring a birding trip to the west coast of Trinidad on Sunday, 11 March, led by Howard Kenefick (pending his approval; the other three veteran gull watchers will be tied up elsewhere!). The primary objectives of the trip are to search for rare gulls, including the Kelp Gulls (1st and 2nd for T&T), and the elusive Black-tailed Godwit (1st for T&T and South America). If you wish to participate, please contact Courtenay Rooks by phone (622-8826). We will be meeting by the south entrance to the University of the West Indies at 7:00 am, or by the Hindu Temple at Waterloo at 7:30 am.

ORNITHOLOGICAL TIDBIT: Birds exhibit a variety of mating systems. Although most species are monogamous, in many species an individual will mate with (and is often bonded to) two or more partners during one (or more) breeding season(s). This is known as polygamy, which occurs in two forms. Polygyny, the more frequent form, occurs when a male mates with two or more females. Polyandry occurs when a female mates and bonds with two or more males.

BIRD BRAINS: Do we believe what you see? We want to! Many of the identifications reported in the SCBA are tentative in nature. The T&T Rare Bird Committee, formed in 1995, requests details for all rare birds observed (see Species Review List at our website). Please submit details to the T&TRBC Secretary: Graham White, Bungalow 16, Waterloo Estate, Waterloo Rd., Carapichaima, Trinidad and Tobago; fax, 868-673-0373; e-mail, g-white@tstt.net.tt.