This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2001-31) for 28 August 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 Trinidad, an immature GREY HERON* (2nd for Trinidad, 3rd for T&T, 5th for South America) was found in the Caroni Rice Fields on 26 August (earliest date for T&T). This Old World species is rarely recorded in the New World, with previous records from Montserrat (once), Martinique (once), Barbados (many), Trinidad (once), Tobago (once), Amazonian Brazil (once) and French Guiana (once). Possibly assisted in a trans-Atlantic crossing by Tropical Storm Chantal (or a ship!), the heron was found in a muddy impoundment south of the runway on 26 August but could not be relocated later in the day. On 28 August it was relocated with a flock of 35 GREAT EGRETS in marshes just east of the western entrance to the rice fields (by the Caroni Swamp flyover).
Given the extensive wader habitat in the area we anticipate that the Grey Heron will stick around for the winter, but will wander considerably and may be very elusive. The bird resembles a Great Blue Heron but is smaller (about the size of a Great Egret), has a plain grey crown with a black lateral crown stripe that is most pronounced on the hind crown (more diffuse in the face, which is generally darker than normal; entire crown is black in immature Great Blue Heron), plain grey neck, back and wings, pure white patches on the bend of the forewing ('epaulettes', usually rufous in Great Blue Heron) and white thighs (usually rufous in Great Blue Heron).
Other noteworthy birds recently observed in the rice fields include: an immature SNAIL KITE* consistently seen in the vicinity of the runway as recently as 28 August; up to 10 BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS (28 August), six FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCKS (28 August) and one WHITE-FACED WHISTLING-DUCK (23 August); a dark-phased LONG-WINGED HARRIER on 26 and 28 August; two AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS on 23 August; a BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER on 28 August; three WESTERN SANDPIPERS on 23 August; and a GULL-BILLED TERN on 23 August. Elsewhere in the Caroni Plain, a presumed LESSER NIGHTHAWK and two BLACK SKIMMERS were seen flying by Mid-Centre Mall, Chaguanas, on 25 August, and an estimated 15 presumed LESSER NIGHTHAWKS were seen foraging above the Charlieville exit along the Solomon Hochoy Highway on 25 August.
Along the west coast of Trinidad, the immature MAGUARI STORK* (1st for T&T) continues to be seen at Orange Valley, where it consistently forages on mudflats north of the causeway (see last week's alert for directions) and appears to be thriving; our last report is from 26 August, when it was joined by an early MARBLED GODWIT*, presumably the same seen at Waterloo on 11 August. Other noteworthy birds seen along the west coast on 25 August include a WILSON'S PLOVER, seven RED KNOTS and 420 LAUGHING GULLS at Orange Valley on 25 August, and two GREAT BLUE HERONS, two BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS, two WILSON'S PLOVERS, 11 GULL-BILLED TERNS and 210 LAUGHING GULLS at Waterloo on 25 August.
In the Northern Range of Trinidad, a singing male YELLOW-BELLIED SEEDEATER* was found in appropriate habitat in hills above St. Joseph, lower Maracas Valley, on 22 August. The only recent (since 1990) records of this species from Trinidad are from Teteron Bay, at the western tip of the Chaguaramas Peninsula, northwestern Trinidad. The status of this and other gravely threatened species of seedeaters in T&T urgently needs further study.
In Tobago, two WHITE-TAILED TROPICBIRDS* (2nd for T&T, presumably the same birds seen intermittently since 1998) were seen at Little Tobago on 18 August and a breeding-plumaged LITTLE EGRET* with a single head plume was noted at Tobago Plantations, Lowlands, on 18 August.
BIRDS OF A FEATHER: The T&TFNC's Bird Group will be sponsoring a birding trip to the Caroni Rice Fields, Waterloo and Orange Valley, led by Floyd Hayes on Sunday, 16 September. We will meet at CIC Pembroke Street at 6:10 am or at the south entrance of the University of the West Indies at 6:30 am. If you wish to participate, please contact Floyd Hayes by phone at 645-3232 x2206 (day) or 662-5918 (evening).
ORNITHOLOGICAL TIDBIT: Can an undergraduate course in ornithology change the attitudes of West Indian students toward birds? In a recent study of the "Impact of an undergraduate course in ornithology on the attitudes of West Indian students toward birds" (Pitirre 18:52-56, 2000), F. E. Hayes used a questionnaire to assess the attitudes of 34 students taking an ornithology course at Caribbean Union College, Trinidad. Students were most interested in learning about the ecology and behaviour of birds, and least interested in learning about their origin and evolution. Their interst in watching and learning about birds and their interest in studying birds as a hobby increased, though not significantly (based on statistical tests). Few students expressed an interest in studying birds for a career, though three of 144 students taking the course since 1994 have studied birds for a master's degree. Academic achievement in the course was significantly correlated with the overall attitude toward birds at the end of the course.
BIRD BRAINS: Do we believe what you see? We want to! Many of the identifications reported in the SCBA are tentative. 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.