PHOTO GALLERY: Photos of the Black-tailed Godwit (Trinidad), Kelp Gull (Trinidad), Western Reef-Heron (Tobago) and Ruff (Tobago) are now posted (or will be shortly) at the SCBA website.
HOTSHOTS IN HOT SPOTS: Birders scrutinising waterbird flocks along Trinidad's west coast (see directions in SCBA 2000-44 and 2000-47) on 21 January enjoyed one of the island's most memorable birding days ever. After eluding detection for more than three months, the adult BLACK-TAILED GODWIT* (1st for T&T and South America) suddenly reappeared at Orange Valley on 21 January. It was first seen with a large flock of LAUGHING GULLS on a mudflat and then joined a group of WILLETS, GREATER YELLOWLEGS and LESSER YELLOWLEGS in the first cove north of Orange Valley. A new jetty is under construction at Orange Valley; currently it extends about 100 metres out into the Gulf of Paria, thus facilitating views of the mudflats to the north. Presumably the godwit has been wintering in the area and is best found at low tide. The white in the wing is no longer visible when the bird is standing. A 3rd-winter LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL* and two ROYAL TERNS were present among 780 LAUGHING GULLS on 21 January.
Although previously ignored by birders until this winter, San Fernando, Trinidad, is turning out to be a Mecca for rare gulls and can legitimately claim title to the gull capital of the Caribbean region. On 21 January, birders were stunned to find an unprecedented five species of gulls, including the adult KELP GULL* (1st for T&T), a 1st-winter FRANKLIN'S GULL*, a 1st-winter RING-BILLED GULL* and four LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS* (two 1st-winter, one 3rd-winter and one adult) among 637 LAUGHING GULLS. The following day, 22 January, an immature PARASITIC JAEGER was seen as well as the KELP GULL*, two different 1st-winter FRANKLIN'S GULLS* (one with some dark speckles on the forehead) and two LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS* (2nd-winter and adult); the Ring-billed Gull could not be relocated. An estimated 250 NEOTROPIC CORMORANTS were also seen off San Fernando. The Kelp Gull has been present for more than six months and is observed most consistently at San Fernando, where it was recorded during seven of 18 trips to San Fernando by local birders. It has finally completed its wing moult; only two white-tipped primaries extend beyond the tail, whereas three extend beyond the tail in the Lesser Black-backed Gull.
At Waterloo, two more LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS* (2nd-winter and 3rd-winter) were noted among 1567 LAUGHING GULLS and a GULL-BILLED TERN on 21 January, providing a record high of seven for the day. At least four LAUGHING GULLS were in full breeding plumage. Three GREAT BLUE HERONS were noted on the mudflats, a STRIPE-BACKED BITTERN was seen in the Brickfield Ponds, and a GRAY KINGBIRD was noted molting its outer rectrices (a third grown on each side) at an unusual time of the year. On 22 January, two LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS* (2nd-winter and adult), a GULL-BILLED TERN, five ROYAL TERNS and a FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER were tallied.
In the Caroni Swamp, a COMMON POTOO and 50 BLUE-WINGED TEAL were noted on 21 January.
In the Caroni Plain of Trinidad, a breeding plumaged LITTLE EGRET*, five LEAST GREBES and five BLACK-NECKED STILTS were tallied at the Trincity Sewage Ponds on 14 January. A non-breeding plumaged LITTLE EGRET* was seen among 30 SNOWY EGRETS and 80 GREAT EGRETS at Orange Grove on 20 January. In the Caroni Rice Fields, two adult PEREGRINE FALCONS, 20 LEAST SANDPIPERS and and a SOLITARY SANDPIPER were noted on 22 January. On 20 January, a dozen COMMON WAXBILLS* (high count for the rice fields) were noted along the road just north and east of the runway on 20 January; other birds included four LIMPKINS, a SOLITARY SANDPIPER and a COMMON GROUND-DOVE.
In the Northern Range of Trinidad, a seemingly lost LIMPKIN was observed walking along the road in Tucker Valley, Chaguaramas Peninsula, on 21 January. A WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT was seen in Maracas Valley on 21 January. The nearly forgotten T&TFNC birding trip to Heights of Aripo on 14 January was attended by seven participants, who tallied 53 species of birds including two GRAY-HEADED KITES, a DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER, a YELLOW-LEGGED THRUSH, two RED-LEGGED HONEYCREEPERS and a TRINIDAD EUPHONIA.
In Tobago, the WESTERN REEF-HERON* (1st for Tobago, 2nd for T&T and South America) continues to be seen in the marsh just south of the Buccoo beach facilities, where it was last reported on 16 January. Also on 16 January, an apparently nesting GRAY-THROATED LEAFTOSSER* was flushed from a bank cavity above Runnemeade. WHITE-TAILED SABREWINGS can be leisurely observed at three lek sites along the Gilpin Trail. From the lower main entrance, listen and look for displaying males about 100 metres in and around the corner beyond the second bridge; from the upper entrance behind the forestry hut, they may be viewed about 200 down the trail where it turns sharply to the right. A GREAT BLACK-HAWK was seen along the Main Ridge on 18 January. At Little Tobago, both light- and dark-phased RED-FOOTED BOOBIES were noted on 14 January and a RED-EYED VIREO was reported on 18 January.
In Barbados, the GARGANEY* (2nd for Barbados) was finally relocated among a hundred BLUE-WINGED TEAL, five 1st-winter RING-NECKED DUCKS and a male AMERICAN WIGEON at Marshall's Pond, St. Philip, on 21 January. A RUFF was present at Congo Road on 21 January. The 1st-winter LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (3rd for Barbados) continues to haunt Six Men's, St. Peter, where it was last reported on 22 January.
ORNITHOLOGICAL TIDBIT: As with all sampling methods, various sources of bias may affect the accuracy of census data, and should be minimised as much as possible. The acuity, alertness, experience, knowledge and number of observers may affect census results. Censussing should be limited to experienced observers capable of identifying essentially all local birds both visually and vocally. Proper training as well as testing the visual and hearing acuity of potential observers can minimise observer variation in census data.
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.