This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2001-47) for 19 December 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 at http://www.wow.net/ttfnc; our photo gallery is accessible at http://www.geocities.com/secaribbirds
Please note that reports should be sent to Martyn Kenefick by phone at 674-7609 or by e-mail at martynkenefick@netscape.net. The T&T Rare Bird Committee requests details for species indicated with an asterisk (see SCBA website above and 'BIRD BRAINS' below)
HOTSHOTS IN HOT SPOTS: In Tobago, the elusive WESTERN REEF-HERON* (1st for Tobago, 2nd for T&T and South America) continues to lurk in the southwestern peninsula, where it was relocated at the Bon Accord Sewage Ponds on 3 December. Other noteworthy birds reported from the sewage ponds on 3 December include a GREATER SCAUP* (potential 1st for T&T) and an AMERICAN WIGEON*. Elsewhere in Tobago, a COMMON NIGHTHAWK* (potential 1st for T&T) was carefully studied at Pigeon Point as it hawked for insects at dusk during 5-7 December, and 11 MASKED BOOBIES were noted at St. Giles Island on 5 December
Along the east coast of Trinidad, what appears to be the same immature GREY HERON* (3rd for T&T) noted earlier along the west coast turned up at Nariva Swamp on 16 December. Two AZURE GALLINULES were noted at Nariva Swamp on 20 November
Along the west coast of Trinidad, recent gull rarities at San Fernando include the adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL as recently as 16 December, the 2nd-winter LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL as recently as 13 December, and the 2nd-winter RING-BILLED GULL* as recently as 14 December. Three GREAT BLUE HERONS were noted at Waterloo on 16 December
In the Caroni Plain of Trinidad, a MORICHE ORIOLE* was seen at Wallerfield on 26 November. In Arena Forest, a YELLOW-OLIVE FLYCATCHER, a WHITE-THROATED SPADEBILL and two BRIGHT-RUMPED ATTILAS were tallied on 21 November
In the Northern Range of Trinidad, an adult male CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER* was found along the Saddle Road just north of the 'Saddle' on 17 December. A SOOTY GRASSQUIT was noted along the Blanchisseuse Road on 19 November, an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER was seen at the Asa Wright Nature Centre on 19 and 27 November, and two WHITE-WINGED BECARDS were also at the Asa Wright Nature Centre on 26 November
Along the north coast of Trinidad, 30 WHITE-COLLARED SWIFTS and a BELTED KINGFISHER were noted at Grande Riviere on 28 November
BIRDS OF FEATHER: Anybody know the date of Trinidad's annual Christmas Bird Count? If so, let us know! ORNITHOLOGICAL TIDBIT: What is a species? According to the biological species concept (BSC), a species is a group of interbreeding natural populations that are reproductively isolated from other such groups
Thus, species are viewed as being bounded by reproductive isolation; individuals within a species are considered to interbreed freely
This is the most widely embraced species concept and is often the only one appearing in basic biology textbooks. However, it is plagued with several difficulties, which will be discussed next week
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: Martyn Kenefick, 36 Newalloville Ave., San Juan, Trinidad and Tobago; e-mail: martynkenefick@netscape.net