This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2001-41)
for 9 November 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 'BIRD BRAINS' below).
PHOTO GALLERY: Recent photos of Upland Sandpiper (Trinidad), Ruff (Trinidad), Bobolink
(Trinidad) and Masked Booby (Tobago) have been posted at the SCBA website (see address
above). Additional bird photos can be viewed at the new Southeastern Caribbean Birds Photo
Gallery at http://www.geocities.com/secaribbirds.
MYSTERY BIRD: A new 'Mystery Bird' photo and an answer to the last photo have been posted
at the SCBA website (see address above).
HOTSHOTS IN HOT SPOTS: In the Caroni Plain of Trinidad, an unidentified 'mystery falcon'
was carefully studied and photographed in the Caroni Rice Fields on 9 November, when two
adult PEREGRINE FALCONS were also present. Further details will be supplied when the
photographs are analysed. Other recent bird sightings from the rice fields include: a
non-breeding plumaged LITTLE EGRET on 5 November; a LEAST BITTERN on 3 November; a
PINNATED BITTERN on 7 and 9 November; ten WHITE-CHEEKED PINTAILS on 3 November; a
dark-morph LONG-WINGED HARRIER carrying nesting material on 7 November; an unidentified
small CRAKE on 5 November; several DICKCISSELS heard on 7 November; and up to 40
BOBOLINKS* on 7 November.
In the Northern Range of Trinidad, a MERLIN--presumably the same resident the past three
winters--returned to the same perching tree in Santa Cruz on 2 November.
In northeastern Trinidad, a visit to Galera Point on 4 November failed to produce any
Nearctic migrant passerines, but a kettle of 14 BROAD-WINGED HAWKS--obviously migrants
from North America--was noted heading east along the shore line. Other unusual birds noted
include a GREAT BLUE HERON flying across the road just west of the lighthouse and an
unidentified nightjar/nighthawk flushed from forest undergrowth.
In Tobago, a female-plumaged GREEN-WINGED TEAL* (4th for T&T) of uncertain species
(American and Eurasian forms are now considered distinct species) was found in the Bon
Accord Sewage Ponds on 3 November. Other waterfowl present included roughly 40
WHITE-CHEEKED PINTAILS, 30 BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS and six BLUE-WINGED TEAL.
Other noteworthy birds seen in the vicinity of the sewage ponds on 3 November include a
YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO and a PROTHONOTARY WARBLER.
An adult MASKED BOOBY flying near St. Giles Islands was picked out through a telescope on
Flagstaff Hill on 3 November.
In Barbados, a 1st-winter LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (4th for Barbados) turned up at North
Point, St. Lucy, on 3 November and was relocated on 6 November. At Harrison Point, mist
netting operations received a severe setback with the demolition of the plantation house
and much of the surrounding habitat. Recent observations at Harrison Point include three
YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS, two BLACKPOLL WARBLERS, a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH and a male ORANGE
BISHOP (1st for Barbados; presumably same individual as on 23 September) on 3 November.
Elsewhere in Barbados, a ROYAL TERN (1st for the season) turned up at Oistins on 6
November. Two YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS were noted in St.
Philip and two more in St. Lucy on 3 November. A GREEN-WINGED TEAL was at Fosters, St.
Lucy, on 3 November. A 1st-winter TRICOLORED HERON was noted at Fosters, St. Lucy, on 3
November. A CLIFF SWALLOW and two BANK SWALLOWS were spotted among a dozen BARN SWALLOWS
at Mangroive, St. Philip, on 3 November.
BIRDS OF A FEATHER: On Sunday, 11 November, the T&TFNC Bird Group is sponsoring a
birding trip to Tucker Valley in the Chaguaramas Peninsula of Trinidad, led by Courtenay
Rooks. We will meet by Pier 1, Chaguaramas, at 6:30 am, and spend the morning searching
for birds in a mosaic of grass and forest habitats. Those who wish may search for gulls
and other waterbirds along the west coast in the afternoon.
If you wish to attend, please contact Courtenay Rooks by phone at 622-8826.
ORNITHOLOGICAL TIDBIT: Bait-fishing, in which natural or artificial lures are placed in
water to attract fish, is a rarely observed form of tool use that has been reported in
only nine species of birds. In a note titled "Bait-fishing by the Striated Heron
(Butorides striatus) in Trinidad" (Pitirre 14:3-4, 2001), F. E. Hayes and C.
Rooks report two observations and a probable third of Striated Herons using pieces of
bread to attract fish at Pointe-a-Pierre, Trinidad.
These observations comprise the second reported instance of bait- fishing by this species
in South America.
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.