This is the SOUTHEASTERNCARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2001-48) for 31 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).
In the Northern Range, on 22nd December a bird census along a short stretch of forested road towards Paramin produced 49 species including LONG BILLED STARTHROAT (2), COLLARED TROGON, CHANNEL BILLED TOUCAN (4), STREAKED XENOPS, both SLATY CAPPED and DUSKY CAPPED FLYCATCHERS and TRINIDAD EUPHONIA. On 24th December, a YELLOW OLIVE FLYCATCHER was found in the upper Arima valley and on 1st January a CRIMSON CRESTED WOODPECKER was seen beside the north coast road at La Filette. In Central Trinidad, on 26th December, at least 4, and possibly as many as 6, MORICHE ORIOLES* were found at Wallerfield. On the west coast of Trinidad, 2 COCOI HERONS were found in caroni Swamp on 28th December.
In Guadeloupe, the male HOODED WARBLER continues to be present on the Nature Reserve of Petite-Terre, until 21st December at least. From the same site, 3 probable MANX SHEARWATERS were observed on 12th December.
In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a 9-10 am ferry trip from St. Vincent to Bequia on 23 December produced 25 brown-morph adult and eight immature RED-FOOTED BOOBIES, four adult BROWN BOOBIES, three MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRDS and 23 ROYAL TERNS. The more productive 5-6 pm return trip yielded 93 brown-morph, 14 white-morph adult and three immature RED-FOOTED BOOBIES, 38 adult BROWN BOOBIES, 34 unidentified immature boobies, about 150 boobies too distant to accurately identify, two MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRDS and eight ROYAL TERNS. Nearly all boobies were flying northwest in the morning and all were flying southeast in the evening.
BIRD BRAINS: Do we believe what you see ? We want to. Many of the identifications reported to the SCBA are tentative. The T&T Rare Birds 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 - Email martynkenefick@netscape.net.