This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2001-38) for 18 October 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).

HOTSHOTS IN HOT SPOTS: In Barbados, an oversummering GREY HERON was noted at Graeme Hall on 12 October and the WILSON'S PLOVER (8th for Barbados) was relocated at Chancery Lane on 12 October. Nearctic landbird migrants noted at Harrison Point over the weekend included an adult female 'tundrius' PEREGRINE FALCON on 14 October, at least eight YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS on 13 and 14 October, a BLACKPOLL WARBLER on 13 October and two on 14 October, and a BOBOLINK on 13 October and three on 14 October.

In seldom-birded southern Trinidad, a BLACK HAWK-EAGLE* was found at Palo Seco on 13 October and two were relocated in the same area, along with a YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, on 14 October. To search for these birds, take the Uriah Butler Highway south to San Fernando, continuing across the Cross Crossing Overpass and take the 'Siparia- Erin Road' exit. Proceed south along this road passing through Debe, Penal and Siparia, eventually arriving Palo Seco Junction (Palo Seco Food Mart is an obvious landmark). Proceed southward from the junction 7.4 km to Carapal Road (passing a sign to Los Irois Beach, a church, a school and a mosque) and turn right. After 1 km, turn right onto Carapal Extension Road (the frame of a sign is there but the sign is missing). After 1.8 km, veer right at a fork (the left fork is gated), ignore a turn-off at 2.9 km (continuing straight/right), pass a settlement at 3.9 km, and turn left at 4.0 km by a large and noisy oil pump. Continue another 0.3 km to Petrotrin's gathering station no. 10. The hawk-eagles should be searched for in the nearby clearings.

In the Caroni Plain of Trinidad, an adult male RUFF* and two HUDSONIAN GODWITS were found in the Caroni Rice Fields on 14 October.

However, shorebird numbers had declined markedly by 18 October, when one of the HUDSONIAN GODWITS was relocated. The cause of the annual decline in shorebird numbers in mid-October remains an enigma given the availability of prime shorebird habitat, though we've often wondered whether the increasing numbers of falcons at this period may be a contributing falcons. Two PEREGRINE FALCONS and an APLOMADO FALCONS* were patrolling the fields on 18 October, flushing the skittish shorebirds which sought shelter along the grassy edges of the impoundments. A small crake, presumably the PAINT-BILLED CRAKE* (3rd for T&T) last seen on 16 September, was briefly seen hurtling across the road just east of the southwestern entrance at 10:00 am on 17 October.

Other noteworthy birds seen recently in the rice fields include:  an ANHINGA on 18 October, 13 BLUE-WINGED TEAL and two FULVOUS WHISTLING- DUCKS on 18 October, the immature SNAIL KITE* as recently as 18 October, up to four LONG-WINGED HARRIERS (three dark, one light) on 14 October, two SAVANNA HAWKS on 14 October, a BANK SWALLOW* among several hundred BARN SWALLOWS on 18 October, and four BOBOLINKS* seen and heard flying over the rice fields on 18 October.

Along the west coast of Trinidad, a ROCK DOVE landed on the back of a boat in Chaguaramas on 16 October and died a few hours later. Its leg had a band with the inscription 'TPC 3575'. If anybody knows the origin of this bird, please let us know as well as Kathy Kay, whose e-mail address is ladyk_98_98@hotmail.com. A LESSER NIGHTHAWK and several hundred SCARLET IBISES were noted in South Oropouche Swamp on 17 October.

In the Northern Range of Trinidad, the first MERLIN of the season was reported from Maracas Valley on 15 October. On 17 October, four SPECKLED TANAGERS and a female HEPATIC TANAGER were seen at Morne Bleu and a SLATY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER at Las Lapas.

We received a request that birders pay closer attention to the subspecific identity of TRICOLORED HERONS in the region. The North America/Caribbean race 'ruficollis' has a whitish chin and line down the neck, which is replaced by dark chestnut in the South American race 'rufimentum'. Please let us know which races are being observed in T&T.

ORNITHOLOGICAL TIDBIT: Check back later...

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.