This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2001-33) for 14 September 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 end below).
HOTSHOTS IN HOT SPOTS: In the Caroni Rice Fields of Trinidad, a SHORT-EARED OWL* (2nd for T&T) was found sitting in a short-grass rice field in the seldom-birded southeastern sector, where it was carefully studied from 3:50-4:50 pm on 12 September. The following morning, 13 September, two individuals--possibly representing a breeding pair--were found a few hundred m to the south in a weedy non-rice field at the extreme southeastern edge of the rice fields. To search for these birds, enter the rice fields from the east entrance beside the police station along the Southern Main Road. Proceed straight along the road, crossing a bridge and passing a pumping station on the left, until the road ends at a T-junction; turn left and search for the birds in the first field on the right, where they were last seen on 13 September. About three fields beyond the bridge a road on the left heads east to the Southern Main Road; on 12 September, an owl was seen along this road in the third field on the left. These birds may be expected to move about and could be found on any of the fields in the area.
Regretably the GREY HERON* (3rd for T&T) appears to have vanished from the rice fields. Attempts to locate it on 8, 9 and 12 September were unsuccessful; our last report is from 5 September. The immature SNAIL KITE*, however, continues to be seen consistently in the vicinity of the runway, where it was last reported on 12 September. The APLOMADO FALCON* turned up in the southwestern sector on 13 September. A remarkable concentration of 82 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS (highest count for T&T) was noted on 9 September, but much smaller numbers subsequently. Other noteworthy sightings include: up to two LONG-WINGED HARRIERS (dark and light) on 9 September; up to one WHITE-FACED WHISTLING-DUCK (12 September), six BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS (8 September), ten FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCKS (12 September), nine BLUE-WINGED TEAL (12 September) and 18 LIMPKINS (13 September); and, on 13 September, two BARN OWLS, a BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and a GULL-BILLED TERN.
Along the west coast of Trinidad, the MAGUARI STORK* (1st for T&T) could not be found at Orange Valley on 7 September, though it could have wandered southward to Carli Bay; our last report is from 1 September. At Waterloo, a MARBLED GODWIT* and a WILSON'S PLOVER were found on the mudflats and a STRIPE-BACKED BITTERN was flushed from the reed ponds on 7 September. At Cacandee, a CLAPPER RAIL, a GREATER ANI and two AMERICAN REDSTARTS--the first for the season--were noted on 7 September.
In Tobago, one of the two elusive WHITE-TAILED TROPICBIRDS* (2nd for T&T) at Little Tobago was seen again on 6 September and a leucistic CARIB GRACKLE with white primaries on both wings was seen at an unreported locality on 5 September.
In Guadeloupe, a WILSON'S PHALAROPE was found at La Grande Saline de la Pointe des Chateaux with at least 600 other shorebirds and an adult LITTLE EGRET was present at the Nature Reserve of Petite-Terre from 24 August to 3 September.
In Barbados, local environmentalists were disturbed to find a massive fish kill of more than 3000 adult Tilapia at Graeme Hall Swamp about a week ago. The potential impact on the only breeding colony of LITTLE EGRETS in the Western Hemisphere could be devastating. Obviously the situation requires close monitoring.
BIRDS OF A FEATHER: The T&TFNC's Bird Group will be sponsoring a birding trip to the Caroni Rice Fields, Waterloo, Orange Valley and Carli Bay, led by Floyd Hayes on Sunday, 16 September. Scheduled at the optimal time of year for fall Nearctic migrants from North America and intratropical migrants from South America, we anticipate seeing a wide diversity of birds in coastal and inland wetlands. We will meet at CIC Pembroke Street at 6:10 am or at the south entrance of the University of the West Indies at 6:30 am. If you wish to participate, please contact Floyd Hayes by phone at 645-3232 x2206 (day) or 662-5918 (evening).
ORNITHOLOGICAL TIDBIT: Where do ANTILLEAN NIGHTHAWKS migrate during winter? This species breeds primarily in the Greater Antilles, Bahamas, US Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands, and presumably migrates southward to its wintering range in South America. Specimens have been taken from Curacao, in the Netherlands Antilles, in September and April, suggesting seasonal passage through this continental island. However, there are no records from the South American mainland except for an apparently unconfirmed report from Colombia. Furthermore, until recently there had been no confirmed records from the Lesser Antilles south of the Virgin Islands. Stay tuned next week for more recent information on its status in the Lesser Antilles.
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: Graham White, Bungalow 16, Waterloo Estate, Waterloo Rd., Carapichaima, Trinidad and Tobago; fax, 868- 673-0373; e-mail, g-white@tstt.net.tt.