This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2001-14) for 20 April 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 Guadeloupe, a FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER (1st for Guadeloupe) and an AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER turned up at La Pointe des Chateaux on 17 April; the FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER was still present on 19 April. A YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER and a BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER were noted at the Natural Reserve of Petitie-Terre on 16 April. A 1.5 hour seabird watch at La Pointe des Chateaux on 19 April produced spectacular numbers of jaegers, including 37 POMARINE JAEGERS (23 in one flock) and five PARASITIC JAEGERS.
In Trinidad, seabirding at Galera Point seemingly improved over the weekend. Highlights of a 40-minute seabird watch on 16 April included a presumed LEACH'S STORM-PETREL, 30 BRIDLED TERNS (an unusual number; some Sooty Terns may have been present, but the closest birds all appeared to be brown-backed, white-tailed adult Bridled Terns), three ROYAL TERNS and a LAUGHING GULL. However, a 1 hour seabird watch on 19 April produced nothing more unusual than a LAUGHING GULL and a flock of 30 unidentified terns that passed by just after the telescope had been packed up.
Landbirds noted at Galera Point on 16 April included seven GRAY-BREASTED MARTINS (no Caribbean Martins among them) and two RED-LEGGED HONEYCREEPERS. Unfortunately a birder's car was broken into while it was parked in an adjacent field. We admonish birders not to leave vehicles unattended in lonely areas where the vehicle is out of sight; it is always best to park within view of a house or other building.
Along the east coast of Trinidad, a first-spring male SCARLET TANAGER* and a BLACK HAWK-EAGLE* were seen along the Nariva Extension Road, a potentially productive site seldom visited by birders, on 18 April. While driving to Manzanilla from Sangre Grande, turn right onto the Nariva Road just before reaching the sea. The road deteriorates after about 3 kilometres, but continues as the Nariva Extension Road well beyond the junction of the Pierre Road. At Plum Mitan, thousands of DICKCISSELS, at least 20 LIMPKINS and a BELTED KINGFISHER were noted in the rice fields on 18 April.
Along the west coast of Trinidad, no unusual gulls were found among 2,300 LAUGHING GULLS at Waterloo and 210 LAUGHING GULLS at Orange Valley on 14 April. At Waterloo, three LARGE-BILLED TERNS and a ROYAL TERN were noted on 14 April.
In the Northern Range of Trinidad, the solitary TRINIDAD PIPING-GUAN* continues to be seen, though irregularly, beside TSTT's communication station at Morne Bleu, where it was last reported on 15 April. On 20 April, three SWALLOW-TAILED KITES were noted along the Blanchisseuse Road south of Morne La Croix. On 13 April, a flock of roughly 100 ORANGE-WINGED PARROTS was feeding in a fruiting tree and a CHAPMAN'S SWIFT was noted at Mamoral.
In the Caroni Plain of Trinidad, an adult GREEN HERON*, two YELLOW WARBLERS (latest date for T&T), a GREATER ANI, a GREEN KINGFISHER and a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH were noted along the stream running through the southern sector of the Caroni Rice Fields on 18 April. Several thousand DICKCISSELS were noted in the southern sector of the Caroni Rice Fields on 13 April. The following day, 14 April, none were seen in the rice fields but between 5:35 and 5:45 pm, roughly 2,000 were noted flying southward over the rice fields to an unknown roost site. At least 200 were still present on 18 April. Two PEREGRINE FALCONS were reported from the rice fields on 13 April. An attempt to relocate the Crane Hawk* (1st for T&T) at Wallerfield on 13 April was unsuccessful, but a PEREGRINE FALCON was noted.
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: Graham White, Bungalow 16, Waterloo Estate, Waterloo Rd., Carapichaima, Trinidad and Tobago; fax, 868-673-0373; e-mail, g-white@tstt.net.tt.