This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2001-27) for 20 July 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 Northern Range of Trinidad, eight particpants in the T&TFNC birding trip to Arima Valley on 15 July observed 79 species of birds. The highlights included two ORNATE HAWK-EAGLES over Arima Valley, 16 SWALLOW-TAILED KITES over Arima Valley and another seven (different birds) over Morne Bleu, two CHANNEL-BILLED TOUCANS, two SPECKLED TANAGERS and two HEPATIC TANAGERS at Morne Bleu, and an amazing 40+ RED-LEGGED HONEYCREEPERS at Las Lapas.

At the Asa Wright Nature Centre, a YELLOW-OLIVE FLYCATCHER was observed attending a hanging nest on 14 July along the Discovery Trail about 6 metres uphill from its junction with the Bellbird Trail. The lack of communication from visiting birders is well illustrated by a number of noteworthy bird records reported this year in the centre's logbook but not to the SCBA (though each year the number of such reports is increasing). These include: a male RUFOUS- SHAFTED WOODSTAR* on 22 June; a CHESTNUT-COLLARED SWIFT nesting at Dunston Cave on 15 June; a BLUE GROUND-DOVE on 14 June; a male BALTIMORE ORIOLE* on 18 May; a census of 105 OILBIRDS plus one egg at Dunston Cave on 18 May; a BLACK HAWK-EAGLE at Wallerfield on 11 February; a CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER at mile 18, along the Blanchisseuse Road, on 9 February; a BAY-BREASTED WARBLER at Wallerfield on 22 January; and a purported immature HERRING GULL (easily confused with immature Lesser Black-backed Gull) at Waterloo on 22 January.

Elsewhere in the Northern Range of Trinidad, a mixed flock of ten SWALLOW-TAILED KITES and two COMMON BLACK-HAWKS was noted, along with some WHITE-COLLARED SWIFTS, at Paria Springs on 11 July. At Fort George, three adult STREAKED SALTATORS, including one feeding a fledgling, were seen on 13 July; other birds noted include two BRAN- COLORED FLYCATCHERS and a RED-EYED VIREO nest with two large nestlings. The recently discovered Fort George population of Streaked Saltators is well east of the only other known Trinidad population at Teteron Bay; surprisingly none have been seen just east of Teteron Bay at Pointe Gourde during numerous visits in recent years. A male WHITE-WINGED BECARD was seen in Tucker Valley on 10 July.

In the Caroni Plain of Trinidad, a MYSTERY HERON thought possibly to be a light-morph WESTERN REEF-HERON* (potential 3rd for T&T and South America) with a strongly curved bill was seen at the Trincity Sewage Ponds (reopened to birders) on 13 July; its identity will be discussed next week based upon an analysis of several photographs.

Although there have been several records of Western Reef-Heron in the Caribbean and one in North America, all have been dark-morph birds, which predominate on the west coast of Africa. Because of its similarity to Little Egret, confirmation of a light-morph Western Reef-Heron will likely require either detailed photographs, tissue samples or a specimen.

Elsewhere in the Caroni Plain, recent sightings from the Caroni Rice Fields include: the immature SNAIL KITE* in the vicinity of the runway as recently as 13 July; up to two PINNATED BITTERNS on 13 July; up to 15 FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCKS, six WHITE-FACED WHISTLING- DUCKS, 54 WHITE-CHEEKED PINTAILS (highest count for T&T) on 13 July; a dark-morph LONG-WINGED HARRIER on 13 and 14 July; an astounding concentration of 242 SOUTHERN LAPWING (highest count for T&T) in a single field on 12 July; and increasing numbers of migrant Nearctic waders including 110 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 300 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, 63 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, 34 LEAST SANDPIPERS, four STILT SANDPIPERS and a SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER on 13 July.

Along the west coast of Trinidad, which is currently infested with more mosquitos than normal, recent sightings include: a GREAT BLUE HERON at Cacandee on 18 July; two WHITE-CHEEKED PINTAILS flying through Caroni Swamp on 18 July; a LITTLE CUCKOO was seen at Carlsen Field on 30 June; a pair of MOUSE-COLORED TYRANNULETS and three STRAIGHT-BILLED WOODCREEPERS at Felicity on 16 June; and a light- phased PARASITIC JAEGER at Waterloo on 14 June.

Along the north coast of Trinidad, a one-hour seabird watch at Galera Point on 12 July produced ten ROSEATE TERNS (including two juveniles), seven COMMON TERNS, six unidentified ROSEATE/COMMON TERNS, four BROWN NODDIES, 11 BROWN PELICANS, four MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRDS and nine WILLETS. On 13 July, a solitary TRINIDAD PIPING-GUAN* was leisurely observed for over an hour at Grande Riviere, where other noteworthy birds included about ten BLUE-HEADED PARROTS and a flock of about 50 WHITE-COLLARED SWIFTS. At Las Cuevas, two RED-AND-GREEN MACAWS* (reported as Scarlet Macaws but surely the same Red-and-green Macaws photographed earlier in year; see photo at website address above) were seen on 9 July.

Along the east coast of Trinidad, a STREAKED-HEADED WOODCREEPER was seen between Mount Harris and Brigand Hill and several flocks (up to 16 in a flock) of PLUMBEOUS KITE were noted at Plum Mitan on 6 July.

A birding excursion aboard the ferry (M. V. Beauport) between Trinidad and Tobago on 15 July produced six species of birds. The highlights were a probable POMARINE JAEGER* (though possibly a skua sp.) seen in poor light about 10 km southwest of Crown Point, Tobago, a SOOTY TERN off northern Trinidad, a SOOTY BRIDLED/TERN south of Scarborough, Tobago, and four GRAY-BREASTED MARTINS in the Gulf of Paria near Huevos Island.

In Tobago, the WESTERN REEF-HERON* continues to be seen at Buccoo, where it is probably best observed at dusk when it returns to roost with CATTLE EGRETS and other herons in a small clump of mangroves just south of the Buccoo Beach parking lot. On 16 July, it was observed at both dawn and dusk. Its presence in Tobago indicates that the Western Reef-Heron at Barbados on 7 June (see SCBA 2001-22) was almost certainly a different bird (a brief round-trip visit to Barbados by the Tobago heron is highly unlikely).

Elsewhere in Tobago, four different STRIATED HERONS* (highest count for Tobago; neck colour scores of 2-3) were observed simultaneously with more than a dozen GREEN HERONS (scores of 6-7) and one intermediate individual (score of 5) at the Bon Accord Sewage Ponds on 17 July; on 16 July, two different STRIATED HERONS* and a YELLOW- HEADED CARACARA* were seen in the sewage ponds. During both days, up to six TRICOLORED HERONS, two GREEN HERONS and one BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON were observed swimming in the water while capturing fish, which were immediately flown to the edge of a pond before being consumed; such behaviour has been previously reported for all three species but is rarely observed. We received a report without details of three YELLOW-HEADED CARACARAS* (highest count for Tobago) seen simultaneously at Lambeau a few weeks ago. A COLLARED PLOVER was noted on the airport runway at Crown Point on 16 July. Up to two WHITE-TAILED TROPICBIRDS* (2nd for T&T) continue to be seen irregularly at Little Tobago, where one was reported as recently as last week. On 16 June, a TROPICAL PARULA*, known only from three old specimens whose provenance is suspicious, was reported from Gilpin Trace.

BIRDS OF A FEATHER: The Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute in Chaguaramas, Trinidad, will soon be sponsoring a Birdwatching / Birding Guide Certificate Programme. The programme will include a series of evening lectures by local ornithologists/birders/tour guides plus three field trips in Trinidad. For further details, please contact Claudelle McKellar (tel. 634-1314, e-mail: claudemckellar@hotmail.com).

ORNITHOLOGICAL TIDBIT: It's been a hectic week; 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.