This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2001-43)
for 23 November 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. 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).
PHOTO GALLERY: Recent photos of Western Reef-Heron (Tobago), Rufous Crab-Hawk (Trinidad),
Hudsonian Godwit (Trinidad), Franklin's Gull (Trinidad), American Redstart (Barbados) and
Red-eyed Vireo (Barbados) have been added to the SCBA website.
HOTSHOTS IN HOT SPOTS: As usual at this time of year, vagrant gulls are turning up among
several thousand LAUGHING GULLS wintering along Trinidad's west coast, where they are best
observed at San Fernando-- the region's 'gulltopia' discovered by birders only last year.
On 17 November, four species were seen at the Public Fish Market/King's Wharf in San
Fernando: the adult FRANKLIN'S GULL*, a 2nd-winter immature RING-BILLED GULL* and a
2nd-winter immature LESSER BLACK- BACKED GULL among an estimated 1000 LAUGHING GULLS. No
unusual gulls were noted among 483 LAUGHING GULLS at Waterloo and 131 at Orange Valley.
Other noteworthy bird sightings along Trinidad's west coast include: a PYGMY KINGFISHER,
two SPOTTED TODY-FLYCATCHERS, a juvenile RED- CAPPED CARDINAL, a NORTHERN SCRUB-FLYCATCHER
and a pair of BICOLORED CONEBILLS feeding a fledgling SHINY COWBIRD in the vicinity of
South Oropouche Swamp on 21 November; a LITTLE CUCKOO in South Oropouche Swamp on 20
November; and single GREAT BLUE HERONS at Waterloo and Orange Valley on 17 November.
In southern Trinidad, an immature CRESTED CARACARA* was noted feeding on a roadkill about
3 kilometres southeast of Oropouche Swamp on 21 November; what may have been the same bird
was seen farther south at Quinam on 18 November. Three SCARLET or RED-AND-GREEN MACAWS
were briefly seen flying over the Siparia-Quinam Road on 11 November. Local residents
reported that they had been seeing several large, red macaws in the area, and that six
BLUE-AND-YELLOW MACAWS were recently released in the area and had nested at least once.
They also reported that macaws are occasionally released in the area by smugglers in an
effort to avoid arrest by law enforcement authorities.
In Tobago, the BLACK VULTURE* was resighted at a rubbish tip near Bacolet on 18 November.
On 19 November, a GREAT BLUE HERON and a BELTED KINGFISHER were noted at Bon Accord.
In St. Lucia, we received a late report of three BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS, a STILT
SANDPIPER, four PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, three SHORT- BILLED DOWITCHERS and and about 15
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS in flooded pools west of the airport at Hewonarra.
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.