This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2001-42) for 16 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).

HOTSHOTS IN HOT SPOTS: Along the west coast of Trinidad, an adult FRANKLIN'S GULL* (3rd for T&T), an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL*, a COMMON TERN and a LITTLE EGRET* were found among roughly 1000 LAUGHING GULLS at San Fernando on 10 November. An adult RUFOUS CRAB- HAWK* perched cooperatively in a tree at Carli Bay on 10 November.
Presumably one of the elusive MARBLED GODWITS* present earlier was relocated at Orange Valley on 13 November and an immature GREAT BLUE HERON was seen there on 10 November. Two GREAT BLUE HERONS were noted at Waterloo on 10 November and an injured WHIMBREL found at Waterloo on 7 November was rescued but later escaped from captivity. In Gaspar Grande, one of the Bocas Islands, a ZONE-TAILED HAWK (1st for Gaspar Grande) soared overhead on 11 November.

In the Caroni Plain of Trinidad, an attempt to relocate the 'mystery falcon' (see last week's alert) in the Caroni Rice Fields on 10 November turned up only two adult PEREGRINE FALCONS; however, the immature GREY HERON* (3rd for T&T) was flushed from a marsh northwest of the runway in the Caroni Rice Fields. A lone BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK on 10 November was the only duck noted. Although shorebird numbers have decreased dramatically within the past week, a surprising diversity of 11 species was tallied in the rice fields on 10 November, perhaps attributable to the high tides, but they were constantly harassed by Peregrine Falcons. The following shorebirds were tallied: about 20 WATTLED JACANAS, four AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS, three BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, two SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, a SOLITARY SANDPIPER, about 20 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, five GREATER YELLOWLEGS, about 15 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, two WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS, about 30 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS and about 10 LEAST SANDPIPERS. Although no BLACK-NECKED STILTS were present, about 15 foraged in marshes west of the highway. Other noteworthy birds in the rice fields on 10 November include an adult YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, an immature SCARLET IBIS and a dark-phased LONG-WINGED HARRIER.

Elsewhere in the Caroni Plain, a probable female BAY-BREASTED WARBLER* was briefly noted high in a tree in Arena Forest, just south of the chicken farm in San Rafael, on 13 November, but could not be relocated the following day. Other recent noteworthy bird sightings include a SHORT-TAILED PYGMY-TYRANT* and a DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER in Arena Forest on 13 November and two CRIMSON-CRESTED WOODPECKERS on 14 November; a COCOI HERON and a RINGED KINGFISHER at San Rafael on 14 November; a RINGED KINGFISHER near Arima on 14 November; two BAT FALCONS, a MERLIN and a SULPHURY FLYCATCHER at Cumuto on 14 November; and a SULPHURY FLYCATCHER carrying nesting material at Wallerfield on 14 November
In Barbados, the 1st-winter LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (4th for Barbados) was still present along with a PEREGRINE FALCON at North Point on 10 November. An AMERICAN WIGEON was found at East Point on 11 November. Three AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS were lingering at Hope on 10 November. A KILLDEER was noted at Bagatelle on 8 November and another turned up at Hope on 10 November. A YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO was noted at Bailey Hill on 10 and 11 November.

In Guadeloupe, the Nature Reserve of Petitie-Terre continues to produce a phenomenal diversity of birds, especially Nearctic landbird migrants. Recent sightings include: a EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE on 13 November; a BOBOLINK on 12 November; and three YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS, a male HOODED WARBLER and eight BLACKPOLL WARBLERS on 7 November.

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.