This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2001-32) for 5 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 Grenada, CHANNEL-BILLED TOUCANS (1st for Grenada and West Indies) were found recently in four separate locations bordering the Grand Etang Natural Reserve: one on the west side of Mt. Sinai at about 450 metres on 15 and 23 August; one (heard only) at Annandale Estate at about 365 metres on 16 August; one at Cocoa Hall Estate at about 365 metres on the west side of Mt. Qua Qua on 19 August; and one at Concord Valley at about 180 metres on 24 August. Did this species successfully colonise Grenada from an overseas dispersal from the South American mainland? According to a forestry officer who saw one in the mid-1990s, toucans were released from a Guyanese bird dealer's collection in the early 1990s; this is the probable source of what appears to be a successful introduction.
ORANGE-WINGED PARROTS reportedly have also colonised certain forest areas on the island. Though surely the presence of these gaudy species will be welcome news to many, the potential negative impact on native species merits close monitoring.
Researchers studying the threatened endemic race of the HOOK-BILLED KITE from 11-25 August found about 12 pairs in dry forest and even in rain forest up to about 400 metres in elevation, indicating that the species is not confined to xeric areas and occupies a greater diversity of habitats than previously recognised. A male MASKED DUCK (1st for Grenada) was noted at Palmiste Lake on 24 August. Four breeding-plumaged TRICOLORED HERONS (1st for Grenada) and two male RUDDY DUCKS (West Indian race with dark feathers in a white face) were seen at Levera Pond on 18 August. At Mt. Hartman, a moulting male RUFF (few records for Grenada) was found on a dungpile on 12 August and 20 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS turned up on 25 August. A flock of 25 WHITE-COLLARED SWIFTS buzzed over southeast Grenada near Requin Estate on 18 August and a lone bird was spotted at La Sagesse on 20 August. An estimated 35-50 FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHERS were noted daily in southwest Grenada, where they roosted opposite Cool Runnings Apartments at Prickly Bay, near the coast guard station at True Blue.
In Trinidad, the immature GREY HERON* (2nd for Trinidad, 3rd for T&T, 5th for South America) continues to be seen consistently--contrary to our initial expectations--in marshes adjacent to the western end of the runway in the Caroni Rice Fields, where it often associates with GREAT EGRETS. Our last report was on 5 September. On 1 September, it foraged until about 6:30 pm, well after sundown, when it flew northeastward toward the Northern Range and disappeared; surprisingly it did not fly westward along with the thousands of herons and egrets that roost in mangroves of the Caroni Swamp Bird Sanctuary. The immature SNAIL KITE* has now become a reliable fixture in the vicinity of the buildings beside the runway, where it was last reported on 5 September.
Nearctic shorebird migrant numbers are steadily increasing, with the following high counts from the Caroni Rice Fields: six AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS on 5 September and five on 31 August; 19 RED KNOTS on 1 September; and 2000 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, 500 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS, 500 STILT SANDPIPERS, 250 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, 200 SHORT- BILLED DOWITCHERS and 100 RED KNOTS on 31 August. Other noteworthy birds seen in the rice fields include: up to three WHITE-FACED WHISTLING-DUCKS, four FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCKS, 12 BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS and two WHITE-CHEEKED PINTAILS on 1 September; a STRIPE-BACKED BITTERN on 1 September; a PINNATED BITTERN on 29 and 31 August; an adult YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON on 31 August and several after dark, indicating nocturnal movements inland, on 1 September; an adult SCARLET IBIS on 1 September; a BLUE-WINGED TEAL on 31 August (earliest date for Trinidad; there is an earlier record for Tobago); a LONG-WINGED HARRIER on 5 September; an APLOMADO FALCON* harassing the shorebirds on 29 and 31 August; up to six BARN OWLS after dark on 1 September; and two GULL-BILLED TERNS on 29 August.
Along the west coast of Trinidad, the immature MAGUARI STORK* (1st for T&T) appears to be thriving along the mudflats at Orange Valley, where it was last reported on 1 September. Two LESSER NIGHTHAWKS were noted at Carli Bay on 1 September.
In the Northern Range of Trinidad, a fledgling PALM TANAGER was found dead in the grasp of a snake (Leptophis ahaetulla) in Maracas Valley on 2 September. The status of YELLOW-CROWNED PARROTS in Trinidad is poorly known. Two are being seen routinely at San Juan (as recently as 30 August) and two were noted at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, in late August.
In Tobago, a NACUNDA NIGHTHAWK* (2nd for Tobago, 1st in more than a century), 54 WHIMBRELS and 12 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS were tallied on 27 August and four AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS were noted on 24 August at Crown Point International Airport. Large numbers of FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHERS at the airport have reportedly caused problems for aircraft. At St. Giles Islands, three MASKED BOOBIES* were observed on 19 August.
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, including two incredibly rare birds: the Grey Heron and Maguari Stork. 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: Is the GIANT COWBIRD dispersing northward into the West Indies? In a note titled "Giant Cowbird (Scaphidura oryzivora): a new bird for Barbados and the West Indies" (Pitirre 13:389, 2000), Martin Frost reports an observation of a Giant Cowbird in Barbados on 9 March 2000 (and later photographed; see SCBA website). The Giant Cowbird is an obligate brood parasite in Trinidad and Tobago and most of northeastern South America, where its density is generally linked to its hosts: oropendolas and caciques. It was first reported from Tobago in 1937 and is now well established.
Though it may be dispersing northward, it is unlikely to establish itself on any of the Lesser Antilles unless it is preceded by successful colonization by one of its preferred hosts.
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.