This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2001-44) for 28 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: In Tobago, the elusive WESTERN REEF-HERON* (1st for Tobago, 2nd for T&T and South America) turned up in Buccoo along with four LEAST GREBES, a LITTLE EGRET, a GREAT BLUE HERON, three BLUE-WINGED TEAL and a BELTED KINGFISHER on 25 November. Other recent reports from Buccoo include a lingering PECTORAL SANDPIPER and a PROTHONOTARY WARBLER on 21 November and a YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO on 17 November. A non-breeding adult LITTLE EGRET was seen near Roxborough on 22 November. A late BLACKPOLL WARBLER was found along the Roxborough-Parlatuvier Road on 22 November

In the Northern Range of Trinidad, two VARIEGATED FLYCATCHERS* turned up at the Asa Wright Nature Centre on 18 November. The SCALED ANTPITTA* was heard again at Morne Bleu on 20 November

Along the west coast of Trinidad, two LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS--an adult and a 2nd-winter immature--were seen among about 800 LAUGHING GULLS at San Fernando on 23 November. At Cacandee, a RINGED KINGFISHER and a PROTHONOTARY WARBLER were seen on 24 November. At Waterloo, a MARBLED GODWIT*, five GREAT BLUE HERONS and four lingering LARGE-BILLED TERNS were seen on the mudflats while a STRIPE-BACKED BITTERN and a FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER were seen at the reed beds on 26 November. At the entrance to Carli Bay, two SAFFRON FINCHES were seen on 26 November and five on 23 November. A COCOI HERON and a PROTHONOTARY WARBLER were noted in Caroni Swamp on 20 November

In the Caroni Plain of Trinidad, the recent flooding of newly plowed rice fields in Caroni has attracted some late Nearctic shorebird migrants including: 14 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS on 23 November; three RED KNOTS on 26 and 23 November; five STILT SANDPIPERS on 26 November and three on 23 November; three PECTORAL SANDPIPERS on 26 November and five on 23 November; up to 60 GREATER YELLOWLEGS and 45 LESSER YELLOWLEGS on 23 November; and a SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER on 26 November. Other recent sightings from the rice fields include: a PINNATED BITTERN on 26 November and two on 23 November; the immature SNAIL KITE* on 26 and 23 November; and two PEREGRINE FALCONS on 26 November

Elsewhere in the Caroni Plain, two BAT FALCONS, a LONG-BILLED STARTHROAT, a STREAKED XENOPS, a BRAN-COLORED FLYCATCHERS and four SULPHURY FLYCATCHERS were tallied at Cumuto on 24 November. A STREAKED XENOPS and a WHITE-BELLIED ANTBIRD were noted at Arena Forest on 24 November and a COCOI HERON at the forest's edge in San Rafael on 24 November. A RINGED KINGFISHER was seen at Trincity on 20 November

In the Central Range of Trinidad, a few BLUE-HEADED PARROTS--unusual outside of the Northern Range--were heard at Brigand Hill on 24 November

CORRIGENDUM: In last week's alert we omitted the date--22 September-- for three BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS, a STILT SANDPIPER, four PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, three SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS and about 15 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS seen at Hewonarra, St. Lucia

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