This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2001-28) for 27 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: Based on an analysis of photographs by several experienced birders, the Trinidad 'mystery heron' reported in last week's alert, which was initially thought to possibly be a white- morph Western Reef-Heron, turned out to be either an immature SNOWY EGRET or LITTLE EGRET* (identity still uncertain) with a deformed bill curved well beyond the normal range of variation in any Egretta species. It was briefly seen again at the Trincity Sewage Ponds on 21 July.
In the Caroni Plain of Trinidad, the immature SNAIL KITE* is still lurking in fields near the runway, where it was last reported on 23 July. Other birds noted on 23 July include eight PINNATED BITTERNS (highest count for T&T), nine FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCKS, four WHITE- FACED WHISTLING-DUCKS, four BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS, 29 WHITE- CHEEKED PINTAILS, 17 LIMPKINS, an AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER, 300 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, 60 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, 400 LEAST SANDPIPERS, a WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER (earliest date for T&T), two PECTORAL SANDPIPERS (earliest date for T&T), 30 STILT SANDPIPERS, seven SHORT- BILLED DOWITCHERS and two BARN OWLS. On the campus of the University of the West Indies, a pair of PEARL KITES has been nesting near the top of a tall tree beside the greenhouses, just west of the Frank Stockdale Building.
Few gulls have lingered along the west coast of Trinidad this summer, in contrast with last summer when three species of gulls were present. At low tide on 21 July, only one LAUGHING GULL was noted at Waterloo and seven at Orange Valley. Birders visiting the Icacos Peninsula, southwestern Trinidad, over the weekend were disappointed to find little water in Fullerton Swamp, which is still recovering from dessication and fire during the dry season. The best birds noted were two GRAY-NECKED WOOD-RAILS at Fullerton Swamp on 21 July and a ZONE-TAILED HAWK at Icacos on 21 July.
In the Northern Range of Trinidad, recent bird records from Morne Bleu include: a SCALED ANTPITTA* heard at 7:20 am on 20 July; 14 BLUE-HEADED PARROTS on 20 July; three COLLARED TROGONS on 21 July; a BROWN VIOLET-EAR on 20 July; two LONG-BILLED STARTHROATS on 21 July; a CHESTNUT WOODPECKER on 20 and 21 July; four RED-RUMPED WOODPECKERS on 21 July; a BLACK-FACED ANTTHRUSH on 20 July; a SLATY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER on 21 July; two DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHERS on 21 July; four SPECKLED TANAGERS on 21 July; and a SWALLOW TANAGER on 20 July. At Las Lapas, two SWALLOW-TANAGERS were noted on 21 July and a RUDDY QUAIL-DOVE was seen at the Asa Wright Nature Centre on 21 July. A RINGED KINGFISHER flew over lower Maracas Valley on 27 July.
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. Tentatively scheduled for 20 August to 8 September, 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 another 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.