This
is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2001-01) for 5th January 2001.
Sponsored by the T&T Field Naturalists Club, our aim is to promote
birding and ornithology in the southeastern Caribbean by fostering communication
amongst 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.
Until further notice, reports should be sent to Martyn Kenefick at (868)
674-7609 or by Email at martynkenefick@netscape.net.
The T&T Rare Bird Committee
requests details (see website above and end below) for species indicated
with an asterisk
PHOTO GALLERY: Photos of
an immature Franklin's Gull (3rd for Trinidad) and an immature male Ruff
(7th for Trinidad) are now posted at the SCBA website.
HOTSHOTS IN HOT SPOTS: In
Barbados, the Christmas Bird Count held on January 1st totalled 65 species,
a new CBC record. Highlights include a first winter RING BILLED GULL at
Six Mens Bay; 22 LITTLE EGRETS islandwide (compared with 40 SNOWY EGRETS
) showing just how penetrating their range expansion has become; an immature
CLIFF SWALLOW and 3 BANK SWALLOWS at St Lucy; single BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER
and PROTHONOTARY WARBLER in Turner Hall Woods, St Andrew; single GREY HERONS
at both Golden Grove, St Philip and Graeme Hall; PEREGRINES at Bridgetown
Harbour and (two) at Graeme Hall; an AMERICAN COOT at Chancery Lane with
two more at Golden Grove; a female AMERICAN WIGEON, 3 RING NECKED DUCKS
and a LESSER SCAUP at Chancery Lane and a total of 22 CARIBBEAN MARTINS
roosted in Bridgetown.
In Guadeloupe, up to 8 different
CAPE MAY WARBLERS have been found this winter. The latest additions being
a 1st winter female near Abymes airport on 31st December; a 1st winter
female, 1st winter male and adult male all at Grande Anse on 3rd January.
On 22nd December, 4 RING
BILLED GULLS (3 x 1st winter and 1 x 2nd winter) were found on the Riviere
Salee, with 2 x 1st winter birds still present on 3rd January. A PEREGRINE
was also present on 3rd January
In Trinidad, the records
for the Christmas Bird Count held on 30th December are still being collated
and will, hopefully, be summarised in the next Bird Alert. However, one
group censussing the Lopinot valley photographed a "mystery warbler" which,
following careful study of the resultant pictures, is reported to be a
CHESTNUT SIDED WARBLER * ( no previous authenticated records for T&T)
Whilst birding the Caroni
Rice Project is concentrated during the late summer and autumn months,
regular visits outwith the known migration season remains fruitful. On
28th December a BOBOLINK * (1st winter record for T&T) was seen amongst
a mixed party of Blackbirds and Cowbirds; and a GLOSSY IBIS * was feeding
in the westerrnmost corner before flying off towards the mangrove swamp.
Elsewhere, on the East coast,
a male WHITE WINGED BECARD was canopy feeding at the base of Brigand Hill
on 3rd January.
BIRDS OF A FEATHER: In 2000,
one hyperactive birder tallied 304 species of birds in T&T while another
tallied 295. The current record is 320 species, set in 1998. How many species
are possible in a year ? In 2001, we need your help to keep track of the
total number of birds seen by anybody throughout T&T.
ORNITHOLOGICAL TIDBIT: The
method used for censussing birds must be tailored to the taxonomic/ecologic
group being censussed and its habitat. Migrating seabirds, waterbirds and
raptors may be counted from a fixed point as they fly by. To facilitate
subsequent statistical analyses, it is best to count birds during 10 minute
intervals. Non migrating raptors are often censussed along road transects
(road counts), which require relatively slow driving. In this case counts
should be conducted along 10 kilometre intervals.
BIRD BRAINS: Do we believe
what you see? We want to! Many of the identifications reported in the SCBA
are tentative in nature. 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
& Tobago; fax 868-673-0373; Email "g-white@tstt.net.tt"
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