This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2001-26) for 10 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: In the Caroni Rice Fields of Trinidad, further flooding of about 30-35 fields has spread out the waterbirds. The immature SNAIL KITE* remains the highlight; it is best seen in fields adjacent to the runway, where it was last reported on 8 July.
Nearctic migrant shorebird numbers continue to climb, with an unprecedented mid-summer high of three AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS on 8 July but only one was relocated the following day. A thorough shorebird survey on 9 July produced a RUDDY TURNSTONE, 350 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, 47 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, a SOLITARY SANDPIPER, two SPOTTED SANDPIPERS, four STILT SANDPIPERS and 130 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS.
Duck numbers have inexplicably declined, with just six each of FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK and WHITE-FACED WHISTLING DUCK and a single WHITE-CHEEKED PINTAIL on 9 July. A BARN OWL was noted on 8 July.
In the Northern Range of Trinidad, a hike up Fort George on 4 July produced another well described STREAKED SALTATOR and two MOUSE- COLORED TYRANNULETS. The reports of Streaked Saltators at this site has engendered some discussion on the distinction between Streaked Saltator and juvenile Grayish Saltator, which is also streaked on the breast. The latter is greenish above but distinctly larger, with an entirely dark bill (often, though not always, tipped yellow in Streaked Saltator) and a yellowish superciliary (white in Streaked Saltator).
Along the west coast of Trinidad, a CLAPPER RAIL, three GREEN KINGFISHERS and a NORTHERN SCRUB-FLYCATCHER were the highlights of a foray into mosquito-infested Cacandee on 8 July. Birders visiting Cacandee in the near future are urged to take along insect repellent.
Along the east coast of Trinidad, noteworthy birds seen on 7 July include: a PINNATED BITTERN during a torrential downpour at Nariva/Bush Bush; 40 PLUMBEOUS KITES, two COLLARED PLOVERS and two GREATER ANIS at Plum Mitan; and a STREAKED-HEADED WOODCREEPER along the road from Mt. Harris to Sangre Grande.
In southern Trinidad, a GREAT BLUE HERON and a SOLITARY SANDPIPER (earliest date for T&T), but no Blue-and-white Swallows, were at Mora Reservoir on 6 July. Along Murray Trace near Siparia, a flock of 15 PLUMBEOUS KITES was noted on 1 July.
BIRDS OF A FEATHER: The T&TFNC Bird Group will be sponsoring a birding trip to observe forest birds along the Arima-Blanchiesseuse Road on Sunday, 15 July. We will be meeting at CIC Pembroke Street at 6:30 am and at the south entrance to UWI at 7:00 am. If you wish to attend, please contact the leader, Martyn Kenefick, by phone (674- 7609) or e-mail (martynkenefick@netscape.net).
ORNITHOLOGICAL TIDBIT: In a recently published study, J. S. Hunt, E.
Bermingham, and R. E. Ricklefs analysed the "Molecular systematics and biogeography of Antillean thrashers, tremblers, and mockingbirds (Aves: Mimidae)" (Auk 118:35-55, 2001). The NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD was represented by two distinct clades: (1) the Bahamas and (2) the Greater Antilles. The TROPICAL MOCKINGBIRD was represented by three distinct clades: (1) Lesser Antilles, (2) Trinidad, and (3) Venezuela; of these, the Lesser Antillean birds were more similar to those of Trinidad. The lack of differentiation among Lesser Antillean island populations suggests recent colonisations from an older population center within the Lesser Antilles. Results for the tremblers and thrashers were discussed in earlier tidbits. Stay tuned next week for the implications of these results.
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.