This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2001-45) for 6 December 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: Along the west coast of Trinidad, a large, 1st-winter 'MYSTERY GULL' was found among two LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS (an adult and a 2nd-winter), a 2nd-winter RING-BILLED GULL* and roughly 800 LAUGHING GULLS at San Fernando on 2 December. A search for the mystery gull on 6 December turned up only the adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL and 2nd-winter RING-BILLED GULL*
Unfortunately the mystery gull remained on the water more than 150- 300 m away during the 1.5 hours that it was watched. Three distant photographs, accompanied by descriptions, are posted at: http://www.geocities.com/secaribbirds/ttmysterygull Several tantalizing features suggest that it may be a YELLOW-LEGGED GULL, a Eurasian bird currently considered a distinct species by the American Ornithologists' Union. Although it has been recorded a few times in North America, there are no previous reports from South America. Furthermore, there are several races of the Yellow-legged Gull which soon may be split into two species: 'Yellow-legged Gull' ('atlanticus' and 'michahellis') in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, and 'Caspian Gull' ('cachinnans') in central Eurasia
Confirmation of the bird's identity is contingent upon detailed photographs, which have yet to be taken. For birders interested in learning more about 'Yellow-legged Gull' and 'Caspian Gull', an outstanding article on distinguishing these putative species is published in Birding World 13:60-64, 2000; furthermore, four excellent photographic essays are available at: http://www.surfbirds/com/ID%20Articles/idindex.html Elsewhere along the west coast of Trinidad, the elusive immature GREY HERON* (3rd for T&T) turned up among two GREAT BLUE HERONS at Waterloo on 29 November, but it has not been relocated subsequently
An adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was noted among 1000+ LAUGHING GULLS at Carli Bay on 2 December. A MARBLED GODWIT was noted on the mudflats at Orange Valley on 2 December; the causeway is now paved. A SANDWICH TERN ('Cayenne' race) and a ROYAL TERN were at La Romaine on 2 December. At Waterloo, six of 11 ROYAL TERNS on 2 December sported an aluminum band on the right leg. In the eastern fringes of Caroni Swamp, an immature GREAT BLUE HERON was seen on 28 November, a SHORT- BILLED DOWITCHER, a STILT SANDPIPER, two PECTORAL SANDPIPERS and 250 LEAST SANDPIPERS were tallied on 30 November, and a half dozen BLACK- NECKED STILTS on 2 December. At Pointe-a-Pierre, a GREAT BLUE HERON, a RINGED KINGFISHER and a GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER were noted on 1 December. In the Chaguaramas Peninsula, thousands of CARIB GRACKLES were reported at dusk at West Mall on 4 December
In the Caroni Rice Fields, the immature GREY HERON* (3rd for T&T) was noted on 28 November in a marsh northwest of the runway, the day before it turned up in Waterloo. On 29 November, a male RUFF* was seen. On 30 November, an immature WHITE-TAILED HAWK* was found
Unfortunately none of these birds could be relocated. Other noteworthy sightings include: a GREAT BLUE HERON on 30 November; up to 15 OSPREYS on 30 November; a LONG-WINGED HARRIER (dark) on 30 November and two (dark, light) on 1 December; a BLACK-NECKED STILT on 2 December; 29 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS on 2 December; a RED KNOT on 2 December; up to 105 YELLOWLEGS (both species) on 2 December; up to six STILT SANDPIPERS on 2 December; up to 100 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS on 2 December; up to 250 LEAST SANDPIPERS on 30 November; and three BANK SWALLOWS among hundreds of BARN SWALLOWS on 1 December
Along the east coast of Trinidad, a hatchling BLACK VULTURE was found in a cavity at the base of a Black Mangrove tree in Nariva Swamp on 28 November; meanwhile, a GRAY-NECKED WOOD-RAIL was found nearby
In the Northern Range of Trinidad, two SWALLOW-TANAGERS were noted at Morne Bleu on 27 November
In Barbados, a CURLEW SANDPIPER was found at Congo Road on 30 November
In Guadeloupe, a male MERLIN, a GREAT BLUE HERON, a BELTED KINGFISHER and a lingering male HOODED WARBLER were noted at the Nature Reserve of Petite-Terre on 28 November. A RUDDY TURNSTONE banded in the USA was present at the same locality from 18-25 November
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