This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2002-07) for 22 February 2002. 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 TTFNC 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 TT Rare Bird Committee requests details for species indicated with an asterisk (see SCBA website above and 'BIRD BRAINS' below).
HOTSHOTS IN HOT SPOTS: Although pelagic seabirding remains the last birding frontier within the region, each year we report an increasing volume of data on the abundance and distribution of seabirds thanks to an increasing number of competent birders residing within the region. The next several months should be especially rewarding as local birders focus on censussing northward bound seabirds from ships or from land.
Along the south coast of Trinidad, a birder who has been fishing routinely in the Columbus Channel provided some insights into the seabirds currently passing through the channel. Recent highlights include: 12 LEACH'S STORM-PETRELS about 3 km off Palo Seco on 19 February; three LEACH'S STORM-PETRELS about 3 km off Palo Seco on 16 February; six LEACH'S STORM-PETRELS, a RING-BILLED GULL*, a dark morph PARASITIC JAEGER and 250 COMMON TERNS (highest count for T&T in many years) about 6 km off Chatham on 15 February; and two LEACH'S STORM-PETRELS about 3 km off Erin on 14 February.
In the adjacent Icacos Peninsula of Trinidad, a pair of RUFOUS CRAB-HAWKS* and three SPOTTED TODY-FLYCATCHERS were noted at Los Blanquizales Swamp on 17 February.
The Caroni Rice Fields of Trinidad, which are relatively unproductive from November to March, were surprisingly productive on 21 February, when a LITTLE EGRET, four STRIPE-BACKED BITTERNS, 20 BLUE-WINGED TEAL and an immature SNAIL KITE* were noted in the western sector.
In the Northern Range of Trinidad, a juvenile ORNATE HAWK-EAGLE was noted by the crystophene plantation in Arima Valley on 21 January. At Las Lapas, a SLATY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER and a HEPATIC TANAGER were seen on 21 February. A WHITE-WINGED BECARD was noted along the road between Brasso Seco Junction and Morne La Croix on 21 February.
Along the north coast of Trinidad, a SILVERED ANTBIRD turned up at the Marianne River on 21 February.
ORNITHOLOGICAL TIDBIT: The typological (essentialist) species concept regards species as representing a limited number of universals or 'types', which represented the kinds of creation. Individual organisms within a species are considered as expressions of this type; variation within individuals represents differential perfection in the expression of this type. This species concept, which embraced the taxonomic philosophy of Plato, has long been discarded by modern biologists.
BIRD BRAINS: Do we believe what you see? We want to! Many of the identifications reported in the SCBA are tentative. The TT 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 TTRBC Secretary: Martyn Kenefick, 36 Newalloville Ave., San Juan, Trinidad and Tobago; e-mail: martynkenefick@netscape.net.