This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2002-10) for 15 March 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 662-9327 (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: In Guadeloupe, record numbers of MANX SHEARWATERS were recorded within the past week from the Nature Reserve of Petite-Terre, where 225 were recorded during 2 hours on 12 March and 80, including a group of 15, during 3 hours on 11 March. Other noteworthy seabird observations include two LEACH'S STORM-PETRELS, two WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS and a RED-FOOTED BOOBY on 12 March, and 14 WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS on 11 March. We're baffled as to why Leach's Storm-Petrel is the predominant species in Trinidad and Tobago whereas the Wilson's Storm-Petrel is predominant in Guadeloupe.
In the Caroni Plain of Trinidad, the elusive CRANE HAWK* (1st for T&T) was spotted again at Wallerfield on 12 March. In Arena Forest, two PLUMBEOUS KITES, a DOUBLE-TOOTHED KITE and a SHORT-TAILED PYGMY-TYRANT were noted on 8 March. Recent sightings from the Caroni Rice Fields include: the immature SNAIL KITE* and a WHITE-TAILED GOLDENTHROAT on 12 March; 17 BLACK-NECKED STILTS and three STILT SANDPIPERS plus several GREATER YELLOWLEGS, LESSER YELLOWLEGS and LEAST SANDPIPERS on 10 March; a juvenile CLIFF SWALLOW* with a large flock of BARN SWALLOWS on 2 March; and a LITTLE EGRET, a STRIPE-BACKED BITTERN, two SORAS, 60+ PURPLE GALLINULES and five MASKED YELLOWTHROATS on 26 February.
In the Northern Range of Trinidad, one of the two SCALED ANTPITTAS* present since December 1999 was heard calling on the steep slopes north of Morne Bleu at about 6:30 am on 10 March. Shortly afterward, two series of 'mystery hoots' resembling antpitta calls were heard along Las Lapas Trace. The first series consisted of four low, booming hoots at 7:10 am; the second series, heard several hundred metres away, comprised about six similar hoots uttered at 7:25 am. The hooting was distinctly slower than the typical calls heard near Morne Bleu. This bird is an extremely rare species in Trinidad whose status is poorly known. At Morne Bleu, a male HEPATIC TANAGER was seen on 10 March. A GRAY-THROATED LEAFTOSSER, WHITE-THROATED SPADEBILL and three SOOTY GRASSQUITS were tallied at Las Lapas on 5 March. A female BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER* was found along the Blanchisseuse Road on 27 February. A nest-building YELLOW-OLIVE FLYCATCHER was seen at the Asa Wright Nature Centre on 24 February.
Along the west coast of Trinidad, a breeding-plumaged BLACK-HEADED GULL* was spotted among 2000 LAUGHING GULLS (including an injured bird), a GULL-BILLED TERN, 46 ROYAL TERNS and three GREAT BLUE HERONS at Waterloo on 1 March. At the same locality, a 1st-winter LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was noted on 3 March and, on 7 March, a CAYENNE TERN with a copper-coloured band on the left leg was seen among 2500 LAUGHING GULLS and 80 ROYAL TERNS, plus a dark-morph LONG-WINGED HARRIER and a PEREGRINE FALCON.
In Tobago, one of the two elusive WHITE-TAILED TROPICBIRDS* (2nd for T&T) dropped in for a visit at Little Tobago on 4 March.
BIRDS OF A FEATHER: The TTFNC Bird Group is sponsoring a birding trip along the west coast of Trinidad on Sunday, 17 March. We will be visiting Cacandee, Waterloo, Orange Valley, Carli Bay and San Fernando. If you wish to attend, please call the leader, Martyn Kenefick, at 674-7609. We will be leaving from CIC Pembroke Street side at 6:10 am and at Grand Bazaar Plaza at 6:30 am.
ORNITHOLOGICAL TIDBIT: Continuing with our theme of species concepts, the taxonomic species concept regards a species as the smallest group that is consistently and persistently distinct, and distinguishable by ordinary means. Obviously a slippery concept, it is not well accepted.
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.