This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2002-31) for 16 August 2002. Sponsored by the TT 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, TT Rare Bird Committee and photo gallery are accessible at http://www.wow.net/ttfnc. 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 TTRBC requests details for species indicated with an asterisk (see website above and 'BIRD BRAINS' below).

HOTSHOTS IN HOT SPOTS: In Trinidad, two LITTLE EGRETS, blue-lored, non-breeding plumaged individual and a yellow-lored, breeding plumaged individual, were seen in the Caroni Rice Fields on 10 August. Other noteworthy bird sightings from the rice fields include: only three FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCKS on 10 August; three PINNATED BITTERNS on 11 August; a light-morph LONG-WINGED HARRIER on 10 August; two RUDDY TURNSTONES on 11 August; four RED KNOTS on 11 August; enormous numbers of shorebird migrants including c. 1000 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, 25 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 16 SOLITARY SANDPIPERS, 500 STILT SANDPIPERS, 55 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, 50 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS and 11 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS on 11 August; a RINGED KINGFISHER on 10 August; and two early BARN SWALLOWS on 10 August. Nearby a COMMON POTOO was seen in Caroni Swamp on 10 August. Two LESSER NIGHTHAWKS were noted at the Caroni Swamp Flyover on 10 August and one on 11 August, plus a singleton at Grand Bazaar on 11 August.

Elsewhere in Trinidad, on 15 August two BAT FALCONS and a WHITE- NECKED JACOBIN were noted at Aripo Savannah and a WHITE-THROATED SPADEBILL was found at Arena Forest.

ORNITHOLOGICAL TIDBIT: In a note titled "American Coot (Fulica americana) on Nevis" (Pitirre 14:127, 2001), J. Francis reports observing the first sighting of American Coot for Nevis on 16 April 2001. The breeding status and taxonomic relationships of American Coot and Caribbean Coot in the Caribbean are poorly known and merit further study.

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@hotmail.com.