This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2002-20) for 17 May 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 Barbuda, more than a dozen singing male BARBUDA WARBLERS plus a late PRAIRIE WARBLER were encountered on 27 April in the vicinity of an excavated wetland on the right side of the road about 3 km south of the Coddington Airport. At the nearby Coddington Lagoon, about 7000 pairs of MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRDS are currently nesting.

In Tortola, British Virgin Islands, a WHITE-WINGED DOVE (1st for British Virgin Islands) and a BALTIMORE ORIOLE were found between the airport and Beef Island Guest House on 29 April.

Along the north coast of Trinidad, a TRINIDAD PIPING-GUAN was seen along the Monte Video Road 1 km south of Grande Riviere on 12 May and an adult SCARLET IBIS was seen from the main bridge as it foraged in the river on 11 May.

In the Caroni Plain of Trinidad, waterbird numbers continue to increase in the Caroni Rice Fields. On 15 May, a MALLARD* (3rd for T&T, but natural origin doubtful), thought to be an immature male, was seen flying with a flock of FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCKS of which up to 23 were seen. Up to a dozen WHITE-FACED WHISTLING-DUCKS were noted on 11 May. A PINNATED BITTERN was flushed on 15 May. The SNAIL KITE* continues to be seen as recently as 11 May. An adult SNOWY EGRET with yellow lores and abnormally coloured greenish legs was found on 11 May. Two STILT SANPDIPERS were noted on 15 May and a STILT SANDPIPER and SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER were seen on 11 May. Two BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOWS, the first of the year, were spotted with a lingering flock of BARN SWALLOWS on 15 May.

In the Northern Range of Trinidad, two colour-banded male TROPICAL MOCKINGBIRDS in a polygynandrous quartet were found dead at Caribbean Union College, Maracas Valley, on 14 May. One bird had been banded on 9 May 1997 and the other on 6 May 2001. An investigation into the potential causes of death concluded that they most likely consumed rat poison while foraging inside--ironically--the College Health Foods factory. An unbanded male appears to be staking a claim on the territory and is currently courting the two banded females, but one of the females is flirting with a monogamous male whose mate is incubating eggs in an adjacent territory. At least two other adults banded in 1997, a male and a female, continue to defend their territories.

On 16 May, a pair of HOUSE WRENS was found feeding young, including a large SHINY COWBIRD, in an old Tropical Mockingbird nest under the eaves of a building at Caribbean Union College. However, the wrens were being constantly harassed by up to four PALM TANAGERS, of which one was incubating an egg (presumably laid recently) in an adjacent old Tropical Mockingbird nest less than a metre away.

ORNITHOLOGICAL TIDBIT: Does the Little Egret breed in Trinidad and Tobago? In a paper titled "Status of the Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) in Trinidad and Tobago" (Pitirre 14:54-58, 2001), F. E. Hayes and G. L. White summarized data for at least 33 records of the species for Trinidad and 17 for Tobago from 1959 to 2001. It has been recorded during each month of the year on each island, with no marked seasonal variation, though the highest monthly totals are from the first few months of the year. High counts include five for Trinidad and two for Tobago. Breeding is expected, but has not been documented and may not occur yet because there has not been a population explosion paralleling that of Barbados where the breeding population rapidly increased to several dozen birds within a few years.

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.