This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2002-22) for 31 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 Tobago, one of the two WHITE-TAILED TROPICBIRDS* (2nd for T&T) was seen at Little Tobago on 24 May.

Along the west coast of Trinidad, an apparent GREEN HERON* (though possibly a hybrid Green X Striated Heron) with a neck colour score of 6 was found along with two COCOI HERONS at Fullarton Swamp on 26 May.

A pair of PYGMY KINGFISHERS was found at Icacos on 26 May. In Cedros, four of six non-breeding plumaged ROYAL TERNS (appearing to be 1st- summer immatures) were banded on the right leg.

Farther north, two first-summer LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS continue to linger at San Fernando, where they were noted on 24 and 26 May. An immature BROWN BOOBY and a dark morph PARASITIC JAEGER were also seen at San Fernando on 24 May. At South Oropouche Swamp, five PINNATED BITTERNS, two late BLUE-WINGED TEAL, two PYGMY KINGFISHERS, two GREATER ANIS, three SPOTTED TODY-FLYCATCHERS and a NORTHERN SCRUB- FLYCATCHER feeding a fledgling were tallied on 28 May. A COCOI HERON turned up among roosting herons and ibises in Caroni Swamp on 28 May.

Finally, a non-breeding plumaged LEAST TERN with a dark bill was noted among YELLOW TERNS at Waterloo on 16 May.

In the Caroni Rice Fields, the apparent hybrid GREEN X STRIATED HERON with a neck colour score of 5 was relocated on 30 May. Other noteworthy birds seen on 30 May include 13 FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCKS, two BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS and a pale-morph LONG-WINGED HARRIER.

BIRDS OF A FEATHER: The T&TFNC Bird Group is sponsoring a birding trip to Fort George on Sunday, 9 June. We will be meeting at the traffic lights along the Fore Shore Highway just east of Thomas Peake at 6:30 am. If you wish to participate, please call the leader, Courtenay Rooks, at 622-8826 (home) or 756-2355 (cell).

ORNITHOLOGICAL TIDBIT: Does the Swainson's Hawk migrate across the Caribbean? Although none have been seen flying southward toward the Caribbean from the Florida Keys, there is one autumn sight record from the Caribbean at Jamaica on 15 October 1974 (Bond, J. 1976. Twentieth supplement to the Check-list of birds of the West Indies (1956). Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia), providing the only direct evidence (if correctly identified) that this species may migrate southward across the Caribbean during autumn. Stay tuned next week for further clues.

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.