This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2002-13) for 1 April 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 Vic Ticious by phone at 662-9179, or by e-mail at victicious@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: We are pleased to present this SPECIAL EDITION to alert the birding community of several phenomenal birds observed during past weekend and to inform our audience of several recent environmental developments.

Northward migration is well underway, with a surprisingly diverse assortment of waterbirds moving northward along the west coast of Trinidad. On 30 March, a breeding-plumaged adult CURLEW SANDPIPER* (1st for T&T) was found among roughly 75 RED KNOTS on the 'Brickfield' mudflats at Waterloo, where it was photographed beside a mating pair of littorally Marine Toads (see attached photo by Vic Ticious). It was relocated the following afternoon, 31 March, by a horde of birders who were astonished when a breeding-plumaged adult LONG-TAILED JAEGER* (1st for T&T) swooped down on it, captured it by a wing, and began flying south with it toward the Hindu temple.

Moments later a pale-morph adult SOUTH POLAR SKUA* (2nd for T&T) pursued the jaeger, grabbed it by its long tail feathers and shook it vigorously, causing the jaeger to release the sandpiper which fell into the sea. The skua then picked up the hapless sandpiper, gulped it down and belched.

The breeding season is well underway now, with several noteworthy observations reported over the weekend. In the Port of Spain area, a GOLDEN-HEADED MANNINGKIN was seen displaying in a clump of Balisier in front of the Prime Minister's residence on 30 March. The population of this threatened species appears to be making a comeback in recent months, but its future prospects remain uncertain. A seemingly determined pair of PANDAY WATER-TYRANTS attempted to build a nest in the garden of the Prime Minister's residence throughout the morning of 31 March, but in the afternoon they were chased away by an aggressive BARE-EYED ROBIN'S son defending his parent's large territory in the Botanical Gardens. The PANDAY WATER- TYRANTS were last seen at dusk flying toward the setting sun but may be expected to reappear in the Port of Spain area.

Farther south, the oiled MAGUARI STORK* (1st for T&T), last reported at Orange Valley on 23 September, was relocated on 31 March at San Fernando, where it briefly perched atop the San Fernando General Hospital and then flew northward with a large, unidentified bundle hanging from its beak. We subsequently heard an unsubstantiated rumor that a baby disappeared earlier that day from the hospital's maternity ward.

A spate of bird mortalities over the weekend reminded us that not all is well with the environment. At the Piarco International Airport, a GREEN KINGFISHWAR, apparently ill from feeding on contaminated fish, was seen flopping on the putrid water of the nearby sewage ponds on 29 March.

In the Port of Spain area, a dazed MARAJLED GODWIT* was found staggering on the lawn of the Ibis High School, where it had apparently flown into a window during migration (or perhaps while admiring its reflection), on 31 March; rescuers attempting to rehabilitate it suspect it may have suffered irreversible brain damage.

On 1 April, we received a report from the Environmental Management Authority confirming that an exceptionally rare, immature SUDAMAZON KINGFISHER* (2nd for T&T), found dead on the roof of the Biche High School on 22 March, had indeed died from inhalation of toxic gas emissions emanating from leaky pipe.

In Chacachacare Island, a seemingly malnourished GRAY-THROATED LEAFTOSSER (1st for Chacachachare and the Bocas Islands) was seen tossing plastic bottles, apparently in a futile search for arthropods, along the mangrove-lined beach just south of the La Tinta jetty, on 29 March. Most instances of birds gambling when colonizing an island end in failure.

BIRDS OF A FEATHER: The T&TFNC Bird Group will be hosting a birding trip to Port of Spain on 8 April, where concentrations of rare and unusual birds, perhaps even a King Vulture, are expected to congregate during a feeding frenzy. If interested in participating, please give Vic Ticious a phone call at 662-9179. We will be meeting at south entrance of the Red House at 6:30 am.

ORNITHOLOGICAL TIDBIT: Continuing with our theme of species concepts, the endangered species concept defines a species as a population of competing individuals that initially outcompetes other species in certain precincts but, because of inflated egos and failing vision, eventually achieves reproductive isolation and becomes endangered with extinction. This concept is not widely accepted for obvious reasons.

BIRD BRAINS: Do we believe what you see? Of course not--you're guilty until proven innocent. 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.