This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2002- 47) for 17th December 2002 Sponsored by the T&T Field Naturalist 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, T&T Rare Birds Committee and Photo Gallery are accessible at http://www.wow.net/ttfnc. Reports should be sent to Martyn Kenefick by phone at 674-7609 or by Email at "martynkenefick@hotmail.com" The TTRBC requests details for species indicated with an asterisk (see website above and RARE BIRD REPORTING below).
Undoubted highlight of the last few weeks is from Guadeloupe where a mystery raptor first seen briefly on 11th Nov was subsequently identified as a MARSH HARRIER (probably 1st for the New World). It was last seen on 14th Dec on the Grand Cul de Sac Marin. Shorebirds found on the island include a PIPING PLOVER present from 30th Nov - 12th Dec at least and a WILSON'S PHALAROPE on 29th-30th Nov. Both were at the Nature Reserve of Petite-Terre. A KILDEER was present at la Grande Saline from 17th Nov - 14th Dec at least, and a SHORT BILLED DOWITCHER at "La Pointe des Chaateaux" also on the 14th.
In St. John, US Virgin Islands, a RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (1st for Virgin Islands), thought to be an immature male, was carefully studied at Francis Bay on 4 December. There are only two previous records east of Puerto Rico, from Vieques and Antigua. Also on 4 December, a male LESSER ANTILLEAN BULLFINCH was seen in humid forest 215 m above sea level and two PRAIRIE WARBLERS, an OVENBIRD, a NORTHERN PARULA and a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH were seen along the trail to Europa Bay Salt Pond.
In St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, the male RING-NECKED DUCK and AMERICAN COOT continue to be seen under the ""bridge to nowhere"" at Turpentine Run. On 28 November, a YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER was foraging in palms at Sapphire Bay and 22 BLUE-WINGED TEAL, four BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS (season-high), 25 YELLOWLEGS (mostly LESSER), five STILT SANDPIPERS and a LEAST SANDPIPER were tallied at Compass Point Pond.
In the northern range of Trinidad on 3rd Dec, 2 YELLOW THROATED WARBLERS* (1ST for T&T) were found at Morne Bleu. On the same day YELLOW LEGGED THRUSH, SPECKLED and HEPATIC TANAGERS we seen at Brasso Seco junct.
On the west coast, on 5th Dec, a MARBLED GODWIT* (first for the year) was found at Waterloo. On the 8th, a BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER* was seen at the entrance to Roussilac swamp, and birds found at Oropouche included CLAPPER RAIL, SPOTTED TODY-FLYCATCHER and RED CAPPED CARDINAL .
In Tobago on 5th Dec, 2 CARIBBEAN COOTS * and an AMERICAN WIGEON* together with single BLACKPOLL* and PROTHONOTARY WARBLERS were found at Buccoo marsh. On the same date, 3 LEAST GREBES were at Lowlands where a nest with one egg was also found.. On 10th Dec, a BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER* was on Gilpin trace and on the 16th, a VIOLACEOUS TROGON * was found beside Bloody Bay Rd.
From Dominica, a PIED BILLED GREBE and 2 AMERICAN WIGEONS were found at the Beduplan river estuary on 7th Dec, the latter still present until 10th Dec at least.
ORNITHOLOGICAL TIDBIT: The following abstract is from: Cuffy, G. C. 2002. Ecological changes and their impact on avian use of marshes in Caroni Swamp, Trinidad. Department of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Occasional Paper 11:45-53. Avian species were inventoried at four marsh sites at Caroni, Trinidad, as part of a baseline study assessing the current value of the marshes to birds. Data were sought in light of recent ecological changes to the area and a restoration project that sought to recreate former freshwater conditions within the area. Seventy-two species of birds were recorded. Comparison with earlier inventories revealed that about half of the previously recorded swamp species still occur in the marshes. Migrants comprised 30% of all marsh species. Restoration of the marshes involving the exclusion of seawater via impoundments will likely improve on avian species diversity and population sizes, and enhance the ecological value of the wetland habitat.
RARE BIRD REPORTING:- Do we believe what you see ? We want to ! Many of the identifications reported in the SCBA are tentative. The T&T Rare Birds 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 & Tobago - email :- martynkenefick@hotmail.com