This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2002- 42) for 31st October 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).
RECENT BIRD SIGHTINGS :- In the Caroni plain of Trinidad, at Caroni ricefields on 30th Oct, a second adult was seen with the juvenile PIED BILLED GREBE and there continued to be 2 pairs of LEAST GREBES together with 2 chicks. Included amongst 10 species of raptor, were single APLOMADO FALCON *, the now resident SNAIL KITE and 3 SAVANNAH HAWKS. Of the lingering shorebirds, there were 12 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS and 2 WHITE RUMPED SANDPIPERS. At the western end of the runway, the BOBOLINK * flock has grown to at least 50 birds.
In north east Trinidad, at Grande Riviere on 31st October, just one TRINIDAD PIPING GUAN was found , although reports are that 5 were present the previous evening; 3 BROAD WINGED HAWKS drifted west at Sans Souci and 3 MANX SHEARWATERS * accompanied 125 BROWN NODDIES, 50 COMMON TERNS and 2 LEAST TERNS at Galera Pt.
From Tobago, recent sightings include 2 WHITE RUMPED SANDPIPERS and 4 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS at Louis D'or on 22nd Oct; a BELTED KINGFISHER (first report of the autumn) from Bloody Bay on 25th Oct and 24 MASKED BOOBIES on Marble Is, St Giles rocks also on 25th Oct.
In St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, two WEST INDIAN WHISTLING-DUCKS, apparently representing the first record from the US Virgin Islands since 1941, turned up at the Carambola Golf Course on 25 October. A bewildering combination of AMERICAN and CARIBBEAN COOTS included four American-type and two Caribbean-type, including two seemingly mixed pairs, at Buccaneer Inn on 24 and 25 October, and two American-type and one Caribbean-type at Fredensborg Pond on 25 October. Several coots seemingly possessed intermediate characteristics. On 24 October, a migratory "fallout" of ten YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS at Teague Bay plus two more nearby at The Reef provided a high count for the Virgin Islands. A CLIFF SWALLOW was noted south of the airport on 24 October.
In St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, two incubating MASKED BOOBIES were noted among roughly 50 incubating BROWN BOOBIES at Frenchcap Cay on 31 October, but their nesting success is gravely threatened by a reconnoitering PEREGRINE FALCON. At Turpentine Run, a season-high five SOLITARY SANDPIPERS and four WILSON'S SNIPES were tallied on 27 October.
In Sint Maarten / Saint Martin, a number of recent reports. In July, several EURASIAN COLLARED DOVES (1st record for St Martin) were seen on both French and Dutch sides of the island. On 11th August, 2 WHITE WINGED DOVES (1st record for St Martin) were found near Etang de la Barriere with another seen near Salines de Grand-Case on 7th Sept. On 21st Sept, 2 BOBOLINKS (1st record for 23 years) were near Little Bay Pond on the Dutch side. We are also advised that for the last two years RUDDY DUCKS have bred on the island being found at both Fresh Pond and Little Bay Pond.
TTFNC OUTING :- the rescheduled bird club outing to the north coast road will now take place on Sunday 10th November. We will meet either at 6.15am on the western side of CIC or alternatively at 6.30am just north of the pillars on the saddle on North Coast Road. Persons wishing to participate should contact Martyn Kenefick either by Email or phone - details above.
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