This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2002- 49) for 4th January 2003.  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).

In the Caroni plain of Trinidad, a CRANE HAWK * (perhaps the same individual which frequented the area and was last reported on 27th March 2002) was again seen at Wallerfield early morning 3rd and 4th January, together with 18 RED BELLIED MACAWS, a WHITE TAILED GOLDENTHROAT, a BRAN COLOURED FLYCATCHER and at least one MORICHE ORIOLE * . On Caroni ricefields on 1st Jan an adult WHITE TAILED HAWK was seen flying west from Caroni Savannah Rd. Several of the rarer species found in 2002, lingered into the New Year; 4 PIED BILLED GREBES, 2 MASKED DUCKS and the subadult male SNAIL KITE were all found together with 2 FORK TAILED FLYCATCHERS which are now presumably over wintering. In Arena forest on 4th Jan, 2 pairs of PLAIN ANT-VIREOS, 2 EULER'S FLYCATCHERS and 2 WHITE TAILED TROGONS were seen.

The Trinidad Christmas bird count for the northern range on 29th Dec included a GREAT BLACK- HAWK and a BLACKPOLL WARBLER from Lalaja; an  immature BROAD WINGED HAWK, male and female HEPATIC TANAGERS and several SPECKLED TANAGERS from Morne Bleu; 15 CHESTNUT COLLARED SWIFTS, a YELLOW LEGGED THRUSH and a DUSKY CAPPED FLYCATCHER at Andrew's Trace and a GREY THROATED LEAFTOSSER at Las Lapas .

From the west coast of Trinidad on 31st Dec, roosting LAUGHING GULLS totalled approx 2500 between Golden Grove and Brickfields together with one 3rd winter LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL. Shorebird numbers were also high with at least 150 SHORT BILLED DOWITCHERS and 12 RED KNOT amongst commoner species. Only 3 BLACK SKIMMERS and 1 GULL BILLED TERN and 8 ROYAL TERNS were seen.

In east Trinidad, in the Kernaham sector of Nariva swamp, several flocks of DICKCISSELS, totalling 400-500 birds were found on 3rd Jan together with a WHITE TAILED GOLDENTHROAT.

In Tobago, highlights of their Christmas bird count for the south west sector of the island on 29th Dec produced no less than 8 YELLOW HEADED CARACARA's, a LESSER SCAUP * at Lowlands;  and from Buccoo a WHITE WINGED SWALLOW and a  PROTHONOTARY WARBLER  On 31st Dec, there were cumulative peak counts of 117 ROYAL TERNS (highest count for Trinidad and Tobago) and 200 LAUGHING GULLS. At Gilpin Trace, 2 GREY THROATED LEAFTOSSERS performed well.

In Grenada, the southwards march of the EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE continues with one found at Frequente on Dec 16th. How long before there is a wild bird found in Trinidad ? In Sint Maarten / Saint Martin a study of wintering BLUE WINGED TEALS has shown a peak of 69 birds on 26th Oct. Whilst birds have been found at several sites, highest concentrations have been at Little Bay pond. On 26th Dec a MERLIN was found at La Belle Creole (Saint Martin) and on 28th Dec 2 WHIMBREL were seen at Galisbay (Saint Martin).

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION :- Hans Van Buel is currently preparing a paper on the birds of Sint Maarten / Saint Martin. He would welcome details of any observations made on the island, together with any photographs noting name, place and date. Any such information should be sent by Email to Hans at "vanbuel@sintmaarten.net".

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO BIRDS :- an update of the Official List of Birds Recorded in Trinidad and Tobago as at 31st Dec 2002 appears on our website at "www.wow.net/ttfnc". The current total now stands at 460.

RARE BIRD REPORTING :- Do we believe what you see ? We want to ! Many of the identifications reported in the SCBA are tentative. For birds found in Trinidad & Tobago, 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 - Email "martynkenefick@hotmail.com".