This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2002-30) for 9 August 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, at least three RED-BREASTED BLACKBIRDS*, including two displaying males and a female, were discovered in grassland adjacent to the east end of the runway at Crown Point International Airport on 7 and 8 August. To observe these birds, drive toward the east end of the Store Bay Local Road and turn right down several short roads extending to the airport perimeter from the eastern end of Store Bay Local Road. From the fenced perimeter, scan the grasslands and listen for the singing males, which occasionally fly upward in a conspicuous display flight. It remains uncertain whether these birds represent recent arrivals from Trinidad or a small, breeding population persisting since at least 1974. To our knowledge the only other Tobago record since 1980 was from Bon Accord, where one was reportedly seen in a marsh adjacent to the sewage ponds in autumn 2000.
Elsewhere in Tobago, noteworthy bird sightings include: single non-breeding plumaged LITTLE EGRETS at Buccoo Beach on 7 August and Tobago Plantations on 8 August (different birds based on feet colour); single immature GREAT BLUE HERONS at Bloody Bay on 5 August, Goldsborough on 6 August and Bon Accord Sewage Ponds on 7 August; single adult STRIATED HERONS at Tobago Plantations (neck score of 2) on 6 and 8 August, Bon Accord Sewage Ponds (neck score of 2) on 7 August, and Crown Point International Airport (neck score of 3) on 7 August; possible STRIATED HERONS or GREEN X STRIATED HERONS with neck scores of 4 at Speyside and Kendall on 5 August and two at Bon Accord Sewage Ponds on 6 and 7 August; a mottled subadult LITTLE BLUE HERON with a long head plume at the Bon Accord Sewage Ponds on 7 August; two YELLOW-HEADED CARACARAS (adult and immature) at Buccoo Swamp on 7 August; a dozen STILT SANDPIPERS, a PECTORAL SANDPIPER and two COLLARED PLOVERS at Tobago Plantations on 8 August; five SANDWICH TERNS (two 'Sandwich', one 'Cayenne' with a pure yellow bill, one 'Cayenne' with some dark markings on bill, and one possible Sandwich X Cayenne hybrid with black basal half and yellow distal half of bill) at Crown Point on 7 and 8 August; a singing MANGROVE CUCKOO at Bon Accord Lagoon on 8 August; and an early BARN SWALLOW at Crown Point International Airport on 7 August that was joined by a second on 8 August.
Off eastern Tobago, four adult MASKED BOOBIES were seen from Flagstaff Hill, northeast Tobago, as they flew about Marble Rock, St. Giles Islands, on 5 August. To search for these birds from Flagstaff Hill, locate the two islets behind the left end of the largest island (St. Giles) and focus on the right islet, where the birds often perch and apparently have been nesting in recent years. Because there are many (thousands?) of white-morph RED-FOOTED BOOBIES flying about the islands, spotting the Masked Boobies usually requires some patience. The black tail, which distinguishes Masked from Red-footed Booby, can only be observed when the birds bank at a certain angle.
The only noteworthy bird sighting from an inter-island ferry between Trinidad and Tobago on 4 August was a pair of SOOTY TERNS off Trinidad's north coast.
In Trinidad, a GRAY-HEADED KITE and three WHITE-WINGED BECARDS (male, female and juvenile) were noted at South Oropouche Swamp on 9 August. In the Caroni Rice Fields, 105 STILT SANDPIPERS and 71 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS (high count for rice fields) were tallied on 7 August.
With regard to last week's report of a blue-backed Chiroxiphia manakin from northwestern Trinidad, a correspondent informs us that G. D. Smooker collected eggs from two nests of LANCE-TAILED MANAKIN in Aripo Savanna in April and May of 1939. Although the nest site and structure seem typical of the genus, the eggs appear to be too small. Further investigation may shed further light on this intriguing (albeit dubious) claim.
In Guadeloupe, a PURPLE-THROATED CARIB (very rare in Guadeloupe) was seen with an ANTILLEAN CRESTED HUMMINGBIRD and a GREEN-THROATED CARIB at la Pointe des Chateaux on 30 July.
ORNITHOLOGICAL TIDBIT: Can populations of the Greater Flamingo be restored to islands where none exist? In an article titled "Restoration of the Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) to Anegada, British Virgin Islands" (Pitirre 14:113-114, 2001), J. Lazell reports on the trial establishment of seven Greater Flamingoes on Guana Island, British Virgin Islands, in 1987, followed by the trial establishment of 18 on Anegada in 1992. The Guana Island population never reproduced. However, the Anegada birds nested successfully in 1995 and, by 2001, the flock had increased to 63 individuals including 11 fledglings. The Greater Flamingo now appears to be successfully reestablished on an island where it was extirpated more than half a century ago.
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.