This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2002-05) for 8 February 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 Floyd Hayes by phone at 662-5918 (H) or 645-3232 x2206 (W), or by e-mail at floyd_hayes@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: In Guadeloupe, a 1.5-hour seabird watch at the Nature Reserve of Petite Terre on 30 January produced a 3rd-winter NORTHERN GANNET (1st for Guadeloupe and Lesser Antilles) and two PARASITIC JAEGERS.
In Trinidad, a first-winter SABINE'S GULL* (2nd for T&T and Atlantic coast of South America) was seen sporadically at Waterloo, on the west coast, from 27 January to 1 February. However, birders investing about 5 hours of effort on 2 February failed to relocate it among roughly 3000-4000 LAUGHING GULLS (highest count this winter), a 2nd- winter LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL and a GULL-BILLED TERN. Nevertheless, it may still be present and is best searched for during the rising tide, when gulls resting on extensive mudflats gradually move closer toward land. The Sabine's Gull is highly pelagic during winter and the Atlantic population winters chiefly off the west coast of Africa- -not South America, as mentioned last week; thus, its occurrence in the Gulf of Paria in the absence of any storm activity is highly unusual. The Pacific population winters chiefly off the west coast of South America. It remains uncertain whether the few records from the Caribbean and Trinidad originated from the Atlantic or were blown across the Isthmus of Panama during an autumn hurricane.
At the Public Fish Market in San Fernando, farther south on Trinidad's west coast, the 2nd-winter RING-BILLED GULL* was seen as recently as 2 February and at least two LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS* continue to be seen, the adult as recently as 5 February and a 1st- winter immature as recently as 2 February. LAUGHING GULL numbers at San Fernando vary considerably, ranging from about 300 on 2 February to about 1500 on 3 February.
Elsewhere in Trinidad, recent sightings include: an early COLLARED PLOVER stalking the beach at Erin, on the south coast, on 6 February (earliest date for T&T); an immature BROWN BOOBY fishing off Las Cuevas, on the north coast, on 3 February; two TRINIDAD PIPING-GUANS at the 'Pawi Site' about 1 kilometre south of Grande Riviere, on the north coast, on 2 February; two SHORT-TAILED NIGHTHAWKS at Balandra, on the east coast, on 1 February; and two GREAT BLACK-HAWKS (adult and immature) grappling talons, plus a WHITE-TAILED GOLDENTHROAT, at Plum Mitan on 1 February.
In Tobago, recent sightings include: an AMERICAN COOT* (4th for T&T) and an AMERICAN WIGEON* at Buccoo Swamp on 6 February; a LITTLE EGRET and a BELTED KINGFISHER at Bon Accord Sewage Ponds on 6 February; two PIED-BILLED GREBES in a pond at Lowlands on 6 February; a LEACH'S STORM-PETREL landing on a balcony at Speyside Inn on 5 February; and 80 CARIBBEAN MARTINS swarming over Flagstaff Hill on 4 February.
ORNITHOLOGICAL TIDBIT: Another criticism of the phylogenetic species concept (PSC) is that it focusses on the relative diagnosability of arbitrary patterns, which exist along a continuum, rather than fundamental biological processes. At what point along this continuum is a population diagnosable from another? Furthermore, application of the PSC would elevate most (if not all) currently recognised subspecies to the rank of species, leading to taxonomic instability and a loss of information on evolutionary interactions at different taxonomic and population levels, such as those interbreeding in hybrid zones. Stay tuned next week for discussion of other species concepts.
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.