This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2002-28) for 26 July 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).
PHOTO GALLERY: Photos from Trinidad of Black Skimmer (missing lower bill), Comb Duck, White-faced Whistling-Ducks (juveniles), Little Egret and Lesser Black-backed Gull are now posted at the SCBA website. A new 'Mystery Bird' photo, along with the answer to the last 'Mystery Bird' photo, are also posted at the SCBA website.
HOTSHOTS IN HOT SPOTS: In Guadeloupe, a remarkably early or perhaps summering CLIFF SWALLOW turned up at La Pointe des Chateaux, but not date was provided.
In the Caroni Rice Fields of Trinidad, a breeding-plumaged adult AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER (4th consecutive summer with June or July records) turned up on 20 July. Other noteworthy bird records include: a non-breeding plumaged LITTLE EGRET, a STRIPE-BACKED BITTERN and a PINNATED BITTERN on 20 July; a juvenile SCARLET IBIS on 21 July; up to five FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCKS on 21 July; a light-morph LONG-WINGED HARRIER on 20 and 21 July; up to three SOLITARY SANDPIPERS on 20 July; at least 100 GREATER AND LESSER YELLOWLEGS on 20 July.
Elsewhere in Trinidad, a lingering BARN SWALLOW (1st summering record) was still present at the Trincity Sewage Ponds on 26 July and 20 COMMON TERNS were noted at San Fernando on 21 July.
ORNITHOLOGICAL TIDBIT: Are Striated Heron and Green Heron distinct species? No according to R. B. Payne (Bull. Brit. Ornithol. Club 94:81-88, 1974), who believed extensive hybridization between the two taxa provided evidence of free interbreeding. Yes according to B. L. Monroe, Jr., and M. R. Browning (Bull. Brit. Ornithol. Club 112:81- 85, 1992), who concluded hybridization was nonexistant or rare. In a recent reanalysis titled "Geographic variation, hybridization, and taxonomy of New World Butorides Herons" (North American Birds 56:4- 10), F. E. Hayes concluded that the presence of seeming 'pure' phenotypes of both parental forms within the hybrid zone suggested that assortative mating occurred, providing evidence that the two taxa should be treated as distinct species.
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.