This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2002-15) for 12 April 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 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 662-9327 (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 Tobago, a 'MYSTERY SWALLOW', described as being bluish-black with a white rump, no white on the wings and no white superciliary, was carefully studied at Fort George, Plymouth, on 7 April. This description tantalizingly resembles that of HOUSE MARTIN* (potential 1st for T&T and South America). There are two previous records from the region, both from Barbados in October and November (see SCBA 1999-41, 1999-42, 2000-44).

Elsewhere in Tobago, an adult male HOOK-BILLED KITE* (3rd for Tobago) was well observed as it soared over Blue Waters Inn on 1 April.

Along the east coast of Trinidad, the incredibly elusive CRANE HAWK* (1st for T&T), possibly accompanied by another of the same species, was found in Nariva Swamp on 27 March. Obviously it is wandering about the island. An adult CRESTED CARACARA* was also seen in Nariva Swamp on 27 March.

Along the west coast of Trinidad, a WHITE-TAILED KITE* was seen at the Waterloo High School on 8 April. A brief survey of birds in the tiny, seldom visited Five Islands on 7 April produced four new bird species for the archipelago, including MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD on Caledonia and Craig Islands, SPOTTED SANDPIER on Lenagan Island, LAUGHING GULL on Pelican, Caledonia and Lenagan Islands, and BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER on Caledonia Island. Several other species were new for individual islands. Most surprising was a concentration of 30 foraging COMMON TERNS at Pelican Island.

In the Northern Range of Trinidad, an ORANGE-BILLED NIGHTINGALE-THRUSH, a YELLOW-LEGGED THRUSH and an AMERICAN REDSTART were seen at Morne Bleu on 10 April. An adult male BAY-BREASTED WARBLER* in partial breeding plumage was seen near Blanchisseuse on 26 March. At Caribbean Union College, Maracas Valley, a polygyandrous quartet (two males, two females) of TROPICAL MOCKINGBIRDS is currently raising young in a single nest in which the first of five eggs hatched on 12 April.

In Guadeloupe, a two-hour seabird watch at the Nature Reserve of Petite-Terre on 7 April produced three MANX SHEARWATERS, three WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS, two LEACH'S STORM-PETRELS, a MASKED BOOBY, a BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, a POMARINE JAEGER, a PARASITIC JAEGER, 22 unidentified seabirds and two unidentified whales.

BIRDS OF A FEATHER: The Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute in Chaguaramas, Trinidad, will be sponsoring a Birdwatching / Birding Guide Certificate Programme. Scheduled for Monday and Wednesday evenings at 5-8 pm from 6-22 May, the programme will include a series of evening lectures by local ornithologists/birders/tour guides plus two field trips in Trinidad. For further details, please contact Claudelle McKellar (tel. 634-1314, e-mail: claudemckellar@hotmail.com).

ORNITHOLOGICAL TIDBIT: Continuing with our theme of species concepts, the pluralist species concept states that a variety of species concepts are necessary to adequately capture the complexity of variation patterns in nature. Thus, species would be non-comparable among groups and a definition of species would be taxon-specific.

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.