This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2002-32) for 20 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: Along the north coast of Trinidad, an adult male CARIBBEAN MARTIN* (4th for Trinidad) was found associating with seven presumed GRAY-BREASTED MARTINS at Galera Point, Trinidad, on 20 August. Land-based seabirding from Galera Point has been outstanding within the past week. A 4.5 hour seabird watch on 20 August produced four immature BROWN BOOBIES, six GULL-BILLED TERNS (1st from northeast Trinidad), a BLACK TERN, a BRIDLED TERN, five BRIDLED/SOOTY TERNS, two LEAST TERNS, seven 'CAYENNE' TERNS, and roughly 300 BROWN NODDIES, 100 ROSEATE TERNS and 500 COMMON TERNS. More than 500 migrant shorebirds were tallied, most of which could not be identified; however, those identified include a BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, eight WHIMBRELS, eight WILLETS, 13 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS, two LESSER YELLOWLEGS and a SPOTTED SANDPIPER. A 1 hour seabird watch on 17 September produced an immature BROWN BOOBY, 15 LEAST TERNS, two BRIDLED TERNS, 35 BROWN NODDIES, 50 ROSEATE/COMMON TERNS (mostly ROSEATE), a RUDDY TURNSTONE, a SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER and two BARN SWALLOWS.

Elsewhere along the north coast, two TRINIDAD PIPING-GUANS, six WHITE-COLLARED SWIFTS and a SILVERED ANTBIRD were seen at the 'Pawi Site' about 1 kilometre south of Grande Riviere on 17 August.

In the Caroni Rice Fields, noteworthy birds seen on 18 August include: three LITTLE EGRETS (two non-breeding plumaged, one breeding plumaged), a STRIPE-BACKED BITTERN, three juvenile SCARLET IBISES, only two FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCKS, a light-morph LONG-WINGED HARRIER, an oiled LESSER YELLOWLEGS only about 75% of its normal size, a RUDDY TURNSTONE, a WILLET, six RED KNOTS, a PLAIN-BREASTED GROUND-DOVE and two COMMON WAXBILLS.

Along the west coast, a ZONE-TAILED HAWK, seven RED KNOTS, two GULL- BILLED TERNS and 75 COMMON TERNS were tallied at Waterloo on 18 August. A NACUNDA NIGHTHAWK was seen at South Oropouche Swamp at dusk on 18 August.

ORNITHOLOGICAL TIDBIT: Where do Caribbean Martins winter? This subject was discussed in earlier tidbits (see SCBA 2002-17, 2002-18).

In an article titled "Caribbean Martins (Progne dominicensis) overwinter at a roost in Bridgetown, Barbados" (Pitirre 14:128-129, 2001), M. D. Frost and E. B. Massiah report that prior to the winter of 2000-2001, Caribbean Martins had been seen in Barbados only three times in December and twice in January. In 2000-2001, a small roost of martins was found wintering in Bridgetown. Of 459 individuals counted at the roost in late summer 2000, the number dwindled to as low as 29 in December 2000 and 15 in January 2001, and climbed up to 30 in February and 40 in March 2001. An estimated two-thirds were juveniles or females. Despite the documented presence of a few individuals wintering in Barbados, the primary winter range of this species remains one of the outstanding mysteries in Caribbean ornithology.

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@hotmail.com.