This is the SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2002-21) for 22 May 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 Guadeloupe, the highlight of a 1.25 hour seabird watch from the Nature Reserve of Petite-Terre on 13 May was an intermediate morph SOUTH POLAR SKUA; other seabirds tallied include five MANX SHEARWATERS, the first CORY'S SHEARWATER of the season, 18 WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS, a LEACH'S STORM-PETREL and four PARASITIC JAEGERS. On 14 May, a SOOTY SHEARWATER was seen in the channel between Petite-Terre and la Pointe des Chateaux. On 15 May, at least three ANTILLEAN NIGHTHAWKS were found at Belle-Plaine; another at Destrelan on 15 May was first noted on 23 April.

Along the north coast of Trinidad, about 50 ROSEATE TERNS were found nesting on a vegetated islet off Petite Tacarib Bay on 11 May, providing the 1st nesting record for Trinidad.

In the Caroni Plain of Trinidad, recent sightings in the Caroni Rice Fields include: a LEAST BITTERN, two STRIPE-BACKED BITTERNS, two LONG-WINGED HARRIERS (dark and light), eight FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCKS, 35 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, 93 COLLARED PLOVERS, 57 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, 11 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS, ten STILT SANDPIPERS, 29 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, seven LESSER YELLOWLEGS and 49 LARGE-BILLED TERNS. The immature SNAIL KITE was seen on 18 May.

Along the south coast of Trinidad, a nesting pair of SPOTTED TODY- FLYCATCHERS was found at the edge of mangroves beside the beach at Erin on 17 May. The band of a COMMON TERN was recovered several km off Chatham in the Columbus Channel on 17 May; the USFWS number was 1182-49399.

Along the west coast of Trinidad, a COCOI HERON, two GREATER ANIS, two NORTHERN SCRUB-FLYCATCHERS and a BRAN-COLORED FLYCATCHER were tallied at Cacandee on 16 May. A GREEN-THROATED MANGO was seen in Caroni Swamp on 16 May. A tally of 52 ROYAL TERNS at Orange Valley on 18 May was surprisingly high for so late in the season.

Finally, a COCOI HERON was seen in Nariva Swamp, along Trinidad's east coast, on 13 May.

ORNITHOLOGICAL TIDBIT: Does the Swainson's Hawk migrate across the Caribbean? Although this species breeds in North America, the vast majority of individuals migrate through Central America and winter in southern South America. However, a few individuals winter in southern Florida, from where they may potentially migrate southward across the Caribbean. According to W. Hoffman and H. Darrow (1992. Migration of diurnal raptors from the Florida Keys into the West Indies. Hawk Migration Association of North America Migration Studies Oct.:7-14), most Swainson's Hawks in the Florida Keys are immatures, whose numbers peak in late October and November; although some winter, most apparently retreat northward to winter on the mainland of southern Florida. Stay tuned next week to further clues.

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.