This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2003-33) for 24th Oct 2003 Sponsored by the T&T Field Naturalist 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, T&T Rare Birds Committee and Photo Gallery are accessible at http://www.wow.net/ttfnc. Reports should be sent to Martyn Kenefick by phone at 674-7609 or by Email at "martynkenefick@hotmail.com" The TTRBC requests details for species indicated with an asterisk (see website above and RARE BIRD REPORTING below)

BIRDING NEWS :

In Tobago, a flock of approx 20 BOBOLINKS * were found at Buccoo on 16th Oct .At Lowlands on 23rd Oct, 2 MASKED DUCKS, a female RUFF * and no less than 6 BLACKPOLL WARBLERS were found. On the same date a BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER* was close to the entrance to Gilpin trace

In central Trinidad at Wallerfield on 18th Oct, there was no sign of the CRANE HAWK reported from the previous weekend. However single GRAY HEADED KITE, ZONE TAILED and SAVANNAH HAWKS were present together with 2 PLAIN BREASTED GROUND DOVES, 7 RED BELLIED MACAWS and 2 SULPHURY FLYCATCHERS. At Mid Centre Mall a flock of at least 20 LESSER NIGHTHAWKS were seen hawking insects drawn into the car park lights on the night of 18th Oct.

In the northern range, a hike down Guanpo valley on 19th Oct produced 2 RUDDY QUAIL-DOVES, 2 GRAY THROATED LEAFTOSSERS, 2 SLATY CAPPED FLYCATCHERS, 3 EULER'S FLYCATCHERS, BLACKPOLL WARBLER , 8-10 AMERICAN REDSTARTS and a TRINIDAD EUPHONIA

On the east coast at Bush Bush two flocks, each numbering 100-150, RED BELLIED MACAWS were seen feeding in some Moriche palms

In the north west, the first MERLIN of the season was seen at Westmoorings on 16th Oct

RARE BIRD REPORTING :- Do we believe what you see ? We want to ! Many of the identifications reported in the SCBA are tentative. For birds found in Trinidad & Tobago, the T&T Rare Birds 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 - Email "martynkenefick@hotmail.com"