This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2003-34) for 2nd Nov 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 :

Highlight of the week comes from Grenada where a MAGNOLIA WARBLER was found at Westerhall Point together with 2 PROTHONOTARY WARBLERS on 24th Oct. On the same day a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was present at Petite Baceye, a SORA, 33 BLUE WINGED TEAL and a pair of CARIBBEAN COOT were at Lasagesse. On 25th Oct there was an AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER at Lance Aux Epines, 3 BLACKPOLL WARBLERS at Levra National Park Housing Development, 8 AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS near Pearls and a YELLOW BILLED CUCKOO at Morne Rouge Bay.

>From Barbados,a summary of October highlights from Harrison Point, St Lucy, include a SUMMER TANAGER (4th for Barbados) between Oct 18-26th; BLACKPOLL WARBLERS each weekend with a peak of 6 on 26th Oct; 13 sightings of YELLOW BILLED CUCKOO with a peak of 4 on 25th Oct; RED EYED VIREOS on 5th, 11th and 26th Oct; BOBOLINKS on 5th, 12th and 19th and "aestiva"YELLOW WARBLERS on 25th-26th Oct Additionally at Fosters, St Lucy there were 2 BLACK BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS on Oct 16th; together with single NORTHER PINTAIL and GREEN WINGED TEAL on Oct 25th. The first PEREGRINE of the season was at Newcastle St John on Oct 15th with a NIGHTHAWK sp there on the 20th. A WILSON'S PLOVER was at Chancery Lane on Oct 12th, a KILLDEER at Mangrove, St Philip on Oct 19th and at Graeme Hall one downy chick was seen at a LITTLE EGRET nest on Oct 27th. Also of interest from Barbados is a report of a passage of approx 100 Painted Lady butteflies on NE coast on Oct. 12th, the largest number seen for at least 10 years and singleWhite-tailed Page-moths seen at Harrison Point, Oistins and Inch Marlowe on Oct. 19 - the first records since 1995.

In western Trinidad, both STRIPE BACKED AND LEAST BITTERNS were present along Sumaria trace on 26th Oct, together with a MERLIN and 6 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS. On 2nd Nov birds seen there included STRIPED BACKED BITTERN, 2 PEREGRINES, AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER, IWHITE RUMPED and PECTORAL SANDPIPERS. Close by, at Cacandee a YELLOW BILLED CUCKOO* was found at the end of Bernard Trace. Also present in the area were a pair of PALE BREASTED SPINETAILS feeding a fledgling STRIPED CUCKOO, CLAPPER RAIL, RINGED, GREEN and PYGMY KINGFISHERS, 3 BROWN CRESTED and 3 NORTHER SCRUB FLYCATCHERS

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"