This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT July & August 2004 summary of sightings through the Region. Sponsored by the T&T Field Naturalists Club, our aim is to promote birding and ornithology by fostering communication among resident and visiting birders regarding the study of birds in the region. The SCBA and information about TTFNC, T&T Rare Bird Committee and our Photo Gallery are accessible atof "http://www.wow.net/ttfnc" . Reports should be sent to Martyn Kenefick tel 674.7609; Email "martynkenefick@hotmail.com" The T&T Rare Birds Committee requires details for species indicated with an asterisk.

From Guadeloupe, a 1st summer LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL was present from 25th July - 20th Aug. This is the first record for at least 20 yrs. Also present on the island have been 8 ANTILLIAN NIGHTHAWKS at Lamentin on 8th Aug and the 1st BARN SWALLOW of the season on 15th Aug. From Pointe des Chââteaux SNOWY PLOVER, WHITE RUMPED SANDPIPER, and CLIFF SWALLOW were all found on 30th Aug. A RUDDY TURNSTONE originally banded at Delaware Bay, USA in 2001 appeared again for its 4th wintering season on 27th Aug at Petite Terre Nature Reserve. Finally a roost of 1,350 CARIBBEAN MARTINS were in Pointe àà Pitre town centre on 31st August

In the norther range of Trinidad, the highlight from Asa Wright Nature Centre has been a report of a TENNESSEE WARBLER* seen briefly on 12th Aug. Also from Asa Wright a party of 15 CHANNEL BILLED TOUCANS on 7th July; 5 SWALLOW TAILED KITES on 22nd July and a male SWALLOW TANAGER seen intermittently between 9th - 19th Aug

On the west coast of Trinidad, at Brickfields an unseasonal juvenile DICKCISSEL was seen on 25th Aug. Also present amongst the large number of LARGE BILLED and YELLOW BILLED TERNS were 24 COMMON TERNS, 2 GULL BILLED TERNS and a LEAST TERN. Amongst the 17 species of shorebird at the high tide roost were 2 RED KNOTS and a WILSON'S PLOVER

In central Trinidad, a male WHITE WINGED BECARD was seen along Mexico Rd on 1st July. On 25th July, a party of between 60-80 BLUE HEADED PARROTS were seen from the summit of Mt Tamana. At the Aripo Agriculture Stn, at least 6 GRASSLAND YELLOW FINCHES were still present on 30th Aug, together with 25 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, 15 LEAST SANDPIPERS, 12 SOUTH AMERICAN SNIPE, 10 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, 2 each of SEMI PALMATED and SOLITARY SANDPIPERS, plus a PINNATED BITTERN

From south west Trinidad, a DARK BILLED CUCKOO * (only the 2nd sighting in well over 15 yrs) was present at San Francique, Penal on 29th- 3rd Aug

RARE BIRD REPORTING :- many of the identifications from Trinidad and Tobago reported in the SCBA are tentative. The T&T Rare Birds Committee, founded 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 - Email "martynkenefick@hotmail.com"