This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT June 2005 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 Barbados, a GLOSSY IBIS was found at Packers Swamp on 22nd June, also present were 2 GREAT BLUE HERONS and an AMERICAN COOT.
From Guadaloupe, news of a 3.5 hr seawatch on 21st June where in 45km/hr winds 114 GREAT SHEARWATERS, 34 CORY'S SHEARWATERS and a further 25 large shearwater Sp passed. On 16th June at least 8 singing male ANTILLIAN NIGHTHAWKS were heard around Lamentin. Finally a pair of WILSON'S PLOVERS have bred on Petite Terre nature reserve (1st breeding record). There are 2 pulli.
From Tobago, a male HOOK BILLED KITE * was seen passing over Lowlands on5th June and on the 6th, 2 BLACK SKIMMERS were beside Bon Accord sewage ponds . On 8th June, a SWALLOW TAILED KITE* was seen over Gilpin trace. On 18th June, a SCALY NAPED PIGEON * (possibly the same bird as found at Speyside in February and a 1st for T&T) was seen along Shirvan Rd, close to Turtle Beach
From central Trinidad, visits to Waller Field on 9th June produced a CRANE HAWK * clambering about in the bowls of moriche palms searching for (presumably) lizards; a pale morph LONG WINGED HARRIER; at least 2 WHITE TAILED GOLDENTHROATS; 7 RED BELLIED MACAWS; a BRAN COLOURED FLYCATCHER and a pair of WHITE WINGED BECARDS. On 16th June a PYGMY KINGFISHER was found and on 29th June birds included single STREAK HEADED WOODCREEPER, LESSER ELAENIA, WHITE WINGED BECARD and RUDDY BREASTED SEEDEATER. Also 12 RED BELLIED MACAWS and 2 WHITE TAILED GOLDENTHROATS. Birding in the Aripo Savannah at Cumuto on 23rd June produced single BAT FALCON, CRIMSON CRESTED WOODPECKER and MORICHE ORIOLE together with 4 BLACK TAILED TITYRA, 14 RED BELLIED MACAWS and 32 LILAC TAILED PARROTLETS.
From north eastern Trinidad, at Grande Riviere, 4 TRINIDAD PIPING GUANS were found on 22nd May together with 11 PLUMBEOUS KITES and 7 SWALLOW TAILED KITES.
From eastern Trinidad, a COCOI HERON and 2 adult RUFESCENT TIGER HERONS were found at Nariva on 3rd June and a further juvenile RUFESCENT TIGER HERON was found at Bush Bush on 21st June
In north west Trinidad, a hike to Morne Catherine on 25th June produced 77 species including 2 VARIEGATED FLYCATCHERS, a FUSCOUS FLYCATCHER and 2 TRINIDAD EUPHONIAS
On the west coast of Trinidad, single RINGED, GREEN and PYGMY KINGFISHERS were seen at Cacandee on 11th June together with at least 7 RED CAPPED CARDINALS and a STRAIGHT BILLED WOODCREEPER
From south west Trinidad 2 adult male MASKED DUCKS were found at the Pitch Lake on 19th June
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"