This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT Jan 2008 summary of sightings through the Region. Sponsored by the TT 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, TT Rare Bird Committee and our Photo Gallery are accessible at “http://www.wow.net/ttfnc” . Reports should be sent to Martyn Kenefick tel 674.7609; Email “martynkenefick@hotmail.com” The TT Rare Birds Committee requires details for species indicated with an asterisk.
 
From Antigua, 2 LESSER SCAUP were found on Jolly Harbour pools on 30st Dec together with 25 RUDDY DUCKS. From the same site, a LITTLE EGRET was present on 31st Dec and a peak count of 47 WEST INDIAN WHISTLING-DUCKS on 5th Jan. From Potworks Dam, 2 LESSER SCAUP, 2 WEST INDIAN WHISTLING DUCKS and a RING NECKED DUCK were found in early Jan. In the forest surrounding Wallings Reservoir, there were 3 BLACK AND WHITE WARBLERS on 30th Dec; 2 NORTHERN PARULAS on 31st Dec and a peak of 6 AMERICAN REDSTARTS on 3rd Jan.
Elsewhere on the island further WEST INDIAN WHISTLING DUCKS were found with 2 at North Sound, 2 on McKinnons Salt Pond and a single bird at Collins Dam. Finally a KILLDEER was at North Sount on 3rd Jan. One unfortunate piece of habitat news involves McKinnons Salt Pond. It has been ‘beautified’ over the last few months (apparently having been in consultation with a conservation body). The result is that all the shallow muddy areas have been dredged and the bird numbers have reduced greatly. Hopefully this is just a temporary set back.
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From Guadeloupe, sea watching from Petit -terre Nature Reserve during January produced a 2nd winter NORTHER GANNET (4th record for Guada) and a probable BLACK CAPPED PETREL Back on the reserve, there were 60 BLUE WINGED TEALS and single RING NECKED DUCK and GREEN WINGED TEAL on 10th Jan. At Port Louis single BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER and PRAIRIE WARBLER were found on 5th Jan with a male HOODED WARBLER on the 27th
At Point a Pitre a RING BILLED GULL was seen on 1st Jan and the first CARIBBEAN MARTINS of the season arrived on 25th Jan . At Saint Francois, a KILLDEER was found on 8th Jan with two birds present on the 26th and an OVENBIRD was found on Petit-Canal on 10th Jan. Finally the SNOW GOOSE mentioned from Desirade Is in last months bulletin was still present and was trapped and banded on the 26th
 
From Barbados, a SPOTTED REDSHANK at Chancery Lane found on 30th Dec remainder throughout January. Other noteworthy species at the end of 2007 included single BLACK HEADED and RING BILLED GULLS. At Packers on 20 Jan a pair of BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS with c7 well-grown ducklings, 10 RING-NECKED DUCKS, 2 NORTHERN SHOVELER, 2 AMERICAN WIGEON, 1 GREEN-WINGED TEAL and 100+ BLUE-WINGED TEAL.
 
The Trinidad Christmas Bird Count organized by Asa Wright was held on 30th Jan and produced a total of 5947 birds representing 175 species. Whilst there were mo major rarities encountered, highlights included a roost of 1990 SCARLET IBIS, 2 RUDDY QUAIL-DOVE, 2 HEPATIC TANAGERS and a RUFOUS NECKED WOOD RAIL. Altogether 57 birders participated in an area radius of 15 miles form Asa Wright from 5.00am - 9.00pm .
 
From west Trinidad, a SPOTTED RAIL* and up to 3 SORAS were found in a small area of freshwater swamp close to Cacandee and 2 PROTHONOTARY WARBERS were seen nearby along Bernard trace, all on 25th Jan
 
From south west Trinidad, a COCOI HERON was seen at Icacos lagoons on 5th Jan. Another COCOI HERON and 2 PINNATED BITTERNS were found in the freshwater marsh at Sudams steps on 12th Jan whilst at least 26 DICKCISSELS flew over. At Forest Reserve, close to Pt Fortin, a BLACK HAWK-EAGLE was again seen the same day. On 13th Jan, another BLACK HAWK EAGLE was found at Barrackpore.
 
From south Trinidad, a female BAY BREASTED WARBLER * was found at Trinity Hills on 25th Jan
From eastern Trinidad, small flocks totaling at least 220 DICKCISSELS were flying south over Kernaham settlement on 5th Jan. In the same area, a pair of WHITE TAILED GOLDENTHROATS were found whilst in some coastal mangrove at North Manzanilla, probably 4 different PYGMY KINGFISHERS were found together with a SILVERED ANTBIRD
 
In central Trinidad at La Vega, an extremely early report of a pair of SWALLOW TANAGERS on 4th Jan - this may be the first record of this species away from the Northern range
 
RARE BIRD REPORTING :- many of the identifications from Trinidad and Tobago reported in the SCBA are tentative. The TT 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”