SCBA February 2009 Summary

This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT February 2009 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 at “http:///ttfnc.org” . 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.

Perhaps the most dramatic development throughout the region during the month has been the presence of exhausted, and sometimes moribund BLACK LEGGED KITTIWAKES found on several islands. To date there have been five picked up in Guadeloupe and two in Barbados which all died .A 1^st winter plumaged bird passed South Pt, Barbados on the 22^nd and one in Tobago was picked up in an exhausted state and subsequently released on 13^th Feb.

In Dominica, on 1^st Feb, 6 WHITE -TAILED TROPICBIRDS at the regular breeding site of Tareau, and 2 more south of Loubiere.

In Tobago, belated news of a reported HOODED MERGANSER* at Bon Accord on 22^nd Jan. (potentially 1^st for T&T). At least 3 GRAY THROATED LEAFTOSSERS were present along Gilpin trace on 5^th Feb whilst on the 18^th an adult RINGED BILLED GULL and a sub-adult HERRING GULL* were reported on from Coco Reef Bay. On the same date, a MASKED DUCK appeared on a lake at Lowlands accompanying the party of 7 RING-NECKED DUCKS* which were present all month

In Trinidad , the focus of attention for most local birders has been the high tide sea and shorebird roost on the west coast tidal mudflats. Throughout the month there have been up to 2000 LAUGHING GULLS and 5 LESSER BLACK BACKED GULLS who’s presence obviously lured in a near-adult plumaged GREATER BLACK-BACKED GULL * (1^st for T&T) from 31^st Jan - 28^th Feb; a 1^st winter plumaged GREATER BLACK-BACKED GULL from 23^rd - 28^th Feb; an adult RING-BILLED GULL and adult BLACK-HEADED GULL both on the 24^th ; a 1^st winter BLACK HEADED GULL on 25^th and a different 1^st winter 26^th - 28^th Feb. Also found in the area were peak counts of 1437 SEMI PALMATED SANDPIPERS, 1100 SEMI PALMATED PLOVERS and 550 WESTERN SANDPIPERS, 11 WILSON’S PLOVERS, 2 RED KNOT, 35 LARGE BILLED TERNS (first reported for the season on 18^thFeb) and a YELLOW-BILLED TERN (first reported for the season on 25^th Feb).
Close by the ROSEATE SPOONBILL * previously reported on 6^th Dec 2008 was seen flying over the highway near the Caroni exit and a COCOI HERON was in Caroni swamp both on 16^th Feb.

In south west Trinidad, a COCOI HERON and an unidentified Sporophila SEEDEATER at Sudama Steps on 7^th Feb .

On the east-west corridor of Trinidad, 3 WHITE HAWKS flying low over San Juan on 8^th Feb was a surprise

From the northern range of Trinidad, at Asa Wright Nature Centre, a BLACK WHISKERED VIREO* was found on 24^th Jan and the first reported SWALLOW-TAILED KITE of the season the following day. A BLACK HAWK-EAGLE * was seen soaring over the valley on 29^th Jan and a BROWN VIOLETEAR was present on 11^th Feb

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”