This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT (2003-35.) for 9th. 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 :

>From Barbados, a GREENSHANK (5th record for Barbados) wads found on 1st Nov at Hannays, St Lucy, but not seen since. Other sightings include a HUDSONIAN GODWIT at Fosters, St. Lucy on 1st-2nd Nov and from the norther swamps over the same weekend c 40 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, c.20 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, 4 STILT SANDPIPER c. 40 WHITE RUMPED SANDPIPERS and at least 4 WESTERN SANDPIPERS. At Harrison Point, up to 3 YELLOW BILLED CUCKOOS and up to 4 BLACKPOLL WARBLERS were present 1st-2nd Nov.

>From Guadeloupe, on 17th Oct, a GLOSSY IBIS (2nd for Guadeloupe) was found on Saint Franccois aerodrome - present until 4th Nov at least. Also on 17th a PEREGRINE FALCON was present at La Pointe des Chââteaux together with 5 RED-BILLED TROPICBIRDS . A late ANTILLEAN NIGHTHAWK was still present the 15th October at Belle-Plaine. Un-precedented numbers of certain Nearctic migrant land-birds continue to appear at the Nature Reserve of Petite-Terre . On 20th October, 24 BLACKPOLL WARBLERS, 11 YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS, 2 BOBOLINKS a ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK and an INDIGO BUNTING were present. The PIPING PLOVER continue to winters at Petite -Terre

>From Tobago, a SORA, 2 HUDSONIAN GODWITS, 32 AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER, a BUFF BREASTED SANDPIPER and 3 YELLOW BILLED CUCKOOS were in the Lowlands area on 28th Oct. Numbers of BOBOLINKS have been dramatic in recent days. Following 2 seen above Blue Waters Inn on 30th Oct, a flock of at least 60 have been feeding close to Bon Accord Sewage lagoons up to 5th Nov at least. On Gilpin trace, a GRAY THROATED LEAFTOSSER was seen briefly on 2nd Nov In the northern range of Trinidad, a GREY NECKED WOOD-RAIL was found close to the estuary of the Mariannre river on 6th Nov

CONSERVATION NEWS:- the reintroduction programme of the BLUE AND YELLOW MACAW into south-east Trinidad is about to enter phase two with the scheduled imminent release of a further 20 birds. Following the initial release of 18 birds several years ago, there have been widespread sightings throughout the area and reports of 9 fledged young.

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"