This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT November 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, highlights from Petite-Terre Nature Reserve were 3 ROSE BREASTED GROSBEAKS, 4 BLACKPOLL WARBLERS and 21 BARN SWALLOWS on 10th Nov; a EURASIAN WHIMBREL on 11th Nov (still present until 2nd Dec); a RING BILLED GULL on 15th Nov and 2 CAPE MAY WARBLERS on 25th Nov. At Basse-Terre, a 2nd winter LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL was present on 18th Nov and a 1st winter RING BILLED GULL the following day During the month, a total of 14 hours seawatching from Petite Terre produced an excellent passage of seabirds including 3 MANX SHEARWATERS, 5 "SMALL SHEARWATER SP" , 2 AUDUBON'S SHEARWATERS, 42 CORY'S SHEARWATERS, 1 SOOTY SHEARWATER, 7 "LARGE SHEARWATER SP", 2 POMARINE JAEGERS, 1 LONG TAILED JAEGER, 2 "JAEGER SP" and 7 unidentified "BOOBY SP"

From St Martin, a EURASIAN WHIMBREL was found on 21-22nd Nov

From Barbados, a RUFF was found at Fosters, a WESTERN REEF HERON at Hope and 2 BLACKPOLL WARBLERS at Harrison Point, all on 14th Nov

From Dominica, a CAPE MAY WARBLER at Anchorage Hotel, Roseau on 20th - 21st Nov .

In Tobago, on 2nd Nov a YELLOW BILLED CUCKOO was found beside the Bloody Bay Rd. On 4th Nov 2 SCARLET TANAGERS * were close to Crown Pt airport; a SORA was at Lowlands and a STRIPED OWL was found close to the Windward Rd at Speyside. On 6th Nov, a SCARLET TANAGER * was found at Cuffie River (still present until 17th Nov at least) Early morning at Bon Accord sewage lagoons on 14th Nov produced single NEOTROPIC CORMORANT* (1st for Tobago), LITTLE EGRET, adult female RING NECKED DUCK*, adult female NORTHERN PINTAIL*( still present until 17th at least), 2 WHITE WINGED SWALLOWS and a BLACKPOLL WARBLER. On the same date, an OLIVACEOUS WOODCREEPER was confidingly close to the visitor lookout at Grafton Sanctuary. On 17th Nov, 2 BOBOLINKS were at Bon Accord together with 2 STILT SANDPIPERS and a MANGROVE CUCKOO . On 23rd Nov, a WHITE TAILED TROPICBIRD* was reported from the seabird cliffs on Little Tobago and the following day the first returning BLACK THROATED MANGO of the season was reported from Cuffie river and a late STILT SANDPIPER was still present at Bon Accord

In the northern range of Trinidad, belated news from the Asa Wright Nature Centre, where the first reported OLIVE SIDED FLYCATCHER of the season was found on 10th Oct, a BLACK WHISKERED VIREO * was seen from the balcony on 29th Oct and a BLACKPOLL WARBLER was present on 29th-30th Oct. In the current month, a ROSE BREASTED GROSBEAK * was observed on 10th and 14th Nov, a MOTTLED OWL was heard shortly before dawn on 13th Nov and a juvenile ORNATE HAWK-EAGLE was seen distantly perched on a number of dates through the month. On 11th Nov, a ROSE BREASTED GROSBEAK * was reported from Gomes trace, Brasso Seco and a SCALED ANTPITTA was lured into view along the Blanchisseuse Rd

From central Trinidad, a GRAY NECKED WOOD-RAIL was found along Xenes Lane, Carlsen Field on 11th Nov together with 2 probable BLACKPOLL WARBLERS. A LESSER ELAENIA* was reported from the same site on 15th Nov. At the month end, a CRANE HAWKS * was present in the same area on 29th Nov (there is a possibility of two birds involved) and a LITTLE CUCKOO was found the following day.

From south western Trinidad, 2 BELTED KINGFISHERS were seen at Point a Pierre Wildfowl Trust on 15th Nov

From western Trinidad, the first MERLIN of the season flew over Waterloo on 1st Nov and 2 STRIPE BACKED BITTERNS were at Sumaria trace on 7th Nov. A 1st winter RING BILLED GULL* was perched on the boats at Waterloo on 12th Nov and a 1st winter LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL was at Orange Valley on 30th Nov

From eastern Trinidad, 2 AZURE GALLINULES were found in Nariva swamp, close to Kernaham trace on 13th Nov

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"