This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT May 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 Guadeloupe, news of a CHIMNEY SWIFT found on 19th May at Petite Terre Nature reserve (1st for Lesser Antilles). Also at the same site , in a rarity packed month for the island a SHORT TAILED SWIFT (1st for Guadeloupe) on 12th & 18th May; a female BOBOLINK (2nd spring record for Guadeloupe) and 2 RED EYED VIREOS all on 15th May; a male SCARLET TANAGER on 18th May and the first GREATER SHEARWATER of the season passing on the 31st . Elsewhere, a MAGNOLIA WARBLER was found on La Deesirade Is on 1st May together with an ARCTIC TERN (2nd for Guadeloupe) flying two miles offshore; and from Ste Anne, a male NORTHERN PINTAIL from 9th - 15th May and a GLOSSY IBIS until 26th May at least

From Dominica, news of a WHITE WINGED DOVE at Savane Paille on 17th May.

From Grenada, 3 AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS were found on 2nd May at La Sagesse bay, St David.

From Tobago, the first reported AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER of the season was found at Turtle Beach on 7th May

From the west coast of Trinidad a party of about 10 BLUE AND WHITE SWALLOWS were seen at Waterloo on 9th May. At Brechin Castle, a flock of at least 30 COMMON WAXBILLS were present on 20th May.

From central Trinidad, 2 WHITE TAILED GOLDENTHROATS, 2 LITTLE CUCKOOS and a pair of nesting LESSER ELAENIAS * (nest with one egg) were found at Waller Field on 18th May together with good numbers of commoner species including 20 RUBY TOPAZ, 15 RED LEGGED HONEYCREEPERS and 10 COMMON GROUND-DOVES . Sadly, on a revisit to the site on 28th May, whilst there was still one LESSER ELAENIA present in the area, the nest had been abandoned, and the egg was missing. Also on the same date, 2 CRANE HAWKS *, 3 BLUE HEADED PARROTS, 1 WHITE WINGED BECARD and 2 BRAN COLOURED FLYCATCHERS were found. On Caroni Rice fields a COCOI HERON, STRIPE BACKED BITTERN 5 FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK, 25 LIMPKIN, and at least 40 FORK TAILED FLYCATCHERS were present on 20th May

From the east coast of Trinidad, a CRESTED CARACARA * was reported from Nariva swamp on 8th May

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"