This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT November 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 at "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 Antigua, a 1st winter BLACK HEADED GULL and a 2nd winter RING BILLED GULL at McKinnons salt pond from 22nd - 26th Oct Also on 26th Oct, a drake AMERICAN WIGEON was found on pools close to Jolly Harbour.

From Barbados, on 6th Nov two gulls showing characterstics of YELLOW-LEGGED GULL were seen at Chancery Lane, a first winter and a third year bird . On 7th Nov a LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER at Spring Hall, St. Lucy and higher than usual numbers of YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS were present along the north coast. On 8th Nov a CHIMNEY SWIFT was present at Graeme Hall Swamp where at least one ANHINGA is still present. On 9th Nov, 2 FRANKLIN'S GULLS (1st for Barbados) and a WILSON'S PHALAROPE inland briefly at Golden Grove. On 12th Nov a DICKCISSEL (2nd for Barbados) was at Hannay's, St. Lucy in a flock of Grassland Yellow Finches. A CASPIAN TERN (first for 40 years) and a LEAST BITTERN were both present at Foster's Swamp on 27th Nov

From Guadeloupe, 13 NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH were found at Le Gosier on 22nd Nov. On 23rd 89 PIED BILLED GREBES and a LESSER SCAUP were a Gaschet Res. A YELLOW BILLED CUCKOO at Petit terre Nature reserve on 24th Nov is the latest date for this migrant. The range of HOUSE SPARROW is ever expanding, with 5 seen at Capesterre Beau on 29th Nov and a RINGED KINGFISHER was seen on 30th at Petit-Bourg

From Tobago, 2 EULER'S FLYCATCHER * were reported from Gilpin trace on 24th Nov. If accepted this will be the first record of this species for the island. On the same date, a BLACK WHISKERED VIREO (2nd for Tobago) was seen at the same locality.

From central Trinidad, a female HOOK BILLED KITE * soared over Waller Field on 3rd Nov. Also present were at least 40 LILAC TAILED PARROTLETS, 14 RED BELLIED MACAWS, single LITTLE CUCKOO, PYGMY KINGFISHER and STREAK HEADED WOODCREEPER.

On the west coast of Trinidad, a CASPIAN TERN* (only the 2nd record for T&T, and the first for 53 years) was seen briefly at Orange Valley on 23rd Nov. (This follows a report of what is undoubtedly the same individual, sitting on the middle of the runway at Waller Field a couple of days previously.) Also in the Waterloo-Carli Bay coast during the period 23rd - 28th Nov were 3 second summer LESSER BLACK BACKED GULLS; the long staying RING BILLED GULL ; a peak of 46 LARGE BILLED TERNS on 23rd (and still 34 on 28th, the latest documented date in Trinidad); 79 ROYAL TERNS, single COMMON and CAYENNE TERN and 77 BLACK SKIMMERS. Close-by, the first returning RUBY TOPAZ reported for the season was at Carapachaima on 28th Nov.

From north east Trinidad, a HOOK BILLED KITE * was seen perched beside the road at Galera Pt on 6th Nov .A CHESTNUT SIDED WARBLER * found at Grande Riviere on 22nd Nov was ,intriguingly, feeding in exactly the same tree as the last one recorded on the island back in February.

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"