This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT January 2006 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 Guadeloupe, two exciting new species for the island. A GARGANEY was present from 14th - 20th Jan at least at Le Gosier and an AMERICAN BLACK DUCK (also 1st for Lesser Antilles) was found at La Desirade on 16th Jan, still present at months end. Other noteworthy birds include a GREATER BLACK BACKED GULL (3rd for Guadeloupe) at Riviere Salee on 21st Jan; 4 COMMON TERNS at Grand Cul de Sac Marin also on 21st Jan and a LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH at Capesterre Beau-eau on 27th Jan.

A total of 12 hours sea watching from Petite Terre nature reserve during the month produced 3 PARASITIC JAEGERS, 3 "jaeger sp", 2 MANX SHEARWATERS, 1 "small unidentified shearwater, 1 BLACK CAPPED PETREL, and 2 "unidentified pterodroma petrels"

From Barbados, the long staying PURPLE HERON was still showing at Graham Hill sanctuary on 11th Jan together with a GLOSSY IBIS. Also present was a male AMERICAN WIGEON and 2 SORA RAILS. The previous week, 2 PROTHONOTARY WARBLERS and a PURPLE GALLINULE were seen.

In Tobago, 5 RING NECKED DUCKS * were found at Lowlands on 29th Dec and a NORTHERN SHOVELER * was seen at Bon Accord. On 10th Jan, single KILLDEER * and HOOK BILLED KITE * were found at Lowlands together with a MANGROVE CUCKOO and 2 BELTED KINGFISHERS, plus a STRIPED OWL at Runnemede . On 11th Jan, at St Giles rocks, the MASKED BOOBY count totalled a minimum of 115 birds - far and away the largest count for T&T; on 13th another STRIPED OWL was seen close to the Botanical Gardens and on 17th Jan, 2 MANGROVE CUCKOOS were found at Bon Accord. A potential first for Tobago, FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL was reported from Lowlands on 18th Jan.

The Christmas Bird Count in Trinidad was held on 27th December with a census area of 15km radius of Asa Wright Nature Centre. A total of 37 birders participated finding 5767 birds and a species total of 183

In the northern range of Trinidad, at Asa Wright Nature Centre, a CRIMSON CRESTED WOODPECKER was found on 4th Jan, and there was a report of a BAND TAILED PIGEON * there, the same day. On 5th Jan a VARIEGATED FLYCATCHER * was reported, up to 6 SHORT TAILED NIGHTHAWKS hawked insects over the valley and on 12th Jan a BLACK HAWK-EAGLE soared over. On 16th Jan, the first BROWN VIOLET-EAR of the year was found. Elsewhere in the northern range, on both 8th and 12th Jan, a SCALED ANTPITTA * was seen on the forested slopes between Las Lapas and Paria junction; a SOOTY GRASSQUIT was found at Morne Bleu and a GRAY THROATED LEAFTOSSER at las Lapas both on 20th Jan.

In north eastern Trinidad, the area south of Grande Riviere village held up to 4 TRINIDAD PIPING GUANS, a BAT FALCON and a BRIGHT RUMPED ATTILA on 16th Jan

In central Trinidad , a CRANE HAWK * was seen at the bottom of the Arima by-pass on 5th Jan. On the same date a CRESTED CARACARA was found at the Aripo Agriculture Station and at Waller Field, a BLACK HAWK EAGLE * was found.. Also at Waller Field, both BLACKPOLL WARBER and CRIMSON CRESTED WOODPECKER were found on the 6th. Whilst there has been a continual "dribs and drabs" over-head passage of DICKCISSELS throughout the month, a flock of approx 4,000 birds west of the highway at Caroni on 24th Jan is the first reported large gathering. At the end of the month, highlights of visits to Waller Field on 28th & 29th Jan included a pair of BLACK HAWK-EAGLES seen mating, 2 CRANE HAWKS, single GRAY HEADED KITE, WHITE HAWK , LESSER ELAENIA and flocks totaling at least 420 DICKCISSELS.

In western Trinidad, the over-wintering population of LARGE BILLED TERNS increased to 14 on 10th Jan at Waterloo,, and the long staying RING BILLED GULL was seen close by together with a 2nd winter LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL At the same site, an early SANDWICH TERN was found on 27th Jan. On 29th-30th Jan, 2 RUFOUS CRAB HAWKS were found and photographed at Carli Bay.

From south-western Trinidad, an immature HOODED WARBLER * (2nd for T&T) was seen on 6th - 7th Jan at San Francique. A hike along the river bank at Sudama Steps on 11th Jan produced an immature HOOK BILLED KITE *, 6 SPOTTED TODY-FLYCATCHERS, at least 30 YELLOW WARBLERS, 15 NORTHERN WATERTHRUSHES , RED EYED VIREO, 4 RED CAPPED CARDINALS and 5 GREATER ANIS .A light morph LONG WINGED HARRIER and a RUDDY BREASTED SEEDEATER were seen in the same area on 14th Jan

NEW GUADELOUPE BIRDING WEBSITE A new birding website has been launched "www.amazona-guadeloupe.com with text in both English and French . 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"