Entries Tagged 'Observations' ↓

Several rare birds  were recorded in the month of August in south Trinidad. The South Oropouche Lagoon yielded several Paint-billed Crakes, Lined Seedeaters, two Dark-billed Cuckoos and an Aplomado Falcon. Meanwhile a visit to the Rousillac Swamp produced a Lesser Elaenia.

Paint-billed Crake (Neocrex erythrops)

The Paint-billed Crakes (Neocrex erythrops) were actually seen in late July (the bird seen here was spotted on 25 July), but were seen occasionally in August. In all about four (4) birds were seen in various parts of the South Oropouche Lagoon during the period.

Lined Seedeater (Sporophila lineola). Photo by Dave Smith

Lined Seedeaters (Sporophila lineola) have been reported visiting the South Oropouche Lagoon for four (4) years now. After a weak showing last year the birds have returned in larger numbers. Fewer males (like this one digiscoped by Dave Smith) are seen than females.

Lesser Elaenia (Elaenia chiriquensis)

Away from the South Oropouche, this Lesser Elaenia (Elaenia chiriquensis) was seen in the Rousillac Swamp on 15 August. It is probably not as rare as believed – the bird easily escapes attention in its scrub habitat

Dark-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus melacoryphus)

 At the end of the month a Dark-billed Cuckoos (Coccyzus melacoryphus) was seen in the South Oropouche Lagoon. A bird was spotted by Nigel Lallsingh on 31 August and a secong bird was seen shortly after. A rare visitor to scrub.

Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis)

And luck would strike twice that day as an Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis) was seen flying low over the open fields near to the pair of Dark-billed Cuckoos. A rare visitor from the north usually recorded later in the year.

An adult Rufescent Tiger-Heron (Tigrisoma lineatum) was observed near the Los Blanquizales Swamp on 20^th June 2010. The bird was seen sitting in a grass choked waterway near the main road. An immature bird was seen here on 9^th January 2010.

Rufescent Tiger-Heron (Tigrisoma lineatum)

A pair of Rufous Crab-Hawks (Buteogallus aequinoctialis) were observed mating in the mangrove swamps near Los Gallos village in Icacos on 30th May 2010. In the past, a single bird has been seen at this location, but this is the first time that two birds have been observed. Copulation took place atop an electricity tower (seen below) before the pair flew off in an apparent courtship flight. The flight consisted of the two birds flying closely in circles and the pair ascending to a great height before returning to a nearby tree where the amorous pair mated yet again.

Rufous Crab-Hawks in Icacos, Trinidad and Tobago

An attempted nesting by an Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) in South Trinidad has failed. In late January 2010, the bird was seen constructing a nest atop a communication tower in La Romaine. The nest, poorly constructed using surprisingly little material, was “completed” by the end of February. However the bird appears to have never been successful in attracting a mate and by May the badly deteriorated nest was abandoned. Successful nesting (and subsequent breeding) by Ospreys has never been confirmed in Trinidad and Tobago.

Osprey at nest in La Romaine, Trinidad and Tobago

Here is a listing of Crane Hawk (Geranospiza caerulescens) sightings in south Trinidad. I have been seeing Crane Hawks somewhat frequently here (despite being a new arrival to Trinidad) and while it may just be a reflection of the amount of time I spend in south Trinidad, it might hint towards population expansion as well. You can view the sightings on EBird.

• 2010 April 11th: Barrackpore, Rochard Douglas Rd. – 1 bird
• 2009 Nov 15th: Barrackpore, Papourie Rec. Ground – 1 bird
• 2009 July 19th: Fullerton Swamp, Icacos – 1 bird
• 2009 June 30th: Picton, Barrackpore – 1 bird
• 2009 June 19th: Barrackpore market – 1 bird
• 2009 April 18th: Picton, Barrackpore – 1 bird
• 2009 Mar 14th: Sudama Steps, Woodland - 1 bird
• 2009 Jan 28th: Barrackpore – 1 bird
• 2008 Oct 27th: Clarke Road, Penal – 1 bird
• 2008 Oct 26th: Syne Village, Penal - 1 bird
• 2008 Sep 21st: Icacos - 1 bird
• 2008 May 31st: Rousillac - 1 bird
• 2008 Mar 21st: Clarke Road, Penal - 1 bird
• 2008 Jan 21st: Clarke Road, Penal - 1 bird
• 2007 Dec 19th: Clarke Road, Penal - 1 bird
• 2007 Sept 12th: 3 birds in Barrackpore oilfield road - 3 birds

In July 2008 a juvenile Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) was found in the South Oropouche Lagoon. The bird bore a leg ring with the alphanumeric code “6PW” and it was assumed that the bird was either South or North American in origin. However, with the aid of Mark Grantham and a bird ringing group based in Spain, it has been discovered that the ibis was actually ringed in close proximity to Donana National Park, Spain (approximately 6,000 km away) in June 2006.

The South Oropouche Lagoon, located south of San Fernando,  is an open marsh environment inhabited by several resident Long-winged Harriers (Circus buffoni) and, in the latter months of the year, a few Merlins (Falco columbarius). I have noticed Merlins and Long-winged Harriers forming (temporary) symbiotic relationships, probably best described as a form of commensalism. Typically harriers fly low over the ground searching for reptiles and small mammals. They are neither fast nor agile enough to chase and capture healthy birds that have taken flight. Only if a bird is on the ground (nesting, hiding or injured) will the harrier have any real chance. The Merlins on the other hand fly higher and dive at flying birds, depending on their agility and speed. Once a bird is on the ground however, the Merlin is unable to hunt.

Both in 2007 and 2008 I have witnessed Merlins flying above and alongside hunting harriers in the South Oropouche Lagoon. Typically the Merlins flew in circles above the harrier. As the harriers search for prey, smaller birds take flight to avoid the harrier, which brings them in range of the overhead Merlins. I have seen Merlins make kills several times in this way. And while I have not actually seen a harrier benefit from this, I have seen harriers chasing successful Merlins who, weighed down by their catch, are now slow enough to be overtaken and this gives the harrier a chance to steal their catch.  

It will be interesting to see if this is repeated in the years to come and at other locations.