| Murphy, W. L. 2002. Observations of pelagic seabirds wintering at sea in the southeastern Caribbean. Department of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Occasional Paper 11:104-110. ABSTRACT.--I report observations, including several significant distributional records, of 16 species of seabirds wintering at sea in the southeastern Caribbean during cruises from Bonaire to the Orinoco River (5-13 January 1996, 3-12 March 1997 and 24 December 1997 - 1 January 1998). A few scattered shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea and Puffinus lherminieri) were seen. Storm-Petrels (Oceanites oceanicus and Oceano-droma leucorhoa), particularly the latter species, were often seen toward the east. Most tropicbirds (Phaethon aethereus) and gulls (Larus atricilla) were near Tobago. Boobies were common; Sula leucogaster outnumbered S. sula by about 4:1 and S. dactylatra was scarce. Frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens) were strictly coastal. Several skuas (Stercorarius skua) were seen off Venezuela. Jaegers were common, with a ratio of 90 Stercorarius pomarinus to 8 S. parasiticus to 2 S. longicaudus. Only two tern species were seen: Sterna maxima was widespread and 4,000 S. antillarum were noted southeast of Trinidad. RESUMEN--Reporto observaciones, incluyendo algunos registros significativos, de 16 especies de aves marinas invernando en el sudeste del mar Caribe durante viajes realizados desde Bonaire hasta el r�o Orinoco (5-13 de enero de 1996, 3-12 de marzo de 1997 y el 23 de diciembre hasta 1 de enero de 1998). Se observaron algunos pufinos (Calonectris diomedea y Puffinus lherminieri). Las golondrinas de tormenta (Oceanites oceanicus y Oceanodroma leucorhoa), particularmente est� �ltima especie, fueron observadas con mayor frecuencia hacia el este. La mayor�a de aves tropicales (Phaethon aethereus) y gaviotas (Larus atricilla) fueron observadas cerca de Tobago. Los piqueros fueron comunes; Sula leucogaster sobrepas� a S. sula en una proporci�n aproximada de 4:1 y S. dactylatra fue escaso. Las fregatas (Fregata magnificens) estuvieron restringidas a las areas costeras. Se observaron algunos salteadores (Stercorarius skua) cerca de Venezuela. Otros salteadores fueron comunes, con una proporci�n de 90 Stercorarius pomarinus a 8 S. parasiticus a 2 S. longicaudus. Se observaron solamente dos especies de gaviotines: Sterna maxima se encontr� en todas partes y 4,000 S. antillarum se registraron en el sudeste de Trinidad. KEY WORDS.--Charadriiformes, Netherlands Antilles, pelagic distribution, Pelecaniformes, Procellariiformes, seabirds, Caribbean Sea, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela |
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| STUDIES IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ORNITHOLOGY HONOURING RICHARD FFRENCH Edited by Floyd E. Hayes and Stanley A. Temple Department of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Occasional Paper 11, 2002 |