Nov 2015 Cuba Field Trip Report

Transcription

Caribbean Conservation Trust
CUBA BIRD SURVEY
Cuba’s Western Mountains, Zapata Swamp,
and Northern Archipelago
November 6-17, 2015
Blue-headed Quail Dove (Starnoenas cyanocephala) Refugio de Fauna Bermejas November 11, 2015
Michael J. Good, MS
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
CUBA BIRD SURVEY
Cuba’s Western Mountains, Zapata Swamp,
and Northern Archipelago
November 6-17, 2015
About this report:
The Cuba Bird Survey report covers each day of the program from November 6-17, 2015. A summation of the entire trip
is followed by the eBird location summaries used to generate this data. The first section is a summary for all the
locations in Cuba during our 12 days in the field. The second section has a map of our birding locations followed by
description of each location that includes bird numbers seen, heard and recorded, as well as some highlights and notes
of interest. You will also see a unique web location for each list. The fourth section is a compilation of total birds seen
and species totals. All birds found in Cuba on this survey have been entered into eBird, a real-time, online checklist
program launched in 2002 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, which provides rich data
sources for basic information on bird abundance and distribution at a variety of spatial and temporal scales. Each eBird
list is followed by a specific location marker (e.g., CU-01) www.ebird.org. There is a photo section with some images
from our trip, and lastly, I added a small recently published story about Zapata Rail entitled “Rare glimpse of elusive
rail”. Unfortunately, there are still no known photographs of this bird, so this news, although compelling, falls short of
being a verifiable sighting.
This report was compiled and written by Michael J. Good, MS, who also took the photographs presented herein
([email protected]). The report is edited by Gary Markowski, founder and director of the Caribbean
Conservation Trust. Participants: All participants were U.S. residents with an overall high degree of birding experience.
Western and Central Cuba
Cuba is an archipelago consisting of the island of Cuba, the Isla De La Juventud ( Isle of Youth) and 4,195 other cays and
islets. The archipelago lies at the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico, 48 miles from Haiti, 87 miles from the Bahamas, 90
miles from Jamaica, 112 miles from Florida and approximately 130 miles from Cancun. This strategic location places
Cuba directly in the path of migratory Neotropical species making their way to Central and South America and the West
Indies. Cuba is comprised of 42,827 square miles (110,922 square kilometers) and is the largest island in the Caribbean.
It is 744 miles long with a population of 11 million people of mostly Spanish, African, and Asian descent. More than 2
million people live in Havana, the Capital city. There are no poisonous plants or animals in Cuba. Remarkably, four
percent of the world’s plant species are represented here including 6,370 plants species with 52% endemics. There are
284 designated protected areas accounting for 11% of Cuba’s total 11 million hectares. The climate is subtropical
moderated by the trade winds, a wet season (May through October “estacion de las lluvias”) and dry season (November
through April “estacion de la seca”). We experienced a couple of tropical rain downpours but overall there was little
rain during the 12 field days that interfered with our work.
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Cuba’s Birds
According to BirdLife International, which has designated 28 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Cuba, “Over 371 bird species
have been described and recorded in Cuba, 30 are now considered endemic to the island and 29 considered globally
threatened”. Due to its large land area and geographical position within the Caribbean, Cuba represents one of the
most important countries for Neotropical migratory birds – both those passing through on their way south (76 species)
and those spending the winter on the island (86 species).
“Worldwide, the most important places for habitat-based conservation of birds are the Endemic Bird Areas
(EBAs). Most species are quite widespread and have large ranges. However, over 2,500 are restricted to an area
smaller than 50,000 km2, and they are said to be endemic to it. BirdLife has identified regions of the world
where the distributions of two or more of these restricted-range species overlap to form Endemic Bird Areas.”
“EBAs contain nearly all of the world's restricted-range bird species – only 7% of restricted-range species do not
overlap with other such species and therefore do not occur in EBAs. The EBAs also support many of the world's
more widespread bird species. Half of all restricted-range species are globally threatened or near-threatened
and the other half remain forever vulnerable to the loss or degradation of habitat owing to the small size of their
ranges. The majority of EBAs are also important for the conservation of restricted-range species from other
animal and plant groups. For example, there is an overlap of 70% between the location of EBAs and areas which
are similarly important for endemic plants globally. The unique landscapes where these species occur,
amounting to just 4.5% of the earth's land surface, are high priorities for broad-scale ecosystem conservation.
Cuban endemism is 7.7% of Cuban birds (26 endemics) and 62% of the birds in the West Indies occur on Cuba
making the island an area of great importance.
The natural habitat in most EBAs (83%) is forest, especially tropical lowland forest and moist montane forest.
Altogether, remaining suitable habitat within the EBAs now covers only 7,300,000 km2, a small proportion of the
Earth's land area. Geographically, EBAs are often islands or mountain ranges, and they vary considerably in size,
from a few square kilometers to more than 100,000 km2, and in the numbers of restricted-range species that
they support (from 2 to 80). EBAs are found around the world, but most (77%) of them are located in the tropics
and subtropics.” (source: Birdlife International)
In accordance with Birdlife International’s outline of Endemic Bird Areas, the Caribbean Conservation Trust Cuba Bird
Survey program is committed to the conservation of native and migratory birds and their habitats in the greater
Caribbean region, specifically in Cuba, and including all islands within the Caribbean basin. The CCT’s regional scope
includes the study of neo-tropical migrant bird species moving between North America and the greater Caribbean
region, focusing on birds from the east and mid-west of the United States.
Our field trips involve legally authorized participants who are dedicated to accurately identifying birds in the field. In
addition to fulfilling our authorized obligation to identify and record birds in the field, CCT programs focus on designated
Important Bird Areas (as identified by BirdLife International above), covering diverse parts of the country, and providing
opportunities to interact with some of Cuba’s most talented naturalists and bird experts. We work directly with Cuba’s
leading ornithologists and biologists to provide an important conservation link to this endeavor, benefitting the Cuban
people and environment.
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Trip Summary: November 6-17, 2015
Data compilation, text and photos by Michael J. Good, MS ([email protected])
A total of 154 species of birds were observed during November 6-17, 2015. Our group tallied 6,192 individual birds,
including 23 endemics of the 26 recognized endemics (3 future endemics were also recorded: Cuban Meadowlark, Giant
Kingbird and Cuban Bullfinch). A total of 57 locations were surveyed, comprising almost 1150 miles of Cuban
countryside. The November 2015 Cuban Bird Survey team exhibited excellent field observation skills, which contributed
to our trip total and the discovery of many important fall migrant birds, giving us a more complete understanding of the
Cuban ornithological landscape for the locations visited.
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
November 6, 2015:
Zapata or Cuban Sparrow (Torreornis inexpectata) La Turba
MJGood
Day 1 - Miami to Havana, Cuba
The entire survey team gathered at the Miami Airport prior to our Cuba departure.
After taking a shuttle at 5:00 AM from our hotel to Miami International Airport, the Cuba survey team assembled as a
group at the Marazul check-in counter where Michael and Luis Silva took passports and documents for processing and
preparation for our Cuba flight. Everything went smoothly. Our flight arrived safely at José Marti Havana Airport at
11:30 AM. After landing and moving through customs in Jose Marti Airport we meet Natalie, our bilingual Cuban guide,
and Mariano, our driver.
After leaving the airport we headed into Havana and stopped at the Hotel Nacional, where we exchanged money at the
Cadeca (acronym for Casa de Cambio). We encountered our first endemic bird species, Cuban Blackbird, taking a bath in
the hotel water fountain.
Cuban Blackbird
November 6-17, 2015
(Dives atroviolaceus)
Cuba Bird Survey
Greater Antillean Grackle (Quiscalus niger)
We then visited retired museum curator, ornithologist, and author, Orlando Garrido, for a discussion about our itinerary
focusing on Cuban endemic birds we might encounter, their habitats, distributions, and their unique plumage and
behaviors. Orlando also shared anecdotal stories about ornithologists Juan Gundlach and James Bond, as well as a few
personal stories about each of the endemics described before signing copies of our field guides.
The opportunity for our group to learn about some of these birds prior to our field experience provided valued insight
that would help our efforts to identify and understand the birds we encountered in the field. For example, Orlando
pointed out important descriptions, such as the difference in eye color between the otherwise similar Cuban Blackbird
(black eyes) and the Greater Antillean Grackle (yellow eyes). We also briefly discussed the races of Cuban Green
Woodpecker, Zapata Sparrow, Great Lizard Cuckoo, and American Kestrel.
We stayed at the Hotel Palco near the river Quibu in western Havana. The Quibu river proves excellent for 13 species of
warbler including Louisiana Waterthrush, Wilson’s, Tennessee, Black-throated Blue, Cape May, and Black and White
Warbler. We also flushed a Merlin, Belted Kingfisher, Green Heron, Tricolored Heron, Snowy Egret, and Great Egret. At
the end of our first day in Cuba we logged 1 endemic and 30 species, mostly found around Hotel Palco and our
impromptu Quibu river walk.
Orlando Garrido book signing following the Cuban endemic demonstration
November 7, 2015:
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Day 2 – Travel from Havana to Maria La Gorda, PN Guanahacabibes.
We were joined after breakfast at Hotel Palco by our full-time Cuban biologist and author, Arturo Kirkconnell, and
traveled towards the Sierra del Rosario mountain range in the provinces of Pinar del Río and Artemisa. This ecologically
important Biosphere Reserve is located in the Guaniguanico Mountain Range in western Cuba. It became a protected
resource for Cuba in February 1984. The entire bio-region was identified as an important bio-reserve by the
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), an international organization dedicated to nature conservation
and sustainable use of natural resources. This area was Cuba’s first biosphere reserve. It protects a total area of
266.86 km2 (103.04 square miles) of tropical forests with evergreen and semi-deciduous environments - perfect habitat
for warblers, flycatchers, raptors and various endemics. Some of the important birds found here included Cuban Tody,
Cuban Trogon, Cuban Solitaire and Olive-capped Warbler, which we will see during stops later in the trip itinerary. The
Sierra del Rosario Biosphere Reserve is located at the eastern part of the mountain range, between the Pinar del Rio and
Havana provinces of Cuba. This is one of the geographically narrowest portions of the island. On clear days, one can see
both the north and south coasts.
Some parts of the range have exposures of Serpentine rock, and here, instead of forest, there is grassland and thorny
xeromorphic thickets and scrub lands. This is the region of Cuba famed for cultivating high quality tobacco. Here you find
tropical dry and deciduous forests in the hills covered by evergreen, semi-deciduous and coniferous forests with longneedled pines, and thorny xeromorphic thickets, many covered by thick Marabu, an invasive plant from Africa. There are
many residential areas with agro-ecosystems of pasture and forest systems, much different from American agrarian land
use.
We drove 1-½ hour west of Havana for our first bird survey location at La Chorrera Campismo. After a short walk Arturo
pointed out our first target species, Cuban Grassquit, flitting about in the fruits of a tall Royal Palm tree that are often
locations for nests as well. On a walk through the area we encountered several species, including endemic Cuban Oriole
and Cuban Green Woodpecker. We heard Fernandina’s Flicker and found our first warblers, Red-legged Thrush and
Loggerhead Kingbirds. The group located a total of 13 species and 4 endemic birds during this stop.
Our lunch break included some birding at Los Barrigonas but the remainder of the day’s trip was spent birding from the
bus as we travel to Maria La Gorda Hotel, our final stop. As we travelled through Pinar del Rio province, we added Great
Blue Heron, Red-tailed hawk, several American Kestrel, Smooth-billed Ani, and a handful of Antillean Palm Swift. We
stopped at a lake near village Manuel Lazo, a few wetland habitats, and drove along the road to Maria La Gorda. The
group added Anhinga, Northern Jacana, Eastern Meadowlark, and our first Cuban Crow to the species list. The
Guanahacabibes National Park is a UNESCO Heritage site that includes 150, 000 acres of mangrove, pine and semideciduous forest. There are 15 endemic plants, 195 species of birds, 70 species of spiders, 12 reptiles and 3 frogs. The
geology is about 1-15 million years old and is the same age as the Zapata.
The group looked for birds behind the hotel which is surrounded by semi-deciduous forests. We found a good variety of
species during a short walk which included Cape-May, Black-throated Blue, Yellow-throated, Yellow-headed and Yellow
warblers and White-eyed vireo and Cuban vireo. The group secured good looks at Loggerhead Kingbirds, a handful of
fast flying Scaly-naped Pigeon, our first Cuban Pewee, Cuban Oriole, and Cuban Emerald. We finished our long travel
day with dinner at Maria la Gorda’s new restaurant with a bottle of wine, a good day’s bird list of 54 species recorded, 8
endemics seen or heard and a total of 75 species for our first two days in the field.
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
November 8, 2015: Day 3 – Travel to Cabo San Antonio, El Verraco and Caleta del Piojo
After breakfast we saw a Plain Pigeon sitting in a deciduous tree just outside the Maria La Gorda compound. We
secured the trips best looks and photos of Plain Pigeon, one of several species in the family Columbidae we will
encounter in Cuba. The Plain Pigeon are found mainly in lowland forest, mangrove and swampy areas in Cuba, the
Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. Populations are threatened in all locations by hunting, logging and
forest clearing for plantation agriculture combined with the devastating effects of large hurricanes. According to Arturo,
the population has declined considerably in recent years. In Cuba today, the Plain Pigeon is thought to be restricted to
six areas: Guanahacabibes (~100 pairs), the Zapata peninsulas, the Sierra de Najasa, Sierra del Chorrillo, cayos Romano
and Sabinal, and the Esteros de Birama (an extensive delta wetland complex in eastern Cuba). (A. Kirkconnell, 1999)
The group picks up a few species like endemic Cuban Black Hawk as we travel along the loop road to La Bajada where we
meet our local guide, Osmani. The coastal road takes us through a variety of vegetation to our first stop at El Berraco for
target specie Bee Hummingbird. After a short walk we find 2 females foraging on red poncea flowers, flitting about so
quickly that it was hard to photograph them. We saw the Cuban Bullfinch, several warblers, and the Cuban Tody. There
is some trepidation in the scientific community about the Cuban Tody and other Cuban endemics because Island
populations have limited range size and the island has been traditionally manipulated by modern civilizations. Any shift
to reducing any endemics habitat will have a negative ripple effect on population size and health. We also observed the
endemic species Cuban Green Woodpecker, Pygmy Owl, Vireo and Yellow-headed Warbler. There were excellent
photographic moments with Scaly-breasted Munia producing 22 species for this stop.
From the checkpoint at La Bajada to the lighthouse on Cabo San Antonio is approximately 38 miles (61 km). On this leg
of the trip, we traveled approximately 24 miles to Caleta del Piojo. This first section of beach to the south of the road is
referred to as “La Barca,” home to nesting sea turtles and iguana. Woodland and mangroves cover much of the
landscape, providing important habitat for a wide variety of bird species. Over 170 species have been reported here,
along with deer, wild pigs, and iguanas. The landscape changes to exposed limestone cliffs rising 20 meters above the
Caribbean Sea, where we found the marooned ship “Union Express” on shore.
Our final destination in Cabo San Antonio was Caleta del Piojo, a well known small wetland eco-complex where we saw
24 species including a notable Giant Kingbird in the scope, great observations of Blue Grosbeak, the Indigo Bunting, and
a flyover Peregrine Falcon. A number of ducks were found along with American Coot and a good variety of shorebirds
and waders. The group had close-up looks at a female Bee Hummingbird which sat for several minutes in excellent light.
One Cuban Pewee was found eating a dragonfly.
“Union Express” near shore
Coastal landscape of Cabo San Antonio
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
After lunch at Maria La Gorda, we ventured on to La Bajada and met Osmani. Three Greater Flamingo were spotted by
Michael on the shore. Osmani said that this is possibly the first time Greater Flamingo were photographed along the
shoreline of Cabo Corrientes. At La Bajada, we walked along the “endemic trail” behind the ranger station, which
produced excellent views of La Sagra’s Flycatcher, Cuban Tody, and Cuban Trogon. The survey group saw tremendous
scoped views of Cuban Green Woodpecker mobbing a Cuban Pygmy Owl, which they are known to do because the
Pygmy Owl is thought to be a nest robber of Cuban Green Woodpecker.
We finished up our day at the La Bajada Lagoon where we observed many West Indian Whistling Duck mixed with
American Coot, Northern Shoveler, Ruddy Duck, one Gadwall and many Blue-winged Teal, and a Black-necked Stilt. By
the end of our third field day, we saw 488 individual birds representing 63 species, including 11 endemics. The trip total
increased to 96 species.
November 9, 2015:
Day 4 – La Bajada Lagoon, Camino de Hoyo de Palmar Sendero, Maria La
transfer to San Diego Be los Banos.
Gorda and
The day was sunny and warm and we went birding in Cabo Corrientes. Before morning breakfast, John and Paul
reported seeing three Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola) near the hotel. The group saw a Great Blue Heron, a Belted
Kingfisher, and Cuban Crow that sang its unusual song for us . We departed Hotel Maria La Gorda for La Bajada to pick
up local guide, Osmani. Today we planned to bird around La Bajada Lagoon where we located 22 West Indian Whistling
Ducks and most of the birds seen yesterday but add Yellow-crowned Night Heron. One Merlin does a flyby over the
Caleta then departs towards the east.
On the Camino de Hoyo de Palmar Sendero, our second trail of the morning, there were several excellent observations
of Cuban Tody and Cuban Trogon, we studied the Cuban Emerald, Western Spindalis and several warblers including
Northern Waterthrush. Some in the group saw the Key West Quail Dove crossing the trail.
After a brief stay on the Camino de Hoyo de Palmar Sendero, we travelled by bus to the La Bajada guardhouse to see if
we could locate a possible Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Instead, we found a Giant Lizard Cuckoo, the uncommon transient
Tennessee Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Palm Warbler, Northern Parula, and American Redstart. We had
excellent views of Red-legged Honeycreepers, and three species of vireo: Yellow-throated, Cuban, and White-eyed. We
finished our morning on the Maria La Gorda grounds, were we obtained excellent images of Cuban Vireo, Cuban Oriole,
and a few views of Cape May Warbler.
Travel days allow an opportunity to observe the Cuban landscape and make a few birding stops along the way. Today
we transferred from Maria La Gorda to Hotel Mirador in San Diego de los Banos. During the first leg of the trip, we
travelled by Los Palacios fish ponds, where several birds were added, such as Great Egret and Caspian Tern. Along the
way, Natalie, one of our guides, gave us information about the First War of Independence (1868 to 1878) and talked
about Jose Marti, perhaps Cuba’s most revered liberator. Our final destination today was Hotel Mirador which we
reached at sunset. After a trip list review and some excellent food, we called it a day having broken 100 species recorded
with 103. That day, we identified 63 species and 488 individual birds.
November 10, 2015: Day 5 – Cueva Portales, Los Pinos and transfer to Playa Larga
After a leisurely breakfast at Hotel Mirador we met local guide, Caesar Suarez, for a drive through historic Hacienda
Cortina and eventually arrived at Cueva Portales. Along the way we added a Little Blue Heron, and a few Common
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Ground Dove. We drove through the rural Cuban landscape and saw the mogote limestone geology of the region.
Cueva Portales was home to Che Guevara and his men during the Missile Crisis of 1962.
As soon as we stepped out of the bus we heard the magical calls of Cuban Solitaire, saw several Cuban Bullfinch and a
few warblers as we walked towards the cave. We scoped out White-crowned Pigeon and Giant Lizard Cuckoo, got great
looks at warblers and a Cuban Solitaire along the stream. Everyone heard the heavenly, ethereal call of Cuban Solitaire
echoing around the cave while a Cuban Pygmy Owl added to the chorus. In one Cecropia tree along the stream we
found 10 Red-legged Honeycreepers foraging with several warblers, including American Redstart. Cueva Portales
produced 25 species and 8 endemics.
One more stop was planned for the morning at Los Pinos, a location in the mogote hills known for Olive-capped Warbler,
of which we located 8 foraging in the long-needled Pines. One Yellow-throated and White-eyed Vireo were found before
we made our way back to Hotel Mirador for lunch.
Travel to Playa Larga
After lunch we made the long drive through provinces Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, Havana, Mayabeque, and Matanzas. A
couple of birding stops were made along the way. The first stop was at La Chorrera Campisimo where we had good
views of Cuban Grassquit for those who missed it during our first stop. The second birding location was 6 VIAS Reservoir
where we counted 25 Ring-necked Duck, 150 Lesser Scaup, many Pied-billed Grebe, Great Egret, and a Great Blue
Heron. Mariano maneuvered us through the complicated maze of Havana, past the University and Lenin Parque, and
finally into less populated Mayabeque province. Once into Matanzas we were alerted by Arturo about a raptor in a Royal
Palm Tree and spotted Gavilan del Monte (Red-tailed Hawk). There are fourteen recognized subspecies of Red-tailed
Hawk, which vary in appearance and range. Naturalist Thomas Barbour 1935 named the lighter morph Cuban Red-tailed
Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis solitudinus) which is thought to be found only on the Bahamas and Cuba. Like other races or
subspecies, they do not overlap in range. There is yearly influx of migratory birds like the one we observed as well.
Around 7:10, we reached Hotel Playa Larga had a brief moment of relaxation before the evening birding list. At the end
of travel day 5 we recorded 50 species, 1,124 individual birds, added endemics Cuban Solitaire, Olive-capped Warbler
and had an opportunity to see the variety of landscapes traversed along the way. We have a grand total of 107 species
to date.
November 11, 2015:
Day 6 - Bermejas Refugio de Fauna, La Cuchilla and Caleta Buena
We started this morning with a 5:30 AM breakfast and 6 AM departure to travel about 35 Km in the dark, along a welltraveled coastal road, searching unsuccessfully for a Barn Owl, while on the way to Bermejas Wildlife Refuge. The Bay of
Pigs was on our right, framed by deciduous forest along the entire way south to Playa Giron. We passed through historic
Giron and traveled northeast through several small hamlets, keeping our eyes open for Gundlach’s Hawk or other avian
prizes.
Bermejas is an important bastion of ecological diversity and affords a glimpse of the role played by ancient forests that
once covered Cuba, but were long ago cleared for agricultural cultivation and human habitation. Along the road we met
our local guide and refuge warden, Orlando Ramirez, who led us through the trail maze with forest birds calling
everywhere.
The first hour was spent in the forest waiting for and eventually finding both species of endemic quail dove. It was
during these quiet times that other birds would approach us, such as the Zenaida Dove, Red-legged Thrush, Greater
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Cuba Bird Survey
Antillean Grackle or the many warblers that descended on us, such as Ovenbird, Black-throated Blue and endemic
Yellow-headed Warbler.
We observed many of the Columbidae family, including one Blue-headed Quail Dove at the blind, two Gray-fronted
Quail-Dove, five Zenaida Doves, one Key West Quail Dove, one Ruddy Quail and a few Mourning Doves. The endangered
Blue-headed Quail Dove (Starnoenas cyanocephala) is a ground-dwelling bird endemic to Cuba. The bird’s population
has declined in the last century due to hunting and habitat loss. The subtropical forest ecosystems in which the Blueheaded Quail-dove resides are so severely reduced that it is considered a rare species due to its restricted geographical
range and low abundance. The population status and ecology of the Blue-headed Quail-dove remain understudied
mainly due to quail-doves shy and elusive behavior. The long, conspicuous, white line under the eye and black eye-line
set off the iridescent blue on the top of the head. The black chest and metallic blue on the throat make this arguably one
of the most beautiful birds on the island. The Cubans call it Perdiz for the sound it makes when it is flushed.
Quail Doves typically require a little patience because they are shy of humans, probably in part due to hunting. We
heard the hurried “hup-hup-hup” of the endangered Grey-fronted Quail Dove (Camao), eventually locating it calling
from a nearby roost. Dark-gray above and gray below, the male Gray-fronted Quail Dove has a rich metallic blue mantle
with a hint of purple iridescence, and a delicate dull-gray crown, especially around the chest and head, as we saw in the
scope.
It was delightful to hear Cuban Vireo simultaneously calling with many Cuban Trogons, Cuban Todys, and Green
Woodpeckers, as well as the variety of wintering birds vocalizing in this rich habitat. The vibrant diversity of flora and
fauna provided a contrast to the stark and quiet North American winter most of our group recently left behind. There
were birds preening, feeding, or drinking at waterholes, which provide a critical resource and focal point for forest birds.
One of the day’s delights was a white-morph American Kestrel calmly perched along the road for all to see and
photograph.
Palm trees provide welcome roosts for Cuban Pygmy and Bare-legged Owls. Both birds are Cuban endemics and were
found after checking a few known locations. The Cuban Pygmy Owl communicated its location to us. The owl with “eyes
in the back of his head” made quite an impression on all of us when we saw it in Parque Nacional Guanahacabibes! One
of the best events of the morning was finding not one, but three, Bare-legged Owls peering out of their roost opening in
an old hollow palm tree. Initially we were greeted with one then two round faces sitting inquisitively at the top of the
open palm trunk before they flew off and out of sight. The Owls disappeared quickly into the under-bush so we
searched another known location, this time we had excellent close views of the Cuban endemic Owl with bare-legs.
Bermejas Refugio de Fauna is an immensely productive stop yielding 40 species, 12 endemic birds and a walk of about 5
miles through these musical forests. Our next location, La Cuchilla, allows us to find target species Red-shouldered
Blackbird male and female. We also added a calling Limpkin, Sora, and Least Bittern along with a three actively flying
Crested Caracara.
As temperatures rose towards 90F, we headed to our all-inclusive lunch stop at Caleta Buena, a small protected inlet and
cenote where we also took some time to survey birds. Today’s temperatures gave us good reason to enjoy a dip in
Caleta Buena. While many snorkeled and searched for seabirds, others in the group found a few species of warblers as
well as a Cuban Vireo. This time of year, the habitat around Caleta Buena is dry and karstic coastal shrub habitat with a
mixture of invasive Maribu, creeping cactus, and deciduous trees growing on exposed limestone bedrock. One wonders
how anything survives, but the nutrients are somehow available to the dense undergrowth suitable for warblers, vireos
and flycatchers. Stygian and Cuban Pygmy Owls also have been found here.
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Cuba Bird Survey
Relaxing after lunch and entertained by darting Cave Swallows we eventually depart for the open palm speckled plains
of Sopillar in search of endemic Fernandina’s Flicker, which is known to utilize many species of Palm Tree for nests. We
counted 11 species of birds at both Sopillar stops including Northern Jacana, Killdeer, Belted Kingfisher, Little Blue
Heron, White Ibis and one Limpkin. As we exited the bus at Sopillar we were serenaded by 2 Cuban Parrots who were
immediately well seen in the scope but we missed Fernandina’s Flicker.
By the end of this day, we saw or heard 56 species, 16 Cuban endemics, and had a new total of 135 species for the trip.
The day ended at Hotel Playa Larga with an exquisite sunset over the Bay of Pigs, an evening bird list and dinner.
Sunset over Bahia de Cochinos
Tres Amigos: Orlando, Frank and Arturo
November 12, 2015: Day 7 - La Turba, Criadero de Cocodrilos, Sopillar, Tiki Paladar, and Las Salinas
Breakfast started at 5:30 AM, followed by a 6:00 AM departure for La Turba with Frank, our local guide. Zapata Wren
and Zapata Sparrow were the first highly sought after species for the morning. The Wren was easily seen briefly during
the 45 minutes we spent with a calling male near the La Turba canal edge. Several Black-crowned Night Heron departed
past us and we heard 2 Spotted Rails and Common Gallinule as we waited.
The mosquitoes were a minimal bother today as we walked three miles to a known location for endemic Zapata or
Cuban Sparrow. One Gundlach’s Hawk flew by, and we also observed Northern Waterthrush, American Restart,
Northern Parula and Ovenbird. The group located 3 Cuban Sparrows, which descended on us from the surrounding trees
and approached amazingly close, preening and feeding along the trail. Our success at La Turba allowed us to depart
early for a quick walk around La Boca Criadero de Cocodrilos for Purple Gallinule before heading back to Sopillar.
Mariano dropped us off at 10:51 am in Sopillar which started our search for possible Stygian Owl and target species
Fernandina’s Flicker. Along the way we encounter Giant Lizard Cuckoo, Northern Jacana, a migratory Northern Flicker,
not to be confused with endemic subspecies “chrysocaulossus”. There are five subspecies of Northern Flicker: the
yellow-shafted flicker, the red-shafted flicker, the gilded flicker, the Guatemalan flicker, and the Cuban flicker. We also
had excellent observations of La Sagra’s Flycatcher, Green Heron, Gray Catbird, and a couple Cuban Tody.
After a close encounter with a female Summer Tanager our luck changes when Frank speaks to another park guide
leading us to a distant Ceiba (Ceiba pentandra) or Kapok tree surrounded by thick and impenetrable underbrush, all the
while being teased by a calling Fernandina’s Flicker male frustratingly hidden. Frank excitingly locates a female
Fernandina’s Flicker, startling her from the north side of the Ceiba to an open view not far away. Another endemic
added to the list bringing the total at this time 20 Cuban Endemics seen and plenty of good birding to come. Wood
Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) was one of my personal favorites because they are not commonly found nesting on Mount
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Desert Island and it was my first seen on Cuba. This lush tropical canopied forest is a perfect mirror image of the norther
deciduous and conifer forests of Maine and their breeding range.
We enjoyed a fine lunch at the Tiki Paladar from 12 to 1 PM. Dotting the sky were 2 Brown Pelican, one Neotropic
Cormorant and 3 Greater Flamingo. After Kenna Sue retrieved Howard from Playa Larga we departed for our drive along
the Sendero Salina de Brito, making three stops along the way at towers built for observation and study of the mangrove
salt flats. We experienced the bio-rich mangrove habitat of Las Salinas and had opportunities to walk along the road
searching for the Caribbean race of Yellow Warbler.
Noteworthy is that the water level is high due to recent rain making it difficult to find mudflat shorebirds. We did not see
any American White Pelicans, a species whose numbers have significantly increased in Cuba during the last five years.
We did find an assortment of water birds, including 329 American Flamingos standing like Christmas ornaments on the
flats, filtering the shallow water for brine shrimp. We observed no Roseate Spoonbill, Wood Stork or ducks but found 12
Caspian Terns, 1 Tricolored Heron, 8 White Ibis and both Night-crowned Herons were all seen. Total numbers for the
Ardeidae family are low as well. We spotted 6 Cuban Black Hawks and 2 Clapper Rails, 1 Willet and 1Greater Yellowlegs
against the mangrove backdrop. We returned to Playa Larga with a colorful sunset ending our day with a bird list and
dinner at Enrique’s Paladar in Playa Larga… this time without a band, but the food was delightful. Today in Cienaga de
Zapata we added 7 new birds for a total of 142 species to date.
November 13, 2015: Day 8 - Travel day from Playa Larga to Cayo Coco and the Northern Archipelago
A little birding begins the day at Playa Larga with 4 Cuban Parrots, large flocks of Greater Antillean Grackle, a dozen
White Ibis, a handful of Warblers and a total of 21 species all before breakfast and check out for our transfer to Hotel
Cayo Coco and the northern archipelago.
Traveling along the Autopista to Cayo Coco we added an Osprey in Cienfuegos Province, along with several species of
heron, Crested Caracara and a Red-tailed Hawk. Our stop for lunch at Rio Azul produced Louisiana Waterthrush,
Northern Parula, Black-throated Blue and Yellow-throated Warbler before leaving for the northern archipelago. We
made excellent time reaching the Cayo Coco causeway 2:45pm. After crossing the 17-Km causeway we began our
birding on Cayo Coco and the Jardines del Rey (Gardens of the King). The causeway road traverses shallow coastal
waters and produced 3 Brown Pelican, 65 Double-crested Cormorant, Crested Caracara, Laughing Gull, and Royal Tern
before our first glimpse of the cays to our north.
Our first birding stop on Cayo Coco started at 3:14 pm generating one curious Crested Caracara, several Cuban Bullfinch
and endemic, Oriente Warbler, (Teretistris fornsi) whose natural habitats are dry forests, lowland moist forests,
montane moist forests, and xeric shrublands. Perhaps one of our best birds of the afternoon was the Lesser Blackbacked Gull found at 22.26803/-78.17374. This is my second recorded Lesser Black-backed Gull which is considered a
vagrant on Cuba. This Gulls range is expanding so it is of interest that we found a new bird on Cayo Coco. We tallied 33
species and 565 individual birds today, have now recorded 21 Cuban endemics and a total of 145 species. We made our
way to Hotel Sol Cayo Coco and our first night on northern Cuba.
November 14, 2015: Day 9 - Cayo Romano and Paredon Grande, Playa Coloradas and Cayo Guillermo
Day 9 started with an early morning coffee for a 6:00 AM departure with a local guide, Paulino Lopez Delgado. Our
target species today are endemics Oriente Warbler, Cuban Gnatcatcher and Thick-billed Vireo on Cayo Paredon Grande.
We traveled from Cayo Coco to Cayo Romano, the largest island in the northern archipelago, and finally reached our
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
destination of Cayo Paredon Grande. Along the way, we saw the impact of future hotel development on these pristine
and sensitive landscapes. The road traverses mangrove salt flats where we found 3 Cuban Black Hawks, a white morph
American Kestrel and a Mangrove Cuckoo flying over the road. On Cayo Romano we find a couple small flocks of
Semipalmated Sandpiper and 11 Lesser Yellowlegs. Shorebird numbers are very low for our trip due impart to the high
water levels found in most of the coastal mangrove flats.
After a 25-minute drive over Cayo Romano we cross the bridge to Cayo Paredon Grande. The northern cays rounded
out our Cuban experience and bird list with several target species, Thick-billed Vireo, several Oriente Warblers and 6
Cuban Gnatcatchers, bringing our total to 24 endemic species for the trip. During our walk at the northern end of
Paredon Grande, there are 2 (eastern) Willet with 5 Killdeer and we found a couple of very gregarious Cuban Black
Hawks calling “Batista” near the lighthouse, which was constructed in 1859. We encountered 9 species of warblers
including wonderful views of Cape May, Black and White, Black-throated Blue and Oriente Warbler. We found 2 Cuban
Green Woodpeckers near the Thick-billed Vireo in dry coastal shrub habitat mixed with thick stands of Silver palm.
Natalie spotted a gray Cuban Boa which was extensively photographed. While driving off the island, we spot Reddish,
Great and Snowy Egret, 2 Tricolored and 2 Great Blue Heron which brought our tally of species seen on Paredon Grande
to 38.
We made our way back to our hotel for a late breakfast, then ventured off to Playa Los Coloradas where we hoped to
but did not find endangered Piping Plover due to the high tide. On the beach we discovered 35 Ruddy Turnstones, 63
Sanderlings, a Black-bellied Plover and 2 Brown Pelicans. We came back later in the day and located 4 Piping Plover at
low tide. One bird sports a silver leg band.
After finding target species Piping Plover we continue on the road to Cueva de Jabali, which wanders erratically through
Uva sea-grape and Silver Palm, along the northern coast of Cayo Coco. We have a water drip set up near the cave which
is well known as a birding location for Quail Dove and warblers. These days the cave is a disco by night and daytime
home of Long-eared Bats. We situated ourselves between two water drips set up years ago by Paulino and before long
we had 3 Key West and 1 Ruddy Quail Dove in front of us. The habitat around the cave is always species rich and
produces an Ovenbird, Northern Parula, male and female Hooded Warbler, Cape May, Palm and Black-throated Blue
Warbler near the water drip. We had a difficult time pulling ourselves away from this stop, but dinner beckoned, so we
departed the site after an hour and a half of birding.
We ended the day’s bird list with 23 endemics, 51 species seen, 371 individual birds and a total of 153 species counted.
After our birding experience on the northern cays, we perhaps gained an appreciation of the importance of the northern
archipelago to an amazingly diverse number bird species.
November 15, 2015: Day 10 - Cayo Coco, Travel to Santa Clara and Villa La Granjita
Another early morning, 6:00 AM departure with local guide Paulino for Cayo Guillermo. Weather is a concern today
with strong northeast winds and threatening skies. Our target species for the morning is Bahama Mockingbird which
has been subjected to recent habitat loss and fragmentation which may be hampering our efforts to find this species.
We drove 35 Km west to Cayo Guillermo where we obtained our best images of Loggerhead Kingbird’s often not seen
orange-crown strip sitting next to La Sagra’s Flycatcher for comparison. (see photo section)
Weather becomes a factor as we drove to a known site for Brown Booby but encounter strong sustaining northeast
winds blowing on shore. Instead of Brown Booby we located the Caribbean “ridgwayi” subspecies of Osprey which has a
distinctive white head and is considered a subspecies. It is a resident found in the Bahamas, the Cuban cays, the Yucatan
and Belize. There has been some discussion about splitting at the species level for the Old World Ospreys. This subspecies is so distinctive and should be the basis for any future discussion about splits. I did manage a few good
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
photographs which can be found at the end of this report. The threat of rain provided incentive for moving to the Cayo
Guillermo lagoons where once again we found high water and very little avian diversity. We located 6 Greater Flamingo,
4 Reddish Egret, a Magnificent Frigatebird, a few Blue-winged Teal and a Merlin as we leave Cayo Guillermo. No
shorebirds were seen.
We decided to check out the Cayo Coco sewage lagoon #746 with some admirable results including 6 West Indian
Whistling Duck, 30 Blue-winged Teal, 4 Northern Shoveler, 25 Lesser Yellowlegs, 28 Black-necked Stilt and 8 species of
warblers. One the way back to Sol Cayo Coco we stopped for 3 Clapper Rail behind Sol Cayo Coco and a few Northern
Waterthrush. Despite the inclement weather we finished off the morning with a great list of about 35 different species.
With checkout at noon for a 2:00 pm departure, the group had time for some birding around the hotel grounds. We
tallied 2 Brown Pelicans diving near the beach, Common Ground Dove, 4 Cuban Emeralds, a Northern Flicker, a few
warblers and a Cuban Vireo before leaving. Travel to Santa Clara and Villa Granjita from Cayo Coco was uneventful,
except for several hundred Cuban Blackbirds seen on the outskirts of the city of Moron along with 10 Cuban Parrots
momentarily flying alongside the bus. Driving across the Cayo Coco Causeway we observed 2 Brown Pelican, many
Double-crested Cormorant, 4 Magnificent Frigatebird followed by our 154 species and only Roseate Spoonbill crossing
directly in front of the bus as a farewell gift. The day ends with a respectable 49 species and 774 individual birds for a
grand total of 154 species for the trip.
November 16, 2015: Day 11 - Villa Granjita to Che’s Memorial to Havana
Waking up to Antillean Palm Swifts and Limpkin on the expansive Villa Granjita grounds was a welcome treat this
morning. We departed late morning and made our way to the Che’ Guevara Memorial and museum for a 20–minute
tour in a tropical shower. Only 17 species and 125 individual birds were recorded before we made our way to one of the
jewels of the Caribbean, Habana Viejo, and lunch and music at Café Taberna. The band was excellent today as we
enjoyed our last Cuban lunch and heard the Che Guevara song “Hasta Siempre Comandante” and others performed by
the Cafe Taberna band. We do see a few Laughing Gull and one Magnificent Frigatebird on our way to this evenings
accommodations at H10 Habana Panorama. We closed out our Cuba Bird Survey with a farewell dinner on the Rio
Almendares with views of Havana and the sea.
November 17, 2015: Day 12 - H10 Habana Panorama and departure for Miami
A few Cuban Blackbirds and Greater Antillean Grackles were our farewell birds before departure to Miami from Jose
Marti airport. We observed 15 of the 25 threatened species recorded in Cuba during our bird survey. Knowledge of the
wintering ranges and ecology of these and other species is critical to understanding apparent declines in their
populations. What is needed are defined studies and field work that focus on collecting habitat-specific, demographic
and site-fidelity data to help assess habitat preferences for Neotropical migrants during the non-breeding season.
During the 12-day November 2015 Cuban Bird Survey we recorded a total of 21 species and 424 individual members of
the Parulidae family. Common eastern North American migrants included daily records for Palm Warbler, Blackthroated Blue Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, and Cape May
Warbler. Palm Warbler was by far the most numerous species encountered with 199 seen during the trip. Also
observed were Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina), considered and uncommon transient, Louisiana Waterthrush
(Parkesia motacilla), Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis), and rare Wilson’s Warbler (Helmitheros
vermivorus). We easily located the endemic Oriente, Yellow-headed and endemic sub-species Olive-capped Warblers,
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
each in its respective habitat. CCT data continue to clearly demonstrate that Cuba is vital to myriad migratory species,
and supports a large population of wintering Neotropical and eastern North American breeding birds.
Our Cuban Bird Survey program is coordinated under U.S. government authorization by the Caribbean Conservation
Trust, which is based in Connecticut. Along with Michael J. Good, our team also included Arturo Kirkconnell, Curator of
Ornithology at Cuba’s National Museum of Natural History, Natalie, our bilingual Cuban tour guide, and our driver,
Mariano.
Vintage Cuban automobile
Natalie and Arturo
November 6-17, 2015 Cuban Bird Survey Team: Arturo
Kirkconnell and Michael J. Good (leaders ); John Bellmon,
Michael Catania and Jan Rosenfeld, Julie Gonella, Ann
Linder,, Paul Lombardi, Karen Pfeifer, Renée Marth and
Bill Voss, Diane Smith, De Sunderland, Kenna Sue and
Howard Trickey, Susan Westervelt.
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Cuba Bird Survey Locations:
The green circles indicate locations surveyed by CCT since 2002.
November 6, 2015 Havana, Cuba
26 species
Bill sitting in a carved Barrigonas Palm
Nov 7 2015
Hotel Nacional de Cuba, Ciudad de La Habana
Nov 6, 2015 3:30 AM - 4:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.1 mile(s)
6 species
Great Egret (Ardea alba) 1
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) 1
Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) 1
Green Heron (Butorides virescens) 1
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 9
Antillean Palm-Swift (Tachornis phoenicobia) 4
Cuban Emerald (Chlorostilbon ricordii) 2
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 2
West Indian Woodpecker (Melanerpes superciliaris) 1
Merlin (Falco columbarius) 1
Red-legged Thrush (Turdus plumbeus) 3
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 7
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) 1
Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla) 2
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) 2
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina) 1
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) 1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 6
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina) 1
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 7
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) 3
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) 18
Yellow-throated Warbler (Setophaga dominica) 3
Wilson's Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) 1 all yellow bird
with black in the wings no black on the head. Small bill and
black eye. Yellow under tail no white
Tawny-shouldered Blackbird (Agelaius humeralis) 2
Cuban Blackbird (Dives atroviolaceus) 10
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S25729047
November 7, 2015
Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) 2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) (Columba livia (Feral
Pigeon)) 25
Common Ground-Dove (Columbina passerina) 1
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 2
Hotel Palco, La Habana, Ciudad de La Habana, CU
Nov 6, 2015 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Today begins our field work for the Cuban Bird Survey
driving to Cabo Corrientes through Guaniguanico, also
known as Cordillera de Guaniguanico, a mountain range of
western Cuba that spans from the center-west of Pinar del
Río Province to the western area of Artemisa Province,
approximately 99.4 miles. It is formed by the subranges of
Sierra del Rosario and Sierra de los Órganos. Campismo La
Chorrera and Che’s cave are located in the Sierra del
Rosario in Parque Nacional La Guria. The cordillera covers
an area from the town Guane, in the west of Pinar del Río
Province, to the Alturas de Mariel, near Mariel, in the
Artemisa Province. The two subranges composing it, Sierra
de los Órganos (west) and Sierra del Rosario (east), are
November 6-17, 2015
divided in the middle by the Río San Diego which flows
through the village of San Diego De Los Banos where we
spend one night. The highest peak of this range is the Pan
de Guajaibón (699 m), located between the municipalities
of Bahía Honda and La Palma. (source: wikipedia)
Campismo La Chorrera, La Habana, CU
Nov 7, 2015 8:32 AM - 9:27 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.3 mile(s)
Comments: Campismo La Chorrera was our first stop of
the trip to find some endemic species on our travels to
western Cuba, the Guaniguanico Mountains and finally to
Cabo Corrientes Maria La Gorda hotel. We had luck with
Cuban Green Woodpecker on this stop, Cuban Oriole and
Cuban Grassquit, our target species at this
location. Several years ago we found out that this location
has a resident population of Cuban Grassquit making it an
ideal location for birds as we make our way to Maria La
Gorda on the western peninsula.
13 species
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) 5
Cuban Green Woodpecker (Xiphidiopicus percussus) 3
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) 1 white morph
Loggerhead Kingbird (Tyrannus caudifasciatus) 2
Cuban Grassquit (Tiaris canorus) 2
Greater Antillean Grackle (Quiscalus niger) 4
Cuban Oriole (Icterus melanopsis) 2
Las Barrigonas Paladar, Km 122, Autopista Nacional #694,
Pinar del Río, CU
Nov 7, 2015 11:03 AM - 12:03 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.1 mile(s)
6 species
These were
Cuba Bird Survey
seen along the road close to this stop sitting on the electric
lines.
Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga ani) 2
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) 3 one white morph
Pinar del Rio Province, Travel to Maria La Gorda, Pinar del
Río, CU
Nov 7, 2015 12:05 PM - 2:25 PM
Protocol: Traveling
95.0 mile(s)
Comments: This leg of the trip took us from Las
Barrigonas Paladar to Sandino, Cuba along the
Autopista. We found one Red-tailed Hawk and a few
other species as we traveled to Maria La Gorda. The trip
wanders through the Pino de Rio countryside where the
best tobacco in the world is grown and harvested each
year. Tobacco drying barns can be seen dotting the
landscape but the tobacco was harvested many months
ago.
10 species
Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) 1
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) 2
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 6
Travel from Sandino to Guanahacabibes National Park,
Pinar del Río, CU
Nov 7, 2015 2:28 PM - 3:45 PM
Protocol: Traveling
35.0 mile(s)
Comments: We have traveled from Sandino to the
outskirts of Guanahacabibes National Park and our final
destination of Maria La Gorda hotel on Bahia de
Corrientes. We stopped at a lake near Manuel Lazo, a few
wetland habitats and driving along the road to Maria La
Gorda.
12 species
November 6-17, 2015
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 2
Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) 4 These were found in the
reservoir near the town of Manuel Lazo were we made a
short stop
Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) 2 Dark, with white
flank stripe and red bill and forehead shield
Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa) 1 A distinctive rufous
brown body and black neck with a yellow forehead shield
and bill
Cuban Crow (Corvus nasicus) 1
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) 1 distinctive
white outer tail feather seen flying in open fields.
PN Peninsula de Guanahacabibes --Cabo Corrientes, Pinar
del Río, CU
Nov 7, 2015 5:21 PM - 6:06 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.4 mile(s)
Comments: Maria La Gorda Hotel birding after arriving
this afternoon. The weather was perfect. The group birded
behind or east of the hotel in the low semi-deciduous
forests that one finds on three sides of the hotel. Many
good birds to start our trip on Cabo Corrientes. We found
a good variety of species during a short walk.
26 species
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 4 these birds remain
during our stay. Here is one photo of a beautiful bird
found in the parking lot
Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus) 5 the post in the
water are a good place to find these birds roosting
Scaly-naped Pigeon (Patagioenas squamosa) 5 several
bird took off from the tree top behind the generator
Great Lizard-Cuckoo (Coccyzus merlini) 2
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) 2 very nice
looks at this small yellowish bellied empid
White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) 1 seen by all. An
immature bird with a dark eye but compared to a Cuban
Cuba Bird Survey
Vireo close by
Cuban Vireo (Vireo gundlachii) 1 seen and heard well by
the group
Cuban Crow (Corvus nasicus) 2 one of my favorites for
their unique and interesting calls.
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) 1 seen and heard
cat-calling
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 1 Seen by several
in the group.
Yellow-headed Warbler (Teretistris fernandinae) 6
Yellow-faced Grassquit (Tiaris olivaceus) 3
Cuban Bullfinch (Melopyrrha nigra) 3
November 8, 2015
PN Peninsula de Guanahacabibes--Cabo Corrientes, Pinar
del Río, CU
Nov 8, 2015 8:10 AM - 8:25 AM
Protocol: Stationary
Comments: We found Plain Pigeon sitting in a deciduous
tree just outside of the Maria La Gorda compound at the
start of our first full day in Park Nacional Guanahacabibes.
5 species
Cuban Black Hawk (Buteogallus gundlachii) 1 a nice
flyby
Plain Pigeon (Patagioenas inornata) 1
Western Spindalis (Spindalis zena) 1
Cabo San Antonio, travel to Caleta Del Piojo, Pinar del
Río, CU
Nov 8, 2015 10:49 AM - 11:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
12.0 mile(s)
Comments: The birds recorded in this list were seen
November 6-17, 2015
along the road to Caleta del Piojo from El Verraco. The
stretch of beach is referred to a La Barca, home to nesting
sea turtles. Woodland and mangroves cover much of the
landscape, providing important habitat for a range of
species. Over 170 species of birds have been reported
here, along with deer, wild pigs, and iguanas. The
landscape changes to exposed limestone cliffs rising 20
meters above the Caribbean Sea where we found
marooned ship called the Union Express on the shore.
15 species
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) 1
Cuban Black Hawk (Buteogallus gundlachii) 1
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) 2
Zenaida Dove (Zenaida aurita) 7
Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae) 2
Cabo San Antonio, El Verraco, Pinar del Río, CU
Nov 8, 2015 8:50 AM - 10:50 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
22 species
Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) 2
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 2
Cuban Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium siju) 1
Cuban Tody (Todus multicolor) 3
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) 1
White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) 2
Cuban Vireo (Vireo gundlachii) 2
Cuba Bird Survey
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) 1
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) 1
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) 2
Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata) 45
View this checklist online at
Cabo San Antonio, Caleta Del Piojo, Pinar del Río, CU
Nov 8, 2015 11:27 AM - 12:12 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.2 mile(s)
Comments: Caleta del Piojo is an interesting wetland
habitat near the tip of Cabo San Antonio. This stop
produced Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, endemic Giant
Kingbird, and a host of water birds. A Peregrine Falcon
passed overhead and we were treated to an excellent
observation of a Bee Hummingbird female.
24 species
Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) 8
American Coot (Fulica americana) 4
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) 1
Cuban Pewee (Contopus caribaeus) 1
Giant Kingbird (Tyrannus cubensis) 1 This was an
excellent find by Michael alerting Arturo we get the scope
on this bird sitting at the top of a deciduous tree about
600 feet away. In the scope it was very discernable and an
excellent find for the morning.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx
serripennis) 3
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) 8
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) 3
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) 2
La Sagra's Flycatcher (Myiarchus sagrae) 1
Maria La Gorda American Flamingo, Pinar del Río, CU
Nov 8, 2015 3:25 PM - 3:40 PM
Comments: We located 3 American Flamingo as we
drove to pick up Osmani, our local guide. This is a rare bird
for this location and we were told that these are possibly
the first photo record for this species on the western tip in
the National Park.
4 species
La Bajada Lagoon, Nov 8 2015, Pinar del Río, CU
Nov 8, 2015 5:20 PM - 5:50 PM
Comments: Our last stop of the day at the La Bajada
lagoon where we had a delightful introduction to some of
the water birds of Guanahacabibes Peninsula.
13 species
American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) 3 These
birds were observed as we drove from Maria La Gorda
along the shore road towards the northern end of the
Bahia Corrientes. According to the Park staff biologist
Osmani, that these are the first photographs of Flamingo
on the shores of the Bahia. They have been loosely
recorded by children seeing flying birds.
Estacion ecologica Guanahacabibes Endemic Trail, Pinar
del Río, CU
Nov 8, 2015 4:00 PM - 5:05 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Caribbean Conservation Trust Cuba Bird
Survey field trip to La Bajada station where we walked
along the forest trail before departing to the Lagoon.
10 species
Cuban Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium siju) 1 This bird was
calling loudly and continuously as it was being mobbed by
a Cuban Green Woodpecker.
Cuban Trogon (Priotelus temnurus) 1
Cuban Green Woodpecker (Xiphidiopicus
percussus) 1 an amazing encounter with Cuban Green
chasing a Cuban Pygmy Owl
West Indian Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna arborea) 23
Gadwall (Anas strepera) 1 one was seen well in the mix.
White wing patch and speckled rump while dabbling.
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) 4
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) 1 female
Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus) 5
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 1
White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) 5
Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) 1
November 9, 2015
del Río, CU
Nov 9, 2015 6:45 AM - 7:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.2 mile(s)
Comments: This list represents birds seen by members
of the Cuba Bird Survey which are recorded. Three
Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola) were reported by John and
Paul near their hotel room. The remaining birds were seen
as we traveled to La Bajada.
7 species
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax
auritus) 1 found along the shore road to La Bajada.
November 6-17, 2015
Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola) 3 described by John and
Paul. Both have seen them during the past birding trips
La Bajada Lagoon, Nov 9 2015, Pinar del Río, CU
Nov 9, 2015 8:28 AM - 8:58 AM
Protocol: Traveling
9.0 mile(s)
Comments: drive to La Bajada Lagoon for another try at
water birds. A Merlin flies over the pond than departs.
One Yellow-crowned Night Heron added to the list with
good looks at Least Grebe, West Indian Woodpecker, and
Northern Waterthrush.
13 species
West Indian Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna
arborea) 22 counted and continuing birds seen
yesterday.
Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus) 5 Continuing birds
from yesterday
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax
auritus) 1 this bird was seen on the ocean side not the
lagoon
Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) 1
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) 1
White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) 5 continuing birds from
yesterday
Camino de Hoyo de Palmar Sendero #705 Nov 9 2015,
Pinar del Río, CU
Nov 9, 2015 9:15 AM - 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.8 mile(s)
Comments: Today we hiked along the Camino de Hoyo
de Palmar Sendero which is a semi-deciduous coastal
forest rich with endemics and forest birds.
Cuba Bird Survey
17 species
White-crowned Pigeon (Patagioenas leucocephala) 10
Key West Quail-Dove (Geotrygon chrysia) 1 one bird
crossed in front of the group and seen by a few people
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) 1
PN Guanahacabibes La Bajada Gate House, Pinar del Río,
CU
Nov 9, 2015 10:17 AM - 10:47 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.1 mile(s)
Comments: Today we stopped by the gate house to chase
after a possible Mangrove Cuckoo which did not
materialize but we did find a great number of Warblers
and other forest species.
14 species
Yellow-throated Vireo (Vireo flavifrons) 1
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina) 1 everyone
had good observations through the trees
Red-legged Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes cyaneus) 2
November 6-17, 2015
del Río, CU
Nov 9, 2015 10:50 AM - 11:20 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.15 mile(s)
Comments: This is the last list for Maria La Gorda as we
finish up an excellent experience in Parque Nacional
Peninsula de Guanahacabibes. Several good photos were
taken of Cuban Vireo and Cape May Warbler.
12 species
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 4 Continuing birds on the
grounds.
November 10, 2015 Travel to Zapata
Hacienda Cortina, Pinar del Río, CU
Nov 10, 2015 7:59 AM - 8:19 AM
Protocol: Traveling
8.0 mile(s)
8 species
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) 1
Cuba Bird Survey
Cueva de los Portales, Pinar del Río, CU
Nov 10, 2015 8:21 AM - 9:49 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.2 mile(s)
Comments: This stop allows the group an opportunity to
hear the ethereal call of Cuban Solitaire, see hundreds of
Turkey Vultures and a plethora of Mogote forest species.
25 species
Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) 1 seen flying
with many TV
Great Lizard-Cuckoo (Coccyzus merlini) 1 when we first
arrived at the camp.
Cuban Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium siju) 1 calling from inside
the cave area
Yellow-throated Vireo (Vireo flavifrons) 1 heard
Cuban Solitaire (Myadestes elisabeth) 4 The tail
feathers on this roosting bird are reminiscent of Cuban
Trogon, almost curled
Red-legged Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes cyaneus) 10 a
mixture of males and females well seen in the scope Red
legs and some males with purple still visible on their body.
Parque Nacional La Guida Los Pinos cabins #710, Pinar
del Río, CU
Nov 10, 2015 10:03 AM - 10:28 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.1 mile(s)
November 6-17, 2015
Comments: Our stop for target species, Olive-capped
Warbler (Setophaga pityophila) which is found in this overcut Pine forest along the Hacienda Cortina Road.
4 species
White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) 1
Olive-capped Warbler (Setophaga pityophila) 8 Several
were found immediately in the Pinus tropicalis Morelet
(Pino blanco; Pino hembra)
Pinar del Río, Travel to Zapata Nov 10 2015, Pinar del Río,
CU
Nov 10, 2015 12:30 PM - 1:18 PM
Protocol: Traveling
15.0 mile(s)
7 species
Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) 1
Campismo La Chorrera, La Habana, CU
Nov 10, 2015 1:18 PM - 2:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.2 mile(s)
Comments: Target species is Cuban Grassquit for the
folks who missed it and Fernandina's Flicker.
11 species
Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) 1 Male heard well but
Cuba Bird Survey
we could not attract this bird
6 VIAS Reservoir Travel to Zapata #713 Nov 10 2015, La
Habana, CU
Nov 10, 2015 2:49 PM - 3:17 PM
Comments: This is a birding pit stop. Today numbers of
ducks are low compared to other years.
8 species
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) 25
Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) 150
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) 17
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 10
Matanzas Province, Travel to Zapata Nov 10 2015,
Matanzas, CU
Nov 10, 2015 3:45 PM - 5:45 PM
Protocol: Traveling
60.0 mile(s)
Comments: A Red-tailed Hawk turned us around briefly as
Arturo saw it sitting in a Palm next to the road. Everyone
was hoping for a Gundlach's Hawk.
6 species
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1 Photos show this
bird to be an adult.
November 11, 2015
Refugio de Fauna Bermeja, Matanzas, CU
Nov 11, 2015 6:22 AM - 10:07 AM
Protocol: Traveling
5.0 mile(s)
Comments: This is a long list of good birds for our trip
November 6-17, 2015
including Quail Dove, Cuban Parrot and Parakeet, Barelegged Owl and many others
40 species
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) 1 found in the
back wetland habitat
Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) 1 same
wetland as spotted
Blue-headed Quail-Dove (Starnoenas cyanocephala) 1
Ruddy Quail-Dove (Geotrygon montana) 1
Gray-fronted Quail-Dove (Geotrygon caniceps) 2
Key West Quail-Dove (Geotrygon chrysia) 1
Bare-legged Owl (Margarobyas lawrencii) 3
Cuban Parrot (Amazona leucocephala) 3
Cuban Parakeet (Psittacara euops) 60 This large flock of
Cuban Parakeets spends time at this location. There have
been larger flocks at this location and it is a stronghold for
this species... thank goodness.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 1
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) 2
Tawny-shouldered Blackbird (Agelaius humeralis) 3
Cuba Bird Survey
La Cuchilla Cienaga de Zapata #718 Nov 11 2015,
Matanzas, CU
Nov 11, 2015 10:28 AM - 10:58 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.1 mile(s)
Comments: Orlando, our local guide, had seen Redshouldered Blackbirds here yesterday. We also made a
stop for Fernandina's Flicker, another endemic on our list
to see. RSBB was found first located by call than seen well
flying to a roost where we managed a few photographs.
10 species
Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis) 1 This low slow
kukkukkuukku much like a Black-billed Cuckoo.
Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) 1 heard well
Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) 1 heard only but well by
myself and Arturo
Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway) 3
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) 2 white morph one
seen well in the scope by several in Michael's scope
Red-shouldered Blackbird (Agelaius assimilis) 4
Caleta Buena/Playa Giron #719 Nov 11 2015, Matanzas,
CU
Nov 11, 2015 11:46 AM - 1:46 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.2 mile(s)
Comments: Caleta Buena. The temperature was easily
90F, very dry and thorny around this location today. The
water was a pleasant 80's with cold spurts of fresh water
welling in from the land springs. Cave Swallows were
present, a Little Blue Heron was fishing on the reef and a
few other species were discovered on the grounds.
11 species
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Cuban Vireo (Vireo gundlachii) 1 heard well on a walk,
seen briefly
Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva) 15 The chestnut
forehead-patch and pale throat with numerous rictal
bristles important for catching prey.
Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor) 1
Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway) 1 seen well by
everyone flying over the palms and at time landing
Sopillar, Matanzas, CU
Nov 11, 2015 4:40 PM - 5:12 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.3 mile(s)
Comments: Sopillar searching for Fernandina's Flicker in
two somewhat flooded open fields and savanna. We find
Cuban Parrots during our first stop which were seen well
and photographed.
11 species
November 12, 2015
Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) 3 three white
morph
White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) 1 see photo.
Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) 1 heard well by the group
Cuban Crow (Corvus nasicus) 2 these birds were heard
squawking and calling
Nov 11, 2015 5:31 PM - 6:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.1 mile(s)
Comments: Open fields and palm tree scattered in this
savanna for Fernandina's Flicker. We located two Jacana
and a Cuban Oriole.
11 species
Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa) 2
Zapata--La Turba, Matanzas, CU
Nov 12, 2015 6:06 AM - 9:50 AM
Protocol: Traveling
6.0 mile(s)
Comments: The Zapata Wren was seen by only a few
people today. Everyone heard its complicated song. Many
water birds, Warblers and other great birds were seen on
this walk including Cuban Sparrow.
33 species
Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis) 2 heard well at La Turba
Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) 5
Gundlach's Hawk (Accipiter gundlachi) 1 fly by for
people in front of the group.
Sora (Porzana carolina) 2 both birds were heard
Spotted Rail (Pardirallus maculatus) 3 heard well by
many in the group Arturo and I heard these as well
Zapata Wren (Ferminia cerverai) 2 one seen one heard
November 6-17, 2015
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia
noveboracensis) 11 most all of these were heard
Zapata Sparrow (Torreornis inexpectata) 3
Criadero de Cocodrilos, Matanzas, CU
Nov 12, 2015 10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.1 mile(s)
Comments: This was a quick stop for ice cream and a
couple of Common Gallinule
3 species
Nov 12, 2015 10:51 AM - 1:10 PM
Protocol: Traveling
4.0 mile(s)
Comments: Wood Thrush is a new species in Cuba for
me and a new trip bird. Today's Wood Thrush was found
foraging on the ground in a semi-deciduous forest
commonly found here in Sopillar. The typical climate here
is tropical with a three to six-month dry season and
between 1000 to 1600 mm of annual rainfall. Perfect
habitat for the Wood Thrush found today.
One of our target birds today was Fernandina's Flicker
which we eventually located. A small number of people in
our group saw this endemic woodpecker but everyone
heard its emphatic and continuous call. A summer Tanager
female was located frantically foraging in the mid-canopy.
19 species
Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa) 3 The fields around
Sopillar are flooded from all the recent rains and are
Cuba Bird Survey
perfect locations for Northern Jacana. The rufous body,
black neck and throat and the brilliant yellow bill and
shield make this one of the most beautiful marshland birds
in Cuba.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 2
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 1 What a beautiful
woodpecker captured in the forest of Sopillar as we
searched for Fernandina's Flicker.
Fernandina's Flicker (Colaptes fernandinae) 2 one seen
one heard
La Sagra's Flycatcher (Myiarchus sagrae) 1 heard only
Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) 1 This bird is a new
species for me in Cuba. This was only the 3rd time the
Arturo Kirkconnell has seen this bird during a Caribbean
Conservation Trust birding trip and my first time. This
Thrush had distinctive malar strips, heavy dark speckling
on its chest and belly. It was found in the forest of Sopillar
as we searched the forest for Fernandina´s Flicker....which
we later found. This is a confirmed sighting.
Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) 1 This female Summer
Tanager is a medium-sized, chunky songbird with big body
and large head. She has a large, thick, blunt-tipped bill.
which she was using to capture flies and other insects.
Tiki Bahia de Cochinos Nov 12 2015, Matanzas, CU
Nov 12, 2015 3:36 PM - 4:36 PM
Comments: A lunch break late in the day before we
head off to La Salina.
7 species
American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) 3 flyby
Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) 1
November 6-17, 2015
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 1
Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor) 1
Sendero Salina de Brito La Salina Stop 1, Matanzas, CU
Nov 12, 2015 4:04 PM - 4:24 PM
Comments: This is our first stop along the road to La
Salina. The water is very high at the moment and this is
clearly having an effect on the number of birds we are
seeing and the species diversity. Perhaps the highest water
I have personally seen here. There has been a great deal of
rain and we hit a high tide as well.
7 species
American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus
ruber) 329 counted birds in our field of view.
Sendero Salina de Brito La Salina Stop 2 Nov 12 2015,
Matanzas, CU
Nov 12, 2015 5:11 PM - 5:31 PM
Comments: Our second stop along the road to La Salina.
The platforms along the road are excellent for scanning
the flats and salt marshes.
8 species
American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) 45
Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) 1 white morph
Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) 2
Cuba Bird Survey
PN Cienaga de Zapata--Las Salinas, Matanzas, CU
Nov 12, 2015 5:11 PM - 5:36 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.15 mile(s)
Comments: field trip to La Salina. Our final stop. Clapper
Rail, and other good water birds fill out our list for the day.
14 species
Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) 1 seen flying to the north of
the station.
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 2
Clapper Rail (Rallus crepitans) 2
Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) 2
Willet (Tringa semipalmata) 2
November 13, 2015
Hotel Playa Larga, Matanzas, CU
Nov 13, 2015 6:10 AM - 6:50 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.3 mile(s)
Comments: Michael birded the grounds of Playa Larga
before breakfast as the sun was rising.
18 species
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) 1
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) 1 one white morph
November 6-17, 2015
Criadero de Cocodrilos, Matanzas, CU
Nov 13, 2015 8:35 AM
Protocol: Incidental
Comments: This was a gas stop where we all had
excellent observations of the red morph American Kestrel.
1 species
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) 1 The sun was
perfect to capture the images below. The red
morphology of American Kestrel is thought to be found
only on Cuba where there is both a white and red
morphology uniquely Cuban. (F. s. dominicensis)
Rio Azul Palador Nov 13 2015, Sancti Spíritus, CU
Nov 13, 2015 2:15 PM - 2:30 PM
Comments: Caribbean Conservation Trust lunch stop on
our way to Cayo Coco. There are a few birds found in a
short stop after lunch. The best pork in Cuba.
4 species
Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla) 1 After
some phishing I found this bird first hearing it than seeing
it above the river chipping
Cuba Bird Survey
birding on Cayo Coco. It is only my second LBBG around
this location. A medium size gray/black backed gull with
yellow legs and dark feathering around the eye. Bill yellow
with red spot near tip of lower mandible. The first LBBG
recorded here was spending most of its time near and
around the Cayo Romano bridge and had a broken foot.
Cuban Vireo (Vireo gundlachii) 1 photos taken and will
add later.
Oriente Warbler (Teretistris fornsi) 5
Cayo Coco--causeway, Ciego de Ávila, CU
Nov 13, 2015 2:45 PM - 3:05 PM
Protocol: Traveling
9.0 mile(s)
Comments: These are birds seen as we crossed to Cayo
Coco
11 species
Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) 22
Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus) 4
November 14, 2015
Cayo Coco Lesser Black-backed Gull, Ciego de Ávila, CU
Nov 13, 2015 3:49 PM - 4:19 PM
Comments: Lesser Black backed Gull found at this
location. This is only the second record for me on Cayo
Coco. Photos will be added after my return.
7 species
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) 1 This Lesser
Black-backed Gull was found at this location as we started
Cayo Coco, Ciego de Ávila, CU
Nov 14, 2015 6:30 AM - 6:54 AM
Protocol: Traveling
8.0 mile(s)
Comments: Travel to Cayo Paredon Grande. These are
birds seen along the transect to Cayo Romano.
13 species
November 6-17, 2015
Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) 1
Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia
decaocto) 25 these birds were seen sitting on wires and
other structures in the locals temporary shelters
Mangrove Cuckoo (Coccyzus minor) 1 seen well flying
over the road
Cayo Romano, Ciego de Ávila, CU
Nov 14, 2015 6:54 AM - 7:19 AM
Protocol: Traveling
6.75 mile(s)
Comments: Target species for the morning were Thickbilled Vireo and Cuban Gnatcatcher. The birds in this
report were counted as we traversed Cayo Romano to the
bridge on Cayo Paredon Grande.
11 species
Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens) 2 first of the trip
White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) 18 one flock of 15 and
three individual birds.
Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) 8 a
small flock near the road across from the new facility on
Cayo Romano.
Willet (Tringa semipalmata) 1
Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) 2
Cayo Paredon Grande, Ciego de Ávila, CU
Nov 14, 2015 7:09 AM - 9:09 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.7 mile(s)
Comments: This was our only stop on CPG for Thickbilled Vireo and Cuban Gnatcatcher. The weather was
Cuba Bird Survey
perfect. Sunny, 80F and a slight breeze from the east north
east.
38 species
Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens) 1 white morph
Cuban Black Hawk (Buteogallus gundlachii) 1 This bird
sat on a branch and allowed us to approach very close
before flying off .
Willet (Tringa semipalmated) 1 one eastern
Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) 2 greenish legs and
small peep
Common Ground-Dove (Columbina passerina) 1 calling
Mangrove Cuckoo (Coccyzus minor) 2 heard by
everyone not seen
La Sagra's Flycatcher (Myiarchus sagrae) 1 A great
opportunity to see the detail of La Sagra's
Thick-billed Vireo (Vireo crassirostris) 6
Cuban Gnatcatcher (Polioptila lembeyei) 2
Oriente Warbler (Teretistris fornsi) 2
Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) 2
November 6-17, 2015
Las Coloradas Playa, Ciego de Ávila, CU
Nov 14, 2015 10:47 AM - 11:22 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.15 mile(s)
Comments: We happened to hit a high tide this morning
so the species count was a little low. Piping Plover was not
found at this time.
6 species
Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) 1
Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) 2
Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) 36
Sanderling (Calidris alba) 63 These were counted birds
along the shoreline
November 15, 2015
Travel to Cayo Guillermo Nov 15 2015, Ciego de Ávila, CU
Nov 15, 2015 6:30 AM - 6:55 AM
Protocol: Traveling
7.0 mile(s)
Comments: This morning’s weather was threatening rain
and steady high winds from the northeast cause issues for
birding. We did manage to pick up 3 Limpkin at the old
Cayo Coco airport.
10 species
Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) 3 These birds were found
near the roads edge at the old Cayo Coco airport
PN Cayo Guillermo, Ciego de Ávila, CU
Nov 15, 2015 7:06 AM - 7:41 AM
Protocol: Traveling
Cuba Bird Survey
0.3 mile(s)
Comments: Our stop this morning took us to Cayo
Guillermo and the entrance to Playa Pilar where we were
searching for Bahama Mockingbird. The sad thing is that
two hotels are being built in this location and there is a
good chance that the combination of all this activity and
the rainy windy weather had a negative effect on our
ability to locate Bahama Mockingbird. We saw several
Northern Mockingbirds which are competing for territory
and will add to the demise of the Bahama Mockingbird.
14 species
Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens) 4
Loggerhead Kingbird (Tyrannus caudifasciatus) 1 The
orange crown patch of Loggerhead Kingbird was seen this
morning and depicted in the photos below.
Hotel Meliá, Cayo Guillermo, Ciego de Ávila, CU
Nov 15, 2015 9:00 AM - 9:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.2 mile(s)
Comments: We stopped here to find Brown Booby but
the weather was not cooperating. High winds from the
northeast and the threat of rain ended our quest but we
did manage to have some excellent observations of a
ridgewayi Osprey and a few photos before the sprinkles
started.
7 species
Osprey(Pandion haliaetus ridgewayi) 1 as the group left
the hotel grounds
November 6-17, 2015
Hotel Sol Cayo Coco/Melia Nov 15 2015, Ciego de Ávila,
CU
Nov 15, 2015 10:40 AM - 10:55 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.2 mile(s)
Comments: We stopped at this location and walked
along the western side of Sol Cayo Coco where there are
very productive Mangrove thickets for Clapper Rail. We
found three and some hidden views.
6 species
Clapper Rail (Rallus crepitans) 3 a few decent views and
one bird that started climbing up the bank before
scurrying back to the cover of the Mangroves.
Cayo Coco Lagoon Nov 15 2015, Ciego de Ávila, CU
Nov 15, 2015 10:02 AM - 10:27 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.2 mile(s)
Comments: This lagoon is a very productive location for a
diversity of avian species especially water birds and
warblers.
18 species
West Indian Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna arborea) 6
Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) 1
Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) 25
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia
noveboracensis) 1 Compare the buffy flanks of NOWT
to Louisiana which is much whiter
Cuba Bird Survey
Hooded Warbler (Setophaga citrina) 1
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) 1
Cayo Coco--causeway, Ciego de Ávila, CU
Nov 15, 2015 2:00 PM - 2:25 PM
Protocol: Traveling
17.0 kilometer(s)
Comments: This was our final trip across the Cayo Coco
causeway and fortunately we found our only Roseate
Spoonbill flying from east to west over Bahia Perro.
10 species
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) 40 on the south and north
end of the causeway not in the middle.
Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) 1 one beautiful pink
bird flew across our field of view and onto our checklist as
number 154.
Travel to Moron Nov 15 2015, Ciego de Ávila, CU
Nov 15, 2015 2:25PM - 2:53 PM
Protocol: Traveling
15.0 mile(s)
Comments: Birds seen and counted from the Cayo Coco
causeway to Moron.
8 species
Great Egret (Ardea alba) 45 all of these birds were
camped out at the Moron fish ponds.
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) (Columba livia (Feral
Pigeon)) 25
Cuban Parrot (Amazona leucocephala) 10 one flock
November 6-17, 2015
seen as we drove along the highway near Moron.
Cuban Blackbird (Dives atroviolaceus) 125 This may be
an under count as we saw many Cuban Blackbirds
gathering together just outside of the city of Moron'. This
is a high
November 16, 2015
Hotel La Granita, Santa Clara, Villa Clara, CU
Nov 16, 2015 6:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Comments: This morning we walked around the
compound looking for last minute birds and enjoying our
final moments in the field. It was a glorious Cuban blue sky
morning with Antillean Palm Swifts and a few Cuban
Blackbirds flitting about. Early this morning we had a
Limpkin calling but we missed our Barn Owl due to a rainy
evening.
16 species
Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) 2 both birds heard calling
through the evening. The only member of the Aramus
genus, these birds are typically seen foraging around the
La Granita.
Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) 2
Memorial Comandante Ernesto Che Guevara, Santa Clara,
Villa Clara, CU
Nov 16, 2015 9:20 AM - 9:35 AM
Protocol: Traveling
Cuba Bird Survey
0.1 mile(s)
Comments: Our visit to Che's memorial was cut short by
rain but not before we saw a few birds. 3 species
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1 flyby
Castillo De Los Tres Reyes Del Morro, Ciudad de La
Habana, CU
Nov 16, 2015 1:00 PM - 1:20 PM
Protocol: Traveling
10.0 mile(s)
Comments: Caribbean Conservation Trust Cuban Bird
Survey final bird list for our trip from Santa Clara. These
birds were close to this location and are reported here as
birds seen in Havana province during the last leg of this
journey.
11 species
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1
Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) 10
Mourning Dove (Caribbean) (Zenaida macroura
macroura) 1
American Kestrel (Cuban) (Falco sparverius
sparverioides) 1 white morph
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) 2
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Plain Pigeon (Patagioenas inornata) Maria La Gorda
Caribbean Conservation Trust Cuba Bird Survey: Species Totals
Report Details
Date range:
Nov 6 to 17, 2015
Total # of Species:
154
Total # of
Checklists:
57
Location(s): 6 VIAS Reservoir Travel to Zapata #713 Nov 10 2015; Cabo San Antonio, Caleta Del Piojo; Cabo San
Antonio, El Verraco; Cabo San Antonio, travel to Caleta Del Piojo; Caleta Buena/Playa Giron #719 Nov 11 2015;
Camino de Hoyo de Palmar Sendero #705 Nov 9 2015; Campismo La Chorrera; Cayo Coco; Cayo Coco #737
22.26803/ -78.17374 Lesser Black-backed Gull; Cayo Coco Sewage Lagoon #746 22.31249/ -78.27556 Nov 15 2015;
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Cayo Coco--causeway; Cayo Paredon Grande; Cayo Romano; Criadero de Cocodrilos; Cueva de los Portales;
Estacion ecologica Guanahacabibes Endemic Trail; Hacienda Cortina; Hotel La Granita, Santa Clara; Hotel Meliá,
Cayo Guillermo; Hotel Nacional de Cuba; Hotel Palco, La Habana; Hotel Playa Larga; Hotel Sol Cayo Coco/Melia Nov
15 2015; La Bajada Lagoon, Nov 8 2015; La Bajada Lagoon, Nov 9 2015; La Cuchilla Cienaga de Zapata #718 Nov 11
2015; Las Barrigonas Paladar, Km 122, Autopista Nacional #694; Las Coloradas Playa; Maria La Gorda American
Flamingo; Matanzas Province, Travel to Zapata Nov 10 2015; Memorial Comandante Ernesto Che Guevara, Santa
Clara; PN Cayo Guillermo; PN Cienaga de Zapata--Las Salinas; PN Guanahacabibes La Bajada Gate House; PN
Peninsula de Guanahacabibes--Cabo Corrientes; Parque Nacional La Guida Los Pinos cabins #710; Pinar del Rio
Province, Travel to Maria La Gorda; Pinar del Río, Travel to Zapata Nov 10 2015; Refugio de Fauna Bermeja; Rio
Azul Palador Nov 13 2015; Sendero Salina de Brito La Salina Stop 1; Sendero Salina de Brito La Salina Stop 2 Nov 12
2015; Sopillar; Tiki Bahia de Cochinos Nov 12 2015; Travel from Sandino to Guanahacabibes National Park ,; Travel
to Cayo Guillermo Nov 15 2015; Travel to Moron' Nov 15 2015; Zapata--La Turba
Summary
Nov
1-5
Nov
6-10
Nov
11-15
Nov
16-20
Number of Species
--
107
122
17 = 154
Number of Individuals
--
3,362
2,705
125 = 6192
Number of Checklists
--
26
29
2
= 57
Total Number of Birds (sample size)
Species Name
Nov
6-10
Nov
11-15
Nov
16-20
West Indian Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna arborea)
45
(2)
6
(1)
--
Gadwall (Anas strepera)
1
(1)
--
--
Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors)
133
(2)
35
(2)
--
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)
6
(2)
4
(1)
--
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)
25
(1)
--
--
Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)
150
(1)
--
--
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)
18
(2)
--
--
Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus)
10
(2)
--
--
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)
10
(1)
--
--
American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber)
3
(1)
422
(7)
--
Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)
4
(2)
6
(3)
--
Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
--
8
(3)
--
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)
5
(4)
105
(3)
--
Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga)
4
(1)
1
(1)
--
Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
2
(2)
16
(9)
--
Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis)
--
3
(2)
--
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
4
(4)
5
(3)
--
Great Egret (Ardea alba)
38
(7)
83
(9)
--
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
12
(5)
--
--
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea)
5
(4)
32
(7)
--
Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor)
1
(1)
3
(2)
--
Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens)
--
7
(3)
--
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
601
(5)
209
(5)
--
Green Heron (Butorides virescens)
2
(2)
6
(4)
1
(1)
Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
--
5
(1)
--
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea)
1
(1)
1
(1)
--
White Ibis (Eudocimus albus)
10
(2)
42
(6)
--
Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja)
--
1
(1)
--
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
961
(11)
86
(11)
15
(1)
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
--
4
(3)
--
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
1
(1)
--
--
Gundlach's Hawk (Accipiter gundlachi)
--
1
(1)
--
Cuban Black Hawk (Buteogallus gundlachii)
3
(3)
11
(7)
--
Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus)
1
(1)
--
--
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
2
(2)
--
1
(1)
Clapper Rail (Rallus crepitans)
--
5
(2)
--
Sora (Porzana carolina)
--
2
(1)
--
Spotted Rail (Pardirallus maculatus)
--
3
(1)
--
Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata)
8
(3)
35
(4)
--
American Coot (Fulica americana)
226
(4)
--
--
Limpkin (Aramus guarauna)
--
5
(3)
2
(1)
Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)
8
(3)
46
(2)
--
Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)
--
2
(2)
--
Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus)
--
10
(2)
--
Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)
--
4
(1)
--
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)
12
(4)
23
(6)
--
Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa)
1
(1)
5
(2)
--
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius)
--
1
(1)
--
Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca)
--
16
(4)
--
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Willet (Tringa semipalmata)
--
4
(3)
--
Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)
--
27
(2)
--
Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
--
55
(3)
--
Sanderling (Calidris alba)
--
88
(2)
--
Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla)
--
4
(2)
--
Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla)
--
101
(4)
--
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus)
--
1
(1)
--
Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia)
1
(1)
12
(2)
--
Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus)
5
(1)
29
(7)
--
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)
25
(1)
25
(1)
--
Scaly-naped Pigeon (Patagioenas squamosa)
5
(1)
--
--
White-crowned Pigeon (Patagioenas leucocephala)
10
(1)
6
(2)
--
Plain Pigeon (Patagioenas inornata)
1
(1)
--
--
Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
--
25
(1)
2
(1)
Common Ground-Dove (Columbina passerina)
19
(5)
9
(4)
1
(1)
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Blue-headed Quail-Dove (Starnoenas cyanocephala)
--
1
(1)
--
Ruddy Quail-Dove (Geotrygon montana)
--
1
(1)
--
Gray-fronted Quail-Dove (Geotrygon caniceps)
--
2
(1)
--
Key West Quail-Dove (Geotrygon chrysia)
1
(1)
1
(1)
--
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica)
3
(2)
--
--
Zenaida Dove (Zenaida aurita)
11
(3)
9
(2)
--
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
333
(5)
13
(5)
--
Mangrove Cuckoo (Coccyzus minor)
--
3
(2)
--
Great Lizard-Cuckoo (Coccyzus merlini)
9
(6)
13
(6)
--
Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga ani)
21
(7)
26
(6)
--
Bare-legged Owl (Margarobyas lawrencii)
--
3
(1)
--
Cuban Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium siju)
3
(3)
2
(2)
--
Antillean Palm-Swift (Tachornis phoenicobia)
41
(5)
5
(2)
30
(1)
Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae)
5
(3)
--
--
Cuban Emerald (Chlorostilbon ricordii)
11
(6)
8
(5)
2
(1)
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Cuban Trogon (Priotelus temnurus)
9
(5)
7
(2)
--
Cuban Tody (Todus multicolor)
8
(4)
5
(2)
--
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)
7
(5)
11
(4)
--
West Indian Woodpecker (Melanerpes superciliaris)
11
(8)
9
(6)
--
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)
--
2
(1)
--
Cuban Green Woodpecker (Xiphidiopicus percussus)
9
(6)
5
(2)
--
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)
--
1
(1)
--
Fernandina's Flicker (Colaptes fernandinae)
--
2
(1)
--
Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway)
--
15
(9)
--
13
(8)
14
(8)
--
Merlin (Falco columbarius)
4
(4)
6
(4)
--
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
1
(1)
--
--
Cuban Parrot (Amazona leucocephala)
--
21
(4)
--
Cuban Parakeet (Psittacara euops)
--
60
(1)
--
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens)
5
(4)
--
--
Commented [1]: Made a comment
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Cuban Pewee (Contopus caribaeus)
3
(3)
11
(5)
--
La Sagra's Flycatcher (Myiarchus sagrae)
1
(1)
4
(4)
--
Loggerhead Kingbird (Tyrannus caudifasciatus)
13
(7)
3
(3)
--
Giant Kingbird (Tyrannus cubensis)
1
(1)
--
--
White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus)
4
(3)
--
--
Thick-billed Vireo (Vireo crassirostris)
--
6
(1)
--
Cuban Vireo (Vireo gundlachii)
14
(7)
9
(6)
--
Yellow-throated Vireo (Vireo flavifrons)
3
(3)
2
(2)
--
Cuban Crow (Corvus nasicus)
16
(5)
6
(3)
--
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis)
3
(1)
--
--
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)
8
(1)
3
(1)
--
Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva)
--
15
(1)
--
Zapata Wren (Ferminia cerverai)
--
2
(1)
--
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)
--
1
(1)
--
Cuban Gnatcatcher (Polioptila lembeyei)
--
2
(1)
--
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Cuban Solitaire (Myadestes elisabeth)
4
(1)
--
--
Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina)
--
1
(1)
--
Red-legged Thrush (Turdus plumbeus)
13
(5)
6
(2)
1
(1)
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)
2
(2)
3
(3)
--
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)
19
(6)
12
(4)
4
(1)
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla)
1
(1)
7
(2)
1
(1)
Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla)
2
(1)
1
(1)
--
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)
4
(3)
13
(3)
--
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)
6
(4)
2
(1)
--
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina)
2
(2)
--
--
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)
2
(2)
14
(5)
--
Hooded Warbler (Setophaga citrina)
--
1
(1)
--
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)
9
(4)
11
(5)
--
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina)
10
(3)
3
(1)
--
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)
24
(9)
9
(5)
--
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia)
1
(1)
1
(1)
--
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)
1
(1)
--
--
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)
5
(3)
10
(6)
2
(1)
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum)
73
(10)
58
(7)
3
(2)
Olive-capped Warbler (Setophaga pityophila)
8
(1)
--
--
Yellow-throated Warbler (Setophaga dominica)
3
(1)
6
(2)
4
(1)
Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor)
--
2
(2)
--
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens)
8
(4)
2
(2)
--
Wilson's Warbler (Cardellina pusilla)
1
(1)
--
--
Yellow-headed Warbler (Teretistris fernandinae)
25
(4)
12
(2)
--
Oriente Warbler (Teretistris fornsi)
--
7
(2)
--
Red-legged Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes cyaneus)
12
(2)
--
--
Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola)
3
(1)
--
--
Cuban Grassquit (Tiaris canorus)
9
(3)
--
--
Yellow-faced Grassquit (Tiaris olivaceus)
21
(2)
5
(1)
--
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Cuban Bullfinch (Melopyrrha nigra)
10
(3)
5
(2)
--
Western Spindalis (Spindalis zena)
9
(4)
3
(1)
--
Zapata Sparrow (Torreornis inexpectata)
--
3
(1)
--
Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra)
1
(1)
1
(1)
--
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea)
3
(1)
--
--
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)
2
(1)
2
(1)
--
Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris)
--
2
(1)
--
Red-shouldered Blackbird (Agelaius assimilis)
--
4
(1)
--
Tawny-shouldered Blackbird (Agelaius humeralis)
2
(1)
3
(1)
--
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna)
1
(1)
--
--
Cuban Blackbird (Dives atroviolaceus)
43
(7)
141
(6)
20
(2)
10
(4)
398
(13)
20
(1)
Cuban Oriole (Icterus melanopsis)
12
(5)
3
(3)
--
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
6
(1)
--
16
(1)
Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata)
45
(1)
--
--
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Bibliography:
Birdlife International:
http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/eba
Craves, J.A. and Kimberly, H.R. Notable Bird Sightings from Cuba, Winters 2002 and 2003. Spring 2003 Journal of
Caribbean Ornithology Vol. 16 No.1
Niles Navarro, 2015 Endemic Birds of Cuba. A comprehensive Field Guide. Ediciones Nuevos Mundos
Orlando Garrido and Arturo Kirkconnell, 2000 Field Guide to the Birds of Cuba. Cornell Un. Press
Wallace et.al. 1996 Winter Surveys of Forest-dwelling Neotropical Migrant and Resident Birds in Three Regions of
Cuba. The Condor 98: 745-768
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
DAY 1
Cuba Bird Survey
Avian Photography
November 7 2015
Travel to Cabo Corrientes
Cuban Green Woodpecker (Xiphidiopicus percussus) Campismo Chorrera
by Michael J. Good, MS
Campismo La Chorrera
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
The love of a Father and Son at Los Barrigonas
November 6-17, 2015
Bill sitting in a carved Barrigonas Palm
Cuba Bird Survey
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
DAY 2 November 8, 2015 PN Guanahacabibes
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)
Maria La Gorda
Anartia jatrophae Munroe, 1942
White Peacock
November 6-17, 2015
Cuban Bullfinch (Melopyrrha nigra) Campismo Chorrera
Cuba Bird Survey
West Indian Woodpecker (Melanerpes superciliaris) Maria La Gorda Cuba
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Great Lizard Cuckoo (Coccyzus merlini merlini)
Maria La Gorda
DAY 3 November 9, 2015 Peninsula de Guanahacabibes
Eastern Wood Pewee (Contopus virens)
El Verraco
Cuban Tody
(Todus multicolor)
November 6-17, 2015
Plain Pigeon (Patagioenas inornata)
Cuba Bird Survey
Maria La Gorda
Cuban Green Woodpecker (Xiphidiopicus percussus)
El Verraco
November 6-17, 2015
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea ) female
Bee Hummingbird
Cuba Bird Survey
Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata) El Verraco
(Mellisuga helenae)
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Cuban Pewee (Contopus caribaeus)
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea)
Caleta del Piojo
November 6-17, 2015
Cuban Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium siju)
Cuba Bird Survey
PN Guanahacabibes
November 6-17, 2015
American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber)
Cuban crow (Corvus nasicus)
Cuba Bird Survey
Cuban Trogon (Priotelus temnurus)
Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus)
Guanahacabibes
November 6-17, 2015
DAY 4 November 9, 2015
Yellow-crowned Night-heron La Bajada Lagoon
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)
Cuba Bird Survey
La Bajada
November 6-17, 2015
Cuban Tody (Todus multicolor)
Endemic Bee
Cuba Bird Survey
Maria La Gorda
Maria La Gorda
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Cuban Pewee ( Contopus virens)
Western Spindalis (Spindalis zena)
November 6-17, 2015
Black-throated Green Warbler ( Setophaga virens)
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)
Cuba Bird Survey
Bahia Corrientes La Bajada gate house
Bahia Corrientes La Bajada gate house
November 6-17, 2015
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)
Cuba Bird Survey
La Bajada gate house
November 6-17, 2015
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina)
Cuba Bird Survey
Maria La Gorda
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Maria La Gorda
Cabo Corrientes
November 6-17, 2015
DAY 5 November 10, 2015
Cuban Solitaire (Myadestes elisabeth)
Cuba Bird Survey
Comandante Che Guevara
Parque Nacional La Guira
November 6-17, 2015
Olive-capped Warbler (Setophaga pityophila)
Cuba Bird Survey
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Black and White Warbler ( Mniotilta varia) Monotypic La Chorrera
Cuban Grassquit (Tiaris canorus)
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Old Fords and Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
November 6-17, 2015
DAY 6 November 11 2015
Blue-headed Quail Dove (Starnoenas cyanocephala)
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
Cuba Bird Survey
Zapata
Tawny-shouldered blackbird (Agelaius humeralis)
Bermejas
November 6-17, 2015
Bare-legged Owl
Cuba Bird Survey
(Margarobyas lawrencii)
monotypic
November 6-17, 2015
Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva)
Curly-tailed Lizard
Cuba Bird Survey
Caleta Buena
Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor)
Caleta Buena
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Caleta Buena
Cuban or Rose-throated Parrot (Amazona leucocephala
DAY 7
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
November 12 2015
Zapata or Cuban Sparrow (Torreornis inexpectata)
La Turba
La Turba
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Zapata or Cuban Sparrow (Torreornis inexpectata)
La Turba
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
The Zapata Cienaga from La Turba
Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata)
La Boca
November 6-17, 2015
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) top
Cuba Bird Survey
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker (Sphyrapicus varius) female
Sopillar
November 6-17, 2015
Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra)
Cuba Bird Survey
female
Sopillar
Sopillar,
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Cuban Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium siju)
La Turba
DAY 8 November 13 2015 Playa Larga Travel Day
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)
Yellow-throated Warbler (Setophaga dominica) Rio Azul
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Cuban red race
La Boca
Cienaga de Zapata
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Cayo Coco 1st stop
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Lesser Black-backed Gull on Cayo Coco
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus graellsii)
Cayo Coco
#737 22.26803 -78.17374
Nov 13 2015
DAY 9
November 6-17, 2015
November 14 2015
Cuban Black Hawk (Buteogallus gundlachii)
Cuba Bird Survey
Cayo Paredon Grande
Cayo Paredon Grande
November 6-17, 2015
Cuban Gnatcatcher
Cuba Bird Survey
(Polioptila lembeyei)
Willet (Tringa semipalmata) eastern
Cayo Paredon Grande
Cayo Paredon Grande
November 6-17, 2015
Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla)
Western Spindalis
(Spindalis zena)
Cuba Bird Survey
Cayo Paredon Grande
Cayo Paredon Grande
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
La Sagra's Flycatcher (Myiarchus sagrae)
Cayo Paredon Grande
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Thick-billed Vireo (Vireo crassirostris)
Cayo Paredon Grande
November 6-17, 2015
Sanderling (Calidris alba)
Cuba Bird Survey
Playa Las Coloradas
Cayo Coco
November 6-17, 2015
Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
Cuba Bird Survey
Playa Las Coloradas
Cayo Coco
November 6-17, 2015
Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
Cuba Bird Survey
Playa Las Coloradas
Cayo Coco
November 6-17, 2015
Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)
Cuba Bird Survey
Playa Las Coloradas
Cayo Coco
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Key West Quail Dove (Geotrygon chrysia)
Cueva Jabali
Cayo Coco
November 6-17, 2015
Key West Quail Dove ( Geotrygon chrysia)
Cuba Bird Survey
Cueva Jabali
Cayo Coco
November 6-17, 2015
Ruddy Quail Dove (Geotrygon montana)
Cuba Bird Survey
Cueva Jabali Cayo Coco
November 6-17, 2015
Hooded Warbler (Setophaga citrina)
DAY 10
Loggerhead Kingbird
Cuba Bird Survey
Cueva Jabali Cayo Coco
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum)
November 15 2015
(Tyrannus caudifasciatus)
Cayo Guillermo
Cayo Guillermo
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus ridgwayi)
Hotel Meliá,
Cayo Guillermo
Magnolia Warbler
November 6-17, 2015
(Setophaga magnolia)
Cuba Bird Survey
Cayo Coco
Lagoon #746
Black-throated Blue Warbler ( Setophaga caerulescens )
November 6-17, 2015
The dirty flanks of Northern Waterthrush
Cuba Bird Survey
(Parkesia noveboracensis)
Cayo Coco Lagoon #746
November 6-17, 2015
West Indian Whistling Duck
Cuba Bird Survey
(Dendrocygna arborea)
November 6-17, 2015
West Indian Whistling Duck
Cuba Bird Survey
(Dendrocygna arborea)
November 6-17, 2015
Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)
Cuba Bird Survey
DAY 11
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
November 16 2015
Café Taberna Musicians
Habana Viejo
Havana
Hasta Siempre Che’ Guevara
November 6-17, 2015
Baseball Diplomacy
Cuba Bird Survey
John Bellmon San Francisco hat exchange
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Diplomacy of Earnest Hemingway from a seat in La Bodeguita
El Morro with threatening skies from the Malecón
November 6-17, 2015
Cuba Bird Survey
Rare glimpse of elusive rail
Allan Brooks
Painting by
By Martin Fowlie, Mon, 02/03/2015 - 15:34
An ornithological search-team have caught a glimpse of one of the world’s most threatened water birds, the
Critically Endangered Zapata Rail Cyanolimnas cerverai. The sighting is the first documented in more than four
decades and offers hope to conservationists working to ensure its survival.
First described in the early twentieth century, the only nest ever found was reported by ornithologist James
Bond -a name appropriated by Ian Fleming (himself a birder) for 007- although even this report is considered
doubtful. Little has since been discovered about its behavior and breeding ecology. Hopes were fading that
viable populations of the Cuban water bird remained.
The fleeting encounter, now made public, occurred in November 2014. After a series of coordinated surveys of
south-west Cuba’s Zapata Swamp, ornithologists (including Andy Mitchell and staff from the Cuban Museum
of Natural History) struck gold only after deciding to cut thin strips (rides) into the sawgrass to momentarily
expose the secretive birds as they moved through the wetland.
“In the first instance, the head protruded from the sawgrass at the side of the ride,” recounted Andy Mitchell.
“After a few seconds the bird emerged slowly into the open, stopped for a few seconds before moving off into
the sawgrass on the other side of the ride.”
Now rediscovered, conservation efforts for Zapata Rail will target the wetland in which it was spotted, an
Important Bird and Biodiversity Area covering 530,695 ha of wetland in southern Matanzas province. A new
project management plan will be developed to assess the species’ current population size, distribution and
status.
The sighting is the latest victory in Bird Life’s Preventing Extinctions Program, which aims to halt extinctions
through rigorous science and practical conservation delivered by a range of partners on the ground.

Nov 2015 Cuba Field Trip Report

Transcription

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