Birding trip Cuba 4-17
March 2001
Part of report
at www.jvanderw.nl
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Photos of birding sites and other sites part 1: La Guīra, Zapata, Najasa
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Hotel Mirador in San Diego de los Baņos near La Guīra park in the hill
range West of Havana. This region is a must for just two endemic bird
species, the Cuban Solitaire and the Olive-capped Warbler.
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At the end of the road up to La Guīra park. Below the small limestone
cliff were two Cuban Solitaires singing, along the trail that goes up from
behind the small, deserted building. A bit back between the pines was the
other endemic, the Olive-capped Warbler.
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Osnedy's casa particular at Playa Larga, Zapata peninsula, is right at the
water front. The Cristal beer is good and the more so after a long search
in the woods for a rare gound-dove.
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The woods near the hamlet of Soplillar on the Zapata peninsula are good
for many of the Cuban endemic bird species.
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The eastern tip of the huge Zapata marsh. This is near Bermejos, a good
and easy spot for birdwatching from the quiet road crossing the marsh.
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A totally different marsh area and much further East. This is in the
Najasa area South of Camaguey.
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One of the big trees in La Belen nature park; the one where the rare Giant
Kingbird often resides (and now too).
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In La Belen these tall palms are an important nesting site for many bird
species, like Cuban Parakeet. Most species nest in holes that have been
dug out by the West Indian Woodpecker.
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The West Indian Woodpecker is a very active nestbuilder indeed, even in
this pole at the farm near the headquarters of La Belen nature park. A
dozen bird species are dependent on the holes made by this woodpecker.
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An easy walk from La Belen HQ through open woods produced several new
warbler species for the trip.
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