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Cuba and Jamaica tourThis two-week tour provides opportunities to see almost 60 single-island endemics spread across the two islands, Cuba the largest of the Greater Antilles and, the other, Jamaica, which is the smallest of the main islands in the group. In addition, we will have chances to find a number of multi-island endemics and regional specialities, some of which may, in the future, be upgraded in their taxonomic status. The tour starts in Cuba’s famous Zapata Swamp, one of the richest single sites throughout the West Indies, and continues across much of the western two-thirds of the island widely regarded as the last bastion of communism in the world, but is now gradually becoming slightly more liberalised. We will have good chances of finding all of Cuba’s endemics with the exception of the near-mythical Zapata Rail, whose voice is still not certainly known, and the extremely rare Cuban Kite, which is restricted to the extreme east of the island and requires a trip of near-expedition proportions to have any chances of seeing it. From Cuba we will transfer via a short flight to the much lusher island of Jamaica, where during our short visit we will search out an even longer list of single-island endemics. Fortunately, this island is much smaller than Cuba, enabling us to cover its entire range of forested habitats, and have chances of finding all of its special birds, in rapid time. Day 1. Arrival in Havana, Cuba, from where we will make the three-hour transfer to Playa Girón for a five-night stay in the Zapata Peninsula, one of the richest areas for birds in the entire West Indies region, with over 200 species having been recorded. We should soon seeing our first island endemics and regional specialities: Cuban Blackbird, the recently Cuban Oriole, Cuban Emerald, Cuban Crow and Tawny-shouldered Blackbird. Days 2–5. Some of our main targets in this area will be the quail-doves, of which four species occur on the island. The spectacular Blue-headed Quail-Dove, which belongs to a monotypic genus, is the most difficult, whilst Ruddy Quail-Dove is widespread throughout much of the Neotropics, but Key West Quail-Dove is restricted to the Greater Antilles and the Florida Keys, and the globally threatened Grey-headed Quail-Dove is confined to Cuba. Time and patience are always prerequisites in the quest for these birds. Woodpeckers are another feature the region: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is a common winter migrant, while West Indian Woodpecker, the endemic race of Northern Flicker and Cuban Woodpecker are all reasonably common residents. Most prized, however, is the rare and declining Fernandina’s Flicker, which is known from several sites in the area. The forest reserve of Bermejas will be one of our most frequently visited sites: Rose-throated (Cuban) Parrot, Cuban Parakeet and Bare-legged Owl are all regular there, in addition to the quail-doves and woodpeckers. We will search mixed flocks for the endemic Yellow-headed Warbler and Cuban Vireo, as well as Cuban Bullfinch, and be ever alert for the short rattling call of a Cuban Tody. The beautiful Cuban Trogon (Cuba’s national bird) and rather dowdier but still impressive Great Lizard Cuckoo are regular sights and sounds. We will keep a sharp watch for any signs of panic among the small birds, which may indicate the presence of the rare Gundlach’s Hawk. One morning we will make an earlier than usual start for a locality within the famous Zapata Swamp. The open woodland around the swamp will afford chances for Northern and Louisiana Waterthrushes, as well as three island endemics, Cuban Pygmy Owl, Zapata Sparrow and Red-shouldered Blackbird. Our principal target, however, will be the extremely localised Zapata Wren, which is currently being seen at a site that does not require getting wet feet (unlike in the 1990s). This place is also home to Spotted and King Rails, Sora and a range of common marsh birds including various herons, Belted Kingfisher and Northern Harrier, but chances of the ultra-rare and highly secretive Zapata Rail are effectively nil. Another species synonymous with Cuba is the smallest bird in the world: Bee Hummingbird. We will visit several of its known haunts during our time in Zapata, affording us fine chances to catch up with this one of Cuba’s most-desired bird species. We will also make a couple of early-evening excursions. One to find Cuban Nightjar (which is now widely regarded as distinct from the form in Hispaniola), whilst, on the other hand, a pair of Stygian Owls is a regular feature of our hotel’s grounds. Each day will follow a similar pattern. After an early breakfast we will head to an adjacent area and bird until late morning before returning to the hotel for lunch and a short siesta, thereafter returning to the field mid-afternoon. Day 6. All-day drive to Camagüey, the third-largest (and oldest) city in Cuba, where we will arrive in the late afternoon. We will have lunch and bird en route, and, after checking into hotel, we will make the short trip to the city’s cathedral to search for the endemic breeder, Cuban Martin, should we not have already encountered it in Zapata. This species, which is very similar to Purple Martin (which migrates through Cuba), is unknown anywhere else in the world, but is absent from the island between autumn and late January. Day 7. Early morning visit to the Sierra de Najasa, south of Camagüey city, where we will search for a range of highly specialised species, including the globally endangered Plain Pigeon, as well as both Cuban Crow and Cuban Palm Crow (facilitating an appreciation of the differences between these two all-black species). Also here are Eastern Meadowlarks, as well as another globally threatened bird, now endemic to Cuba, Giant Kingbird. Furthermore, we will also have additional chances for Cuban Parakeet, Fernandina’s Flicker, Gundlach’s Hawk and yet more wintering North American warblers. We will also check a nearby lake for West Indian Whistling Duck. After lunch we will make the drive north to Cayo Coco, where we will spend two nights. Day 8. Cayo Coco, off the north coast of Cuba but linked by a causeway to the mainland, was once a wilderness known only to fisherman (including Ernest Hemingway). Nowadays, the region has been extensively developed for tourism, but especially during migration this is an exciting place to be, with a long list of rarities having been recorded. However, we will be mainly concentrating on finding the breeding specialities: an endemic subspecies of Thick-billed Vireo is found only here, whilst Cuban Gnatcatcher and Oriente Warbler are close to the westernmost limits of their ranges, and Mangrove Cuckoo and Bahama Mockingbird are, in Cuba, largely or wholly restricted to the area. Should we have missed it earlier, there is another chance for Key West Quail-Dove, whilst a different subspecies of Zapata Sparrow is much easier to see than in Zapata! Numbers of terns and gulls can be seen offshore and the causeway is the best place in the West Indies to see Red-breasted Merganser, as well as being the regular haunt of a large flock of American Flamingos, and many waders and herons. Day 9. All-day journey back to Havana, where we stay for the last two nights. Day 10. On our final day in Cuba we will make an early start for La Güira National Park, at the west end of the island. This highland region is still well forested and is consequently excellent for endemics. However, our principal targets will be the endemic Cuban Solitaire and near-endemic Olive-capped Warbler, both of which are usually readily found. Finally, we will check a different area for the now very localised Cuban Grassquit. Although still common in the eastern third of the island, finding one in Cuba has become rather difficult in recent years due to the fact that many have been trapped by cagebird enthusiasts. Following lunch in a nearby hotel, we will return to Havana with sufficient time for some sightseeing. Day 11. We will take an Air Jamaica flight to Kingston, from where we will drive north to our very comfortable base on the north coast near Port Antonio, at Mockingbird Hill. We should arrive with time to search for Jamaican Owl close to our hotel. Days 12–13. We will spend the bulk of these two days searching the Ecclesdown Road area, in particular, for Jamaican Blackbird, Black-billed and Yellow-billed Parrots, and Jamaican Crow. We will also be on the lookout for Olive-throated (Jamaican) Parakeet (otherwise found only in the Dominican Republic, where it was introduced), Jamaican Lizard Cuckoo, Chestnut-bellied Cuckoo, Jamaican Becard, Jamaican Euphonia, Greater Antillean Bullfinch, and Yellow-shouldered and Black-faced Grassquits. Amongst the many common endemics found here, and in our hotel’s gardens, we should see Jamaican Woodpecker, Jamaican Tody, White-chinned Thrush and Orangequit, as well as the widespread Bananaquit (a species that is strangely absent from Cuba). The gardens also provide a home to both species of streamertails, Red-billed and Black-billed (the latter being much more numerous), and Jamaican Mango. We will also have good chances to find Ring-tailed Pigeon and the endemic and shy Crested Quail-Dove, as well as Rufous-tailed Flycatcher. Wintering and migrant North American wood warblers can include Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Cape May, Prairie and Black-and-white Warblers, Northern Parula and American Redstart. Other important species to search for include the more localised of the two endemic thrushes, White-eyed Thrush, Jamaican Spindalis, Jamaican and Blue Mountain Vireos, Arrow-headed Warbler, Rufous-throated Solitaire and Jamaican Oriole. Jamaican Pewee, Jamaican Elaenia, and Rufous-tailed and Sad Flycatchers are all possible. Day 14. From our comfortable lodging we will bird the local area of Mockingbird Hill, before returning to Kingston, the country’s bustling capital and the home of reggae music, from where we will fly back to Havana, where the tour ends. Leader: Guy Kirwan is a founder of the Neotropical Bird Club and has served as the editor of its journal, Cotinga, for ten years. He has visited Cuba on 15 previous occasions, as well as Jamaica five times. He collaborated closely in the production of the Cuban field guide and, in addition to having published widely on Caribbean ornithology, Guy is one of the authors of a shortly forthcoming guide to birding in the Greater Antilles.
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Itinerary: Duration: 14 days Limit: 4-6 Date: 1-14 April 2009, similar dates in 2010 & 2011 Start: Havana, Cuba End: Havana, Cuba Price: Cuba £1450, Jamaica £1450 Price_Includes: Meals Accommodation while on tour Guiding fees All transport while on tour Tourist card (£15) for Cuba Flight between Cuba and Jamaica Price_Excludes: International flights Items of a personal nature, e.g. gifts Laundry Personal insurance Gratuities
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© 2008-2010 Birding Ecotours · www.birdingecotours.co.za was updated January 2010 |
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