Monday, January 15, 2024

Birding in Cuba - November, 2023 - Part 8

 27 November, 2023
Cayo Coco and Surrounding Cays

     Following the removal of the Berlin Wall, both physically and geopolitically, Russian presence and influence in Cuba waned. It has been revived of late; some claim that Putin is seeking cannon fodder for his unbridled aggression against Ukraine.
     Whatever the reason, there were several Russians staying at the resort, characterized universally by their seeming inability to smile, their reluctance to utter the simple words "please" or "thank you" (in any language), and for their prodigious capacity for alcohol.


     They were not the life and soul of any party, except their own perhaps.
     We left early to check out the local sewage lagoons (only birders can relish the ambiance of such places), and we were delighted with the range of species there.
      In addition to Tania, Odey was our proficient guide, always helpful, always charming and filled with knowledge.


     It's a source of great pleasure to come across Black-necked Stilts (Himantopus mexicanus). They are delicate, elegant and preposterous all at the same time.


     Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) was our near constant companion.


     A small group of American Flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) served to fuel our enthusiasm.


     Maybe we should have taken a couple of those Russians to see a flamingo; then they might have cracked a smile!
     Perhaps a Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens) might have done it.



     We returned to the resort to have breakfast.


     After breakfast, we left to visit different sections of Cayo Coco and some of the surrounding small cays.
     Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) was seen throughout; common, but special for us since it does not occur in Ontario.


       Brian took a gob-smacking picture of an American Flamingo.


      We quite often saw Roseate Spoonbills (Platalea ajaja) but never really close.


     I am not sure whether these birds are subject to illegal hunting, but they seemed more nervous than I remember them from past encounters.
     We were successful in finding Mangrove Cuckoo (Coccyzus minor) in an area where the sole mission in life for the local mosquitos was to torment visiting birders! Thank goodness for insect repellent!


     We saw Cuban Bullfinch (Melopyrrha nigra) quite often, but none was quite as obliging as this juvenile.


     At one point we were all very excited, thinking we had found a rare Thick-billed Vireo (Vireo crassirostris). This bird has probably been extirpated in The Bahamas following habitat destruction as a consequence of fierce and devastating hurricanes, and maintains a precarious hold in coastal vegetation on Cayo Coco and other islands. 
     Fortunately, Stewart managed to take several first rate pictures, and following discussions with Tania, Ernesto and Odey, we concluded (reluctantly) that it was a White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus). I guess we have to save something for next time!


     We returned to the resort for lunch, following which we went to a nearby beach where several interesting species awaited.
     Karl always had a keen eye for the unusual and the beautiful and wielded his camera to great advantage.



     Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) is endangered throughout its range, and occurs sparsely in Ontario. It was good to see them scampering along Cuban beaches - unfortunately no one was able to get a picture!
     It was quite a different story with Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola).


     A Great Egret (Ardea alba) was perhaps trying to dissipate some of the heat on a very hot day.


     Laughing Gulls and Ruddy Turnstones (Arenaria interpres) were content to keep company with each other.


     A Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus), like many tourists, was content to loaf on the beach.
     

     It was very agreeable indeed to be visited by two American Oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus), a species I had not seen in a very long time; I find oystercatchers exceptionally appealing.


     There were a couple of familiar plants in the ornamental gardens at the resort.

Ocean Blue Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica)

Oleander (Nerium oleander)

     Where there are flowers, there are butterflies. Gulf Fritillary (Dione vanillae) is a cosmopolitan species and we saw it quite often.


     We returned to the resort around 16h:30 with time to relax until dinner at 19h:00.
     Some went to the pool.


     Others went to the beach.


     Then there were those like me who took a nap, did a little laundry and read for a while. 
     We all met in the dining room as usual and everyone enjoyed dinner.


     Dessert was an irresistible temptation for some.


     It had been another great day. 

Thanks to Andrew, Brian, Karl, Lorraine, Stewart and Tania for us of their photographs. 
David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

67 comments:

  1. ...David, thanks for taking me along on your fabulous trip!

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  2. Hello David, a wonderful post with great photos of the birds you encountered. Those wonderful beaches look amazing with that blue of the sea. I feel sorry for those poor Rusians who lost their genes for smiling. They can not help it and they are the lucky ones that can vissit other countries in the World.
    Regards,
    Roos

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    1. They certainly were a dour bunch and seem only to hang out with each other. Whether that was by choice or by direction from others I don’t know.

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  3. Hello David,
    Another great report on your Cuban trip and the birds. Great sightings and photos, The Cuban Bullfinch is great, a new bird to me. Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead.

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  4. The birds are just so amazing. Thanks for the great photos

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  5. Your photos are extraordinary! There's an area near me with piping plovers. I will need to keep my eyes focused when I'm there.

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    1. Good luck. It's a delicate and beautiful little bird.

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  6. Thanks for all the great photos, I'm enjoying both the photos and gaining some knowledge about birds. English is my second language and I recently learned what the word extirpated means (in connection with the Tule elk in a part of California) and here it is again, so sad. It's sad that we can't live in peace with nature and its critters, large and small.

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    1. Your ability to write cogent, grammatically correct and stylistically pleasing English is impressive.

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  7. The American Fkamingo has a very beautiful color, David. It must be wonderful to watch them out in their natural habitat.
    Hugs and kisses, Marit

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    1. They are impressive, Marit. Hugs and kisses - David

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  8. Fantastic pictures, especially Brian's capture of the American Flamingo. Gobsmacking indeed!

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  9. I love those flamingos! The beach looks amazing David, wish I were there right now! ☺

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    1. Cuba is an easy destination for you, Rain, but living in rural New Brunswick it must be quite involved to get to a major airport.

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  10. Another truly great day. And anyone who could not find pleasure in the sights you saw deserves to be unhappy.

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  11. What a wonderful trip you had, and the photos of the birds and their habitat are fabulous, TFS. And you seem to be well fed on your trips! Hugs, Valerie xxxxxxx

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  12. The Russians do appear to be a grumpy crowd.
    I grow the very bright blue Ipomoea tricolor - Heavenly Blue and also have a Nerium oleander growing in a large pot inside our front porch.
    Who doesn't love a little Plover? What a delight they are to the eye when seen running along coastal edges and mudflats.

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  13. That's too bad that the Russians actually seemed to live up to their stereotype. I'm sure we Americans often do, too. :(
    The Black-necked Stilts are strikingly cute.
    Sorry the little yellow and grey bird wasn't the one you thought it was. But it is a pretty little bird, regardless.
    Pretty flowers, too. Always fun to go along for a vicarious bit of travels with your group. :)

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  14. What a huge variety of birds in this post! And all so lovely. Those Russians--they must know most people look at their government and its actions in Ukraine with contempt. No wonder they have no smiles. When we were in Miami a few years ago, we visited a Russian restaurant in an area of the city called Little Russia, I believe. There were many pregnant young women, cars with ads in Russian written on them, etc. Apparently Russian women came there to have their babies so the children would have dual citizenship. Most of the Russians stayed in Trump Tower, which was right in the middle of this very Russian area. We were surrounded by Russian speakers, but I must say, the food in the buffet was astonishing and delicious. Not at all what I would have thought.

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    1. Perhaps some of them even regard their government with contempt.

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  15. Querido David muchas gracias por compartir tanta sabiduría y tanta belleza. Me alegro de que mis padres me dieron una educación donde las cosas se piden por favor y se agradecen las cosas. Un enorme abrazo para ti y para Miriam. Las aves son preciosas.

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  16. So many varieties of birds! Those black-necked stilts are really elegant. Thank you for the great tour.

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  17. David, as I was looking at and reading the names of the bird life encountered on this trip, it reminded me that many of these varieties were also seen on the VA eastern shore where we lived for 12 years. Thanks for a trip down memory lane. And the desserts at the end looked so good too😋

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  18. Buenas fotografía y un buen acompañado desayuno.
    Un abrazo.

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  19. You had a very good travel in Cayó Coca, Cuba. That is a wonderful place. I think that you fighted too with the mosquitoes. The tourists like so much the hotels and resorts in this área.

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  20. Hari Om
    Some truly outstanding images from the group again... but I have to say that lead shot has the sense of "spycam" about it and could be a still from a movie! YAM xx

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  21. Hi David, Your Cuba trip photos are wonderful. It’s tough to pick a favorite … they are all so good. I do especially love your photo of the Royal Tern. Thanks for another excellent post. John

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  22. It so sad that someone on vacation in such a beautiful spot couldn't smile or even use some simple manners. It's a good thing they weren't part of your group. It looks like you had a super birding day. All those pink birds. Spoonbills are great, and to see wild flamingos are even on my bucket list. hugs-Erika

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  23. Hello David,
    Another day where one highlight follows the other, great shots, the heron is captured first-class, compliments to the (photo) shooters...
    Greetings Frank

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  24. Lovely photos of the birds and people. I do like the look for the flamingo.

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  25. Great series of photos from your trip to Cuba.
    The flamingos are beautiful in color, the laughing seagull is also not found in the Netherlands.
    Beautiful photo that Brain took of the roseate spoonbill.
    The Mangrove Cuckoo is also beautiful.
    The great egret, the tern and the oystercatcher do occur in the Netherlands, the great egret is increasingly common, but things are really bad for the oystercatcher.
    The Russians have no choice to leave, Putin must be stopped as quickly as possible, otherwise the whole of Europe will also be in danger, this lust for power will continue.
    Greetings Irma

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  26. Hi David - when I was in my early twenties I worked for an export group and quite often had to take East Europeans to various factories in the UK - always in twos ... and never admitting much - and obviously I'd no idea what they were talking about - not much fun, but interesting. The trip looks to have been another great success ... I too love the Roseate Spoonbills ... and I'd love to visit Cuba - but unlikely. Cheers for now - Hilary

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    1. Escorting sullen East Europeans during the days of the Cold War seems quite awful, Hilary!

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    2. Interesting I'd say; having them follow you (me) around in Eastern Europe was worse and worrying ... again an experience?! Cheers H

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  27. Totally AWESOME photos today. the flamingos win my favorite, not jus one photo but all the photos of them and the spoonbills are next. how could we not smile at PINK birds.. I see everyone at your table was happy to be there.

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    1. Roseate Spoonbill is fairly easy to see in Florida.

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  28. Beautiful birds, I especially liked the Mangrove Cuckoo.
    The hotel and the area around it seem to be very pleasant.
    Thank you for sharing this beautiful photos.

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    1. The exterior was very pleasant, Maria; the interior falling into decay and disrepair.

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  29. Hi David.

    Nice part of your journey.
    I thought the Flamingos were great.

    Greetings from Patricia.

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  30. Stunning as always David Your mention of the cuckoo reminded me of Ireland, they were so prevalent there, invading other birds' nests and depositing their eggs to be raised by other species. The corn crake also came to mind, its distinctive call the sound of my childhood.
    There were many Russians in Cuba when I was there and I agree, so very grim and unapproachable and I've often wonder is that whole country traumatized? A sis-in-law is Russian and there's such a sadness in her. She was part of the military there as an MD.
    Long comment - oops.
    XO
    WWW

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  31. Bien por esos almuerzos para recuperar fuerzas y seguir captando aves. Preciosos los flamencos. Gracias David.
    Os deseo una buena semana.
    Un abrazo.

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  32. It certainly looks another great day.
    Lovely photographs, I did like the American Flamingos.

    All the best Jan

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  33. Black-necked Stilts feet look very long.... never the species in nature...
    thank you for sharing beautiful photos.

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  34. Wonderful. Thanks David.
    The black-necked stilts with the reflection in the water are magnificent.
    And when you see the flamingos, your heart immediately warms... what colors this beautiful pink/orange plumage contrasts with the blue of the water, which appears almost purple... it's pure harmony.
    Now, when there is snow, the bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) also comes to the bird feeder in the garden to me. I wouldn't even expect this deep black bullfinch to be in Cuba. When I think of Cuba, I think of sun and colors and rhythm :-)) What a beautiful photo. There are surprises everywhere.
    We have also been seeing great egrets for some time now; they look beautiful when they stand in the field with their beautiful, slim elegance.
    ... I would definitely have left room for the wonderful dessert for dinner...
    A hug to you.

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  35. The birds are as beautiful and interesting as always but what really intrigues me is your life beyond the birding, observing the other travelers (I wonder what the Russians thought of your gang!) and seeing the accommodations and food. It looks like you thought of everything.

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  36. I never tire of seeing pics of flamingoes and spoonbills. I love their pink color. There are flamingoes at our Honolulu Zoo, but we don't see flamingoes and spoonbills in the wild here.

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  37. Looks as though you saw a lot of American.birds!!! Lovely accommodations his time..I would have taken a nap as well...Nice pictures of the stilt and the reflections..
    Between the Putins and the Trumps this world is in big trouble..Glad I'm old!!!

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  38. Another fabulous post, I could comment on every photo but I am not going to as I will not get to bed tonight!!
    I am trying to do a blog before we leave next Wednesday but not sure it will happen, I keep running out of hours in the day. While away I will do a blog if I have time, (and wifi) otherwise I will be silent most of the time until we return 1 April.
    Keep well. Bisous mon ami, Diane

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    1. Have a wonderful trip, Diane. Hope that Nigel is able to handle it and that you have a fabulous time together. Gros bisous - David

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  39. Beautiful birds, my favorite is the Black-necked Stilts. they will my heart stop David.

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  40. Siempre es un placer venir a visitarte, me encanta todo lo que nos cuentas. Un abrazo grande.

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  41. Wonderful photos David. The thought of a sewage lagoon is disturbing.

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  42. I share your enthusiasm for oystercatchers, David. I love them whether I see them on the Oregon coast or on a tiny island in the North Sea in Germany. I'd love to see a Roseate Spoonbill and I know I could do that in Florida, but that state is not on my bucket list. I guess I need to go to Cuba then. Compliments to your travel companion Karl for taking these lovely non-bird photos - that's the "stuff" I'm drawn to as well.

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  43. I always think to myself, what's their story? They could be self conscious, especially with a war waging, or their inability to communicate. Things like that. As Joan Osborne and Sheryl Crowe have taught us.

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    1. I am not familiar with Joan Osborne or Sheryl Crowe, but I will google them to see what they have taught us!

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    2. Now who can read the mind of the redheaded girl next door
      Or the taxi driver who just dropped you off
      Or the, or the classmate that you ignore
      Don't assume everything on the surface is what you see
      Cause that classmate just lost her mother
      And that taxi driver's got a PHD
      "Amanda Marshall" Not Joan Osborne, my oops!

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  44. Great shots and an interesting post. I have run into Russian immigrants in Harrisonburg, a town that is welcoming to immigrants. They smile, perhaps, because they don’t have to go back.

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  45. Hello dear friend David! Hola Travels with Birds! Hola de nuevo! first of all: Happy New Year 2024!
    I continue learning about your experience in Cuba but i'm laughing a lot at the description of the russians at the resort. The subtle irony in suggesting taking russians to see flamingos to try to make them smile is funny! jaja XD they look like stone, many of them have arrived here and i notice them extremely cold, serious and distant. I thought they were angry but i see that in Cuba was the same.
    Anyway, that trip was wonderful.

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  46. What a great birding holiday. The impressions must be overwhelming.The birds are spectacular. Beautiful photos!
    Hugs,
    Maria

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  47. Another interesting outing, with many beach birds that I like. The beaches are paradisiacal. With respect to people, there are people everywhere who are inexpressive or who drink a lot of alcohol. I think it is the cultures or their idiosyncrasies. From our Latin vision, even the rest of the Europeans or their descendants seem to us to be not very expressive and heavy drinkers, although there are always people for all tastes

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We acknowledge that the land on which we are situated are the lands traditionally used by the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and Neutral People. We also acknowledge the enduring presence and deep traditional knowledge, laws, and philosophies of the Indigenous Peoples with whom we share this land today. We are all treaty people with a responsibility to honour all our relations.

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