Birding in Cuba - February, 2024 - Part 5

 22 February, 2024

Las Salinas - Casa Ana Birding

"Nature in the wildlands is the birthright of everyone on Earth."

E.O. Wilson

     There is always a sense of excitement and anticipation when going to Las Salinas, an expanse of saltwater lagoons where bird life may be experienced in something like the diversity and sheer numbers that might have been experienced before the hand of man changed everything.

     One has the impression of entering a long tunnel on the way to the lagoons through coastal scrub.

     Coastal mangroves are largely intact in this area and the organisms that depend on them are abundant. They act as nurseries, habitat for myriad organisms, and a source of food in and out of the water, where the timeless interplay of predator and prey occurs daily.

     It did not take us long to discover Clapper Rail (Rallus crepitans), a secretive species, emblematic of saltwater lagoons.

     A flock of American White Pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) soared overhead, looking for space to land.

     It is not so many years ago that this species was rarely seen in Cuba, but it has since become commonplace - and a magnificent addition to the avifauna it is.

     Hundreds of Black-necked Stilts (Himantopus mexicanus) were present, no doubt feeding on aquatic insects, molluscs and worms.

  

        A Cuban Black Hawk (Buteogallus gundlachii) kept a watchful eye out for crabs, its principal food. 

     There can be little dispute that the large flocks of American Flamingoes (Phoenicopterus ruber) are a marquis attraction, perhaps THE marquis attraction, of Las Salinas.

     The deep colour of their plumage attests to the abundance of carotenoid-rich marine life upon which they feed.

     Feather maintenance is a constant preoccupation.

       In the following shot Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) may be seen in the background.

     American White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) was quite common, but often in small groups far out.

     It was a really interesting landscape in this area; effectively a partly submerged alvar.

     Virgil captured the image below of a mixed flock. If you look carefully you will see American White Pelican, American Flamingo,  Neotropic Cormorant (Nannopterum brasilianum), Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja), American White Ibis, Great Egret (Ardea alba), Snowy Egret (Egretta thula), Tricoloured Heron (Egretta tricolor), and in the dead tree to the right of centre in the back of the picture there may be an Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) - there is just not enough detail to be sure.

     Did I miss anything?

     A Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) was content to look for piscatorial prey, free from competition or distraction from others.

     Throughout our trip Roseate Spoonbills were seen frequently in suitable habitat, but usually they were not close enough for decent photography. Kathy managed these flight shots, however.

     A Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens) amused us with its madcap antics.

     We returned to Hostal Melody where we all had lunch, followed by free time to do as we chose. In mid afternoon we all strolled over to Casa Ana Birding, that incredible oasis for birder and photographer alike.

     On the way over, Hawkeye Virgil Martin spotted this Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga ani), always a delight.

     It was no surprise that a Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) was among the first birds to greet us in Ana's garden.

     In Ontario I have never had a visit from a Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina) to my feeders, let alone hovering and sipping sugar water from a hummingbird feeder.

     I was equally confounded by a Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) doing the same thing.

     A Grey Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) was another reminder of home.

     The Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) was still present in the lagoon at the foot of the garden.....

     ..... as was the Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea).

     Here is an excerpt about Cuban Crow (Corvus nasicus) from Crows and Jays (1992), Madge and Burn: ".....under exceptional viewing conditions the nostrils may be visible.....irides dark, reddish-brown."

     I guess that Virgil nailed it all!

     A Cape May Warbler will soon  migrate northwards to breed in the boreal forests (what remains of them after last year's devastating wildlfires).

     Cuban Blackbird (Ptiloxena atroviolacea) was, surprisingly perhaps, a fairly infrequent visitor to the garden.

     Tawny-shouldered Blackbird (Agelaius humeralis), on the other hand, was seldom out of sight.

     Starburst Bush (Clerodendrum quadriloculare) was exceptionally attractive to my eye.

     Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) was easy to see - wish it were so in Ontario!

     Male and female Black-throated Blue Warblers will pair up after arriving on their breeding grounds, to set the stage for the next generation.

     A visit from a Crested Anole (Anolis cristatellus) added to the pleasure of the moment.

     Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae) is the undisputed star of the show in Ana's garden, and the principal reason most people visit.

     Cuban Emerald (Riccordia ricordii), a supremely beautiful species, merits our attention too.

     It was with great pleasure that we all were able to spend time with the Cuban Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium siju) again.

     One by one we left to make our way back to our casas to prepare for dinner, which was spectacular, as usual, enlivened by the presence of Damita, Jose Sr and Jose Jr, and the charming Ellie.

     Perhaps best of all, however, was the appearance of "our" American Barn Owl (Tyto furcata). 

     We were all enchanted by this nightly visitor, but perhaps none more so than Kathy, and her pictures are proof of that.

     There's really not a much better way to end a day.

     Thanks to Alan, Kathy, Tania and Virgil for permission to use their pictures - and I even threw in a few of my own.