Birding in Cuba - February 2024 - Part 8

25 February, 2024

Cayo Coco (Cueva El Jabalí, Laguna Flamencos) - Playa Las Coloradas

     Breakfast at the buffet was enjoyed by all, following which we went to the location popularly known as "The Cave." It is in fact an underground disco, populated by bats during the day when the party-goers are not there, with a reversal at night when the bats are out hunting.

     We always start our visit aboveground with a check of a bird bath and a couple of feeders, where there is much to be seen.

     One of the highlights is a subspecies of the endemic Zapata Sparrow (Torreornis inexpectata), and we were not disappointed.

     A Yellow-faced Grassquit (Tiaris olivaceus) was common, yet always delightful.

     Scanning the surrounding scrubby vegetation was productive, and this Loggerhead Kingbird (Tyrannus caudifasciatus) posed beautifully.

     A Cuban Bullfinch (Melopyrrha nigra) was no less cooperative.

     Red-legged Thrush (Turdus plumbeus) is surely the most handsome of the Turdus thrushes.

     A Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) was not to be outdone, and showed us his most handsome side.

    
     No visit would be complete without a visit to the bats, and so we descended the stairs - into the cave of mystery and delight!

     There were no crowds of merrymakers to disturb our visit.

     Beth made sure that we were all aware of the rules before entering.

     We did not "violate the principles and ethics of our society." We were the very model of well-behaved Canadians; curious, eager to see the subterranean inhabitants, but innocuous to a tee!

     This is an interesting place, to say the least.

     Mike, generous to a fault, bellied up to the bar and offered to buy everyone a drink.

     Suffice it to say that we went a little batty!

     It was an interesting experience, of that you may be sure, enjoyed by everyone.

     Back into the bright light of day, a male Western Spindalis (Spindalis zena) was a fitting welcome from our journey into the underworld, and a female followed right behind to validate the greeting.

     We boarded the bus and travelled to Laguna Flamencos to see West Indian Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna arborea) See it we did, but the birds kept frustratingly far away, so I have no pictures to share with you. 

      A Neotropic Cormorant (Nannopterum brasilianum) was a little more amenable.

     There was a good variety of shorebirds and other species present, but mostly out of camera range. The following shot will give you an idea of what we were facing.

     On the way back to the resort for lunch we did manage to meet up with a Mangrove Cuckoo (Coccyzus minor).

     After lunch we had time for relaxation (aka siesta, a nap, forty winks) following which we made a short journey to the beach beyond the resort where a wonderful variety of birds awaited us.

     These Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) perched on driftwood were captivating.

     Kathy and Mike had their binoculars trained on everything that moved!

     Is Virgil pondering the next shot or wondering whether he got the last one just right?

       Many Sanderlings (Calidris alba) provided enchantment for all of us.

       A Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) cruised overhead.

     Kathy kept a close eye on a Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) and was able to photograph the following sequence.

     The premier attraction at this section of the beach is the presence of Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus), a bird under siege at every stage of its life cycle. It is classed globally as threatened and endangered, with a total population of between 7,600 and 8,400 in 2020. It is at a high risk of decline as its shoreline habitat is threatened by pollution, expanding expropriation of its habitat by humans, and rising sea levels.

     It is an incredibly appealing little bird, and we were excited to spot one with a leg marker, clearly visible, and able to be captured on camera.

     When I returned home I submitted a picture and the details of our discovery to the appropriate authorities and was advised as follows:

"David- Yes, this is one of our plovers from eastern Canada – he was banded as a chick in July 2017 at Malbay South, NB.  Originally he was black flag AP, but when the code on the black flag became unreadable, we replaced it with white flag K2 in 2021.  As you noted, he winters in Cuba at Cayo Coco.  In the nonbreeding season he has also been seen in spring 2018 in North Carolina; and in fall: 2018 in Virginia and North Carolina, and 2019 North Carolina.

Great to know he is still alive and doing well!  Thanks for sending in the sighting."

     Piping Plovers have been known to live for fourteen years, but most probably do not survive beyond five years, so this epic little voyager is getting on in years.

     I am grateful to Mike for sending me this map of the migratory route followed by our hero, from birthplace to wintering grounds on Cayo Coco, a distance of 3,050 km.

     We were a very happy group.

     In case you ever wondered, there's more to Cuba than palm trees and rum. Just ask any of the people above and they will set you straight.

     Until the next time.....  

    I am grateful to Alan, Beth, Kathy, Mike, Tania and Virgil for contributing their pictures.