Birding in Cuba - February, 2024 - Part 9

 26 February, 2024

Playa Paredon Grande - Playa Las Coloradas

     Most of us set off for an early morning start, before breakfast in fact, fuelled by coffee, to hunt for two principal targets, Cuban Gnatcatcher (Polioptila lembeyei) and Thick-billed Vireo (Vireo crassirostris).

     We were successful on both counts, even securing photographic evidence of the gnatcatcher.

     This was the result of a diligent search, of course, with no effort spared.

     It was pleasant to tarry along the shore for a while, all the while searching with keen intent.

          Beach Moonflower (Ipomoea violacea) trailed all across the beach.

        We hunted diligently for Bahama Mockingbird (Mimus gundlachii), without success, but we spotted this unusual Giant Goofy Gull (Larus trumpensis obfuscatiatus) and Virgil quickly swung into action to enshrine it for posterity.

     I haven't quite figured out yet where to include it on my life list.

     As we made our way back to the resort we stopped at various points and saw many shorebirds, spoonbills, egrets etc but mostly quite distant or bathed in direct sunlight, unconducive to good photography.

     A Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) was imposed on us as a substitute for Bahama Mockingbird, but we were gracious and welcomed it to our happy gang.

     This Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina) looked lovely bathed in early morning sunlight.

    

     Virgil took this delightful picture of a Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charithonia).

     We were seated for breakfast around 08:45 and ate heartily.

     Around 11h:00 a few of us visited a little mall nearby, mainly a collection of boutiques designed to provide trinkets for tourists to take home, and left a few dollars behind to fuel the local economy.

     When I arrived back at my room I had no water and was advised that the municipal water supply into all the resorts was compromised and "they are working on it!" How fast and how efficient "they" would be was a question that sprang to mind immediately.

     After lunch I went for a stroll at the front of the hotel and there were many Julia Heliconians (Dryas iulia) flying around.

     Not for them any concern with water.

     People in the pools might feel differently if the water was not replaced from time to time.

     Various domestic fowl wandered around the grounds at will, and I found them quite pleasant.

     Some even had chicks who had become very adept at scratching in the dirt.

     Western Honeybee (Apis mellifera) seems to have invaded the whole world, and this one had found a source of nectar.

     At 15h:30 we returned to the beach where Kathy was very excited to have a return engagement with Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodius) and got into position to get lots of pictures, with Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) to keep her company.

     Piping Plovers were once again the stars of the show, although as you will see there was a great supporting cast.

     

     Even Piping Plovers have their little spats once in a while.

    

     A juvenile American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus) was an unexpected sighting, and the first time I have seen this species in Cuba.

     Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla), on the other hand, is a "regular."

      Pelicans on the sand really were a joy.

     And in the water too.

     Feather maintenance is always important.

     A few Magnificent Frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens) patrolled high in the sky waiting for a hapless tern or gull to pass by with a fish waiting to be pirated.

     Two American Oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus) made us very happy when they put in an appearance.

     Alan took this great shot of one flying past the nest of a Cuban Blackhawk (Buteogallus gundlachii).

     We returned to the hotel at 17h:15 and there was still no water, although it appeared that tankers were being brought in - with water I assume. I had been wondering how dinner could be prepared without water.

      In any event, dinner proceeded as usual, and when I returned to my room at 20h:30 water came out of the faucet - a mere trickle mind you, but water!

     It's perhaps a good thing that we will be leaving in the morning!

Photos have been provided by Alan, Beth, Kathy, Tania and Virgil, with a few of my own too.