CUBA: THE BEST OF THE GREATER ANTILLES! A journey combining both cultural and birding experiences NOVEMBER 1-13, 2021 © 2021 Bee Hummingbird © D Ascanio Cuba, Page 2 Encompassing 110,860 square kilometers (42,803 square miles), the incredible island of Cuba hosts nearly 30 endemic bird species including the smallest bird in the world and a quail-dove who´s closest living relative is still unknown. It is also home for the most mystery-shrouded jewels of the Caribbean, namely the nearly mythical Zapata Rail and possibly (remotely possible) the only remnant population of Ivory-billed Woodpecker. Complementing its natural history attributes, Cuba also is the proud owner of a vibrant and colorful culture and a long & storied history. VENT, in collaboration with International Expeditions, presents a unique opportunity to visit the island-nation that has, for so many decades, been off limits to most American citizens. Through I.E.’s Support for the Cuban People program we are able to visit this island-nation, not as “typical” tourists but as ambassadors, with the chance to experience some of the country’s great natural heritage while interacting with the Cuban people and culture. While this special program engages participants with Cuba´s people, it has been designed with an especially strong focus on birding and nature. Cuba, along with Jamaica, Hispaniola and Puerto Rico, forms the island-cluster known as the Greater Antilles. Although each of these islands possesses a distinct avifauna, Cuba is the largest island and certainly the gem of them all. On this trip, we’ll travel to different sites in the western and central parts of Cuba, visiting protected areas and reserves in a variety of habitats from wetlands and mangrove to dry scrub, farmland and scenic coastline. We’ll visit some of the best birding locations seeking many species found nowhere but here in addition to a range of island subspecies of more broadly occurring Caribbean endemics. The possibilities include the outrageous Cuban Trogon, dazzling Blue-headed Quail-Dove, Cuban Parrot, and the ever-comical Cuban Tody among others. Throughout our travels, Cuban culture will be on full display. We’ll experience the charm of the Cubanos—their customs, their cuisine, and their rich and unique contemporary history—while learning about the challenges they face. From every point of view, Cuba is an amazing destination. Its unique political system, well-maintained natural areas, wonderful people, impressive landscape, incredible architecture, and amazing cars (dated from the 50s) promise an unforgettable experience! Cuba, Page 3 Special Note. For 2021, our Cuba tours will officially start in Havana, Cuba. The VENT office will be happy to assist in issuing your international air ticket. As a reminder, any arrangements in Miami or the city where you take your international flight are not included in the tour fee. November 1, Day 1: Flight to Havana. Upon arrival in Havana, one notices some of Cuba’s most remarkable iconography, its unique “American Almonds” (1957 Chevrolet, 1953 Ford, and 1958 Dodge) as well as much of the untouched 50 ́s era architecture. Along with such unique and picturesque settings, Cuba is also a great destination for meeting people, and for searching for its unique birdlife, both of which will be enjoyed throughout the trip. La Habana (as known to Cubans) is Gray-fronted Quail-Dove © D. Ascanio the capital city of Cuba. It was founded in 1515. Its location made it an important port for Spaniards during the conquest of the Americas. There are three major areas, the Vedado, Old Havana (or Habana Vieja) – an UNESCO World Heritage Site - and the suburban districts. Packed with an amazing history dating from the colonial times, today’s Havana is a result of a many events that have shaped its culture and architecture. Visitors will be amazed with the pomposity of the mansions that were built prior to the revolution and the extravagance of the materials used when only few people benefited from the highly profitable sugar industry. Another iconic site is the famous Malecon where Cubans meet in the afternoon to enjoy the Caribbean breeze, to chat or to fish and the Paseo del Prado promenade. We suggest you arrive in time for an approximately 5:00 P.M. orientation meeting at the hotel reception area. We will provide a specific time and meeting site in the departure memo. NIGHT: Hostal Copa or similar, Havana November 2, Day 2: Drive to Camaguey. We will start the day with an optional birding at the esplanade (locally known as the Malecon) right across the road from the hotel, where we might see Royal Tern, Laughing Gull and maybe, a Magnificent Frigatebird. Also, we will probably see our first Cuban endemic bird, the Cuban Martin flying around buildings and open areas. After breakfast, we will take a day-long ride to the city of Camaguey (drive for approximately 340 miles). We will surely stop along the way to investigate a scrubby vegetation that might offer views of some Neotropical Migrants including Cape May and Bay-breasted warblers, Northern Parula, Northern Waterthrush and Black-and-white Warbler. Also, there will probably be some Palm and Yellow-throated warblers as well. Camagüey was one of the first seven villages founded by the Spaniards and played an important role in the cattle and sugar industries. Dating to colonial times, the city recently celebrated the 500-year anniversary of its founding. This evening, we will have the opportunity to admire many architectural styles including Art Deco, Neo-colonial, Eclectic and Neoclassical. NIGHT: Private Casas or Hotel; Camaguey Cuba, Page 4 November 3, Day 3: Early morning to Najasa. Drive to Cayo Coco in Jardines del Rey Archipelago. An early morning departure to the valleys surrounding Sierra de Najasa will give us a good opportunity to look for two of the most restricted distribution Cuban endemics; the Giant Kingbird and the Cuban Palm Crow. Both species are rare elsewhere, thus our efforts will focus on finding these species. One should notice that the Cuban Palm Crow and the Cuban Crow Giant Kingbird © D Ascanio both occur in this part of the island making voice, wing beat and behavior the key for reliable identification of either one. Other species we should see include Cuban Parrot and Plain Pigeon. After lunch in Camagüey, we will head west and then north to reach the 17-mile causeway to Cayo Coco. This road was finished in the late 80 ́s during the time when Cuba first opened itself to tourism. Today it is a key site for seeing Laughing Gull, various species of terns, Tricolored Heron, and shorebirds. Depending on the water level, views of American Flamingoes can be enjoyed foraging in the shallow areas. NIGHT: Hotel Sol Cayo Coco (or similar), Cayo Coco or Hostal in Morón November 4, Day 4: Cayo Coco, Cayo Paredón Grande & Cayo Guillermo. Cayo Coco (Cuba´s fourth largest island) and neighboring keys are part of an archipelago known as Jardines del Rey (King´s Garden). Given its size, this island hosts rich and varied habitats including mangroves, deciduous forest, mudflats, and beaches, and you can be sure there are important birds associated with each of these habitats! Here we will have the opportunity to join a local ornithologist to learn about Cuba’s conservation challenges and achievements. An early morning departure to Cayo Paredón Grande will offer opportunities to look for the secretive Cuban Gnatcatcher and the brightly colored Western Spindalis. We will also look for the amazing Zapata Sparrow, the unique Great Lizard-Cuckoo, the astonishing Cuban Green Woodpecker and many more. Toward the end of the morning, we will look for the rare and range- restricted Bahama Mockingbird while searching out other island endemics such as Cuban Black Hawk and Oriente Warbler. In the afternoon, we will head in the opposite direction to Cayo Guillermo where several Zapata Sparrow © D Ascanio American Flamingos share the wetlands with a range of waterfowl, cormorants, pelicans, and shorebirds. Cayo Guillermo is a photographer´s paradise, and we will surely spend some time enjoying it. NIGHT: Hotel Sol Cayo Coco (or similar), Cayo Coco or Hostal in Morón Cuba, Page 5 November 5, Day 5: Cayo Coco to Trinidad. An early morning visit to Cueva de los Jabalies (Wild Boars Cave) usually produces Key West Quail Dove, and a close encounter with the comical and diminutive Cuban Tody, the brightest member of this highly localized genus. After an Optional morning birding, we will have lunch followed with a drive west to Trinidad. NIGHT: Private Accommodations in Trinidad November 6, Day 6: Cienfuegos Botanic Garden & Ancón Península. Today’s activities will start in the early morning at the Cienfuegos Botanic Garden. This location will surely add new species to our checklist ranging from the extremely rare Gundlach’s Hawk (rare and confiding) to the more widespread Cuban Oriole. There will probably be Antillean Palm-Swift flying around, and we might come across the astonishing Cuban Trogon, Cuba’s national bird. After lunch, we will return to Trinidad for a relaxed evening. NIGHT: Private Accommodations in Trinidad November 7, Day 7: Parque el Cubano, Bermeja and the Bay of Pigs. An optional early morning field trip will find us at the entrance of the small Parque el Cubano just outside of Trinidad where we may be rewarded with Blue-headed Quail-Dove © D Ascanio sightings of more endemic birds, namely the Cuban Pygmy-Owl, Cuban Vireo and Cuban Green Woodpecker. The park itself protects some good tracks of tropical dry forest and our visit might be rewarded with other species such as the Cuban Bullfinch, the more widespread Yellow-faced Grassquit and even a Limpkin.