Day 11 Saturday, January 19: Vinales to Havana

	Bird of the Day: Cuban Emerald

casa particular in Havana

Inesita bad us farewell. Today was our last official birding day with El Chino. Actually, it was only half a day as he would drop us at our casa in Havana at lunch time. We would miss our chauffeur and guide.



El Chino drove us to a resort in the mountains for a final view of the Vinales region.



He decided we would stop at the Jardín Botánico Nacional. We had a guide who showed us the flowers and she also pointed out a Cuban Emerald Hummingbird on a nest. We were excited to get so close to this amazing bird and to see her at rest. Of course we did some more birding and were pleased to see several Red-legged Honeycreepers.



El Chino skillfully maneuvered the auto route into Havana and the dense traffic on narrow streets in the Old City, La Habana Vieja. Soon we were greeted by our new casa hostess, Daisy, at her home on Amargura Street. El Chino was driving home to pick up his wife and baby to bring them near Havana for a visit with her grandmother. He would come back to pick us up on Monday morning and take us to Varadero where our flight home was leaving from.



Before we sent out to explore La Habana Vieja, Daisy made us a sandwich in her "kitchen" which was open to the air above and surrounded by apartments.



Havana Vieja was founded by the Spanish in 1519 in the natural harbor of the Bay of Havana. Many old buildings are being restored. As it was Saturday, families, entertainers and food vendors filled the streets. It a lively city!



We headed for the Malecón, an 8 km esplanade, roadway and seawall with a view of the Castillo del Morro, a huge Spanish fortress guarding the entrance to Havana Bay. Brown pelicans and gulls were numerous. Havanans were relaxed on the wall, enjoying their leisure time. Historical statues reminded us of the Spanish and French presence. Massive waves pounded the wall.



We explored the streets and markets of La Habana Vieja, returning to our casa late afternoon. We settled into our rooms.



Daisy had suggested a restaurant for dinner and made a reservation us. We hiked over to La Giraldilla as it was getting dark. We started our meal with a mojito - rum, lime, mint, club soda and ice. We toasted the end of our birding trip (although, of course, we would remain on the lookout for new birds and lifers). Barbara's sister, Cathy, had reminded us to try this Cuban drink. It seemed just right tonight. Our first night in Havana.



Birds seen January 19, 2013
*new birds bolded

Bird of the Day: Cuban Emerald

1. Loggerhead Kingbird
2. Northern Mockingbird
3. Mourning Dove
4. Cattle Egret
5. Red-legged Thrush
6. American Kestrel
7. Lesser Scaup
8. Neotropic Cormorant
9. Osprey
10. Common Ground Dove
11. Turkey Vulture
12. American Coot
13. Brown Pelican
14. Laughing Gull
15. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
16. Cuban Blackbird
17. House Sparrow
18. Cuban Emerald
19. Green Heron
20. Cape May Warbler
21. Palm Warbler
22. American Redstart
23. Northern Parula
24. Red-legged Honeycreeper
25. Black and White Warbler
26. Common Moorhen
27. Smooth-billed Ani
28. Feral Pigeon
29. Royal Tern
30. Antillean-Palm Swift - lifer #46

Trip Total: 125