Day 5 Sunday, January 13: Batey Caleton, Zapata

	Bird of the Day: Cuban Tody

casa particular in Batey Caleton

We got up for the sunrise and an early breakfast prepared by Pedro.



Today we explored Parque Nacional Cienaga de Zapata. This area was declared a biosphere preserve in 2000 and a Ramsar site in 2001. It covers an area of 628,171 hectares and is the
largest and best-conserved wetland in Cuba. We hiked through muddy forest trails and were rewarded with some spectacular birds including the tiny Cuban Tody, Cuban Trogan, Cuban Peewee, Cuban Screech Owl, and the spectacular Cuban Green Woodpecker. As well we were pleased to see some of our migrating warblers.



We shared some trails with pigs - reminding us we were very close to the Bay of Pigs. However, research revealed that the bay was named after a fish found in the bay called a trigger fish. The translation from Spanish to English is pig.



As well as birds, the forest was accented by colourful plants, a bright contrast to the dark forest and muddy earth.



We had our first view of the smallest bird in the world, a Bee Hummingbird, on the branch of a shrub at the edge of the forest. Bill was the only one of us to get a clear photo of the female. More sightings, including the even smaller male - and many more photos - would follow the next day.



El Chino stopped at a fruit farm and bought some fresh oranges.



Back at El Chino's we washed our muddy shoes and, after lunch, spent some time hiking along the beach. We were pleased to see a Spotted Sandpiper to add to our list.



For supper, El Chino had planned a family dinner, including us, in Ramon's large dining room open to the ocean. He bought some Cuban red wine and barbequed chicken for us all. Bill presented his Christmas cake for dessert. Although it was new to the Cubans, they seemed to enjoy it.



Birds seen January 13, 2013
*new birds bolded

Bird of the Day: Cuban Tody

1. Greater Antillean Grackle
2. Cuban Parrot
3. Turkey Vulture
4. Cattle Egret
5. Blue-winged Teal
6. Northern Waterthrush
7. Cuban Tody
8. Cuban Pewee
9. Great Lizard Cuckoo - lifer#30
10. Cuban Vireo
11. Northern Parula
12. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
13. Blue-headed Quail-Dove - lifer#31
14. Black and White Warbler
15. American Redstart
16. Black-throated Blue Warbler
17. Ovenbird
18. Common Yellowthroat
19. Cuban Trogon
20. Loggerhead Kingbird
21. Red-legged Thrush
22. Bee Hummingbird- lifer#32
23. Cuban Emerald
24. Northern Jacana
25. American Kestrel
26. Green Heron
27. Broad-winged Hawk
28. Spotted Sandpiper
29. Palm Warbler
30. Belted Kingfisher
31. Zenaida Dove
32. Cuban Screech Owl- lifer#33
33. Cuban Green Woodpecker- lifer#34
34. West Indian Woodpecker
35. Northern Flicker
36. Yellow-faced Grassquit

Trip Total: 103