Birding Havana
Member
Dear friends:
This issue of the magazine is dedicated to the family Hirundinidae, which includes the Cuban Swallows. There are ten species we can find in Cuba, but there are more than 80 different species in the world. Through the fact sheets and other articles included in this edition, we will learn to identify them correctly and to better understand their biology - two essential aspects for every birdwatcher.
In this issue, we will also focus on the province of Artemisa and the Special Municipality of The Isle of Youth. You will find the main hotspots in the area, plus a list of species found. The Isle of Youth is barely explored by birders, so perhaps our article will motivate more than one of you to embark on the adventure of hiking its trails in search of the Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) or the local subspecies of the endemic Cuban Green Woodpecker (Xiphidiopicus percussus insulaepinorum).
Then from South Carolina, in the United States, the guest photographer, Daniel Riddle, will inspire us with his spectacular shots of swallows in flight, as well as herons in courtship. We´ll also get to know more closely our observer and friend from the province of Granma, Darien Piña Dávila, who says that his love for nature is an overwhelming part of his life.
Don´t forget to read the message from Professor Giraldo Alayón about the important celebration of The World Environment Day, which is on page 31. They´re wise words that should make all of us reflect on the disasters we human beings are inflicting on mother nature and the effects that´s felt, in many ways irreversible.
Of course, we are including the usual news sections, rare bird reports and the most amazing photos taken by Cuban photographers, enjoyed on social networks, that can't be missed.
To top it off, there is a well-deserved tribute to the outstanding Cuban-German naturalist John Christopher Gundlach on the 213th anniversary of his birth. Without a doubt, he's the father of Cuban ornithology.
As always, we wish you a nice reading and we look forward to your feedback!!
Enjoy it!
Check out previous issues here:
https://www.thecubanbirder.wordpress.com
91.89 MB folder on MEGA
Kind regards,
Vladimir Mirabal
General Manager Birding Havana
Editor in Chief The Cuban Birder magazine