Bee Hummingbird. Photo by John Yerger. Copyright <strong>Border
land Tours</strong>. All rights reserved.

Cuba:< /span> the very name evokes a certain mystique. To most Americans, who have been restricted from travel there for half a century, Cuba remains an enigma as big as the island itself. At 780 miles long, it is the largest i sland in the Caribbean Sea, and arguably the best preserved. While other Ca ribbean islands have been overtaken by resorts and the myriad accoutrements of tourism, much of the Cuban environment remains refreshingly intact. Ove r 20% of its landmass is officially protected. As a result, Cuba boasts the largest tracts of undisturbed rainforest, the largest unspoiled wetlands, and the largest and healthiest coral reefs in all of the Caribbean. However , hurdles remain to Americans wishing to experience the natural splendors h ere. We are pleased to offer a unique research opportunity in partnership w ith Cuban ornithologist Arturo Kirkconnell. This tour is officially license d by the U.S. government to be conducted as a research trip. This program w ill facilitate interaction with local conservationists, study of Cuban cult ure, and – of course – appreciation of Cuba’s tremendous avian resources. W e will gain experience with many of the 28 endemic species. The impossibly miniscule Bee Hummingbird – called “zunzún” by locals – is not only the sma llest bird in the world, but also the smallest warm-blooded animal! With pl umage perfectly matching the colors of the country’s flag, it’s hard to ima gine a more suitable national bird than the Cuban Trogon. Some endemics, su ch as Cuban Nightjar, Bare-legged Owl, Gray-fronted Quail-Dove, Cuban Green Woodpecker, Cuban Tody, Cuban Martin, Cuban Gnatcatcher, Oriente Warbler, Yellow-headed Warbler and Cuban Blackbird, are thriving. Others, such as th e stunning Blue-headed Quail-Dove, the elusive Gundlach’s Hawk, Cuban Palm Crow, Fernandina’s Flicker, Giant Kingbird, and Zapata Sparrow are endanger ed – some critically so. We will also learn about the role that conservatio n of the Cuban environment plays in the lives of birds we see in the United States. Many birds that we consider “ours” actually spend only a fraction of their lives in North America. Over 280 species that breed in North Ameri ca utilize Cuban habitat to survive either their wintering or migration per iods, aiding in their return to enrich our lives each spring and summer. Ou r program will not overlook the human aspect of this unique place. Cuban cu isine, art, and music reflect the island’s Spanish roots, but – nonetheless – is heavily influenced by African, indigenous, and other cultures. The Cu ban people themselves are as warm and inviting as their tropical homeland. Join us as we explore “the real Cuba!”

Cost of Cuba includ es all accommodations, all meals, all transportation, and all entrance fees beginning and ending in Havana—$5795.

TO REGISTER: Print out a&n bsp;PDF Registration Form, call us at (520) 558-2351 or < span id="cloak7e6585d580f0bc4b232abc5f1b6de344">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. document.getElementById('cloak7e6585d580f0 bc4b232abc5f1b6de344').innerHTML = ''; var prefix = 'ma' + 'il ;' + 'to'; var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; var addy7e6585d580f0b c4b232abc5f1b6de344 = 'info' + '@'; addy7e6585d580f0bc4b2 32abc5f1b6de344 = addy7e6585d580f0bc4b232abc5f1b6de344 + 'borderl and-tours' + '.' + 'com?subject=To 17;r%20registration'; var addy_text7e6585d580f0 bc4b232abc5f1b6de344 = 'send us an email';docum ent.getElementById('cloak7e6585d580f0bc4b232abc5f1b6de344').innerHTML += '< a ' + path + '\'' + prefix + ':' + addy7e6585d580f0bc4b232abc5f1b6de344 + ' \'>'+addy_text7e6585d580f0bc4b232abc5f1b6de344+'<\/a>'; .

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Cuba: the very name evokes a certain myst ique. To most Americans, who have been restricted from travel there for hal f a century, Cuba remains an enigma as big as the island itself. At 780 mil es long, it is the largest island in the Caribbean Sea, and arguably the be st preserved. While other Caribbean islands have been overtaken by resorts and the myriad accoutrements of tourism, much of the Cuban environment rema ins refreshingly intact. Over 20% of its landmass is officially protected. As a result, Cuba boasts the largest tracts of undisturbed rainforest, the largest unspoiled wetlands, and the largest and healthiest coral reefs in a ll of the Caribbean. However, hurdles remain to Americans wishing to experi ence the natural splendors here. We are pleased to offer a unique research opportunity in partnership with Cuban ornithologist Arturo Kirkconnell. Thi s tour is officially licensed by the U.S. government to be conducted as a r esearch trip. This program will facilitate interaction with local conservat ionists, study of Cuban culture, and – of course – appreciation of Cuba’s t remendous avian resources. We will gain experience with many of the 28 ende mic species. The impossibly miniscule Bee Hummingbird – called “zunzún” by locals – is not only the smallest bird in the world, but also the smallest warm-blooded animal! With plumage perfectly matching the colors of the coun try’s flag, it’s hard to imagine a more suitable national bird than the Cub an Trogon. Some endemics, such as Cuban Nightjar, Bare-legged Owl, Gray-fro nted Quail-Dove, Cuban Green Woodpecker, Cuban Tody, Cuban Martin, Cuban Gn atcatcher, Oriente Warbler, Yellow-headed Warbler and Cuban Blackbird, are thriving. Others, such as the stunning Blue-headed Quail-Dove, the elusive Gundlach’s Hawk, Cuban Palm Crow, Fernandina’s Flicker, Giant Kingbird, and Zapata Sparrow are endangered – some critically so. We will also learn abo ut the role that conservation of the Cuban environment plays in the lives o f birds we see in the United States. Many birds that we consider “ours” act ually spend only a fraction of their lives in North America. Over 280 speci es that breed in North America utilize Cuban habitat to survive either thei r wintering or migration periods, aiding in their return to enrich our live s each spring and summer. Our program will not overlook the human aspect of this unique place. Cuban cuisine, art, and music reflect the island’s Span ish roots, but – nonetheless – is heavily influenced by African, indigenous , and other cultures. The Cuban people themselves are as warm and inviting as their tropical homeland. Join us as we explore “the real Cuba!”
Leaders: Cub an conservationist Arturo Kirkconnell && nbsp;John Yerger
Cost o f Cuba includes all accommodations, all meals, a ll transportation, and all entrance fees beginning and ending in Havana—$5795.
TO REGISTER: Print out a PDF Registration Form, call us at (520) 558-2351 or This email address is being prote cted from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Photo: Bee Hum mingbird
Photo by: John Yerger
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