Ciego de Ávila, Cuba (PL) The 465km long Sabana-Camaguey archipelago off central Cuba's northern shoreline, is considered to be the largest group of the islets that surround Cuba.
This string of keys, running parallel to a coastline 430km to the east of Havana, is blessed by a natural beauty sufficient to make Diego Velazquez describe them in the early XVI century, as the Kings Gardens, in tribute to the then Spanish monarch Fernando the Catholic.

Covered predominantly by small tree and mangrove forests, and with more than 40km of many remaining virgin beaches, Cayos (keys) Coco, Guillermo, Paredon Grande, Anton Chico and Media Luna form part of the Buenavista Biosphere Reserve.

Washed by Atlantic waves, these islets are home to more than 200 species of migratory, terrestrial and endemic birds of 14 types, representing great nature tourism potential for the zone.

The Coastal Ecosystems Research Center (CIEC from the Spanish Acronym) has, through monitoring programs and action plans, been overseeing the study and preservation of the regionâ�Ös biodiversity in order to protect the integrity of these natural resources.

One of the briefs of these multi disciplinary teams is to investigate, protect and conserve the bird-life within the regional focus groups.

The keys offer permanent and temporary refuge to birds from both Cuba itself, and those that come in search of a more benign climate from far-off lands.

To date, 234 bird varieties have been identified, amounting to more than 64% of all birds recorded in the country. A significant number of these birds are migratory due to the presence of a significant international corridor in the zone.

Given their position in the Gulf of Mexico, such natural scenarios are viewed as a vital winter point for transitory birds, not all of whom stay for the full winter season; some take a brief rest before resuming their journeys to more southern continental locations.

Nevertheless, some other traveling birds, such as the piping plover and the Bahamanian vireo, have established permanent communities on Cayo Paredon Grande, having encountered ideal feeding and reproduction conditions.

According to biologist Antonio Garcia, this is the only place in Cuba with a presence of both of these Caribbean species and the Caribbeanâ�Ös most important gull nesting site particularly for the brown nun and Gallician variety, is located to the north of Cayos Coco, Guillermo and Paredon.

Cayo Coco, home to one of Cubaâ�Ös most diverse ranges of bird-life is renowned for itâ�Ös large colony of pink Flamingos, once described by the famous North American author Ernest Hemingway as a bird "simultaneously ugly and persistently beautiful in every detail".

Belonging to the Great Northern Ciego de Ávila Wetlands, it has populations of amongst many other species, the white ibis or coco, a lanky creature from which the islet takes its name; the corrua, parakeet, negrito, chichinguaco and humming bird.

Garcia explained that studies are presently focused on the endangered Bahamian vireo, the Zapata sparrow and the dark mocking bird because of the need to preserve their natural habitat.

The regionâ�Ös splendid natural attractions, including its fine sandy beaches with crystal clear blue waters were what 20 years ago motivated the initial tourism development of the Kingâ�Ös Gardens, now one of the nationâ�Ös most important destinations.

The northern Ciego de Ávila keys host the Festival of Endemic Caribbean Birds in the month of May each year, which coincides with Biodiversity Day, to promote knowledge about native bird-life in the area and for the creation of a social conscience regarding the need to protect it.

Thousands of domestic and foreign tourists are delighted by

birdwatching on the Kingâ�Ös Garden trails every year, another important reason to protect a habit belonging to many birds that beautifully adorn the landscape with a wonderful array of colors and their song.
Modificado el ( jueves, 01 de octubre de 2015 )