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© Ernesto Reyes Mouriño

Ciénaga de Zapata (Zapata Swamp)

22.38229 , -81.15691

Cuba

Zapata Swamp, is a Biosphere Reserve.  Considered as the third largest wetland in the Americas. This Ramsar Site and Important Bird Area, is the place where it is possible to found 24 cuban endemics (from de 28 recorded to the island) and more than 200 bird species. Making from Zapata swamp the best birding location in the island.

In this location, bird species as Zapata Rail (Cyanolimnas cerverai), Zapata Wren (Ferminia cerverai) and Zapata Sparrow (Torreornixs inexpectata inexpectata) which are among Cuba’s most limited range endemic birds, can found their habitats. Other bird species as the Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae), Cuban Trogon (Priotelus temnurus temnurus), Blue-headed Quail Dove (Starnoenas cyanocephala), Fernandina’s Flicker (Colaptes fernandinae), Bare-legged Owl (Margarobyas lawrencii) are significant species that are possible to encounter, too.

Situated in the south west part of the Island of Cuba, just 2 hours driving from Havana City, Zapata Swamp is a big wetland where sawgrass vegetation, forest and Petenes (formations with palms and hardwood trees that look like as islands in the wetland) are the main vegetation. Other vegetal formations are the Mangroves that cover big extensions in coastal areas; transitional vegetation between the swampy areas and highland areas are savannas and ¨swamp forest¨ which are flooded during the raining season. 

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Site name was changed by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) into "Ciénaga De Zapata (Zapata Swamp)" (2021-08-17 15:35:39 )

Coordinates were changed by Tania Piñeiro : 22.3823/-81.1569 (2021-08-14 22:42:42 )

Site name was changed by Tania Piñeiro into "Ciénaga De Zapata (Zapata Swamp), Cuba." (2021-08-14 22:42:42 )

Coordinates were changed by Tania Piñeiro : 22.3823/-81.1569 (2021-08-14 22:41:42 )

Site name was changed by Tania Piñeiro into "CCiénaga De Zapata (Zapata Swamp), CU." (2021-08-14 22:41:42 )

Coordinates were changed by Tania Piñeiro : 22.3937/-81.1451 (2021-08-14 17:11:07 )

Coordinates were changed by Tania Piñeiro : 22.3476/-81.1619 (2021-08-14 17:09:30 )

Site name was changed by Tania Piñeiro into "Cienaga De Zapata" (2021-08-14 17:09:30 )

Coordinates were changed by Ernesto Reyes Mouriño : 22.2196/-81.1171 (2021-08-14 16:43:23 )

Coordinates were set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : 22.2484/-81.2822 (2021-01-17 19:59:56 )

Site name was set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) as "PN Ciénaga De Zapata" (2021-01-17 19:59:56 )

Edited by Tania Piñeiro on 2021-08-14 23:05:44
Zapata Swamp, is a Biosphere Reserve.  Considered as the third largest wetland in the Americas. This Ramsar Site and Important Bird Area, is the place where it is possible to found 24 cuban endemics (from de 28 recorded to the island) and more than 200 bird species. Making from Zapata swamp the best birding location in the island. In this location, bird species as Zapata Rail (Cyanolimnas cerverai), Zapata Wren (Ferminia cerverai) and Zapata Sparrow (Torreornixs inexpectata inexpectata) which are among Cuba’s most limited range endemic birds, can found their habitats. Other bird species as the Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae), Cuban Trogon (Priotelus temnurus temnurus), Blue-headed Quail Dove (Starnoenas cyanocephala), Fernandina’s Flicker (Colaptes fernandinae), Bare-legged Owl (Margarobyas lawrencii) are significant species that are possible to encounter, too. Situated in the south west part of the Island of Cuba, just 2 hours driving from Havana City, Zapata Swamp is a big wetland where sawgrass vegetation vegetation, forest and formations named Petenes (formations with palms and hardwood trees that look like as islands in the wetland) are the main vegetation. Other vegetal formations are the Mangroves that cover big extensions in coastal areas; transitional vegetation between the swampy areas and highland areas are savannas and ¨swamp forest¨ which are flooded during the raining season. 
Edited by Tania Piñeiro on 2021-08-14 22:56:56
Zapata Swamp, is one of 7 a Biosphere Reserves in Cuba. Reserve.  Considered as the third largest wetland in the Americas. This Ramsar Site and Important Bird Area, is the place where it is possible to found 24 cuban endemics (from de 28 recorded to the island) and more than 200 bird species. Making from Zapata swamp the best birding location in the island. In this location, bird species as Zapata Rail (Cyanolimnas cerverai), Zapata Wren (Ferminia cerverai) and Zapata Sparrow (Torreornixs inexpectata inexpectata) which are among Cuba’s most limited range endemic birds, can found their habitats. Other bird species as the Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae), Cuban Trogon (Priotelus temnurus temnurus), Blue-headed Quail Dove (Starnoenas cyanocephala), Fernandina’s Flicker (Colaptes fernandinae), Bare-legged Owl (Margarobyas lawrencii) are significant species that are possible to encounter, too. Situated in the south west part of the Island of Cuba, just 2 hours driving from Havana City, Zapata Swamp is a big wetland where sawgrass vegetation and formations named Petenes (formations with palms and hardwood trees that look like as islands in the wetland) are the main vegetation. Other vegetal formations are the Mangroves that cover big extensions in coastal areas; transitional vegetation between the swampy areas and highland areas are savannas and ¨swamp forest¨ which are flooded during the raining season. 
Edited by Ernesto Reyes Mouriño on 2021-08-14 17:15:16
Zapata Swamp, is one of 7 Biosphere Reserves in Cuba. Considered as the third largest wetland in the Americas. This Ramsar Site and Important Bird Area, is the place where it is possible to found 24 cuban endemics (from de 28 recorded to the island) and more than 200 bird species. Making from Zapata swamp the best birding location in the island. In this location, bird species as Zapata Rail (Cyanolimnas cerverai), Zapata Wren (Ferminia cerverai) and Zapata Sparrow (Torreornixs inexpectata inexpectata) which are among Cuba’s most limited range endemic birds, can found their habitats. Other bird species as the Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae), Cuban Trogon (Priotelus temnurus temnurus), Blue-headed Quail Dove (Starnoenas cyanocephala), Fernandina’s Flicker (Colaptes fernandinae), Bare-legged Owl (Margarobyas lawrencii) are significant species that are possible to encounter, too. Situated in the south west part of the Island of Cuba, just 2 hours driving from Havana City, Zapata Swamp is a big wetland where sawgrass vegetation and formations named Petenes (formations with palms and hardwood trees that look like as islands in the wetland) are the main vegetation. Other vegetal formations are the Mangroves that cover big extensions in coastal areas; transitional vegetation between the swampy areas and highland areas are savannas and ¨swamp forest¨ which are flooded during the raining season. 

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Blue-headed Quail-Dove (Starnoenas cyanocephala)
Gray-fronted Quail-Dove (Geotrygon caniceps)
Cuban Nightjar (Antrostomus cubanensis)
Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae)
Gundlach's Hawk (Accipiter gundlachi)
Cuban Black Hawk (Buteogallus gundlachii)
Bare-legged Owl (Margarobyas lawrencii)
Cuban Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium siju)
Cuban Trogon (Priotelus temnurus)
Cuban Tody (Todus multicolor)
Cuban Green Woodpecker (Xiphidiopicus percussus)
Fernandina's Flicker (Colaptes fernandinae)
Cuban Parakeet (Psittacara euops)
Zapata Wren (Ferminia cerverai)
Zapata Sparrow (Torreornis inexpectata)
Yellow-headed Warbler (Teretistris fernandinae)
Cuban Oriole (Icterus melanopsis)
Red-shouldered Blackbird (Agelaius assimilis)
Cuban Blackbird (Ptiloxena atroviolacea)
Cuban Bullfinch (Melopyrrha nigra)
Cuban Grassquit (Phonipara canora)

Yellow-headed Warbler (Teretistris fernandinae) was added by Ernesto Reyes Mouriño (2021-08-14 17:18:51)

Cuban Blackbird (Ptiloxena atroviolacea) was added by Ernesto Reyes Mouriño (2021-08-14 17:18:09)

Cuban Oriole (Icterus melanopsis) was added by Ernesto Reyes Mouriño (2021-08-14 17:17:29)

Cuban Bullfinch (Melopyrrha nigra) was added by Ernesto Reyes Mouriño (2021-08-14 17:17:05)

Cuban Grassquit (Phonipara canora) was added by Ernesto Reyes Mouriño (2021-08-14 17:16:42)

Cuban Parakeet (Psittacara euops) was added by Ernesto Reyes Mouriño (2021-08-14 17:16:16)

Cuban Green Woodpecker (Xiphidiopicus percussus) was added by Ernesto Reyes Mouriño (2021-08-14 17:15:55)

Cuban Nightjar (Antrostomus cubanensis) was added by Ernesto Reyes Mouriño (2021-08-14 17:05:39)

Cuban Trogon (Priotelus temnurus) was added by Ernesto Reyes Mouriño (2021-08-14 17:05:02)

Cuban Tody (Todus multicolor) was added by Ernesto Reyes Mouriño (2021-08-14 17:04:47)

Red-shouldered Blackbird (Agelaius assimilis) was added by Ernesto Reyes Mouriño (2021-08-14 17:04:26)

Fernandina's Flicker (Colaptes fernandinae) was added by Ernesto Reyes Mouriño (2021-08-14 17:03:28)

Gray-fronted Quail-Dove (Geotrygon caniceps) was added by Ernesto Reyes Mouriño (2021-08-14 17:03:12)

Blue-headed Quail-Dove (Starnoenas cyanocephala) was added by Ernesto Reyes Mouriño (2021-08-14 17:02:47)

Bare-legged Owl (Margarobyas lawrencii) was added by Ernesto Reyes Mouriño (2021-08-14 17:01:58)

Cuban Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium siju) was added by Ernesto Reyes Mouriño (2021-08-14 17:00:57)

Cuban Black Hawk (Buteogallus gundlachii) was added by Ernesto Reyes Mouriño (2021-08-14 17:00:38)

Zapata Sparrow (Torreornis inexpectata) was added by Ernesto Reyes Mouriño (2021-08-14 17:00:15)

Zapata Wren (Ferminia cerverai) was added by Ernesto Reyes Mouriño (2021-08-14 16:59:59)

Gundlach's Hawk (Accipiter gundlachi) was added by Ernesto Reyes Mouriño (2021-08-14 16:59:04)

Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae) was added by Ernesto Reyes Mouriño (2021-08-14 16:57:34)

  • Timing and strategy

Depending of your interest (Birdwatching or Bird Photography) the best season is:
Birdwatching from October to April. Main reason is the migration picks (second week of Octuber to last two weeks of November) and winter residency (December to April) because more than 120 bird species wintering in Cuba.
Bird Photography all winter season and from May and June when most species are in full breeding plumage and showing breeding displays. 
Due to, Zapata Swamp is a huge area the best way to move there is in rental cars or private taxis.

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Ernesto Reyes Mouriño on 2021-08-14 17:14
Depending of your interest (Birdwatching or Bird Photography) the best season is: Birdwatching from October to April. Main reason is the migration picks (second week of Octuber to last two weeks of November) and winter residency (December to April) because more than 120 bird species wintering in Cuba. Bird Photography all winter season and from May and June when most species are in full breeding plumage and showing breeding displays.  Due to, Zapata Swamp is a huge area the best way to move there is in rental cars or private taxis.
  • How to get there

The main entrance to Zapata Swamp is in Km 142 of the National Highway

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Ernesto Reyes Mouriño on 2021-08-14 17:20
The main entrance to Zapata Swamp is in Km 142 of the National Highway

Open all around the year

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Ernesto Reyes Mouriño on 2021-08-14 17:27
Open all around the year
  • Other attractions

Cueva de los Peces Cuba’s largest underwater saltwater cave; optional swimming and snorkeling at the lovely reef just off the beach. Los Hondones. Opportunities for great views of the gorgeous Blue-headed Quail Dove, is a developing eco-village where the community is developing organic farming and planting fruit trees, great attractions for many endemic birds, such as the Cuban Parrot, Cuban Trogon, Cuban Tody, Great Lizard Cuckoo, Cuban Emerald and many migrants. Evening birdwatching for Stygian Owl, Bare-legged Owl, Cuban Pygmy Owl and the Greater Antillean (Cuban) Nightjar.

Santo Tomas with its sawgrass tussocks, is the type ecosystem for Zapata Swamp and a classical place to see the Zapata Sparrow and Zapata Wren, among Cuba’s most limited range endemic birds. It’s a great location also to see White-crowned Pigeon, Great Lizard Cuckoo, Smooth-billed Ani, Cuban Tody, Cuban Bullfinch, Purple Gallinule, Bee Hummingbird, Gray-headed Quail Dove, Cuban Oriol. Cuban parakeets and Cuban Parrot flock are casual visitors in the area too. 

Las Salinas Refuge (nearby flat, dry-dirt roadway 1+ miles). Habitat is varied among low, dense forest, mangrove, marsh, and open wetlands. Here we are likely to encounter the endemic Cuban Black Hawk as well as numerous shorebird, seabird, and waterbird species including American Flamingo, Roseate Spoonbills, Reddish Egret, Wood Stork, and Clapper Rail. This place is considered like an important stopover for many duck species as Blue-winged Teal, American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, as well as American Coot and Common Moorhen that visit the place in huge flocks with thousands of individuals.

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Ernesto Reyes Mouriño on 2021-08-14 17:25
Cueva de los Peces Cuba’s largest underwater saltwater cave; optional swimming and snorkeling at the lovely reef just off the beach. Los Hondones. Opportunities for great views of the gorgeous Blue-headed Quail Dove, is a developing eco-village where the community is developing organic farming and planting fruit trees, great attractions for many endemic birds, such as the Cuban Parrot, Cuban Trogon, Cuban Tody, Great Lizard Cuckoo, Cuban Emerald and many migrants. Evening birdwatching for Stygian Owl, Bare-legged Owl, Cuban Pygmy Owl and the Greater Antillean (Cuban) Nightjar. Santo Tomas with its sawgrass tussocks, is the type ecosystem for Zapata Swamp and a classical place to see the Zapata Sparrow and Zapata Wren, among Cuba’s most limited range endemic birds. It’s a great location also to see White-crowned Pigeon, Great Lizard Cuckoo, Smooth-billed Ani, Cuban Tody, Cuban Bullfinch, Purple Gallinule, Bee Hummingbird, Gray-headed Quail Dove, Cuban Oriol. Cuban parakeets and Cuban Parrot flock are casual visitors in the area too.  Las Salinas Refuge (nearby flat, dry-dirt roadway 1+ miles). Habitat is varied among low, dense forest, mangrove, marsh, and open wetlands. Here we are likely to encounter the endemic Cuban Black Hawk as well as numerous shorebird, seabird, and waterbird species including American Flamingo, Roseate Spoonbills, Reddish Egret, Wood Stork, and Clapper Rail. This place is considered like an important stopover for many duck species as Blue-winged Teal, American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, as well as American Coot and Common Moorhen that visit the place in huge flocks with thousands of individuals.

The two main towns in Zapata Swamp are Playa Larga Town and Playa Girón Town, B&B are available most of the year and local restaurants with Cuban typical foods and affordable prices are open too. Diving and Snorkeling centers and some small beaches are along the coast.

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Ernesto Reyes Mouriño on 2021-08-14 17:28
The two main towns in Zapata Swamp are Playa Larga Town and Playa Girón Town, B&B are available most of the year and local restaurants with Cuban typical foods and affordable prices are open too. Diving and Snorkeling centers and some small beaches are along the coast.

No security issues

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Ernesto Reyes Mouriño on 2021-08-14 17:29
No security issues
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Ciénaga de Zapata (Zapata Swamp) - Orniverse