Events Calendar
Presenter: Alvaro Jaramillo
Location: San Leandro Public Library 300 Estudillo, San Leandro
Cuba is one of the closest neighbors to the United States, but due to politics it might as well be on the other side of the world. Few Americans have traveled there, and birders have been restricted to a few legal survey trips a year or going there illegally through Canada in order to enjoy its birds. But things are finally starting to open up and we expect that more and more birders will be able to enjoy the amazing diversity and incredible level of endemism (species found nowhere else on earth). Cuba is a fantastic birding destination. It is safe, birdy, has much protected habitat and forest cover, and there is still a lot to learn there. In fact, it may be the place where the Ivory-billed Woodpecker actually still lives!
Alvaro has been lucky to have birded in Cuba on more than six occasions over the years. He is excited to be able to show you some of the gorgeous bird life, teach a bit about the interesting biology of Cuban wildlife, and give you a sense for the culture, people and how Cuba remains a charming, friendly and very jovial place even though the people there have had to endure so much!
Alvaro Jaramillo was born in Chile but began birding in Toronto, Canada, where he lived as a youth. He was trained in ecology and evolution with a particular interest in bird behavior. He is author of two books, including The Birds of Chile and has recently finished the ABA Field Guides to the Birds of California. Alvaro writes the “Identify Yourself” column in Bird Watcher's Digest. He runs a birding and nature tour company, Alvaro's Adventures, where the focus is to have fun, learn a thing or two and just enjoy birds and nature. Alvaro lives with his family in Half Moon Bay, California.
To reach San Leandro Main Library from I-580, take the Estudillo exit. Follow Estu-dillo to library on the right. From I-880, take the Davis St. exit and head east, passing under BART tracks. Go through light at E. 14th St (Davis becomes Cal-lan). Continue 1 ½ blocks to library on right. Library parking lot can be entered from both Callan or Estudillo. We’ll meet in the Karp Room.