I recently visited Caracol Haiti, east of Cap Haitien, with
other birders to see all the shore and water birds that still visit the
mangrove that has been mostly cut down.
Now salt flats sit where a lush tropical ecosystem once grew. Yet a variety of birds use the salt pools –
we saw 21 species in less than 2 hours, plus unidentifiable warblers. How many more were there before the mangroves
were destroyed? FoProBiM is an NGO
trying to restore the trees, yet it seems like a futile task if people aren’t
educated about the importance of mangroves, which I am now more resolved to do
in my university and school classes.
In additional to the surprising variety of birds is the evidence
of the history of the area. Conch shell midens, evidence of native pre-Columbian
activity, were unearthed where the salt pools were dug, as well as broken
pottery from the colonial era. There is
also a canon sticking out of the mud!
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| Mangroves reduced to salt pools and cow grazing |
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| Trying to reforest the mangroves |
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| Exposed midens of conch shells (all those white things) |
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| Plate shard |
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| Canon in mud |
Hotel Roi Christophe is a quaint hotel in Cap Haitien, not far from the main road people call Buccaneer (Blvd du Cap-Haitian on the map). It is in a colonial-era building which gives you a close-up experience with the history of Haiti. The rooms are comfortable, with ceiling fan, tv, mini-fridge, and hot water. Complimentary breakfast comes with the stay: eggs, oatmeal, or Haitian spaghetti, with fruit, rolls, and coffee. The restaurant also serves lunch and breakfast. There is a pool, conference rooms, and nice gift shop. Also a ticket counter for Sunrise Airline.
