6 Days Birding Western Jamaica
5 IBAs – including Mountains, tropical forests, wetlands and shore habitats

Jamaica has 28 wonderful endemic birds. That is more than any other island in the Caribbean. It offers excellent birding in a wide range of mountain or lowland forest and wetland habitats. In all, we have around 300 species including a large number of winter visitors, transients and vagrants that can be observed depending on the season.

In winter, through migration, we nearly double the number of species in Jamaica. These migrants can arrive in August and remain here until May. For birders from North America, it is a good opportunity to see species that do not occur in their home territory. Whilst for guests from Europe, the winter season is an ideal time to visit and to catch the mainly North American influx of warblers, wetland and shorebirds. Many of the species that come at this time add to our own resident populations. In early spring (March/April), we have a few species that migrate to Jamaica to breed here. (Black Whiskered Vireo, Caribbean Martin, Antillean Night Hawk).

Our Tour
6 days of well paced bird watching in air conditioned bus or 4WD with some sightseeing in highly scenic, tropical rural, western Jamaica. The tour will be based out of a delightful but small hotel www.idlersrest.com on a beautiful sandy beach on a long bay within Jamaica’s largest wetlands area and IBA.
We will visit five of Jamaica’s IBA’s: world famous Cockpit Country, Jamaica’s last wilderness and home to 27 of our 28 endemics; Bluefields and Catadupa, mountain and forest; Negril and Black River Great Morass, wetland and coastal habitats. Travelling distances are generally no more than 1.5 hrs distant from the base, so bird watching time is maximised. We would hope to see in the region of 75 species during the period May – August and more than 100 species when the winter migrants are at their peak. (Our marathon record as part of the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival is 98 species in 18 hours at the end of April!).

Day 1.
Arrive and meet at Montego Bay International Airport. Visit Rocklands Hummingbird Sanctuary at Anchovy (subject to arrival time). Red-billed Streamertail, Mango Hummingbird and many more. Then mountain drive and transfer to your hotel base on the South Coast about one hour away.
Dinner and overnight included.

Day 2.
After breakfast start. Wetlands and shore birds with visit to Black River, Parottee Great Morass and then on to look for the threatened, Caribbean Coot on freshwater ponds.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight included.

Day 3.
Early start for visit to Bluefields Mountains. Of the 28 Jamaican endemic species we have observed 20 in this IBA, plus a further 13 endemic sub-species. Among the regular favourites on our tours are the : Jamaican Tody, Jamaican Stripe-headed Tanager, Orangequit, Jamaican Euphonia, Jamaican Elaenia, Jamaican Pewee, Olive-throated Parakeet, Northern Potoo ( often seen at day time roost), Rufous-tailed Flycatcher, Jamaican Woodpecker, Arrowhead Warbler. Afternoon visit to Negril, Royal Palm Reserve. 19 of Jamaica’s 36 Endemic Bird Area (EBA) birds including the vulnerable, West Indian Whistling Duck, Limpkins and near threatened White-crowned Pigeon.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight included.

Day 4.
Early start to spectacularly rugged Cockpit Country which supports 33 of Jamaica’s 36 EBA range restricted species including Black-billed and Yellow-billed Parrots, Blue Mountain Vireo, Crested Quail Dove, Jamaican Blackbird, Jamaican Crow, Jamaican Lizard Cuckoo, Chestnut-bellied Cuckoo. Early evening at privately owned Content Property on the plains of St. Elizabeth: Stolid Flycatcher, hummingbirds at feeders (and watch for Jamaican Owl – depending on season).
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight included.

Day 5.
Early start to southern part of Catadupa IBA. Excellent range of endemics including, Jamaican Lizard Cuckoo, Jamaican Pewee, Jamaican Oriole, White-eyed Thrush. Afternoon visit to beautiful YS Falls a privately owned estate.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight included.

Day 6.
Morning transfer to Montego Bay Airport with time for shopping on the way (subject to departure time).
Breakfast included.

Included:
Guides, all ground transportation within Jamaica (from Day 1 to Day 6), all entrance fees to sites, specified hotel accommodation, daily meal plan as indicated above including vegetarian option.
On early start days breakfast will be a pre-prepared snack and beverage, Day 4 will be a sandwich lunch. Some lunches will be taken at local restaurants. When food is not specified, it is not included in the trip price.
Excluded:
Gratuities, alcoholic beverages, items of personal nature, airport departure tax, or international airfare, government general consumption tax, bank electronic transfers.

6 Days tour price is: 2 pax US$1,350 per person. 4 pax US$1295 per person.
Single room supplement, add US$250
(Due to currency fluctuations and fuel cost we reserve the right to adjust any pricing prior to departure. A personalised quotation and itinerary will be provided for all tour requests.)

Notes:
The above itinerary is designed to provide the greatest opportunity to see the majority of Jamaica’s endemics in the shortest time. Tour routes and days may be varied according to weather conditions. Arrival and departure date are included in the itinerary. Trips take place throughout the year. Longer or shorter private and customised tours including visits to the east coast are available on request.
Fitness:
Fitness – Our routes are relatively easy walking over short distances. Slightly more challenging trails can be walked with fitter groups. If you have any concerns regarding levels of fitness required, please ask for more details.
Equipment:
Clothing – Dress for hot and humid tropical weather and be prepare for rain. Light clothing is recommended: cotton shirts and t-shirts (earth colors preferable), long and short pants, closed shoes or trainers (not sandals), hat, insect repellent and sun block. Equipment – Binoculars, scope and camera. Travel insurance: strongly recommended