Jamaican Endemics: 8 day tour – from $1950 US per person (basis 2 persons)

Includes 2 Days Birding Eastern Jamaica and 6 Days Birding Western Jamaica visiting 6 IBAs – 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
8 enjoyable days of well paced bird watching and sightseeing by air conditioned bus or 4WD. After an initial two day visit to the outstandingly beautiful Portland parish in eastern Jamaica, the tour will be based out of a delightful but small hotel Idlers’ Rest Beach Hotel (or similar) on a beautiful sandy beach on a long bay within Jamaica’s largest wetlands area and IBA.
We will visit six of Jamaica’s IBA’s : John Crow Mountains, 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 accommodation bases, 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!). The following is a typical itinerary which can be customised to suit your arrival and departure times at Montego Bay.

Day 1.
8.00am. Met by guides in Montego Bay. Travel to Port Antonio. Afternoon birding at internationally renowned Ecclesdown, John Crow Mountains IBA, Black-billed Streamertail (only found in Eastern Jamaica), Jamaican Blackbird, Crested Quail Dove, and many more. Overnight in Port Antonio.
Lunch, dinner and overnight included.

Day 2.
Birding for more endemics in John Crow Mountain IBA. Visit to Hectors River (January to March, for White-tailed Tropic Birds). Relax and bird watch at spectacular Reach Falls. Overnight in Port Antonio.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight included.

Day 3.
Scenic journey over central mountains to the south coast via Montego Bay and Rocklands Hummingbird Sanctuary at Anchovy. Red-billed Streamertail, Mango Hummingbird and forest birds. Transfer to your hotel base on the South Coast at Black River Bay.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight included.

Day 4.
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. Spectacular coastal drive and views.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight included.

Day 5.
Early start for visit to Cave and Bluefields Mountains. Of the 28 Jamaican endemic species we have observed 21 in this varied habitat 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 6.
Early start to southern part of Catadupa IBA. Excellent range of endemics including, Jamaican Lizard Cuckoo, Jamaican Pewee, Jamaican Oriole, White-eyed Thrush, Greater Antillean Elaenia. Afternoon birding in forested area of Cockpit Country Conservation Area near Ipswich. Late afternoon visit to Jamaican Owl day time roost (depending on season).
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight included.

Day 7.
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, Chestnut-bellied Cuckoo. Early evening at privately owned Content Property on the plains of St. Elizabeth: Stolid Flycatcher, hummingbirds at feeders.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight included.

Day 8.
Morning boat tour on highly scenic Black River, mountain views, morass, crocodiles, birds (depends on flight departure time). Transfer to Montego Bay Airport.
Breakfast included.

Included:
Guides, all ground transportation within Jamaica (from Day 1 to Day 8), all entrance fees to sites, specified hotel accommodation, daily meal plan as indicated, two course dinner.

On early start days breakfast will be a pre-prepared snack and beverage, Day 7 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:
Overnight accommodation prior to commencement of day 1 of your tour unless included in your personalised itinerary. Gratuities, alcoholic beverages, items of personal nature, airport departure tax, or international airfare, government general consumption tax, bank electronic transfers.

Tour Prices – US$ per person for a minimum of 2 persons.
8 day tour as above outline itinerary.

A personalised quotation and itinerary will be provided for all tour requests.

(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. Trips take place throughout the year. Longer or shorter private and customised tours 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