Jamaica

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Jamaica is an excellent destination for the UK birder at this time of year, with the largest number of endemic birds (28) of any Caribbean island, a good list of regional specialities, and wintering passerines from North America now beginning to move north. We have every chance of rounding-up all the endemics, plus many Caribbean speciality species, and many migrant warblers and other passerines. We should amass a total of over 100 species, including many new to those who haven’t birded this part of the world. It should be noted that some of the endemics can be 'difficult', and your chances are best with experienced birding guides. In January, the weather is generally warm and pleasant, a welcome change from the UK!

We enjoy the island from a single base, staying for six nights at a historic and remarkably beautiful 1600-acre property located on the north coast. The large size of this eco-resort means there is a diversity of habitats here, including a large dam and reservoir, fresh water ponds, mangrove swamps, streams, forests, pastures and coastline. All are accessed directly by trails from the estate house, and with so much unspoilt habitat, it isn't surprising that most endemics have been recorded here. This is also a good base from which to bird all the key locations on the island. Your Leader(s) will work closely with experienced local guides, who will accompany us for at least half of our days in the field.     

Endemic birds in the immediate vicinity of our accommodation include Jamaican Mango, Jamaican Spindalis, Jamaican Vireo, Jamaican Woodpecker and Jamaican Tody, and within a short walk we will add many more, perhaps seeing half of the island's endemics including Jamaican Lizard-Cuckoo, Jamaican Becard, Sad Flycatcher, and White-chinned Thrush in the estate grounds. A wide range of endemic sub-species including Barn Owl, Jamaican Potoo and Olive-throated Parakeet may be readily seen, and Caribbean specialities including Jamaican Oriole and Greater Antillean Bullfinch can also be found around the grounds.

We enjoy birding at elevation in the Blue Mountains, where Jamaican Blackbird, Blue Mountain Vireo and beautiful Crested Quail Dove will be among our targets, and also in the John Crow Mountains, where we search particularly for Black-billed Streamertail. Night birding is optional but rewarding, with Jamaican Owl and Northern Potoo our key targets, and coastal birding should add tropicbirds, frigatebirds, shorebirds, and herons to our list.

Jamaica is a lush tropical island with excellent food (see below) and a vibrant culture, which we will enjoy as we go. Watch out for fresh local fruit juice (organically grown on the estate), local pastries and fruit, the famous Blue Mountain Coffee, and traditional local Jamaican dishes at breakfast, lunch and dinner. We think you will love birding on Jamaica!

 

Enjoy your complimentary pre-flight overnight hotel before your holiday begins. Full details from our office!

Day 1: Sun 12 January 2025 
After relaxing in our complimentary airport lounge, we fly London Gatwick to Montego Bay, and transfer to our estate holiday base. On arrival, you will be welcomed with a chilled scented towel and fresh local fruit juice (organically grown on the Estate), and we begin with dinner and the chance to relax. Seven nights at Green Castle Estate House. 

Day 2: Mon 13 January
As soon as it is light, we begin birding around Green Castle Estate.This is the perfect base, set back from the main road, well away from the main tourist routes. The estate is characterised by its extensive network of trails, which contain many of our target birds, excellent accommodation and food, and fabulous views across the bay towards the Blue Mountains and the gleaming Caribbean Sea. Our first endemic species will almost certainly be seen today, with Jamaican Mango, Orangequit and Red-billed Streamertail regular visitors to feeders and trees immediately adjacent to our accommodation.

Day 3: Tues 14 January 
Today we make the first of two full day trips away from the Estate, leaving early for The Blue Mountains., which rise to a height of over 7000 feet and are located around 90 minutes away. We spend time at the Hardware Gap area, looking for Jamaican Blackbird, Blue Mountain Vireo and, if we are lucky, beautiful Crested Quail Dove. We should see many species at this site, perhaps including American migrants such as Black-throated Blue, Adelaide, Worm-eating, Chestnut-sided and Black and White Warbler. There will be a packed breakfast and lunch, and perhaps a break for Blue Mountain Coffee, with the chance to purchase some of this world famous coffee to take back home. The afternoon will be spent birding a little further up the road enjoying more of Jamaica’s bird life before the journey back to Green Castle. Birding here is easy, as we walk on roads and good quality tracks, with largely primary forest beginning right at the road edge.

Day 4: Wed 15 January
Dawn is around 6am, and most mornings there will be optional early birding, which we strongly recommend; the climate is hot, and bird activity is greatest at the beginning of the day. Tea and coffee are available pre-breakfast, and we explore exciting trails immediately adjacent to our accommodation, looking to add to our list of endemics each time we sally forth. After our full Jamaican breakfast, we continue birding here, exploring trails a little further away, visiting freshwater pools and birding for migrant waders, pelicans and frigatebirds at the coast.

Targets include a large number of endemics and endemic sub-species (Barn Owl, Jamaican Potoo, Northern Jacana, Olive-throated Parakeet), and Caribbean specialities such as Vervain Hummingbird, Jamaican Oriole and Greater Antillean Bullfinch. Lunch is at the Estate House, followed by more birding around the estate, where 171 species have been recorded.

Day 5: Thurs 16 January 
A second early start, with refreshments before departure with packed breakfast. Today we drive to the foothills of the John Crow Mountains, to an area known as Ecclesdown Road, which has good numbers of endemics. The bird we are particularly looking for is Black-billed Streamertail, endemic to this small region. For the remainder of the day, we are birding in a variety of habitats, looking for Jamaican Crow, Jamaican Blackbird, Jamaican Oriole, Jamaican Becard and Arrow Headed Warbler. As we return, we may visit Happy Grove or Frenchmans Cove, where White-tailed Tropicbird are frequently seen.

Day 6: Fri 17 January
Another local day, to explore another section of our 1600-acre site, and again, pre-breakfast birding should be rewarding. Today we may visit the pools, Davey Hill, the Tower areas or the coast. We may take trails to the Orchid Ginger Farm, or the Reservoir/Dam, birding as we go. Birds may include Red-billed Streamertail, Jamaican Tody, Jamaican Vireo, White-Chinned Thrush and Rufous-tailed Flycatcher to name but a few. We may take a picnic lunch, or return to the Estate House for lunch. In the afternoon we head to the coast, stopping at various points to walk and look for shorebirds such as White-tailed Tropicbird, Magnificent Frigatebird, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Least Sandpiper, Semi-palmated Plover and Spotted Sandpiper. After dinner we have another chance for night birding to look for Jamaican Owl and Northern Potoo, an endemic Jamaican sub-species and a potential 'split' in the future.

Day 7: Sat 18 January
By this stage of the holiday we should be in 'round-up' mode, and may enjoy a morning birding tour to Vinery, a hilly area not far away. Alternatively we may target specific species should they have eluded us so far! In the afternoon we continue to round up anything which might still be outstanding.

Day 8: Sun 19 January 
The final morning can be spent relaxing or birding around the gardens or trails, or perhaps enjoying the excellent 40-ft swimming pool, before we leave for Montego Bay and our departure flight, arriving in London the following morning.

Accommodation seven nights at the Green Castle Estate, a historic and remarkably beautiful 1600 acre property located on the north coast of Jamaica. All rooms are en-suite. 
Food is usually served as a set meal/buffet featuring excellent home cooking in the local style. Vegetarian and other diets are welcome. Jamaican food is generally simple and tasty. Here are a few of the local dishes you may be offered; 

JERK CHICKEN - a peppery spiced dish, cooked in a drum converted into a barbecue. 
ESCOVEITCH KINGFISH - local fish in a dressing of onions, vinegar and hot pepper to give a 'zing'! 
SAUTEED PORK STEW - cut into small pieces, with vegetables.
SALTFISH - salted cod soaked in boiling water to remove the bones, and served withACKEE, a Jamaican vegetable seed in a pod, and CALALOO, which is similar to spinach. 
Local SOUPS feature quite a lot, these could be of beef or chicken or vegetable. Other dishes;
PATTIE - white flour pastry with ground beef inside, oven baked and eaten by virtually everyone in Jamaica! 
BAMMIE - fried casava wafer.
FESTIVAL - fried cornmeal. 
PUMPKIN TAKARI - boiled pumpkin in a mash, usually served with curry. 

Breakfast is varied, and could include boiled or fried plantains, salted mackerel, boiled yam, coco (a cross between a potato and a yam) and more including fresh juice from the Estate. Also available are toast, jams, bacon and eggs and more!

Desserts include home made upside down cake, sweet potato pudding, cream cheese spring rolls, stewed prunes with coconut custard, and homemade mango, pineapple, orange or strawberry ice-cream, sometimes with added grapenut. 

Walking is generally light/moderate, though there are some trails where a level of exertion is required. There will be some uphill track and road walking, and trails can be in poor condition in places. You need an average level of fitness for this holiday.
Weather will be mixed. Mostly the temperature will be warm, with the possibility of rain. In some locations the weather is hot and humid, in others hot and dry, and at altitude can be cool and wet.
Insects There are biting insects, though not usually as a major problem. You should bring insect repellent.
Group size is restricted to 12 clients maximum.
Flights are direct from London Gatwick. We may be able to offer flight arrangements from another airport and/or or quote without flights so you can make your own arrangements. If you wish to add an extension either before or after your holiday, please contact us and we will be happy to arrange this for you.

Your Leaders

Gerard Gorman is an experienced leader in the Antilles/Caribbean, having birded and led extensively in Jamaica, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Guadeloupe. Gerard is a respected and well-recognised author of many birding books, and we are delighted to appoint him as Leader for this holiday in Jamaica.

Kevin Shaw:  Owner and guide with Heatherlea around the world, Kevin first visited Jamaica in 2017 to establish this trip, and enjoyed the birding, accommodation and food so much.
 

                          Heatherlea guides Gerard and Kevin             

We will be accompanied on some days by excellent local guides Dwayne and Roger, both friends from previous visits and very capable birders.   

  

Local Guides Dwayne and Roger

What's included in your holiday price:

• scheduled return flights between London Gatwick and Montego Bay, airport taxes, and all transfers.
• ground transportation by a modern and spacious air-conditioned vehicle. Local transfers at Greencastle might be via smaller vehicles.
• accommodation and all meals, including breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• the services of your leaders.
• entrance fees to parks and reserves, and tips to hotels and restaurants.
• local taxes
• The Heatherlea Pre-Flight Service offers everything you need at the airport, including hotels, car parking, airport lounges, regional flights, and upgrades. Let Heatherlea take the strain! Pre-flight airport hotel and lounge included, subject to terms and conditions.

FREE! ‘Birds of Jamaica’ by Ann Haynes-Sutton, Audrey Downer, Robert Sutton is included in your holiday price.

What's not included in your holiday price:

• personal insurance, personal expenses including drinks ordered, optional tips to the driver and local guides, and any other costs not specified as 'included'.