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Birding in trails on Green Castle Estate and in the Blue Mountains with an excellent Naturetrek tour guide plus expert local guides. The accommodation has wonderful views across mountains, coast and lush foliage. Hummingbirds visit the feeders and flowers beside the pool all day.
L.B. Dorset, Feb 22
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Jamaica - An Island of Endemics!
Tour Code: JAM02A hugely rewarding, yet relaxing, single-centre 9-day birdwatching holiday to the tropical Caribbean island of Jamaica.
We hope to run this tour in the future, but have not yet finalised dates and prices. To be added to a waiting list and be informed when details are confirmed, please click on the register interest button, or phone 01962 733051.
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
This is a single-centre holiday based at a beautiful coastal hotel along Jamaica's northern coastline. Each day we will look for Jamaica’s endemic species (seeing all 28 during the tour is a possibility!) and other exciting species, visiting sites in the Blue, and the John Crow Mountains – in mountainous areas we’ll look for species such as Jamaican Blackbird, Arrowhead Warbler and Jamaican Spindalis, as well as the secretive Crested Quail Dove. As well as plentiful bird species, we won't fail to be impressed by the impressive diversity of butterflies, dragonflies and reptiles. There is much time to relax during this tour as all activities are optional, and there are some impressive cultural visits on offer too, plus dining experiences in Jamaica's finest Jerk restaurants, and evening meals under the stars!
- Jamaica has 28 endemic birds, more than any other Caribbean island!
- Look for colourful American wood warblers which winter here
- A hotel with views over the ocean and a salt-water swimming pool
- Lizard Cuckoo, Jamaican Mango & Jamaican Tody all likely
- Yellow-billed Parrot & White-chinned Thrush possible
- Night-walks to look for endemic Jamaican Owl plus Northern Potoo
- Look for spectacular Black-billed Streamertail in the mountains
- An ideal birdwatching break to enjoy with a non-birding partner!
- Superb photographic opportunities
- Led by expert naturalist guides and a UK leader
Grading
Grade A. Easy birding and cultural walks only.
If fabulous birdwatching, Caribbean sun and a luxury hotel sound like the ingredients for your perfect early spring break, then this birdwatching holiday to Jamaica could be just for you!
Jamaica is home to 28 species of endemic bird, more than on any other Caribbean island. These are joined each spring by numerous northbound migrants — amongst them a host of colourful American wood warblers — which use the island as a stepping stone between their wintering grounds in South America and their breeding grounds further north. Finding all of the 28 endemic birds during the course of the week is a distinct possibility! These species include Jamaican Lizard Cuckoo, Jamaican Mango, Orangequit, Jamaican Tody, Yellow-billed Parrot and White-chinned Thrush, whilst a night-walk could reveal the endemic Jamaican Owl or perhaps the more widespread Northern Potoo.
During our 7-night stay, we will not only spend time thoroughly the hotel's premises (located onsite and elsewhere), but will also head further afield into both the Blue Mountains, which dominate the eastern section of the island, and the nearby John Crow Mountains. In these two mountain regions we will be looking for the localised Blue Mountain Vireo, plus Jamaican Blackbird and the spectacular Black-billed Streamertail. If fortunate, we may even find the beautiful, but secretive, Crested Quail Dove.
Although daily guided birdwatching excursions are planned throughout the week, you are, of course, free to take part in one of the more relaxing activities on offer too. These include reclining in a hammock, reading by the pool or strolling around the gardens. This is therefore the perfect birding holiday to enjoy (and perhaps extend) with a non-birding partner!
With a host of special birds, warm sunshine and superb photographic opportunities on offer, all from an exceptionally comfortable base, we expect this to be a popular holiday.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Fly Kingston and transfer Galina
Day 2/7
Varied birding and cultural excursions
Day 8
Depart Kingston late afternoon
Day 9
Arrive UK.
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
A fabulous hotel along Jamaica's northern coastline, with a saltwater swimming pool and a wonderful terrace close to the ocean.
- Food: All included in the price.
Reviews
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A week spent at a delightful base in a forested area near the coast. There are many trails through the estate which provide excellent bird watching opportunities. A short walk to the coast enables a chance to snorkel at a reef. The accommodation is very comfortable and the meals are wholesome and varied. All arrangements were spot on and detailed information was provided throughout the booking process.
B.P. Suffolk, Feb 20 -
A walking and bird watching holiday. I am not an expert and do not know all the birds unlike other people on the trip but the leader and local guide were very good at showing and telling us what the birds were. Stayed at a lovely small hotel. Great rooms, great staff, great food.
D.T. Orkney, Feb 19 -
Special for me in the first sighting of a Tody and my first visit to the exotic island of Jamaica. My husband had always had a desire to visit Jamaica the birth place of Bob Marley, since he loves the music, so it was an exciting trip for both of us. We enjoyed the vibrancy, the flowers, the birds and the people who are so relaxed about life. Our Jamaican birding guides were entertaining and excellent at their task, the food was enjoyable and the accommodation just fine for us. I think this was our kind of holiday, if only the weather had been a little bit kinder.
M.C. Lancashire -
Excellent local guides enabled us to see all the Jamaican endemics, together with the expertise of our leader Tom Mabbett. Overall an enjoyable holiday, covering a range of habitats from the well located estate.
P.C. Leicestershire -
Staff welcoming and helpful with dietary requirements. General ambience good and enjoyed the Jamaican food. Both guides were good at knowing where to find the endemic birds and assisting us to spot them.
J.C. Leicestershire -
The accommodation and grounds were outstanding and Richard, Elaine, Opal and the rest of the staff made us feel so welcome and relaxed. Marcus was a great guide and companion. There were wonderful opportunities to see the birds throughout the stay.
M.F. Dorset
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At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
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- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
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