After thoroughly scouting the third largest of the West Indian islands, Jamaica, Quest President Barry Griffiths is convinced that it offers some of the most exciting bird watching in the Caribbean. And, by avoiding the well-known “high octane” tourist beaches, and resorts of Montego Bay and Ochos Rios, we can offer you a completely safe and relaxing visit as you enjoy the nature and bird life of the peaceful, laid-back Jamaican countryside.
Itinerary
(Breakfast - B, Lunch - L, Dinner - D)
Day 1
Arrive in Montego Bay / Negril
We expect our flight to arrive in Montego Bay in mid-afternoon, after which we will clear customs and meet our local guide, John Fletcher, and our driver. We will then make our way on the coastal highway to Negril. If there is sufficient time, we will stop at Rocklands Feeding Station where we hope to see the magnificent Black-billed Streamertail Hummingbird, Purple Mango and Vervain, the second smallest bird in the world, as they come to the feeders at the station.
o/n Rhode Hall Plantation (B, L, D)
Day 2
Royal Palm Reserve
Today we will be visiting the beautiful Royal Palm Reserve, located just outside of Negril, near the town of Sheffield. It is located on the southern end of the Great Morass and is the second largest wetland in Jamaica. The reserve was created in 1989 to protect the endangered Swamp Cabbage Palm (Roystonea princepa). These trees provide a great vantage point for the Ospreys and Hawks that frequent the morass. We will find the reserve filled with all kinds of birds including the endangered Black-billed Parrot, Jamaican Woodpecker, all kinds of herons and egrets, and butterflies, some landing in the trees right next to us. There is a mile long boardwalk that meanders through the morass and a 15-metre wooden observation tower that will allow us to have a bird’s eye view of the fascinating flora and fauna below.
o/n Rhode Hall Plantation (B, L, D)
Day 3
Pedro Ponds / Black River Safari
Today, after an early breakfast, we’ll visit one of the ponds that make up the Pedro Ponds complex. These salt ponds are surrounded by mangroves and support a plethora of wildlife, including the rare West Indian Whistling Duck. After a pleasant lunch at the hotel under Sabal Pines rustling with soft cooling sea breezes, we’ll head off for our Black River Safari. This large swampy area is Jamaica’s answer to the Everglades. Our seven-mile boat ride through the mangroves of Black River National Park will start at an old rum warehouse. We’ll see many species of egrets and herons among the water hyacinth plants and luxuriant morning glory vines. As our boat cruises quietly along the waterway we’ll be on the lookout for the Jamaican sub-species of American Crocodile and also West Indian Manatees. We’ll have dinner at the hotel and afterwards we can sip on cocktails, walk along the golden sands, or simply relax and enjoy the ambience of this lovely place.
o/n Treasure Beach Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 4
Coastal Lagoons / Black River Morass
This morning, we’ll be departing for the upper morass of the Black River, a freshwater marsh of shallow ponds and water vegetation. This is home to one of the rarest and least protected ducks in the world, the West Indian Whistling Duck. We’ll also be looking for Clapper Rrail, Glossy Ibis, Purple Gallinule, Northern Jacana and Least Bittern.
o/n Treasure Beach Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 5
Portland Ridge / Forres Park
Today we will visit Portland Ridge, a unique Dry Limestone Forest area that supports an equally unique fauna. This is the last place of refuge for the only terrestrial mammal on Jamaica, the rare Coney, a type of Rock Hyrax. Along the way, we’ll also visit Kingston’s Hope Botanical Gardens. These gardens were first established for sugarcane research and, although suffering from benign neglect, are still an interesting place to visit and a spot where we may see Yellow-billed Parrots.
Day 6
Abbey Green
After a picnic lunch, we’ll head inland to Forres Park, our Swiss-style lodge at an elevation of 800-metres, near the village of Mavis Bank. This is a working shade-grown coffee plantation that will be our home for the next two nights. The trails around the lodge are home to many species of birds, including Red-billed Streamertails, Vervain Hummingbirds, Stripe-headed Tanagers, White-chinned Thrushes and Jamaica Orioles. After dinner, the room balconies are a favourite place to relax and enjoy the view of the forest and the Blue Mountains.
o/n Forres Park Lodge (B, L, D)
Blue Mountains / Abbey Green
If the weather cooperates, John Fletcher will take us in four-wheel drive vehicles to Abbey Green, a coffee plantation located at 1500-metres beneath the summit of the Blue Mountain. Since we are much higher, there will be some vegetation changes, and we can expect to see some new birds, including Rufous-tailed Flycatcher, Rufous-throated Solitaire, Chestnut-billed Cuckoo and Crested Quail-Dove. We’ll return to Forres Park later in the afternoon.
o/n Forres Park Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 7
Hardwar Gap / Montane Rainforest Birding
We’ll have an early start this morning so, for a change, there will be a picnic breakfast! Our destination and picnic site is the lovely Hardwar Gap, a thickly wooded mountain pass nestled at about 1300-metres between Blue Mountain and Holywell National Parks. Clouds move through here every day, creating a cool, damp environment. The dense woods include giant Tree Ferns, Mahogany Trees, and Blue Mahoe all festooned with huge bromeliads and epiphytes. We’ll continue a leisurely drive through this area and arrive at our hotel in time for a late lunch. Afterwards, we can enjoy the charming pool surrounded by flowers and Black-billed Streamertails and Jamaican Mangoes. We may also opt for an afternoon of guided birding along the trails of the hotel, looking for Chestnut-billed Cuckoo, Rufous-tailed Flycatcher and the many wood warblers that spend their winters here.
o/n Mockingbird Hill Hotel (B, L, D)
Days 8–10
Rio Grande River Rafting / John Crow Mountains
Using our delightful hotel as a base, we’ll spend the next three days exploring the John Crow Mountains. Among our activities, we’ll take a lazy, raft ride down the quiet scenic Rio Grande where we’ll get close looks at herons and kingfishers. We’ll stop on the river for lunch at Miss Betty’s where we’ll be treated to authentic Jamaican food. After our rafting experience, we’ll have the remainder of the day to relax and explore the area. Some of us may decide to spend the afternoon at nearby Frenchman’s Cove, Jamaica’s prettiest white sandy beach.
On one of the days, Ryan Love will take us to Ecclestone Road, in the John Crow Mountains National Park. We’ll have a pleasant picnic breakfast before we explore this remote area in search of such endemic species as Black-billed and Yellow-billed Parrots, Jamaican Becard, Jamaican Oriole, and Jamaican Crow. We’ll end our morning in the coastal town of Boston where we will enjoy a special jerk lunch.
We will also visit the old town of Port Antonio. This was once the busiest port in the Caribbean until blight destroyed the valuable banana industry. The men and women loading the boats inspired Harry Belafonte’s “Banana Boat” song. We’ll enjoy shopping and people watching at the old town of Tichfield and at Musgrave Market, which is usually buzzing with Jamaican street life and entertainers. This market sells everything from jerk poultry and goat meat to local crafts and souvenirs.
Each of our days will end with memorable meals in the hotel’s gourmet restaurant, overlooking the blue Caribbean.
o/n Mockingbird Hill Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 11
Kingston / Departure Day
Today, we’ll sadly take our leave from Mockingbird Hill Hotel and make our way to Kingston and our flights home. On the way, we’ll stop at the spectacular sea cliffs at Hector’s River where White–tailed Tropicbirds nest and try to dodge the marauding Magnificent Frigatebirds as we have one last lingering look at the blue Caribbean Sea. (B, L)
