Jamaica trip report 8th to 22nd February 2017

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This years trip was to Jamaica to see as many of the 28 endemic birds as possible (or 29 if you include Olive-throated Parakeet). We stayed to Goblin Hill Villas (expensive even without the hidden extras), San San, Port Antonio which gave us a 30-40 minute drive to Ecclesdown Road. Next stop was Lime Tree Farm, Mavis Bank in the Blue Mountains which is equidistant to Hardwar Gap (pronounced Hardware Gap), Cinchona (pronounced sin co na) and Portland Gap, all approx 1.5 to 2 hours drive. Our final stop was with family at Mandeville which was just 10 minutes drive from Marshall's Pen.

Currency used was a mixture of Jamaican and US dollars and either were accepted. If visiting again my preference would be to take Jamaican Dollars.

The roads can be a bit rough in the mountains so if visiting in this area I would recommend a four wheel drive. Otherwise, some roads suffered from many pot holes but were fine for non four wheel drive vehicles.

Here are some of the birds encountered on our trip:

Black-billed Streamertail
Black-billed Streamertail - Seen well at Goblin Hill Villas

Jamaican Blackbird
Jamaican Blackbird - Widespread but uncommon at Ecclesdown Road, Hardwar Gap.


Jamaican Tody - Fairly common at Goblin Hill, Ecclesdown Road, Hardwar Gap

Jamaican Becard
Jamaican Becard - Small no's at Ecclesdown Road, Marshall's Pen, Woodside Plantation (1.5km past Military Training Wing)

Jamaican Oriole
Jamaican Oriole - In small numbers at all sites.

Prairie Warbler
Prairie Warbler - At most sites

Rufous-tailed Flycatcher
Rufous-tailed Flycatcher - Several seen

Jamaican Crow
Jamaican Crow - Ecclesdown Road and Marshall's Pen

Black-billed Parrot
Black-billed Parrot - Several seen at Ecclesdown Road

Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler - Common


Jamaican Lizard-cuckoo - One's and two's at most sites

Jamaican Vireo
Jamaican Vireo - Once the call was learnt we picked it up at most sites

Blue Mountain Vireo
Blue Mountain Vireo - Most seen at Harwar Gap

Jamaican Pewee
Jamaican Pewee - Seen at most sites

Jamaican Woodpecker
Jamaican Woodpecker - Widespread in small numbers

Jamaican Euphonia
Jamaican Euphonia - Quite common at most sites

Western Spindalis
Western Spindalis - Reasonably common at all sites


Jamaican Elaenia - Seen at Woodside Plantation (1.5km north of military training ground)

Orangequit
Orangequit - Common at all sites

Rufous-throated Solitaire
Rufous-throated Solitaire - Woodside Plantation and Hardwar Gap

Red-billed Streamertail
Red-billed Streamertail - Common in its range

Vervain Hummingbird
Vervain Hummingbird - Lime Tree Farm, Port Antonio Marina

Solitary Sandpiper
Solitary Sandpiper - Marshall's Pen

White-eyed Thrush
White-eyed Thrush - Marshall's Pen, Hardwar Gap, Goblin Hill Villas

Bahama Mockingbird
Bahama Mockingbird - Portland Ridge

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