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Birding at Bluefields |
| From the mountains to the sea, we are exceptionally fortunate at Bluefields to see a tremendous number of species of birds. Of the 28 Jamaican endemic species we have observed 22, plus a further 13 endemic sub-species in our local area. Among the regular favourites on our tours are the : Jamaican Tody, Jamaican Oriole, Jamaican Stripe-headed Tanager, Orangequit, Jamaican Euphonia, Jamaican Elaenia, Olive-throated Parakeet, Rufous-throated Solitaire, Rufous-tailed Flycatcher, Jamaican Woodpecker, Arrow-headed warbler and White-eyed Thrush, Red-billed Streamertail, Vervain and Mango Hummingbirds.
Jamaica has more endemics than any other island in the Caribbean. It offers some excellent birding. In all, we have around 290 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 people from Europe, the winter season is an ideal time to visit and to catch the mainly North American influx. Many of the species that come at this time add to our own resident populations. In spring, we have a few species that migrate to breed here. (Black Whiskered Vireo, Caribbean Martin, Antillean Night Hawk).
Our day and half day tours take place in the Bluefields Mountains. An area made famous by Victorian Naturalist Philip Henry Gosse who stayed at Bluefields Great House from 1844 -1846. We follow old parochial roads and well defined tracks through woodlands and forest with plenty of time to observe and enjoy the spectacular surroundings.
All of our tours include a lunch stop at a sea-side restaurant with shore birds providing additional spotting. Each Birder is presented with Jamaican Species Check list as a souvenir and record of great birding at Bluefields.
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