Birdwatching in Jamaica

The haunting cry of the Jamaican Rufus-throated Solitaire is evocative of the Blue Mountain range, this elusive bird which rarely appears is one of many Caribbean endemic bird species that can be found in the mid and high level forests.

As well as countless winter visitors, at least 15 of Jamaica’s endemic birds have been spotted on location at Lime Tree, some of them can be seen from the comfort of your veranda whilst sipping Blue Mountain Coffee in the early morning!

We offer exclusive birding tours to locations in the Blue Mountains, where our birding guides, Roger or Lindon will assist you in spotting as many species as possible.

Here at Lime Tree we focus all of our excursions on the Blue Mountain area, apart from our exclusive Birding tours, a wide variety of birds can also be seen on any other of our excursions – the perfect setting for a “mixed” birding/non-birding couple to spend a few days of peace and tranquility.

Exclusive Birdwatching Tours (with guide)

Please enquire

BIRDWATCHING IN JAMAICA, read more from our blog about birdwatching in the Blue Mountains

Our guides have (to date) a 100% success rate on spotting any endemic. We are able to advise on the best site for any given bird.

Abbey Green and Radmore.

An early morning departure followed by a drive to the foot of Blue Mountain itself where we meet up with our guide. The morning is spent working our way up through the mid-level forest towards Abbey Green an old coffee plantation at about 5000 ft above sea level. A picnic brunch is provided.

Hardwar Gap.

An early morning departure followed by a drive through Silver Hill Gap to the northern facing slopes of the Blue Mountain Range and Hardwar Gap – a long-time favourite for keen birders.

Return trip through the former British army headquarters at Newcastle with an optional stop for coffee at Gap Cafe, where feeders attract a dazzling array of hummingbirds. (picnic brunch provided).

Endemic Birds seen so far:-

Ring Tailed Pigeon, Red Billed Streamertail, Jamaican Mango, Jamaican Tody, Jamaican Woodpecker, Sad Flycatcher, Rufus-tailed Flycatcher, Jamaican Becard, White Chinned Thrush, White eyed Thrush, Jamaican Vireo, Blue Mountain Vireo, Arrowheaded Warbler, Orangequit, Jamaican Spindalis, Yellow-shouldered Grassquit, Jamaican Blackbird, Crested Quail Dove, Jamaican Lizard Cuckoo, Jamaican Chestnut bellied Cuckoo, Black billed Parrot, Yellow billed Parrot, Jamaican Pewee, Jamaican Elaenia, Jamaican Euphonia and Jamaican Owl.

Over the years all the endemics have been sighted either locally, on the farm or along our trails, or at one of our birding sites here in the Blue Mountains.

Other excursions great for birding include:- Cinchona, Blue Mountain Peak, Crane Walk, Governors Bench walk. A professional birding guide can be provided with any of our excursions at an extra cost.