The major interest of
birding trips to the West Indies resides in the endemic
species, but we sure will not overlook, at least during
the migration seasons, the important number of migrants
passing through or wintering.
More than 28 endemics can be seen on this tropical
island with a land surface of 11425 km2. Jamaica supports
around 265 bird species. This mountainous island is
surrounded by beautiful beaches and cliffs. The interior
of the country, with its rugged landscape (highest
point 2256 m) once most entirely forested is now covered
with plantations and remnant wet limestone and montane
rainforest.
The sites that we will visit take us from one end
of the island to the other:
+
A GUIDE TO THE BIRDS OF
THE WEST INDIES
By Herbert Raffaele, James Wiley , Orlando Garrido,
Allan Keith and Janis Raffaele (Princeton).
+ BIRDS
OF JAMAÏCA
By Audrey Downer et Robert Sutton (Cambridge).
PRACTICAL
INFORMATION ABOUT JAMAICA
+
No
visa required. Valid passport.
+
No
compulsory vaccinations. No necessary prophylaxis.
+
Infrastructure:
Fair driving conditions. Very satisfactory accommodation.
+
Language:
English.
+
Local
time: GMT-6.
+
Electricity: 110 volts. American sockets.
+
Currency:
Jamaican dollar. US Dollar are accepted.
+
Climate:
Tropical. Rainy season: May to October.
+
Do
not forget to pack: binoculars !, mosquito repellent,
sweat-shirt, rain gear.
All
lodging is provided in hotels or comfortable lodges,
near to or on-site. In the Darien, lodging is more
basic but convenient.
The tour prices include lodging in double rooms
(a supplement if 15% is charged for single room
accommodation), all meals, transportation within
the country, guide and entrance fees for the national
parks. These prices do not include: international
flight, alcoholic drinks, personal spending, airport
departure tax, tips and travel insurance (repatriation,
luggage loss and flight cancellation).