Gradually, more and more naturalists are realising what Jamaica has to offer, the flora and fauna of this lush tropical Caribbean island offers a relaxed insight into neo-tropical wildlife at a pace to suit anyone.  Perhaps the most beautiful part of Jamaica, is it’s unspoiled eastern region with its lush green hills and pristine undeveloped beaches, the peace and solitude offered by the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park and the small town of  Port Antonio - an area that has recorded 25 of the island’s 28 endemics! Jamaica is ideal for birders wishing to visit a Caribbean destination, or for those who have previously visited Trinidad and Tobago and want to sample another bite size tropical birding destination. Who can resist the island’s exquisite national bird, the Streamertail.  There are now two species of Streamertail Hummingbird, both of which breed in the gardens of our featured property, the delightful Hotel Mocking Bird Hill. These year round holidays are perfect for non-birding partners too. The property is listed in the ‘Birds of the West Indies’ as one of the best birding sites on the island, with a garden list of over 40 species recorded.  With advance notice, the owners can arrange birding trips with a car and driver plus a local birding guide to the other key sites.

 

Mocking Bird Hill features just 10 rooms nestled on 6.5 acres of tropical gardens and trees on a hillside with stunning views including out over the turquoise Caribbean below. It is close to town and the beach, and only a short drive to waterfalls, forests and botanical gardens elsewhere on the north-east coast. The owner/managers Barbara Walker and Shireen Aga are justly proud of their superb, eco-friendly property which has been open since 1993. ‘Sustainable luxury’ describes the place perfectly, no plastic room amenities, ‘bottled water’ is in Thermos flasks, stationary is produced by a women’s co-op and the toiletries are also locally produced plus the water is heated by the sun. The rooms are breeze-cooled, beautifully decorated with hammock-strung balconies and private facilities. They also feature coffee/tea-making facilities, Chocolate tea balls, fresh flowers, a tropical fruit plate on arrival, free house recipes and complimentary spring water. Honeymooners will also enjoy some extra very special benefits too! There are no TVs or phones but free wireless is available in the lobby area along with two house computers for guest use.

 

The Terrace Bar enjoys magnificent views, there is a swimming pool in the garden, an on site art gallery, complimentary afternoon tea and sundowner drink each day. The property also runs a free shuttle to nearby Frenchman’s Cove Beach. The hotel’s restaurant, ‘Mille Fleurs’ is another major highlight, with views over the Blue Mountains and the ocean with the chef preparing a daily changing menu with produce from local suppliers and the kitchen garden. Creative Caribbean cuisine with a continental flair with choices for each course and vegetarian options always available. Yum!

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Jamaican bird endemics

 Crested Quail-Dove (Geotrygon versicolor) - Mountain Witch, Blue Partridge

 Ring-tailed Pigeon (Columba caribaea) - Ringtail

 Jamaican Owl (Pseudoscops grammicus) - Patoo with the big eyes

 Black-billed Streamertail (Trochilus scitulus) - Black-billed Doctorbird

 Red-billed Streamertail (Trochilus polytmus) - Red-billed Doctorbird

 Jamaican Mango (Anthracothorax mango) - Doctorbird

 Yellow-billed Parrot (Amazona collaria) - Yellowbill

 Black-billed Parrot (Amazona agilis) - Blackbill

 Jamaican Woodpecker (Melanerpes radiolatus) - Woodpecker

 Jamaican Tody (Todus todus) - Robin Redbreast

 Chestnut-bellied Cuckoo (Hyetornis pluvialis) - Old Man Bird

 Jamaican Lizard Cuckoo (Saurothera vetula) - Old Woman Bird

 Rufous-tailed Flycatcher (Myiarchus validus) - Big Tom Fool

 Sad Flycatcher (Myiarchus barbirostris) - Little Tom Tool

 Jamaican Elaenia (Myiopagis cotta) - Sarah Bird

 Jamaican Becard (Pachyramphus niger) - Mountain Dick (male),

   Mountain Judy (female)

 Jamaican Pewee (Contopus pallidus) - Willie Pee

 Jamaican Euphonia (Euphonia jamaica) - Blue Quit

 Arrowhead Warbler (Dendroica pharetra) - Ants Bird

 Blue Mountain Vireo (Vireo osburni)

 Jamaican Vireo (Vireo modestus) - Sewi-Sewi

 White-chinned Thrush (Turdus aurantius) - Hopping Dick

 White-eyed Thrush (Turdus jamaicensis) - Glasseye

 Jamaican Crow (Corvus jamaicensis) - Jabbering Crow

 Jamaican Spindalis (Spindalis nigricephala) - Mark Head

 Orangequit (Euneornis campestris) - Blue Baize

 Yellow-shouldered Grassquit (Loxipasser anoxanthus) - Yellow Back

 Jamaican Blackbird (Nesopsar nigerrimus) - Wild Pine Sergeant

 

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Holiday Information

 Air-inclusive packages to Hotel Mocking Bird Hill

	TWIN SHARE	SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
January - March 2010	£1,589	£701
1 April -10 April 2010	£1,879	£701
11 April -30 April 2010	£1,579	£505
May - June 2010	£1,389	£505
1 July- 16 July 2010	£1,549	£505
17 July  - 15 August 2010	£1,689	£505
16 August - 31 August 2010	£1,549	£505
1 October - 10 December 2010	£1,389	£505

Supplement for superior room from  £87.00 per person per week.

Supplement for deluxe room from  £229.00 per person per week.

 

Extra nights at Mockingbird Hill:  £130.00 per person twin share, half board in high season 20 December 2009 – 30 April 2010, £115.00 per person twin share, half board low season  September 2009  - 19 December 2009,  May  -  19 December 2010 (NB the hotel will be closed September 2010) . Half board.

 

Price includes: return economy class flights from London Gatwick to Kingston with BA including prepaid taxes, transfers (approx 2-2.5 hours each way),  7 nights accommodation at Mockingbird Hill with breakfast and 3-course a la Carte dinner  sharing a garden-view twin room with private facilities, hotel energy surcharge and WildWings bird checklist.

 

Price excludes: Local airport tax (US$27), drinks, other meals, gratuities, birding and other excursions, travel insurance and  other items of a personal nature.

 

Optional Birding Excursions

Local bird guides can be arranged or US$125 per day for up to 4 persons. Private car transport with driver US$100 for 1 –2 persons, surcharges apply for additional persons. Example sites include Ecclesdown/Sherwood Forest. For the Blue Mountains transport will cost US$225 (1-2 persons). These services should be booked in advance!

 

Garden View Rooms 4

Superior Rooms 3, on the upper level, include a luxury bathroom, bathrobes and an extended range of tropical body care products.

Deluxe Rooms 2, these have an extended open seating area with folding serpentine doors into the balacony for tropical-style indoor/outdoor living.

Suite 1, offers a separate bedroom, sitting area and two bathrooms. Free wireless internet, DVD player and flatscreen TV, i-pod docking station plus magazines and books.

Group quotes also available, please contact Sarah-Jane Thompson to arrange your visit to this WildWings tropical paradise.