LimeTree Farm » Birdwatching in the Blue Mountains

Six Jamaican Blackbirds & 2 Crested Quail Doves Spotted on a Birding Excursion from Lime Tree Farm!

admin — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 21:03:00 +0000

Last week 3 keen birders from Canada, Simon Gawn, Paul & Ian Jones visited Lime Tree Farm for an intensive 3 days of Birding, on the first day we visited Cinchona where 17 of Jamaica's endemic bird species were sighted along with a a few other rare birds to Jamaica such as a LIncoln Sparrow & a Rufus Throated Solitair, a Multi Island Endemic whose haunting whistle is considered the sound of the Blue Mountains. Our guests were very keen to see the elusive Jamaican Blackbird & Crested Quail Dove otherwise called the Mountain Witch, both birds are endemic to Jamaica hard to find & live in the mid to higher level forests of the Blue Mountains. The Jamaican Blackbird feeds on insects living in Bromiliads which grow on tree branches in the forest. Departing from Lime Tree Farm at 430AM we drove high up to the trail head of Blue Mountain itself from there we walked into the clouds seaching the trail for the doves which are known to feed on the forest floor amongst the fallen leaves – no Mountain Witches yet but soon a Blackbird called, not one but two! Feeding amongst the bromilads at head height right in front of us pictures galore for in Ian & Paul & even a couple of bad ones for my point & shoot digital. Moving on to the Ranger Station at Portland Gap – still no sign of the Doves so we continued towards Blue Mountain Peak searching the path ahead for them, the rain came down & still we searched unbelievably another Jamaican Blackbird displayed itself for us. Ryan Love our guide was considering turning back as we were reaching elevations not considered favourable for the Crested Quail Doves suddenly he saw them, not one but two , in a tree of all places. The vibe was good amongst us as we turned back down the trail, miaculously we saw another pair & a single Jamaican Blackbird on our way down. Just to let you know how rare this is – try & find a photo of one – very difficult – Ian & Paul have plenty & promised to send me some so look for it posted on my blog, in the meantime you'll have to make do with my poor picture!

Blog By Charlie

ENDEMICS LIE LOW IN COLD WEATHER

admin — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:01:04 +0000

Some recent Birdwatching guests at Lime Tree Farm, the Whittingham's, did a 3 day programme of Birding Tours, Cinchona, Abbey Green & Hardwar Gap all good locations for seeing birds endemic to Jamaica.

Despite a cold front moving down from the North Amereican mainland which tended to keep the birds away we were still able to see various endemics which included the endangered Ring Tailed Pigeon(see picture). It is also interesting to see that there was no shortage of the Red Billed Streamertails another endemic which also happens to be the Jamaican National Bird. These spectacular & hardy little hummingbirds can be found almost anywhere in Jamaica from sea level to Blue Mountain Peak – I know of no other bird in Jamaica that can be found at all altitudes.

BLOG BY CHARLIE

Mountain Whitch sighted at Hollywell on a Excursion from Lime Tree Farm

admin — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 13:19:02 +0000

Jamaican birdwatching in the summertime is not quite up to the proliferation of Birds that are sighted in the spring, nevertheless, Doctorbirds(Red billed streamertails )are everywhere. In the early morning the cries of flocks of Yellow Billed parrots "going bush" to feed can be heard from LIme Tree Farm, as they return in the evening with full bellies they are even louder & can't be missed.

On a recent excursion to Hollywell National Park from Lime Tree Farm with some guests we spotted a "Mountain Whitch" – Crested Quail Dove. This bird with it's strange dancing walk is endemic to Jamaica & not seen everyday.

Blog by Charlie

Spring Birdwatching

admin — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:05:23 +0000

As usual it's been a busy spring as far as birds are concerned on and around Lime Tree Farm. Many endemic species have been sighted, the most significant being the Jamaican Lizard Cuckoo which I havn't seen for a couple of years now. Our resident Red Tailed Hawks produced 2 fine offspring this year both of which have reached considerable size already and are busy terrorizing the local rodent population! We have a fairly tame Tody who visits sometimes early in the morning whilst our guests are drinking our world famous Blue Mountain Coffee – an experience not to be missed!

Photography by Claude Fletcher