Birding West Jamaica Endemics

Sunday, February 3: Westmoreland

Dean's Valley Forest Reserve and woodlands above Whitehouse
Hotel Luna Sea Inn

BIRD of the DAY: Jamaican Tody

While having breakfast at the hotel, we noticed Cave Swallows entering and exiting the large cave along the shore. Hard to get a photo!



Soon we were off to Dean’s Valley Forest Reserve, but made a quick stop first at a gas station to view the Antillean Palm Swifts.



We drove up into the mountains, parked at the Forest Reserve and sprayed up for bugs and ticks. We spotted some Yellow-crowned Night-Herons high in a tree.



We hiked up the road. The forest birding was challenging, but we eventually got good looks at a number of desired species: Jamaican Tody, Arrowhead Warbler, Greater Antillean Bullfinch, Jamaican Becard, Olive-throated Parakeet, Rufous-tailed Flycatcher, Jamaican Pewee, Vervain Hummingbird and Jamaican Woodpecker.



We drove back down to a sea-side restaurant for lunch. Our table was right by the water where we had good birding while we ate: Little Blue Heron, Royal Terns, Spotted Sandpiper, Northern Waterthrush and other warblers.



After lunch, we drove to the woodlands above Whitehouse where we saw a Yellow-shouldered Grassquit. Dion went off into the forest and spotted a perched Northern Potoo. We were all very happy to get good views and photos of the sleeping Potoo.



Then it was back to Luna Sea Inn where we had a drink with Wolde, Deceita, Wayne, Irene and Ruth while watching an amazing sunset. Then it was our bird list and dinner. The dining room was crowded as a large noisy group of football fans was watching the Superbowl on a giant screen. Diana’s home team, the New England Patriots, won.

February 3 Birds

Luna Sea Inn, Westmoreland, JM
Feb 3, 2019 7:50 AM - 8:43 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.129 kilometer(s)
6 species

Laughing Gull  2
Royal Tern  2
Little Blue Heron  1
Barn Swallow  2
Cave Swallow  6
American Redstart  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S52783696

A2, Ferris Cross, Westmoreland Parish, JM (18.228, -78.071), Westmoreland, JM
Feb 3, 2019 9:01 AM - 9:05 AM
Protocol: Stationary
4 species

Antillean Palm-Swift  75     Nesting in thatch palm
Turkey Vulture  6
American Kestrel  2
Northern Mockingbird  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S52783682

Dean's Valley Forest Reserve, Westmoreland, JM
Feb 3, 2019 9:31 AM - 1:11 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.945 kilometer(s)
29 species

Mourning Dove  1
Vervain Hummingbird  2     Pic on milkweed flower
Streamertail (Red-billed)  2     Seen well. Long streamers, red bill
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron  4
Turkey Vulture  3
Jamaican Tody  4
Belted Kingfisher  1
Jamaican Woodpecker  2
Green-rumped Parrotlet  2     Heard
Olive-throated Parakeet  3
Jamaican Elaenia  1
Jamaican Pewee  2
Sad Flycatcher  1
Rufous-tailed Flycatcher  5     Pic from below, bill and chest visible
Loggerhead Kingbird  1
Jamaican Becard  3
Jamaican Vireo  2     Pic
Jamaican Crow  1
White-chinned Thrush  2
Jamaican Euphonia  1
Jamaican Oriole  3
Northern Waterthrush  1
Black-and-white Warbler  2
Arrowhead Warbler  2
American Redstart  1
Northern Parula  2
Black-throated Blue Warbler  3
Bananaquit  1
Greater Antillean Bullfinch  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S52783651

A2, Westmoreland Parish, JM (18.157, -78.029), Westmoreland, JM
Feb 3, 2019 1:44 PM - 3:03 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.435 kilometer(s)
11 species

Spotted Sandpiper  1
Royal Tern  2
Brown Pelican  1
Little Blue Heron  10
Turkey Vulture  2
Belted Kingfisher  1
Jamaican Woodpecker  1
Sad Flycatcher  1
Loggerhead Kingbird  1
American Redstart  1
Black-throated Blue Warbler  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S52783613

Belmont, Westmoreland, JM
Feb 3, 2019 3:19 PM - 3:54 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.306 kilometer(s)
7 species

Northern Potoo 1 Pics
Turkey Vulture 3
Stolid Flycatcher 2 Pics
Jamaican Vireo 1
Black-and-white Warbler 1
American Redstart 2
Yellow-shouldered Grassquit 1 Pic

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S52783582