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Photo by HelenB
The patio at Rocklands Bird Sanctuary, where hummingbirds and grassquits will feed from your hand

[edit] Overview

Montego Bay area, Jamaica. The Rockland's Bird Sanctuary (may also be known as the Rockland's Feeding Station) was originally owned and run for many years by 'the bird lady' - Lisa Salmon. She passed away in 2000, in her 90's, but fortunately the property is still being run as a sanctuary by her nephew, and is managed by Fritz, who has been there for 15 years.

[edit] Birds

[edit] Notable Species

The Red-billed Streamertail and Jamaican Mango are so tame that they will come straight to a handheld bottle of sugar water and some of them will even sit on your finger to feed. There are 4 species of hummingbird resident in Jamaica - 3 of them can be found at Rockland's, but the 4th, the Black-billed Streamertail, is only found in the very eastern part of Jamaica (it is sometimes treated as a sub-species of the Streamertail). Fritz will also provide seed to put on your hand for the Black-faced Grassquit, Yellow-faced Grassquit and Orangequit. Also hopping around the feeders on the patio are Bananaquit and Greater Antillean Bullfinch.

There is also an outdoor patio area, where you can sit and watch more birds such as Jamaican Oriole using the feeders. Common ground-Dove and Caribbean Dove can be found around the gardens, looking for the spilt seed provided in the sanctuary.

The guided walk through the woods will net endemic Jamaican and Caribbean species, as well as some familiar North American warblers wintering in the Caribbean, such as Black-throated Blue Warbler, American Redstart and Northern Parula. The endemic and Caribbean species most likely to be seen are: Jamaican Woodpecker, White-chinned Thrush, Rufous-tailed Flycatcher, Jamaican Tody, Jamaican Euphonia, Jamaican Vireo, Jamaican Becard, Vervain Hummingbird, Loggerhead Kingbird and Sad Flycatcher.

[edit] Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

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[edit] Other Wildlife

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[edit] Site Information

[edit] History and Use

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[edit] Areas of Interest

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[edit] Access and Facilities

Hours of operation as posted in the local tourist office, are 2-5 pm, when the bird feeding will take place, but if you arrive earlier you will be invited straight on to a covered patio to see the hummingbirds.

There is an US$8 entrance fee (as of 2004) and a separate fee for a guided tour, which is 'negotiable', so establish what you are willing to pay in advance. Fritz is very knowledgeable and will point out lots of the endemics and special birds during a walk along the wooded trail in the sanctuary.

The Rockland's Bird Sanctuary is located in the little town of Anchovy about 3 miles from Montego Bay, and is about a 20 minutes drive by taxi from the cruise ship terminal. Taking the A1 out of town you will pass through Long Hill Gorge, then look for a sign to the Sanctuary, indicating a left turn. This minor road is rather rough, and takes you uphill. You'll find the sanctuary on the right, a short way down the other side of the hill.

Photo by HelenB

[edit] Contact Details

Rockland's Bird Sanctuary Anchovy, St. James. Tel: 952-2009

[edit] External Links

Trip report for Rockland's Bird Sanctuary: [1]

Content and images originally posted by HelenB