Caribbean Birding Trail

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You are here: Home / Jamaica / Ahhh…Ras Natango Gallery and Garden

Ahhh…Ras Natango Gallery and Garden

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Birding at Ahhh…Ras Natango Gallery and Garden gives birders a chance to be on vacation enjoying the birds in their natural habitat in a maintained garden with level walkways.

View from Ahhh…Ras Natango Gallery and Garden
View from Ahhh…Ras Natango Gallery and Garden (Photo by Tamika Williams)

The garden is a testament to the vision of Ras Natango who literally created this sanctuary from a cliffside. Using the stones on the property to create terraces and walkways. Eighteen of Jamaica’s 28 endemic birds make the garden their home. The garden is all of that and so much more. Carved in the hillside are terraces for walking and viewing the varied plants.

Bananaquits and Blue Warbler
Bananaquits and Blue Warbler (Photo by Tamika Williams)

The entire garden is created with the natural lay of the land and composting year round sustains the garden. Because of the numerous birds living here, the garden is kept chemical-free and homemade methods are used to control pests. Plants that caterpillars love to eat are planted in an area allowing them to devour them thereby leaving the rest of the garden alone and making a butterfly garden. A living ecosystem. The population of birds has increased, not only in the garden, but within the local community.

Ahhh…Ras Natango Garden
Ahhh…Ras Natango Garden (Photo by Tamika Williams)

The entire garden is a continuous trail with different levels, There are many areas for observing the different birds, seating, restrooms and even home-cooked Jamaican meals. A koi pond and small waterfalls adds to the ambiance birding in the garden. Its a birdfly zone so be aware that they will fly straight at you and you will have to move out of their way.

Benches to sit on and listen to the birds
Benches to sit on and listen to the birds (Photo by Tamika Williams)

The tour of the garden is 45 minutes to one hour, but visitors generally stay after the guided tour and spend time just looking at the plants and listening to the birds. We have had some unique blooms in this past year. A rear black gladiola and a strange yellow gladiola, huge dahlias, giant begonias, coleus, and over 50 species of fern.

Jamaica has 28 endemic birds, 18 of which are found at Ahhh…, not to mention the migratory birds who arrive late September and depart in March. The garden has river stones painted with the birds seen on property with their scientific and local names for easy identification.

Orangequit
Orangequit, a Jamaican endemic (Photo by Tamika Williams)

Jamaica’s national bird, the Swallow-tailed Hummingbird (aka the Dr. Bird), is a resident of the garden and can be seen all year round. You may even have a chance to feed the hummingbirds if you arrive near feeding time in the mornings.

Scissor-tailed Hummingbird
Scissor-tailed Hummingbird (Photo by Tamika Williams)

The birds are visible throughout the day, however the best times for birding are mornings and late evenings, between the hours of 6 am and 10 am, and 4 pm and sunset. We have affectionately called Ahhh… the bird fly zone as they dart between guests with no fear.

Yellow-faced Grassquit
Yellow-faced Grassquit (Photo by Tamika Williams)

Ahhh…Ras Natango Gallery and Garden is located approximately 2000 feet above sea level. It is nestled between the communities of Gutters and Kempshot. Visitors arrive by local transportation and walk up the steep, paved driveway. It is an approximately 15 minutes drive from Sam Sharpe Square or the Montego Bay Cruise Pier.

View from Ahhh…Ras Natango Garden
View from Ahhh…Ras Natango Garden (Photo by Tamika Williams)

Ahhh…Ras Natango Gallery and Garden offers guided tours, integrating flora and fauna in the teaching of any subject area. The gallery and garden provides a sustainable source of employment for members of the community and all members of the staff are avid bird watchers who can readily identify the birds by sight and sound.

The entrance fee is US$35 per person (US$20 for children aged 3–11) with US$15 lunches available, as well as juice, coffee, water, tea, and beer available for sale.

Ahhh...Ras Natango Logo

Ahhh…Ras Natango Gallery and Garden

Jamaica Sites

  • Ahhh…Ras Natango Gallery and Garden
  • Barbecue Bottom Road
  • Black River Great Morass
  • Cockpit Country
  • Ecclesdown Road
  • Flagstaff
  • Green Hills Field Station
  • Hardwar Gap
  • Hope Gardens
  • Portland Bight Protected Area
  • Stewart Town

Jamaica Partners

  • Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation
  • Southern Trelawny Environmental Agency


Jamaica Tour Operators

  • Ann Sutton, Independent Guide
  • Arrowhead Birding Tours
  • Wildside Nature Tours

Bird Checklists

Click here for a pamphlet-sized checklist of the birds of Jamaica.

Recommended Field Guides

A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Jamaica by Ann Haynes-Sutton, Audrey Downer, and Robert Sutton

Birds of the West Indies by Herbert Raffaele, James Wiley, Orlando Garrido, Allan Keith, and Janis Raffaele

Want to know how you can be involved?

Do you know of a place that should be part of the Caribbean Birding Trail? Are you the owner of a lodge or hotel and want to attract eco-tourists? Are you a guide interested in the birdwatching market? Then, get involved with our project!

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