Just off the B8 Highway and past the Lethe turnoff at Anchovy, Rocklands Bird Sanctuary is a low-key attraction that offers bird-lovers one of Jamaica’s most unforgettable experiences. The former home of the celebrated ornithologist Lisa Salmon (d. 2000), it is a favored spot for a multitude of birds that come here to feed each day. Buses from Montego Bay to Savanna-la-Mar run past the approach road, but it is a steep and difficult walk up to the sanctuary. No direct route taxis to Rocklands are available and it is advisable to charter one from Montego Bay.

On arrival, visitors are given a feeder of sugar-water. The objective is to entice the diners – mostly different kinds of hummingbirds, including the doctor bird – to descend and perch on the people’s hands to drink the water, the whirr of their wings vibrating musically in the air. Other species of birds can also be spotted here, including bananaquits, the greater Antillean bullfinch, and the gorgeous black-throated blue warbler. To get so close to these elusive and beautiful creatures is an incredible experience. An interesting nature walk through thick vegetation is also included in the entry fee.