If you are thinking about staying at Hotel Mocking Bird Hill for a birding holiday, you are probably wondering a little who will be your birding guide? Here’s all the information about Ricardo you could need.
Ricardo resides in the capital City Kingston, but he is no city slicker. He grew up in the rural community of Hopewell, Hanover in western Jamaica and made his move to Kingston to pursue a degree in Zoology at the University of the West Indies. This is where his love for nature and birds began. He has participated in several bird banding workshops and volunteered at banding stations on the island which helped to hone his skills and give a better appreciation of the life of birds on Jamaica.
Now with over 7 years experience in birdwatching, Ricardo is as good as they get, but will be the first to point out that he does not know half as much as he needs to. He currently works as an Environmental Officer at an environmental agency and is also pursuing a Masters degree in ecology with a special emphasis on birds. He enjoys – well – birdwatching, and considers himself fortunate to have had the opportunity to see hundreds of birds from North, Central and South America as well as the Caribbean.
A dedicated life member of BirdLife Jamaica, he participates in their monthly birding trips to various sections of the island and finds mentorship in the more experienced members.They have broadened his passion of birds to now include butterflies and plants, a combination that can only work to his benefit.
During his spare time, Ricardo doubles as a birdwatcher and as a birdguide. He is always equipped with at least an extra pair of binoculars, a spotting scope and keeps a first aid kit in his car. With a growing love for photography he sometimes takes his camera to enlarge his collection of bird and butterfly photos. He often carries a playback to attract those difficult birds but sometimes leaves it to avoid disturbing the birds during breeding and other crucial times. His main focus is the comfort of the guests and he is always willing to go the extra mile to make the experience even that more special.
If you ever have to ask “how in the world did you detect that bird so far away?”… or “…so well camouflaged?” he might answer “I smelled it”…don’t believe him!
Ricardo’s personal photography collection is stunning, click here to view birds and here to view butterflies.