Armed with birding reports from the net, I’d meant to cover some birding hotspots of Goa over our 7-day stay in March 2008. The actual birding experience turned out to be lukewarm because we weren’t lucky with our bird guides in two places and it became clear that bountiful birding required multiple visits to the sites which we couldn’t manage on this fast-paced visit.
All the same, we did see some lifers and saw parts of Goa that we wouldn’t have if it hadn’t been for our interest in bird-watching.
North Goa
Baga Fields
Much as we’d heard adverse reports about the Baga beach being crowded, expensive and excessively tourist-oriented, I planned 3 days for it because of Baga hills, Baga fields and Arpora forests in its close proximity. The afternoon we reached, Baga fields yielded surprisingly close views of Black Kites and a White-cheeked Barbet from Cavala’s balcony. All other birds seen in the fields were common to us and the species count stayed under 20. The fields were difficult to walk through and devoid of any birders or farmers so it was hard to tell if they were indeed the famous Baga fields we’d heard so much about.
My biggest disappointment about this area was that we missed Baga Hills altogether. I’d fixed up with a guide named Raymond to accompany us to them but he ditched us for the first afternoon costing us this loss.
Fort Aguada
Raymond did turn up the next morning to drive us to two sites. I’d heard about good possibilities of sighting Indian Pitta in this area and one birder on birdlist.co.uk had even mentioned Raymond’s name as someone knowing exactly where this amazing bird could be seen.
We clocked 16 species around the Pitta site and then 8 more near the Lighthouse but the main star eluded us. Out of our 40 min or so near the Pitta site, Raymond spent good 20 min crouched under a canopy of branches, attempting to flush out the bird but it stayed loyal to its label as a shy bird! This is when Raymond even played a bird call cd, interestingly while holding a small speaker separately, to lure it out of its hiding!
Our short walks around showed us multiple Orange-headed Thrushes, one White-browed fantail, Black-hooded Orioles, Golden Orioles, our two lifers in the form of White-browed Bulbul and Tawny-bellied Babbler and some other common birds. It was clear that this site should be explored on multiple visits for a better species count.
Later, on a walk towards the lighthouse, Raymond pointed out the beautiful Blue-faced Malkoha, a Stork-billed Kingfisher and a few other common birds. Kishore spotted the magnificent White-bellied Sea Eagle quite some distance away and with that we were pleased to have seen a new raptor on this visit.
Saligao Zor
We chose to visit this site with Raymond over Maem Lake as it was closer and its forest was reported to be full of birds. True to the reports on the region, we had comfortable sightings of a juvenile male Asian-Paradise Flycatcher. Brown-cheeked Fulvetta and Black-naped Monarch were our two lifers here and Malabar Whistling Thrushes could be heard closely. The site didn’t yield much beyond that and Raymond explained that an unusual shower the previous day had kept the birds in hiding.
That finished our first guided-birding morning in Goa and while I’d hoped to sight much more, I’m glad in retrospect that we did manage to see some amazing flying creatures.
Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and Tambdi Surla Temple
The drive to Molem took under two hours from Baga with the Mandovi stretch offering a lovely view of egrets, herons and stints on the river.
Dhudsagar Resort at Molem was still going through some construction activity but the complex was full of trees and some common birds, notably White-throated Kingfisher were all over. Dhudsagar Falls required a highly bumpy ride by a jeep that had to be paid for near the checkpost, followed by a hopping walk through rocks and rivulets. The falls were beautiful and the walk enjoyable but the surrounding area offered no shelter against a drizzle so it didn’t make much sense to stay there. The area was full of trees but no birds of interest were spotted.
We paid up at the Forest office that afternoon for an early morning entry into the Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary the following day. Interestingly, the Sanctuary gates are kept locked, and keys can be taken from the Forest office guard in the morning on showing a paid entry ticket. It becomes that individual’s responsibility then on to open and lock the Sanctuary gate! We insisted on the office arranging a guide to help us cover the Sanctuary and spot birds. After much thought by the lone clerk, we were provided the number of an individual named Bolimax who was labeled as a knowledgeable guide. After a few calls to Bolimax, we fixed up with him to meet us the next morning on our drive cum walk into the Sanctuary.
We used the early evening hours on the first day to drive up to Tambdi Surla that was about an hour’s drive from Molem. The drive was pleasant with a clean and narrow road lined with trees on both sides. The temple complex was pretty, and the trees around it showed a Malabar Grey Hornbill in flight, Common Iora and Small Minivet on very tall trees. We didn’t have much luck beyond that. The forest area around the temple looked promising but without a guide or any soul around, it appeared unsafe to walk into.
We’d heard about the site as an important spot on the itinerary of the Backwoods Camp’s nature walks, but the fading light and lack of help in covering the forest belt left us just one option – walk around as much as possible and return before it got too dark!
Next morning, the visit to the Mahaveer Sanctuary proved disappointing. We found our guide Bolimax at the Forest office gate, drove up to the Sanctuary gate where he opened and locked the big gate behind us and took us to the only spot he found promising to sight birds. We saw a lone Common Kingfisher there. We were earlier told that the forest was dense and without tracks for walking or driving so visitors were discouraged from venturing beyond the first 2 km or so. Soon, we turned around and spent 30 min or so at a clearing that showed us a Greater Racket-tailed Drongo in flight, Red-whiskered Bulbuls and possibly an Orange-breasted Green Pigeon. In addition, we managed clear sightings of the Giant Squirrel.
We’d high hopes from the Sanctuary to view varied bird life but beyond an hour, it felt pointless to stay inside. Our guide Bolimax appeared disinterested in birds and cited his main interest as wild animals – which he hadn’t cared to share during our chats on the phone – and he mentioned that the drivable part of the forest rarely showed anything other than the giant squirrel.
While planning this travel, I’d had positive reports from Delhibird members about bird-watching experience through Backwoods Camp but no one would share the costs involved. After some calls and messages, its leader, Leio informed of the per-person-per-day charge as Rs3500 which seemed high to us so we gave it a miss. Our unaided walks of Tambi Surla and Mahaveer Sanctuary however confirmed to us the importance of knowledgeable guides in seeing and appreciating the forests of East Goa, especially for visitors with limited time on hands.
Other than possibly one day with Backwoods Camps, on my next trip this side, I’d like to explore the option of covering the Wildernest Resort that has many admirers. Their own website doesn’t seem to be working right now, but they’re mentioned on many travel portals.
South Goa – Sernabatim
Our morning walks around Baywatch Resort showed us White-rumped Munias, Brahmny and Black Kites in good numbers, Golden Orioles, Grey Wagtails, Purple-rumped Sunbirds, one Spotted Owlet and other common birds.
Bird Guides
This trip to Goa reconfirmed to me that bird guides can make or mar one’s sighting experience in an unfamiliar place…
I’ve returned unsure about Raymond’s reliability as a guide. Sadly, there wasn’t much choice from those we found outside Beira Mer. The drivers hanging around the hotel were just that, drivers to take you to birding or other spots and letting you bird unaccompanied. A guide highly recommended in reports and on websites is Lloyd J. Fernandes (phones: 0832-2276711, mobile 09822149002). On a chat from Gurgaon, he’d mentioned that he was booked on all the days of our stay in Goa and that he charged Rs800 per person per day – and a birding day is supposedly the first half of a day!
One helpful guide recommended by a delhibirder was Uday (mobile: 09822583127) who mainly focussed on the area surrounding Charao river. I wasn’t interested in water birds so didn’t use his services but he was helpful in many ways and should be used for covering the Dr. Salim Ali Sanctuary.
Bolimax as a guide confounded us beyond belief. He spoke well on a couple of calls, rattled off impressive species names the region was known for, turned up punctually to lead us to the Sanctuary and once in the action zone, he showed a complete lack of interest in anything concerning birds and said that he didn’t see any reason in chasing birds! He was an utter waste of our precious morning!
Some informative trip reports on Goa can be read at the first 3 links and the Delhibird site has a repository of checklists of various regions in India:
http://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=542
http://www.birdlist.co.uk/goabirds2008.htm
http://www.birdtours.co.uk/tripreports/india/Goa-Index.htm
http://checklists.delhibird.net/internal/goa/goa.htm
Jyoti's Musings 
Wow.. a great report. Goa has some amazing wildlife 🙂
LikeLike
Yes, Anush – the greenery of Goa came as a complete surprise on this trip. Hope it remains this way for years to come…
LikeLike
Hi,
You may contact us the next time you wish to come to Goa for birding. We ensure you that you will be fully satisfied with our Guided Birding services to Goa’s Wilderness.
Please visit our website and write to us for more details.
Regards,
Pankaj Lad
(For Canopy)
LikeLike
Dear Jyoti,
Log on to http://www.canopygoa.com for more details. You may contact us at Ph. No. +91 9372109987.
Warm Regards
Pankaj Lad
(For Canopy)
LikeLike
Dear Jyoti
I enjoyed reading your report. Pity about Raymond letting you down. We have found him reliable in the past. Do you have a phone number for him? Mine seems to be out of date. We have also used Paresh in the past. He knows his birds but is lazy! he admits to it…….
Lloyd Fernandez is expensive and has not been very helpful when we tried to contact him.
We have not come across Bolimax but will stay well clear of him. Sounds as impressive as the Green Man!! Perhaps the same person?
We love birding Goa – this will be our fourth visit. We would love to visit other parts of India too but where do you start? Your country is so vast!
Best wishes, Ann (England)
LikeLike
Hi Ann…it’s good to have your feedback. We’ll hopefully be making birdwatching the focus of our trip on our next visit in Feb/Mar. And yes, I’ve come across Paresh’s name in reports on the Net but it’s disappointing to know about his laziness. I’ve heard good things about Uday but only for Charao. Here are all the names/numbers from my records for your use…All the best. Jyoti
Paresh Salgaonker.
9822387494
pareshgoa@gmail.com
with a taxi. Outside the Riverside Hotel.
Basil
Guide at Dandeli
basiljohannes@aol.com
Uday
9822583127
Chapora, Salim Ali Sanctuary
Lloyd J. Fernandes
phones: 0832-2276711, mobile 9822149002
Raymond
9326139411
Santosh Redkar
goabirdingsantosh@hotmail.com
LikeLike
Hi, Jyoti
Thanks for the reply.
I have the same number as you for Raymond but he has not replied to my text. I will perhaps try Santosh – he is good but last time we went he was controlled by Victor.
Paresh knows where to get the best milk shakes in Goa! The best mango lassi is on the market in Panjim!
If you like I will send you our bird list when we get back from Goa next year. Or I can send you a past report.
Best wishes, Ann
LikeLike
Hi,
Having recently retired, I will be living in Goa from Feb 2009 and will be conducting Bird watching and Bird photgraphy budget tours in Goa. I spent my early schooling days in Mount Abu, Rajasthan where we went for walks twice a week in the valleys and mountains of the Arravali range where I got my love of bird watching. I am not an expert in either but an avid enthusiast. My site goabirdwatching.com will be up and running shortly.
Kind regards
Russell
LikeLike
Hi Russell,
It’s good to know about your presence in Goa from Feb. We hope to revisit Goa around then, and with my husband’s enthusiasm for bird photography and mine for birdwatching, it would be great to go with you on a short tour. Could you please share your fee details for such tours. I’d check your website in a few weeks for your photos and other details.
regards, Jyoti
LikeLike
hi jyoti,
nice to know that you and your husband are into bird watching..well i may not know too much about words but i love birds!! there are quite a few of them in dwarka and around..
we are also nature lovers and thats why we dont have any info on the site about its whereabouts..we dont even have sign boards near or at the resort..
keep birding
LikeLike
Clemente,
We’ve been learning about birds mostly by bringing them to our computer screens–through digital photography–otherwise they’d have just remained brown or blue birds to us. We hope to have a close look at those near Dwarka before too long…regards, Jyoti
LikeLike
Feel I must say that we have used Raymond (Rama) for many years and he has never let us down.
Since we spend 8 or 9 weeks in Goa in the winter we tend to book him twice a week and if he gets another offer we are happy to be flexible.
I do feel it is important for the local guides to be used. Have recently learnt of an English chap who has started guiding out of one of the hotels.
This is beer money for him but food money for the local chaps.
Very unfair.
LikeLike
Jeanie, thanks for sharing this view. It’s possible that my own disappointing experience with Raymond was a freak incident. I’d try to track him down on my next visit to see how he comes across. His number has changed from the one I used earlier — will have to leave word for him outside Beira Mer.
I’m surprised that despite the obvious interest among tourists for a local guide for birdwatching, there are still only a couple who can be depended upon.
Jyoti
LikeLike
Hi Jyoti,
Rama’s home number is 9923484344
I too have the other number for his mobile and know that sometimes it was out of range from his home.
We fly to India on Wednesday. 12 nights birding around Trivandram/ Periyar and Thattekkad with a visit to Madurai to temple watch for 3 days.
Then Goa for 9 weeks.
Can’t wait.
Jeanie
LikeLike
Thanks, Jeanie. This one may still be working. He’d said that he’d spoilt the other sim when the phone had accidentally dropped in water in March.
I haven’t been to Kerala yet. But I went to the Meenakshi temple many years ago, and remember being surprised at some amazing carving and colour in the busy city area.
If you do put a trip/birding report anywhere on the Net, please do send along its link. Hope you’d enjoy this trip as much, if not more, as earlier.
cheers, Jyoti
LikeLike
Here is one I did earlier!!
http://www.birdtours.co.uk/tripreports/india/india-40-south/Kerala-march-06.htm
LikeLike
Enjoyed skimming through it. The 13-day guided trip helped you cover a lot of ground – I’ve driven to Mysore-Ooty from Bangalore at some point but couldn’t dream of including Kerala as it had felt way too far.
Look forward to one on your upcoming travel.
Jyoti
LikeLike
Greetings!
We have just opened a new venture in Curtorim, in the countryside ofSouth Goa, India. Last WE we had hosted a group of 17 bird lovers arranged by an event manager. and our guests have loved our place! In the same way, we would love to host you whenever required. How about bird watching in South Goa? Why in Curtorim? Well, very close from Eurogoa, in Curtorim itself, there are 5 lakes which are renowned among the ornithologists for their endemic and migratory birds!
We know expert and reliable indian ornithologists, for half a day or longer excursions. Eurogoa is a small hotel on the “Bed and Breakfast” formula, but eventually there is a possibility to provide night food as well. It is on a hill in the midst of nature. Website: http://www.eurogoa.com. It is not a super luxury hotel but a small, comfortable and spacious one, with a family ambiance. We have 9 bedrooms, which are all spacious, so 18 people can be accommodate @ 2 people/room. We also have a huge covered terrace on which mats can be accommodate for big groups who wouldn’t mind sleeping on the floor.
Best regards,
Dr. Manoel & Mrs. Myriam Soares-Van Doren (indo-belgian couple)
LikeLike
Hi Manoel, thanks for introducing me to Eurogoa – I had a look at the website and will keep it in mind on our exploration of South Goa. I haven’t seen any areas beyond Colva so Curtorim will certainly figure on my list next time I’m there.
LikeLike
Tout celà est du travail de “pro” et donne terriblement envie de venir découvrir ce fabuleux site d’oiseaux. Bravo
LikeLike
Hi Elisabeth…yes, I agree that Goa’s birdlife is amazing to take in. Even a casual walk through fields of North or South Goa can show many colourful Kingfishers. Till now, Bondla has been the most birdful place in our experience.
regards, Jyoti
LikeLike
Jyoti I am planning to spend some time looking for birds over the next week. Guess I will glean some info from your blog. Nicely written trip report. Happy birding. KB
LikeLike
Hey guys.
If you or any of your friends need to see snakes or birds in Goa do let me know. I organize trips…do have a look at my website rahulalvares.com
Rahul
LikeLike
i had the good fortune of contacting Loven 9420072007, i think he is from backwoods. When i contacted he told me upfront that this (May ) is not the right time for birding. When i told him that being a newbie i am on for common birds too he agreed and met me and my son for rs 1500/- at the gate of Gondla. In a space of 3 hrs we were lucky to spot Blue faced malkoha, indian pitta, common iora, scarlet minivet, Indian magpie robin, White rumped shama, orange breasted thrush, jungle babbler, ashy prinia, female purple sunbird, long tale shrike. He also had a spotting scope, an extra pair of binocs and a mobile full of bird calls.
you may try him out ..
LikeLike