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Friday, December 8, 2017

Birding in Goa (Western Ghats)

GOA the state in western India is famous and well- known for its beaches and birds. The forests of Goa form the part of Western Ghats.

As most of the Goan forest, we wanted to visit were in Southern region of the state of Goa, planned our stay in Nature's Nest Goa. The resort was tucked along the dense forest, which was just about 5kms from Mollem and adjacent to the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary.

The cottage we were allotted was cozy and spacious. It had this old styled red-oxide flooring; mud-lined walls and a bamboo ceiling. A veranda that reminded me of my home-town.

By late evening, we met our host Pankaj Lad, who gave us a very warm welcome. Within minutes we felt very homely. He briefed us on our itinerary starting from the morning of 30th November to 2nd December 2017.

(30th November 2017)

Our day started early and we headed to the smallest of all the wildlife sanctuaries in Goa, Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary.

We sighted the White-rumped Munia, Barn swallow, Crested Treeswift's, Ashy Wood swallow and Malabar Pied Hornbill.

Vigors's Sunbird Aethopyga vigorsii - by Yash Kothiala
Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus - by Aseem Kothiala
Driving deeper inside the sanctuary, we sighted the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, Wooly necked stork, White throated Kingfisher to name a few.

Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher Ceyx erithaca - by Aseem Kothiala

We returned to the resort which was about 10kms for Lunch. Delicious Goan meals was served to lure our taste buds. Their cook, Deepak even explained the preparation of each dish to us.

Our second session was a drive towards Tambdi Surla, where we were greeted by a pair of Malabar Trogon.
Malabar Trogon Harpactes fasciatus - by Aseem Kothiala
Later we took a diversion towards a village that had some fruiting trees. Sighted birds like the  Brown-headed barbet, Malabar barbet, Green Bee-eater, Vernal Hanging parrot, Pompadour Green Pigeon, Heart-spotted Woodpecker.

Malabar Barbet Psilopogon malabaricus - by Aseem Kothiala
While, We walked along small trails through the jungles which was continuously buzzing with various bird calls, heard the Oriental Scops Owl calling out loudly. However, we could not locate him. A pair of Greater Flameback's were seen busy foraging.

Once the sunset, we headed back to the resort and soon left for our night trail. After trekking on the platuea for about 15-20 mins could hear the calls of the nightjar. Pankaj was locating the bird even without a torch, though we were having a tough time. By the end of the trail we had sighted the Indian Nightjar and Jerdon's Nightjar.

Jerdon's Nightjar Caprimulgus atripennis - by Aseem Kothiala
Indian jungle Nightjar Caprimulgus indicus - by Aseem Kothiala

(1st December 2017)

Early morning we waiting within the resort for sometime to do some bird-watching. The area near the entrance was buzzing with Vernal Hanging Parrot's, Sunbird's.

Indian Yellow Tit Parus aplonotus - by Yash Kothiala

The day was very windy, we learnt later it was the effect of Oki cyclone. Most of the birds may have flowen to safer perches and were not seen. The rich habitat and plenty of crisscrossed water streams along the trek path behind the Tambdi surla temple led to beautiful forests. However, there was too much breeze and no birds. Twigs were falling off the trees, to be safer, we headed back on the road and took the trail.

As we were returning, calls of a  large mixed hunting party that comprised of Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Yellow-browed Bulbul and few others were heard and seen. The Black-headed Oriole was seen often.

Thick-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum agile - by Aseem Kothiala
While, we walking into the trails again, sighted the Dark-fronted Babbler, Puff-throated babbler and a pair of Srilankan Frogmouth. The male indeed looked like a dried leaf.
Sri Lankan Frogmouth Batrachostomus moniliger - by Yash Kothiala
Today we could see a pair of Indian Grey Hornbill they had perched too high on the fruiting tree.

The state bird of Goa, Flame-throated Bulbul, was commonly spotted at the Nature's Nest property along with the Yellow-browed Bulbul.
Flame-throated Bulbul Pycnonotus gularis - by Aseem Kothiala
Yellow-browed Bulbul Acritillas indica  - by Aseem Kothiala
Post lunch on our afternoon session we visited the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, which holds the title of being the largest wildlife preserve within the state of Goa.

After going through the formalities at the check post, we were happy to sight the Forest Wagtail, who soon disappeared into the thickets. The area was noisy thanks to the Racket-tailed Drongo. We could hear the drumming and the calls of the White-bellied Woodpecker.



After driving through the forest for about 6-7 kms, decided to drive back. Due to the weather being windy and gloomy, it had turned dark soon.

(2nd December 2017)

Carambolim Lake, one of the most famous lake and an important bird area in Goa. This manmade lake at one time played host to a number of species of birds, both resident and migratory. In fact we saw only the most common birds in this area, Cattle Egret, Pond Heron, Purple Moorhen, Red-rumped Swallow, Little Egret, Bronze-winged Jacana and Cormorants.

However, our area of interest was the fields opposite to the lake, as a lone Asian Dowitcher was been seen for almost a week plus. Pankaj kept scanning the area but in vain. We realized we had missed it.

There was a mixed flock of Black-tailed Godwits, Glossy Ibis, Gull-billed terns, Streak-throated Swallow and Wire-tailed Swallow. Marsh Harrier (female) was seeing flushing the common waders and Godwits. We did sight the lesser-adjutant stork, Brahminy Kite and Osprey in flight over these fields.

Osprey Pandion haliaetus  - by Aseem Kothiala
By noon, Pankaj drove us to Kitchen 304, a small and intimate restaurant set amid the coconut trees and lush paddy fields. Here we had some really authentic goan dishes. The chef ensured we had a good time and had dished out an outstanding vegetarian stroganoff.

The afternoon session was the famous boat ride over Zuari river. Typically, the Peregrine falcon was spotted under the bridge.
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus - by Aseem Kothiala
The boatman Frankie was indeed an experienced birder and also had a good sense of the requirements of a photographer. He would just get close enough and ensured the bird was not scared away.
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis - by Aseem Kothiala
A juvenile White-bellied Sea Eagle was roosting on the tree in the mangroves.
White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster - by Yash Kothiala
White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster - by Aseem Kothiala
Being low tide, the birds had perched along the shore line. We waited for sometime and watched them preen and enjoy the breeze. They were in no mood to soar.
 Osprey Pandion haliaetus  - by Aseem Kothiala
Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus - by Aseem Kothiala



Striated Heron Butorides striata  - by Aseem Kothiala
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis - by Aseem Kothiala
 Black-capped Kingfisher Halcyon pileata - by Yash Kothiala
Collared Kingfisher Todiramphus chloris - by Aseem Kothiala

Stork-billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis - by Aseem Kothiala
White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis - by Aseem Kothiala



The best time to visit the place for bird-watching is from October to mid March. January would be awesome for bird photography.


We signed off with a count of about 140 birds, off which four were lifers to us. Thanking Yash Kothiala for accompanying and contributing his images, Pankaj Lad for his expertise and Seema Kothiala for her company.


Happy Birding!

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Sr. No Description Status Location
ANSERIFORMES: Anatidae
1 Lesser Whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica Carambolim Lake
2 Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea Carambolim Lake
GALLIFORMES: Phasianidae
3 Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus Nature's Nest
4 Grey Junglefowl Gallus sonneratii Endemic  Mahavir W.L.S
5 Red Spurfowl Galloperdix spadicea Endemic  Bondla W.L.S
COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae
6 Rock Dove Columba livia Commonly seen
7 Spotted-necked Dove Streptopelia chinensis Commonly seen
8 Pompadour Green Pigeon Treron pompadora Bondla W.L.S
9 Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica Nature's Nest
CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Podargidae
10 Sri Lankan Frogmouth Batrachostomus moniliger Mahavir W.L.S
CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Caprimulgidae
11 Jerdon's Nightjar Caprimulgus atripennis Mahavir W.L.S
12 Indian jungle Nightjar Caprimulgus indicus Mahavir W.L.S
CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Apodidae
13 Crested Treeswift Hemiprocne coronata Bondla W.L.S
CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae
14 Drongo Cuckoo Surniculus lugubris Mahavir W.L.S
15 Common Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx varius Mahavir W.L.S
GRUIFORMES: Rallidae
16 White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Zuari
17 Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio Carambolim Lake
18 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Carambolim Lake
19 Common Coot Fulica atra Carambolim Lake
PELECANIFORMES: Ciconiidae
20 Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus Vulnerable Carambolim Lake / Zuari
21 Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans Carambolim Lake 
22 Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus Bondla W.L.S
PELECANIFORMES: Ardeidae
23 Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Zuari
24 Striated Heron Butorides striata Zuari
25 Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii Commonly Seen
26 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Commonly Seen
27 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Carambolim Lake
28 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Carambolim Lake
29 Little Egret Egretta garzetta Carambolim Lake
30 Western Reef Egret Egretta gularis Zuari
PELECANIFORMES: Threskiornithidae
31 Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus Near-threatened Carambolim Lake
32 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus Carambolim Lake
PELECANIFORMES: Phalacrocoracidae
33 Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis Carambolim Lake
34 Little cormorant Microcarbo niger Carambolim Lake
PELECANIFORMES: Anhingidae
35 Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster Near-threatened Zuari
CHARADRIIFORMES: Recurvirostridae
36 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Carambolim Lake
CHARADRIIFORMES: Jacanidae
37 Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus Carambolim Lake
CHARADRIIFORMES: Scolopacidae
38 Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata Near-threatened Zuari
39 Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Near-threatened Carambolim Lake
40 Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Carambolim Lake
41 Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus Zuari
42 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Zuari
43 Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus Zuari
44 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Zuari
45 Common Redshank Tringa totanus Zuari
CHARADRIIFORMES: Laridae
46 Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica Carambolim Lake / Zuari
ACCIPITRIFORMES: Pandionidae
47 Osprey Pandion haliaetus Zuari
ACCIPITRIFORMES: Accipitridae
48 Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela Bondla W.L.S
49 Black Eagle Ictinaetus malaiensis Bondla W.L.S
50 Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Carambolim Lake
51 Shikra Accipiter badius Bondla W.L.S
52 White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster Zuari
53 Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus Carambolim Lake / Zuari
54 Black Kite Milvus migrans Commonly Seen
STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae
55 Jungle Owlet Glaucidium radiatum Bondla W.L.S
TROGONIFORMES: Trogonidae
56 Malabar Trogon Harpactes fasciatus Mahavir W.L.S
BUCEROTIFORMES: Bucerotidae
57 Malabar Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros coronatus Near-threatened Mahavir W.L.S
58 Malabar Grey Hornbill Ocyceros griseus Endemic  Mahavir W.L.S
PICIFORMES: Picidae
59 Brown-capped Pygmy woodpecker Dendrocopos nanus   Bondla W.L.S
60 Heart-spotted Woodpecker Hemicircus canente Mahavir W.L.S
61 Black-rumped Woodpecker Dinopium benghalense Bondla W.L.S
62 Rufous Woodpecker Micropternus brachyurus Mahavir W.L.S
63 Greater Flame-backed Woodpecker Chrysocolaptes lucidus Mahavir W.L.S
PICIFORMES: Ramphastidae
64 Brown-headed Barbet Psilopogon zeylanicus Mahavir W.L.S
65 Malabar Barbet Psilopogon malabaricus Endemic  Mahavir W.L.S
CORACIIFORMES: Meropidae
66 Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis Mahavir W.L.S
67 Chestnut-headed bee eater Merops leschenaulti Mahavir W.L.S
68 Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus Carambolim Lake
CORACIIFORMES: Alcedinidae
69 Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher Ceyx erithaca Bondla W.L.S
70 Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Zuari
71 Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis Carambolim Lake
72 Stork-billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis Zuari
73 White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Bondla W.L.S / Zuari
74 Black-capped Kingfisher Halcyon pileata Zuari
75 Collared Kingfisher Todiramphus chloris Zuari
FALCONIFORMES: Falconidae
76 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Zuari
PSITTACIFORMES: Psittaculidae
77 Vernal Hanging Parrot Loriculus vernalis Mahavir W.L.S
PASSERIFORMES: Campephagidae
78 Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus Mahavir W.L.S
PASSERIFORMES: Oriolidae
79 Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus Bondla W.L.S
80 Indian Golden Oriole Oriolus kundoo Bondla W.L.S
81 Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis Bondla W.L.S
PASSERIFORMES: Artamidae
82 Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus Bondla W.L.S
PASSERIFORMES: Vangidae
83 Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus Bondla W.L.S
PASSERIFORMES: Aegithinidae
84 Common Iora Aegithina tiphia Bondla W.L.S
PASSERIFORMES: Dicruridae
85 Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus Bondla W.L.S
86 Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus Bondla W.L.S
87 White-bellied Drongo Dicrurus caerulescens Bondla W.L.S
88 Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus Mahavir W.L.S
89 Hair-crested Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus Bondla W.L.S
90 Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus Mahavir W.L.S
PASSERIFORMES: Dicaeidae
91 Thick-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum agile Mahavir W.L.S
92 Plain Flowerpecker Dicaeum concolor Mahavir W.L.S
PASSERIFORMES: Nectariniidae
93 Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra Mahavir W.L.S
94 Purple-rumped Sunbird Leptocoma zeylonica Mahavir W.L.S
95 Crimson-backed Sunbird Leptocoma minima Endemic  Nature's Nest
96 Purple Sunbird Cinnyris asiaticus Nature's Nest
97 Loten's Sunbird Cinnyris lotenius Nature's Nest
98 Vigors's Sunbird Aethopyga vigorsii Endemic  Nature's Nest
PASSERIFORMES: Irenidae
99 Asian Fairy-bluebird Irena puella Mahavir W.L.S
100 Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons Nature's Nest
PASSERIFORMES: Estrildidae
101 White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata Bondla W.L.S
PASSERIFORMES: Motacillidae
102 Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus Mahavir W.L.S
103 Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava Carambolim Lake
PASSERIFORMES: Paridae
104 Indian Yellow Tit Parus aplonotus Nature's Nest
PASSERIFORMES: Cisticolidae
105 Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius Bondla W.L.S
PASSERIFORMES: Acrocephalidae
106 Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus Carambolim Lake
PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae
107 Streak-throated Swallow Petrochelidon fluvicola Carambolim Lake
108 Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica Bondla W.L.S
109 Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii Carambolim Lake
110 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Bondla W.L.S
PASSERIFORMES: Pycnonotidae
111 Flame-throated Bulbul Pycnonotus gularis Nature's Nest
112 Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus Nature's Nest
113 Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer Nature's Nest
114 White-browed Bulbul Pycnonotus luteolus Mahavir W.L.S
115 Yellow-browed Bulbul Acritillas indica Nature's Nest
PASSERIFORMES: Timaliidae
116 Dark-fronted Babbler Rhopocichla atriceps Mahavir W.L.S
PASSERIFORMES: Pellorneidae
117 Puff-throated Babbler Pellorneum ruficeps Mahavir W.L.S
PASSERIFORMES: Leiothrichidae
118 Jungle Babbler Turdoides striata Mahavir W.L.S
PASSERIFORMES: Sittidae
119 Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis Mahavir W.L.S
PASSERIFORMES: Muscicapidae
120 Indian Robin Saxicoloides fulicatus Mahavir W.L.S
121 White-rumped Shama Kittacincla malabarica Nature's Nest
122 Malabar Whistling Thrush Myophonus horsfieldii Endemic  Nature's Nest
123 Eastern Stonechat Saxicola maurus Carambolim Lake
PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae
124 Orange-headed Thrush Geokichla citrina Nature's Nest

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17 comments:

  1. Superb tour. Lovely Birding. Superb images. Your blog is good n informative as usual.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Makarand ji. Glad you like them. Regards,

      Delete
  2. Lovely and lucid account of the trip in your own charecterstic way! Accompanied by your sharp images. Thank you Aseembhai , it made a nice reading ��

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vinod ji, thanks a lot for appreciating the post. Had missed out acknowledging your lovely comment. With Warm Regards

      Delete
  3. Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Prem ji. Wishing you a great year ahead too!
      Regards,

      Delete
  4. Amazing sighting and beautiful clicks indeed. Enjoyed them thoroughly. Hope to visit Goa for birding sometime soon. Lovely clicks on e again!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sumeet ji and glad you liked the images too!

      Indeed a nice place to explore the birds of the western ghats. Happy Birding!

      Delete
  5. Thank you very much Raghunath ji for appreciating. Will surely continue to explore and share different birding locations. Happy Birding!

    ReplyDelete
  6. wow so many birds...Nice Sightings

    ReplyDelete
  7. Outstanding images and great narration. should plan a trip there again.
    Kudos, Aseem bhai

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for appreciating and glad you liked the report too. Surely, a place one can visit many times. Thanks again Hayath bhai!

      Delete
  8. Your blog is good n informative as usual.Outstanding images.
    http://grsshoes.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind appreciation. Glad you liked the images too. Happy Birding!

      Delete

 
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