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Goa, a former Portuguese enclave, is the smallest of the twenty-five states of India in terms of area, and fourth smallest in terms of population. Located in the Konkan region along the west coast of peninsular India, Goa is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north and by Karnataka to the south and east, while the Arabian Sea forms its 101km western coastline. The state capital is Panaji, or Panjim, other major centres being Mapusa towards the north, Margao and Vasco-da-Gama to the south, and Ponda to the east. Goa’s has its own official language, Konkani, however a host of other languages are spoken here, including Hindi, Marathi, English, and to dwindling extent Portuguese. Goa is home to over 450 species of birds, including 13 of the 24 species endemic to the Western Ghats. Although this is not the most productive region of southern India with regard to India’s more recognizable large mammals (Asian Elephant and Tiger are infrequent visitors to border areas) Goa, along with the Uttara Kannada region of neighbouring Karnataka, is notable for its considerable diversity of butterflies – with over 250 recorded species this is second only to Kerala’s Palghat Gap in the entire chain of the Western Ghats. |
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Baga Fields & Beira Mar Hotel
WebsiteSatellite View
Baga fields extend from Arpora into the centre of Baga, viewable and accessible from the Baga coast road up to, over, and along the Baga River. The southernmost part of the fields ends in a marshy area behind the Beira Mar Hotel, viewable from the hotel restaurant and swimming pool patio (non-residents are welcome). This is a great spot for a late evening visit and a regular site for Greater Painted Snipe, Ruddy-breasted Crake, Slaty-breasted Rail, and Cinnamon Bittern at close range during the winter months. The fields are an important open space in what has become an overcrowded resort, and host various pipits and buntings among a good selection of raptors and more widespread Indian species.
Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary – Tambdi Surla & Mollem
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The entire stretch of the Western Ghats that falls within Goa’s boundaries is protected in a series of interconnecting wildlife sanctuaries, of which the Bhagwan Mahaveer is the largest. With an area of 240 square km, the sanctuary provides a degree of security to a considerable tract of deciduous and evergreen forests in the gently undulating terrain of the foothills of the Sahyadris. The most accessible parts of the sanctuary are Tambdi Surla, and Mollem, the latter additionally designated as a National Park. The Tambdi Surla area is generally the quieter and more productive of the two. Densities deep inside the forest can appear low, however this is the region where many of Goa’s most sought-after species can be found, such as Ceylon Frogmouth, Malabar Trogon, Black-backed Dwarf and Blue-eared Kingfishers, White-bellied Woodpecker, Great Pied and Malabar Pied Hornbills, Nilgiri Woodpigeon, Malabar Whistling-thrush, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher, Forest Eagle-owl, and Indian Pitta. Forest edges are frequented by mixed feeding flocks that can contain such delights as Asian Paradise and Tickell’s Blue Flycatchers, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Heart-spotted Woodpecker, Flame-throated Bulbul, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, and Dark-fronted Babbler. The sanctuary is a 2 hour drive from the coast via the town of Ponda, and the driving time between Tambdi Surla and Mollem is only 30 minutes. One day is inadequate and a stay of at least 2 nights in the area is strongly recommended – Mollem can be easily visited from a base at Tambdi Surla.
Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary
WebsiteSatellite View
A small sanctuary of only 8 square km, Bondla holds some excellent mixed forest in gently undulating terrain at the foot of the Western Ghats. The sanctuary hosts a mini zoo (with Tiger, Leopard, Gaur, and a good collection of snakes) and botanical garden and as a result can be busy, especially on weekends and public holidays - early morning is by far the best time to visit. The approach road to the entrance gate and on to the tourist zone, and the track leading from the café (soft drinks, biscuits) towards a series of fords (it may be possible to enter and exit along this route however the track is in a state of disrepair and may not be motorable) are the best places to bird, while the small reservoir before the entrance gate is a good place to view raptors over the surrounding hills. Birdlife is largely similar to that of Tambdi Surla / Mollem, however Bondla can turn up a few additional species such as White-browed Bulbul and Blue-faced Malkoha, while species such as White-rumped Shama, Blue-headed Rock-thrush, Forest Wagtail, Hair-crested Drongo, and Rufous Woodpecker, can appear more regular here. Bondla is a 1.5 hour drive from the coast, and feasible as a day trip, however it can be easily combined with a stay at Tambdi Surla 30 minutes drive away.
Chorao Island & Mayem (Maem) Lake
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Chorao Island lies in the middle of the Mandovi River, a few km inland from the capital Panjim, and is reached via ferry from Ribandar. The mangrove forests of the western tip of the island are protected as Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, accessible by boat or canoe from the Chorao ferry jetty or via raised pathways that lead to a watchtower. The mangroves provide suitable habitat for shrimps and small fish, encouraging migratory waterbirds to frequent the mangrove edge in the main channel. A search within the mangroves is unlikely to produce anything that will not be found elsewhere, however it does give the chance to experience the mangrove ecosystem at close range, particularly at low tide when the aerial roots of the 14 mangrove species found here are clearly exposed. The tidal creeks and flooded fields throughout the rest of the island are productive for waders and waterbirds, including Wood, Green, and Terek Sandpipers, Temminck’s Stint, Eurasian Curlew, Western Reef-egret, Purple Heron, Striated Heron, Lesser Adjutant, and Woolly-necked Stork. The diversity of habitats represented on the island is reflected in the good assortment of species here – a full day is recommended which can incorporate a visit to Mayem Lake, actually situated on the mainland but easily accessed via Chorao (the other side of the island is separated from the mainland by a narrow creek). The lake itself is used for boating and as a result waterfowl and waders are unlikely, however the surrounding tree-covered slopes are excellent for birds such as Orange-breasted Green-pigeon, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Indian Scimitar-babbler, Yellow-crowned Woodpecker, Crested Serpent-eagle, and Changeable Hawk-eagle, while this is also a regular site for Brown Fish-owl. There is a café at the lake that provides a convenient place for a late breakfast or a midday break. Neighbouring Divar Island has largely the same species as Chorao, but is smaller and quieter with a more pastoral atmosphere and some interesting species do turn up here – a good place to try if you have a day to spare.
Lake Carambolim
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Situated 2 km south of Old Goa, Carambolim is a marshy lotus-covered lake surrounded by scrub, paddy fields, and woodland. The amount of water in the lake varies greatly with the seasons and agricultural use however this is one of the best wetland sites in Goa frequented by good numbers of waterfowl, egrets and herons. Regular species here include Purple Swamphen, Bronze-winged and Pheasant-tailed Jacanas, Garganey, Northern Pintail, Lesser Whistling-duck, Cotton Teal, Comb Duck, Woolly-necked Stork, Asian Openbill, Oriental Darter, and Small Pratincole. Raptors including Western Marsh Harrier and Osprey are drawn to the lake, while the roadside palm trees and wires above the adjoining fields are good for passerines, woodpeckers, bee-eaters, and parakeets. Mature trees bordering the village are a good place to find Brown Hawk Owl and Jungle Owlet.
Morjim Beach
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Situated on the northern shore of the Chapora Estuary, Morjim Beach is one of the quieter beaches of the north Goa coastline and just a short drive north of Goa’s main tourist centre (Baga, Candolim etc.). This is the best site in Goa for gulls and shorebirds, being a high tide roost for species such as Great Black-headed, Brown-headed, Heuglin’s, and Slender-billed Gulls, Great and Lesser Crested, Gull-billed, and Caspian Terns, Lesser and Greater Sandplovers, Small Pratincole, and White-bellied Sea-eagle. At low tide these same birds can be found on exposed sand banks in mid-channel, viewable from the southernmost point of the beach.
Saligao Zor
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Saligao is a small village near between Calangute and Panjim. ‘Zor’ is the word for spring in the local Konkani, and around this perennial water source is a small area of mature woodland, most important as a key site for Brown Wood-owl. Best visited in the morning, Saligao Zor also hosts Indian Peafowl, White-cheeked and Coppersmith Barbets, Common Iora, Orange-headed Thrush, Indian Robin, Greenish Warbler, Common Tailorbird, Verditer and Tickell’s Blue Flycatchers, and Purple Sunbird.
Leio De Souza
Backwoods
(Goa)
backwoodsgoa@hotmail.comhttp://www.backwoodsgoa.com
* Field Guides & Bird Song
For a comprehensive list of recommended titles covering India as a whole - please see the main India page of FatbirderBird Sounds of Goa and South India
Hannu Jannes, WildSoundsISBN: 156613
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Birding Goa 1: DVD
The Fish Owls of Cowpat Corner and Other Stories - Malcolm Rymer - Running time: 90 mins. Malcolm RymerISBN: 137775
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Birding Goa 2: DVD
Flamebacks and Frogmouths - Malcolm Rymer Duration 110 mins. Malcolm RymerISBN: 137776
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Birds of Goa
BC Saha and JM Dasgupta - Series: RECORDS OF THE ZOOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA 143 56 pages Zoological Survey of IndiaISBN: 30610
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Birds of Goa: a Reference Book
Heinz Lainer - 244 pages, b/w illus. Other India BookstoreISBN: 8185569606
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Goa Birding Trip: 5th-19th February 1999
Mark Beevers 40 pages, b/w illus, maps.ISBN: 114349
Buy this book from NHBS.com
State Bird
Black-crested Bulbul
Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary
WebsiteSatellite View
Besides being home to animals, this preserve is also a treat for bird watchers and butterfly spotters...
Goa's Reserves
WebsiteGoa is one of the few states in India that has a large percentage (20%) of its land set aside for Wildlife Sanctuaries and Reserve Forests (60%). The densely forested hills, marshy mangroves and the beautiful beaches makes Goa a nature lovers delight. To conserve its natural heritage Goa has carved out four wildlife sanctuaries in the hinterland. Birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts can now get a closer look into the natural diversity of Goa...
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1997 [March] - Fatbirder
ReportBeing arthritic I tend to "walk by car" and cannot set off on long hikes - I have rarely found this major drawback and, at home, consider my car to be a mobile hide. It also makes me very good at spotting tiny birds whilst travelling at speed. My wife who is as keen as me and a bit fitter has been known to flush the occasional jack snipe or grouse out of pity, or check out a likely spot to avoid me wasting my limited mobility on a wild goose chase (forgive the pun)...
2000 [February] - Jan Vermeulen
ReportThis trip report records the birds seen on a two weeks trip in February 2000 to the state of Goa in India. I was accompanied by Vital & Riet van Gorp, Eric Wille and my girlfriend Willemien van Ginneken. The former Portuguese colony of Goa is now a major packing holiday destination and a good tourist infrastructure exists...
2001 [January] - Bill & Doreen Stair
ReportAs any fule kno, the birding in Goa is excellent. The fact that we hooked up with ex-pat bird guide Gordon Frost and later stayed at the Backwoods Camp ensured that we had expert help while we were there...
2003 [February] - Ian Southworth
ReportThis was our second trip to Goa - the full report and trip list from our first visit in Nov/Dec 2001 can also be found on the Surfbirds Website. We booked a package through Lunn Poly as the cheapest option. We stayed in Baga at the Hotel Beira Mar which is a popular with birders. This hotel is ideal for anyone simply wanting a room and a bed but the electricity and water supplies are unreliable! Service in the restaurant is slow but the food is generally good and cheap. For lovers of Chinese food the Kim Faa restaurant down the road is excellent. An early morning birding session up Baga Hill or Arpora Forest can be rounded off with a delicious brunch at the German owned Lila`s café...
2004 [December] - Ray Wilson
ReportGoa, a former Portugese colony, is situated on the west coast of India. Like The Gambia it is a popular package holiday destination for those seeking the winter sun, and as such offers a good opportunity to view some of the ample Indian wildlife for very little cost. The entire cost of this trip came to less than a return flight to Dehli! The following report gives a list of all the sites we visited during our stay...
2004 [February] - David & Amanda Mason
Report...Pet tree frogs are sometimes a non-optional extra along with spiders and other creepy-crawlies. Having said this we had no problems with the wildlife apart from the occasional mosquito...
2005 [February] - Lars Olausson & Hans-Erik Persson
ReportOur strategy was quite simple, look at birds you don´t recognize at first glimpse. Most of those are probably new ones. We didn´t waste any time in salt ponds or tidal mudflats to chase common Scandinavian waders. We did the same with white egrets. Once we had seen Intermediate satisfactorily, not much time was spent on those...
2006 [February] - Brian & Isabel Eady
ReportOur first visit to Goa since we became interested in birding came in January 2004, and my article titled “Birding by Beginners”, surprisingly generated quite a bit of interest, resulting in many E Mails from interested readers. During that visit we stayed in Arpora, at the superb Marinha Dourada hotel, and enjoyed a great holiday with plenty of birding opportunities...
2006 [March] - Michael Mosebo Jensen
Report2006 [March] - Roy Ticehurst
ReportReturning to the same birding country or sites can never have quite the same excitement as that first occasion. However, in my report last year I did say ‘ we knew pretty quickly that we had to return, so we have many species to look forward to next time’ …and so it turned out...
2006 [November] - Keith Barnes
ReportThis was a quickfire five-day junket through south India to make sure that Don and Doris managed their improbable goal of getting 1000 life birds in the year with Tropical Birding. Having already done three trips with TB this year and having joined the N.India trip, we decided to do this customized junket just to ensure that their target was reached...
2007 [February] - Steve Baines
Report...We had made great time and still had about ¾ hour daylight so we left our luggage in reception and headed across the road to bird the paddies. Although not much to look at the paddies held an array of birds and our Goan list increased with the more anticipated species of the trip like Small Pratincole, Ashy Woodswallow, Jungle Myna and White-browed Wagtail...
2008 [December] - Vincent van der Spek - Goa, Mumbai & Bandhavgarh
ReportPhoto-rich report
2008 [January] - John Kirby & Garry Hughes
ReportGoa is now well visited and numerous trip reports are available. I will just give an update on some sites visited during my latest trip having been 8 times before. All birding was done between daybreak and 11 am...
2009 [December] - David Williams
Report2009 was a very good year for the independent traveller. When I saw that Qatar Airways were launching their new route to Goa and at the same time adding Manchester as a departure point, I just had to investigate...
2010 [January] - Sander Bot
ReportAfter finishing our study, we, Janne Ouwehand and Sander Bot, decided to travel for a month through South India. A friend of us, Martijn Hammers, joined us for two weeks. We like to travel independently and used public transport, and no local guides. In Goa seemingly everybody uses local bird guides...
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All India Birding Tours
Tour OperatorYour Birding itinerary depends upon your interests, the duration of the planned trip, and other matters such as your budget...
Backwoods Camp
Tour OperatorA birding camp located on the edge of the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and encircled by the Sahyadri Range of the Western Ghats in Goa’s most ecologically diverse region. Owned and run by birders, for birders, the camp consists of 6 tents, 6 cottages, and 2 farmhouse bedrooms spread through the forest, and professional guiding available. 15 endemics and near-endemics of the Western Ghats habitually found here, plus a host of forest birds and winter migrants.
Birding Pal
InformationLocal birders willing to show visiting birders around their area...
BirdQuest
Tour OperatorBirdquest's Goa birding tour is a real holiday, with great birdwatching available from just two different accommodations over a two week period. Our Goa tour turns up a a very diverse list of birds with minimal travelling involved. With a long stay in one hotel (we use a better class of accommodation than most), and the beach and cultural attractions of Goa on tap, this is a good tour for couples where one member is not keen to be out birding every day...
Canopy
Tour OperatorWelcome to Canopy - An ecotourism venture with a difference. Birding in Goa? You have come to the right place... We are a group of serious bird watchers in Goa. We have all the information and the expertise you need for a successful birding vacation in Goa. Blessed with splendid forests of the Western Ghats, amazing wetlands, rich mudflats and rivers, Goa is a birdwatcher’s delight. Birding in Goa offers an opportunity to sight an amazing diversity of resident birds and also find a variety of Western Palearctic species. Nine of the sixteen species of Western Ghats endemic birds have also been reported from Goa.
Goa Guide
If anyone wants to visit Goa and have an excellent guide we could not recommend Lloyd Fernandez too highly. He proved to be a good birder with a wide general knowledge, totally and utterly reliable, a careful and competent driver who enhanced our holiday experience no end. Lloyd was not only a good birdspotter, he has also gone out of his way to develop a rounded ornithological knowledge base of his country and shares this knowledge readily with visitors. As an added bonus he supplied a breakfast each morning, very welcome if you set off before the crack of dawn and much before any hotel begins to serve breakfast, and can make arrangements for overnight stays further afield. Lloyd can be contacted by e-mail: fatimgoa@sancharnet.in or his phone no. (0)832 2276711 (Calangute-Goa). We would be more than happy to provide information to anyone considering using his services.
Giles and Renee Braithwaite giles.b@argonet.co.uk
Jungle Lore
Tour Operator14-days Baga-Morjim-Charao Island-Mayem Lake-Carambolim-Tembdi Surla-Cotigao- Cabanna hill-Fort Aguada-Bondla-Candolim Marshes...
Shine Gold Tours
Tour OperatorWe are a friendly, family-run tour company. This gives us the freedom to create tailor-made Indian tours, especially for you. You will not be part of a larger group – just you, your travelling companions and your dedicated tour guide who will transport you in one of our air-conditioned vehicles such as a 5 seater Tata Indica or an 8 seater Toyota Innova, up to a 35 seater luxury coach to match the size of your group, ensuring comfort for you and your luggage....
Southern Birdwing
Tour OperatorSouthern Birdwing offers excursions suited to different interests and time schedules. We conduct Exclusive expeditions, which cater to specific requests. We also have regular Package deals and Single or Half day Natural History trips for Groups or Individuals.
Backwoods Camp
AccommodationA birding camp located on the edge of the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary owned and run by birders, for birders, the camp consists of 6 tents, 6 cottages, and 2 farmhouse bedrooms spread through the forest.
Goahub - Hotels in Goa
AccommodationWith a variety of hotels and resorts available - from five star luxury hotels to private houses - you can find an accommodation that suits your pocket and taste... Goahub.com offers hassle free and speedy booking for hotels in Goa
Lazy Days
AccommodationIn the pages on this web site there is a range of privately owned villas, cottages and apartments for short-term holiday rental in the tiny West Coast Indian State of Goa. You will find a small number of select properties that have been personally hand-picked ranging from delightful 1 bedroom apartments to large 4 bedroom villas on private estates.
Pousada Tauma
AccommodationBut its greatest attraction is the Ayurveda Centre designed to tone up your body, mind and soul. It is the only Boutique Hotel which is built on the lines of a natural, traditional architecture concept using exposed masonry. Eco-friendly and with the minimum use of resources, it uses Goa laterite stones liberally, hence the glow it emits is distinctly Goan. The twittering of birds and a variety of flora and fauna enhance this other-world charm that makes your stay a tryst with nature and a solace for the soul.
The Hermitage Guest House
AccommodationThe Hermitage is a well-appointed and secluded working farm set amidst the lush forests of the Western Ghats. If you are a Wildlife enthusiast or Nature Watcher, keen on Birding in India, a Nature Photographer, enjoy Trekking, or just simply love the outdoors, then the Hermitage is a perfect holiday destination for you...
Goa's Best Birding Sites
WebsiteThe following sites are all included in my book Finding Birds in North Goa and many are also covered in my DVD of the same title...
Southern Birdwing
WebsiteSouthern Birdwing is an enterprise started by Goan wildlife enthusiasts Harvey D`Souza and Neil Alvares in October 1997, who help create awareness through educational excursions, talks and workshops...
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This site was last updated on Sunday, 29th January 2012.
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