Lying at the Konkan coast of Western India, Goa is seen as a
Kaleidoscopic mixture of Indian and Portugal culture. Standing gloriously on
the shores Arabian Sea- the place has been the most preferred destination
amongst the travel enthusiasts for its timeless ruins, mouth-watering seafood,
adventurous water sports and pristine beaches sweetened with sun, sea and sand.
However, it is just one side of the bewitching grandeur that Goa inherits.
Bounded by the lush green mountains of the Western Ghats in the East and its
proximity with the coastline has made abundant with flora, fauna, and avifauna.
The pocket-sized state is divided into two majorly kinds of landforms- the
marine precinct of the Arabian sea and lush terrestrial forests of Western
Ghats. This unique geographical melange has given rise to a wide range of
ecosystems.
Goa is categorically divided into three ecological sections-
Sahyadri Range- Part of the impassable bulwark of the
Western Ghats, the area is an amalgamation of the mixed moist deciduous
forests, semi-evergreen and evergreen forests sprinkled by bamboo and cane
trees.
Middle Plateau- In contrast with the Sahyadri Range, the
midland region of Goa is identified through its stony outcrops, thorny
scrubland, and arable fields. Although the plateau slopes that surround the
foothills of Sahayadri range have blotches of moist-deciduous and semi-evergreen
forests.
Coastal Plains- The coastal belt and golden beaches of Goa
have drawn tourists from all across the board. At places interspersed with
mangrove-lined estuaries, salt-pans, marshes, and tidal mudflats, this kind of
ecological zone has become a humble abode for a diverse variety of species.
So how Goa emerged as a great birding destination?
The place is backed by birding hotspots harboring many rare
and endemic birds, some of which are domestic residents while others are
migratory species for whom Goa is an interim home. Nowhere else in the world
can one find the congregation of naturalist and infrastructure in the scale and
quality available to Goa. Perhaps that's why Goa is a surging with more than
250 plus species including regional endemics.
Places to visit for birdwatching in Goa:
Morjim Beach- Situated near Ashwem beach in North Goa, the
tranquility and serenity of the place makes it one of the finest places to
visit during your stay in Goa. While taking a sunbath at the beach one can come
across many beautiful birds for whom this beach has become the roosting ground
including Slender-billed Gull, Great and Lesser Crested and Caspian Terns, Crab
Plover, Sandplovers, pratincoles, the White-bellied Sea-eagle, and Olive Ridley
Sea Turtles.
Baga- Flanked between Baga river and Calangute beach, Baga
village is a yet another popular beach of Goa attracting thousands of tourists
during peak season. However, the place is also a humble abode for Bee-eaters,
Pipits, Larks, Munias, Swallows, Rollers and Raptors. Its foresty patches
around Saligao Zor is a perfect place to spot Flowerpeckers, Sunbirds,
Woodpeckers, Orioles, Starlings, Green Pigeons, Barbets, etc. The marshy area
of this petite village gives a beautiful sighting of Crakes, Rails, Painted-Snipes,
Sandpipers, Rails, Raptors, and other waders.
Mollem- Just a few hours drives from Panjim will take you to
a small town of Mollem carrying two of Goa's significant wildlife sanctuary and
national park namely - Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park.
Bounded by Sahyadri Hills of the Western Ghats in the south and Karnataka
border in the east, Mollem is a little wonder for birdwatchers and bird
photographers. While exploring the place one can get astonishing sights of some
of the rare species including Malabar Whistling Thrush, Malabar Pied Hornbill,
Dark-fronted Babbler, Indian Scimitar Babbler, Changeable Hawk Eagle,
Rufous-bellied Eagle, Common Flameback, White-naped Woodpecker, Brown-breasted
Rusty-tailed flycatcher, Blue-eared Kingfisher, and Dark- Fronted Babbler
Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary- A few kilometers drive from the
Backwoods Camp of Panjim will lead you to yet another significant wildlife
sanctuary of Goa known as Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary. Considered to be a mini
zoo which is sprawling with deer population and rose garden attracting nature
lovers throughout the year, Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary covered covers only 8 sq.
km of the area. However has become the favorite place amongst the birdwatchers
for becoming the roosting place for Black Eagle, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Malabar
Trogon, Grey Junglefowl, Orange-headed Thrush, Indian Pitta, Asian Fairy
Bluebird, Forest Wagtail, Brown-cheeked Fulvetta, woodpeckers, barbets,
Orioles, wood shrikes, parakeets, flycatchers and many more.
Fort Aguada- Located on Sinquerim Beach gloriously facing
the Arabian Sea, Fort Aguada is a Portuguese fort built in the seventeenth
century to guard against the Dutch and the Marathas. While some spend time
exploring this palatial edifice, the others catch hold of the beautiful
resident species living in its precinct.
Carambolim Lake- The lake is known for its serene views and
an excellent place for wildlife preservation in Goa. Parts of the lake's border
is covered by scrubby, woodland and agricultural land. Carambolin is one of
Goa's amazing place to come across migratory species and waterbirds
including Kingfishers, terns,
reed-birds, waders, storks, pratincoles, lapwings, jacanas, lesser
Whistling-duck, Cotton Pygmy-goose, Garganey, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler,
Comb Duck, Spot-billed Duck, Marsh Harrier, Greater Spotted Eagle, Indian
Spotted Eagle, Tawny Eagle, Booted Eagle, Osprey, wagtails, pipits, munias,
larks, starlings, bulbuls etc.
Cumbarjua Canal- Located on the banks of Mandovi river,
Cumbarjuna is an island town of Goa popularly known as the habitat for the
endangered Mugger Crocodile. However, it is also a place to find the sought
after Collard Kingfisher, White-bellied Sea-eagle, Osprey and terns.
Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary- Located on Charo island and named
after India's famous ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary inGoa was created to protect the birdlife thriving in the marshy lands and
mangrove forest. While cruising through the region one can expect to cross path
with eagles, cormorants, kites, woodpeckers, sandpipers, curlews, drongos and
mynahs, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Indian Scimitar Babbler, Orange-breasted Green
Pigeon, and Brown Fish Owl
Phone: +918010450000
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