What Are Some Best Places For Birdwatching In Goa?

 

Goa is most popular for its beaches and happening nightlife. People from across the world visit this place. Tons of languages like English, Marathi and even Portuguese are spoken here. Since the place has international holidayers, you will find multilingual people who speak French, Russian, Spanish, and many other languages. 

Although the smallest state in the country, and a popular beach and party destination, Goa is a favourite destination for birders as well, as it offers a wide variety of birdlife and habitats ranging from coastal area to marshes, woodlands to the tropical jungles of Western Ghats. Goa is a birder’s paradise with many excellent habitats: wide river estuaries, mangrove swamps, marshes, scrub-covered hillsides, arid fields, rich forest reserves at the foot of the majestic Western Ghats and a spectacular bird-thronged lake at Carambolim.  Goa has nearly 460 species of birds. It also includes around 24 endemic species, which is phenomenal.

October to February is the best time of the year to visit the place. This is because, at this time, most of the migratory birds from colder regions come to Goa. The ornithological interest has been substantially increased in this place for a few years. Your experience in Goa will leave you ecstatic if you are a bird lover!

You can see many species endemic to peninsular India as well as a large number of wintering species from farther north and more widespread Asian birds. Wonderful birds, exquisite beaches, delicious food and the easygoing Goan lifestyle - it is almost too good to be true! 

 

The starts on a Goa birding tour are mostly early in the mornings. Since birds are constantly changing feeding and roosting areas according to water levels and other factors, there is no fixed schedule. Instead the guide will use his expertise to decide excursions on a daily basis. 

 

Among several sites, it’s advisable to spend a major amount of time in the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, focusing on finding those species that are Western Ghats endemics, forest and south Indian specialties, and any other species of interest that are found in the area. This includes specialties like Malabar Grey Hornbill, Crimson-backed Sunbird, Blue-winged Parakeet, Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher and Malabar Whistling Thrush! At night, you can listen for the calls of owls, nightjars, and Sri Lanka Frogmouth. Among the smaller wildlife sanctuaries in Goa, Bondla is located on the lush Wester Ghat foothills. The Rangado river flows on the eastern side of the sanctuary and Mandovi river is on the northern side. One can spot a variety of birds, including Brown Fish Owl, Flame-throated Bulbul, Indian Scimitar and Puff-throated Babblers, White-bellied Woodpecker, and more

 

Throughout much of the trip, you will be based in Baga or Calangute. On a couple of occasions you can walk through the fields immediately behind your hotel; in years where the monsoon has been particularly substantial, these fields will be damp underfoot. 

Raptors are particularly well represented in Goa with Black and Brahminy Kites everywhere, and we should also see several spectacular White-bellied Sea Eagles. We’ll visit a harrier roost that contains good numbers of both Montagu’s and Pallid Harriers and where Booted Eagle and both Greater and Indian Spotted Eagles are common. 

 

Other possible excursions include a backwater river trip in search of crocodiles and the endemic Goan subspecies of Collared Kingfisher and trips to the local craft and flea markets. 

 

One of Goa’s avian specialties, Indian Pitta, is a much wanted species seen frequently by our guides on previous visits. 

 

Apart from birding Goa has many places of cultural and historical interest as well. If time permits, you can also spend time sightseeing in Old Goa and at the Hindu temple of Mangeshi. All of the sites that we'll visit in Goa are at a low altitude – none are above 400 meters.

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The Coastal Tour of India – Best Beaches of Goa

The sunshine state of India, Goa, has long been revered as a heaven for those looking for sea and the sun. Having a stunning coastline of 105 km and lots of idyllic beaches, it goes without saying why many tourists flock to Goa for fantastic beach holidays. This picture-perfect and laid-back state is ultimately about relaxation. You have to choose the beach to visit while holidaying to Goa. We have compiled a list of beaches to help you choose the best seaside destination for a fantastic sun-filled holiday experience.

North Goa

Morjim

Morjim is truly a beautiful and serene beach in the far north of the state. You can have an enjoyable experience here on your holidays. It is beautifully backed by inviting shacks and beach bars. It plays a vital role as a nesting ground for Ridley olive sea turtles.

Baga

Baga Beach is located a bit south of Morjim, which presents an utterly different environment. It is well known for isolation, which defines itself with a vibrant atmosphere and unbroken stretch of shacks and aromatic golden sand.

Sinquerim

It beautifully encapsulates the relaxed and languid ideology of the state. It is a stunning beach designed with a range of beach shacks dotted with a curve of sand and huge palm trees.

Calangute and Candolim

It is one of the most popular and well-regarded beaches, especially for British tourists who spend their holidays here. The long strips of Calangute and Candolim beaches make one of the most appealing stretches. It features a pleasant and friendly environment that resonates along with the resorts. It can be discovered well over the delicious curry in one of the appealing shacks of the beaches.

South Goa

Benaulim

Benaulim Beach is well located over 30 km south of Panjim, the capital of Goa. It is well regarded to offer an ideal haven to relax and rest for holidaying. It also has a lot of things to do in and around the landscape. It is known to have a vast stretch of silky soft sand, which is backed by beautiful palm trees. It is located in a picture-perfect setting for beach lovers. You can soak up the sunshine or enjoy different water sports.

Palolem

Also known as the best beach in Goa, Palolem has a lot of things to do, and this breathtaking beach delivers the same. It is known to have a long and vast curve of palm-fringed coastlines, which make the safest swimming spots for those visiting Palolem. It was sedate and underdeveloped in the past years. But it still has a character and charm where you can taste delicious local dishes.

Majorda

Majorda is well located in the north of Corva and offers soft golden sand stretched over 25 km. It is well regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in South Goa. You can try the tasty delicacies and soothing beer at its beach shacks.

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Goa on the Map of Bird watching

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

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