 |
EMAIL THIS PAGE TO PALS |
More reports for this regionGoa, India
24th January to 8th February 2004
Participants: Steve Arlow (Essex) and Ian Prentice (Norfolk)
 |
 |
 |
 |
FLIGHT
Our flight was with Monarch airlines which to be honest was a little cramped. On the outward journey we had an hour or so stop over at Bahrain before continuing onward to Goa which made the whole travelling time about 11hours. On the return flight we again had the Bahrain stop over but had to take in another stop off for refuelling in Cyprus. This was due to strong winds and the return journey was around 12 hours.
HOTEL
The Riverside Hotel is situated along the river Baga just below Baga Hill. The hotel was adequate though the presence of a nearby covered bridge across the river meant it was noisier than anticipated. The hotel is well situated for Baga Hill and the Baga Fields whilst other nearby locations, such as the Biera Mar Hotel , the Salt Pans and Arpora Woods are only a short taxi ride or walk away. The food at the hotel was excellent.
MONEY
Currently the exchange rate is about 77 rupees to the £1
GUIDE
We booked our guide, Abi, prior to leaving the UK. He was reputed to be the best bird guide for the area. We had read a trip report where other visiting birders had booked him and he had not turned up so we had concerns on this. However he came to the hotel on the first evening and we arranged our itinerary and must say we had no problems with him what so ever. He was always on time and worked hard to get us the birds. It transpired that the reason he had not turned up on that occasion was that his father had been taken into hospital and that there had been nothing that he could do about the situation. If you book Abi ensure you do so before you leave the UK and if you have any specific birds you want to see make sure you let him know. He can build a day out around some of these birds. Abi can be reached at naikabi(AT)rediffmail.com
TAXIS and TAXI DRIVERS
There are plenty of taxis around the hotel areas so there was no problem getting around. A number of taxi drivers will know the sites for birders though most will have limited knowledge of bird identification. If just want a driver to take you to the sites there are plenty though several names kept cropping up when we spoke to other birders. It would appear that the following were amongst the most often used: Chandra, Narish, Shaky, "Green Man" and Raymond but I'm sure there are others. A typical taxi charge from the Riverside to the Biera Mar Hotel was 50 rupees (about 40pence).
FOOD
Baga and nearby Calangute is well served with good restaurants though if you don't feel that adventurous the food at the hotels, Riverside and Biera Mar, are both very good. Neither Ian or myself had any problems with no sudden dashes into the bushes. Most meals are very very cheap with a good sized curry, beers and extras perhaps not costing more than 300 rupees at the most, that's about £2.50.
WEATHER
During our stay the weather was generally hot with clear blue skies though there was the occasional overcast start to some mornings. Temperatures on some days were up to the mid 90's so sun block is an absolute must.
INSECTS
Bugs generally were not a big problem with mosquito's being less of a hassle than expected. The Baga Fields have cattle and numerous feral dogs roaming around and as a result there are a fleas and ticks in the grass. I was bitten by presumably fleas around one ankle one day but this was not serious and only resulted in some itching for a day or so. The ticks are slightly more of a concern, if not removed correctly they can cause an infection. At Backwoods Camp I discovered 4 small ticks in one day though these were easily removed. At Backwoods you are in the forest and as a result there were a few creepy crawlies knocking around. In our cabin during the three days that we were there we found 2 large spiders, a colony of ants, a scorpion and two frogs. Out in the forest there are very large spiders that are presumably orb spiders. They are harmless but you still wouldn't want one landing on you. There are also lots and lots of Funnel Web Spider webs. You rarely see the critters themselves but the webs are everywhere.
SITES
BAGA FIELDS (and the Biera Mar Hotel)
The Biera Mar Hotel is one of the best for using as a base for birding as just out from the bar balcony is a damp area that usually holds difficult to get species such as Rails, Crakes and Cinnamon Bittern. However on our visit none of these birds were present and it was thought that it was to dry. Indeed the pools were noticeably drying out during our visits. It would seem that the speciality birds had been present up to a month before we arrived.
BAGA HILL
This wooded hill is situated north of the Baga River and is easily access at several points. From the covered bridge turn left and walk for about 80yards and turn right up the track with the pink arrows leading to Hildas Beauty Parlour. Continue up the main track. Just after a concrete structure is a fruiting tree which held numerous Koels, Orioles and Barbets. A further 50 metres or so there is a low wall on the right. Just behind this is a log that was being used as a displayed platform for Fantails. The path eventually comes out on the top where there are several stone crosses. The lower hill is well wooded whilst the top is open scrubland. In the lower wooded area there was Orange-headed Thrush, Golden-fronted Leafbird and flycatchers whilst the open top produced Indian Peafowl, Indian Pitta, Sykes Warblers and a variety of raptors.
The other access point is further long road in the opposite direction. From the covered bridge turn right and continue until the river turns away from the road. Just before this is a wide 'vehicle' track leading up the hill. The lower woodland is more open here and near where the large vine covered tree is are Jungle Owlets. The habitat further along is similar to the other track but more open and the track eventually comes out on the top.
BAGA SALT PANS
Opposite the Marina Durada Hotel are the salt pans. Access is easy with paths leading around the edges. The pools held the familiar wading birds such as Greenshank, Redshank, Marsh, Green, Common and Wood Sandpipers, Little Ringed and Pacific Golden Plovers and Little Pratincoles. Strangely absent were Black-winged Stilts.
ARPORA WOODS
A short taxi drive away the main path from the road leads up and past the Club Cabana. The area is similar to Baga Hill with various paths. Along the main path there is a fork with a marker stone between. The right track leads out into more open habitat and eventually will bring you round to within sight of the Sea Eagle nesting tree. The left track tacks you to the quarry where we had Blue-faced Malkoha. Indian Pitta was found along a side track back towards the Club Cabana.
CARAMBOLIN LAKE, LAGOON, WOOD AND FIELDS
This fine area has several different habitats that could easily take a day to cover. One of the best places to start in the morning is the tidal lagoon where many waders gather first thing before dispersing. Along the road back towards the wood many scrubland birds can be found. We walked the road back to the wood seeing Spotted Owlet, Black-lored Tit and Small Minivet amongst others. At the wood there is a regularly roosting Brown Hawk Owl which was about 20 yards just past the entrance to the house. On the other side of the wood, about 20 or so yards past the disused building on the right, are the fields. A small track leads off to the right towards two mounds with isolated trees. This area had Rufous-tailed Larks.
The lake itself is fantastic with hundreds of birds. The best advantage point is from the path that runs up one side. Here you can get close the lakeshore and is best in the morning as the sun will be behind you, in the afternoon there is a lot of glare to contend with. The other viewpoint is from the road that runs along the 'causeway'. Again you can get close to some of the birds with a further attraction of the rice fields on the other side. The lake had hundreds of gallinules and Whistling Duck with dozens of both jacanas. Also seen here were Spot-billed and Comb Ducks, Garganey, Darter, kingfishers, herons and terns whilst the rice fields had Snipe and Open-billed Storks.
MAEM LAKE
This lake is smaller than Carambolin and is not covered in Lilies. However the reason for visiting is not the lake itself but the surrounding wooded hillsides which have a good variety of birds. There is a path that runs from the hotel around to the far shore. Here we found a fruiting tree that held bulbuls, barbets, orioles, Koels and Orange-breasted Green Pigeons. There is a regularly roosting Grey Nightjar just up the hill where the path swings around the back of the lake and Indian Scimiter Babblers can be found. On the top of the hill are two large trees close together with a pair of nesting Changeable Hawk-eagles. On our second visit a Blue-eared Kingfisher was found.
FORT AGUADA
We only paid this site a short visit and did not pursue Indian Pitta. The site is also known as the Pitta in the Shitta' and for obvious reasons, the place had a distinct odour. We had some success in the fields beyond adding Common Buzzard, Black-headed Munia and Besra to the trip list.
MORJIM BEACH
About ½ hour taxi ride from Baga Morjim Beach is the place to go to look at gulls. Here good views of all the regularly occurring gulls, Caspian, Heuglin's, Great Black-headed, Brown-headed, Black-headed and Slender-billed, can be found.
Best time to visit would be when it is high tide just after first light. The gulls would have been pushed off of the sandbars and onto the beach and the heat haze will be minimal. In addition disturbance should also be less by people walking along the beach. Sandplovers and Pratincoles are also plentiful here with hundreds of Lessers revealing upto 20 Greaters and a Caspian Plover, a Goa rarity. The low vegetation nearby can produce Barred Buttonquail and there was a Blue Rock Thrush in a compound on the other side of the road behind the beach bars.
DONA PAULA
An open area just outside the town that didn't look like it would produce a lot was lark heaven with Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark, Oriental and Short-toed Lark all present. Added bonuses here included a flock of Yellow-wattled Lapwings. Just looking at the amount of development going on in the area its not hard to imagine that this site will be gone within the next few years.
SANTA CRUZ
An extensive area of tidal creeks and rice paddies. A central path leads past the rice paddies and then out along a footpath causeway across the tidal creek. Many of the regular waders were found here though the real prize was the amount of raptors in the area with both Greater and Lesser Spotted Eagles and Pallid Harriers amongst the highlights.
RIVER ZUARI
We took a boat trip that had been organised by Backwoods Camp in search of Collared Kingfisher. The trip lasted around 2 hours and we successfully located 3 Collared Kingfishers. Other highlights on the trip were both Great and Lesser Crested Terns on posts in the outer river, four other kingfisher species, Blue-faced Malkoha and Black-necked Ibis. The cost of the trip was around 700 rupees.
PARSHAM
We stopped off here briefly on the way back from Morjim beach though failed to find anything not seen elsewhere. A central causeway divides the tidal creek from the freshwater marshes and is apparently a good place to get Great Thicknees though none had been present for about a month. It is also a good place for Terek Sandpipers with Abi having counts well up in nineties in the past though we mustered only two.
SALIGAO ZOR
The site for Brown Wood Owl which was sat in its favourite tree. The place has more to offer than just the owl. In our short visit we had a variety of class birds along the small stream below where you park. In this stream was a superb white phase male Asian Paradise Flycatcher, several Grey-headed Bulbuls and Orange-headed Thrushes.
DIVAR ISLAND
An unsuccessful island 'twitch'. We had learnt of Pied Harriers on the island so made the visit with taxi driver called Shaky. We failed to find any Pied Harriers though the area was good for other harriers first thing in the morning with both Marsh and Pallid being seen. The rough grassland habitat produced a number of Yellow-legged Buttonquail.
CHORAO ISLAND
A flying visit in search of Great Thicknees at the shrimp farm produced none but two Lesser Adjutants were seen nearby and hundreds of Pintail on the river from the ferry.
BANDIPARA
There is a long causeway between the Chorao Island ferry and the big bridge that has mangroves on one side and tidal mudflats on the other. Whenever we drove along the causeway at low tide there would be countless egrets with numerous Western Reef Herons dotted amongst them. There were also a few Whimbrel and Curlew with one of these being reported incorrectly as an Eastern Curlew. There are limited options for stopping but at the ferry end there is a small pull in from where you can view some of the mud flats.
BONDLA
At least 1½ to 2 hours drive from the coast. Bondla is basically a forested area in which you bird from along the road and at the zoo. The road produced some fine birding early morning though went quiet quickly. There were several paths and areas in which you can go off road and explore. Grey Junglefowl was the main target bird here and a fine male showed reasonably well next to the road. The zoo doesn't open till 9am but it has some good birds and a good few hours could be spent here and still continue to find interesting birds. Highlights from inside the zoo were a very fine and showy male Indian Blue Robin, a male Brown Shrike, Forest Wagtails, Tickell's Blue Flycatcher and Orange-headed Thrushes amongst others. By the car park is a small café where Blue-capped Rock Thrush is regularly seen though it failed to show on our visit. Abi knows Bondla well.
BACKWOODS (MOLEM) and TAMBDI SURLA
One of the highlights of the trip. The camp is situated in the forest and has a series of tents and cabins that have showers and flush toilets. The main dining area is open plan but mosquito's are not a problem. The food here is superb and you can have as many seconds and thirds as you want. There is a stocked bar that includes bottled water. Birds can be found right inside the camp. We saw a very fine Indian Pitta in the open in the campgrounds and was apparently just one of 5 that were wintering here this year. Other camp birds include Orange-headed Thrush, Malabar Whistling Thrush, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Brown Hawk Owls, Sri Lanka Frogmouth and Forest Wagtails. Our guide for the 3 nights were stayed was Pramod. You start early for tea and biscuits before heading out for some early morning birding. You return for breakfast before heading out again. You return for lunch and have time to yourself around camp or wander the trails before heading out again. There are several trails from the camp and excursions can be to other areas which means short mini bus ride. One evening visit to a river nearby produced a superb Grey-headed Fish Eagle, a Goa vagrant.
The cost for 3 nights was roughly £65 that includes pick up and drop off at your hotel, transport, guiding and all meals. Sundry drinks are paid separately. Tambdi Surla was done as part of the Backwoods package and was visited several times. Tambdi Surla is actually an old temple but the habitat surrounding it produces some excellent birding. The riverbed is a regular haunt of blue-eared Kingfisher whilst another group had Dwarf Kingfisher here. There are Malabar Trogons in the area and the open areas to the right produced good views at dusk of both Grey and Jerdon's Nightjar. Backwoods can be contacted at Loven(AT)sancharnet.in
NACHINOLA
This is basically a stop off site between Maem Lake and Baga but it does have the added bonus of being one of the regular sites for Yellow-wattled Lapwings. It is also very good for raptors. The area is mixed wetland and rice paddies.
References used:
The Independent Birders Guide by Peter Harris (1996) - This is still a very good site guide to use. The Maps are still relevant though some of the bird names differ and may confuse
Pocket Guide to the birds of the Indian subcontinent by Grimmett and Sinclair - This is the best field guide for the region. Indispensable.
A field guide to the Bird of the Indian Subcontinent by Krys Kazmierczak - A good field guide with perhaps better maps then the Pocket guide though the plates are no where as good. Book not taken but used in reference prior to departure.
Collins Bird Guide by Mullarney, Svensson and Grant - Taken to aid with identification of some trickier Western Palearctic migrants.
Pipits & Wagtails of Europe, Asia and North America by Alstrom and Mild - not taken but used in reference for those tricky brown jobs on Baga Fields.
Daily Itinerary
Day 1: 25th Jan - Arrival the Baga Fields
Day 2: 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake, Baga Hill and Baga Fields
Day 3: 27th Jan - Backwoods (stop off in Bondla en route) and Tambdi Surla
Day 4: 28th Jan - Backwoods and Tambdi Surla
Day 5: 29th Jan - Backwoods
Day 6: 30th Jan - Backwoods in morning with Baga Fields in afternoon
Day 7: 31st Jan - Maem Lake, Nachinola, Biera Mar Hotel and Fort Aguada
Day 8: 1st Feb - Dona Paula, Santa Cruz, Chorao Island and Baga Hill
Day 9: 2nd Feb - Morjim Beach, Parsham, Saligao Zor, Baga Fields
Day 10: 3rd Feb - Divar Island, Bandipara, Baga Salt Pans, Arpora Woods
Day 11: 4th Feb - Bondla
Day 12: 5th Feb - Morjim Beach, Calangute, Carambolin Lake
Day 13: 6th Feb - Zuari River Trip, Baga Fields
Day 14: 7th Feb - Nachinola, Maem Lake, Baga Fields
Day 15: 8th Feb - Baga Hill, return to UK
Bird List
1. Little Grebe 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake: 3
2. Indian Cormorant Under recorded; 31st Jan - Maem Lake: 2; 1st Feb - Santa Cruz: 2; 2nd Feb - Parsham: 1; 5th Feb - Carambolin Lake: 1; 6th Feb - Zuari River: 4
3. Little Cormorant 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake: 20+; 31st Jan - Maem Lake: 2; 1st Feb - Santa Cruz: 2; 2nd Feb - Parsham: 2; 5th Feb - Carambolin Lake: 30+; 6th Feb - Zuari River: 2
4. Asian Darter 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake: 2; 5th Feb - Carambolin Lake: 1; 6th Feb - Zuari River: 1
5. Grey Heron Under recorded; 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake: several; 31st Jan - Calvin to Carona Ferry: 1; 2nd Feb - Parsham: 1; 6th Feb - Zuari River: 2
6. Purple Heron 26th Jan - Carambolin Lagoon: 1; 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake: 3; 1st Feb - Santa Cruz: 1; 3rd Feb - Diver Island: 1; 5th Feb - Carambolin Lake: 5; 6th Feb - Zuari River: 1; 7th Feb - en route to Maem Lake: 1
7. Striated (Little) Heron 31st Jan - Maem Lake: 3; 31st Jan - Calvin to Carona Ferry: 2; 1st Feb - Riverside Hotel: 2; 2nd Feb - Riverside Hotel: 1; 2nd Feb - Parsham: 1; 3rd Feb - Divar Island: 1; th Feb - Zuari River: 3; 7th Feb - Maem Lake: 1
8. Indian Pond Heron Common, seen most places
9. Cattle Egret Common and widespread with high counts from the Baga Fields
10. Intermediate Egret Fairly widespread, seen in good numbers at Carambolin Lake and Nachinola
11. Great White Egret Fairly abundant and widespread, encountered most wetland areas with highest concentrations being Carambolin Lake and Santa Cruz.
12. Little Egret Common and widespread
13. Western Reef Heron Localised to coastal rivers and lagoons with most birds seen at Bandipara, i.e. 5 on 4th Feb
14. Black-crowned Night Heron 26th Jan to 7th Feb - Biera Mar: recorded every evening at Beira Mar with peak of 8 on 1st Feb; 2nd Feb - Morjim Beach: a roost of 14
15. Asian Open-billed Stork 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake: 3; 5th Feb - Carambolin Lake: 20 in the rive fields at the causeway; 6th Feb - Zuari River: 1
16. Woolly-necked Stork 26th Jan - Carambolin Lagoon: 1; 1st Feb - Santa Cruz: 1; 3rd Feb - Divar Island: 2; 4th Feb Bondla: 1 sat in a tree; 6th Feb - Zuari River: 1; 7th Feb - Nachinola: 1; 7th Feb - Calvin to Carona Ferry: 6
17. Lesser Adjutant 1st Feb - Chorao Island: 2; 3rd Feb - Divar Island: 1; 5th Feb - Carambolin Lake: 1
18. Black-headed Ibis 6th Feb - Zuari River: 3
19. Glossy Ibis 27th Jan - Carambolin Lake: 4
20. Lesser Whistling Duck 26th Jan & 5th Feb - Carambolin Lake: hundreds present
21. Pintail 1st Feb - Chorao Island Ferry: hundreds; 3rd Feb - Divar Island: 70+ on the nearby river
22. Spot-billed Duck 27th Jan - Carambolin Lake: 2
23. Garganey 27th Jan - Carambolin Lake: 10+; 5th Feb - Carambolin Lake: 5+
24. Cotton Pygmy-goose 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake: 8+; 5th Feb - Carambolin Lake: 20+
25. Comb Duck 5th Feb - Carambolin Lake
26. Black-shouldered Kite 28th Jan -Backwoods Raptor Watch Point: immature male; 1st Jan - Nachinola: 1; 3rd Feb - Divar Island: 2 - 4; 6th Feb - Zuari River: 1; 7th Feb - en route to Maem Lake: 1
27. Oriental Honey Buzzard 28th Jan - Tambdi Surla: 2; 28th Jan - Backwoods: 4 at the raptor watch point; 29th Jan - Backwoods: 1; 31st Jan - Nachinola: 1; 31st Jan - Fort Aguada: 1; 2nd Feb - Parsham: 1
28. Black Kite Common and widespread, especially on the coast
29. Brahimny Kite Fairly common and widespread, especially on the coast
30. Shikra Fairly Common and widespread; 26th Jan - Carambolin Wood: male at nest site; 26th Jan - Riverside Hotel: 1; 28th , 29th & 30th Jan - Backwoods: different singles; 31st Jan - Nachinola: 1; 4th Feb - Bondla: 1; 6th Feb - Zuari River: 1; 7th Feb - Biera Mar Hotel: 1
31. Besra 31st Jan - Fort Aguada: immature; 3rd Feb - Divar Island: 1
32. Crested Goshawk* 29th Jan - Backwoods: a single from the raptor watch point
33. White-eyed Buzzard 28th Jan - Backwoods: 1 from the raptor watch point
34. Common Buzzard 31st Jan - Fort Aguada: a single of the race japonicus
35. Changeable Hawk-eagle 31st Jan & 7th Feb - Maem Lake: a pair nesting; 31st Jan - Baga Fields: 2 probables seen distantly from the Biera Mar Hotel
36. Mountain Hawk-eagle 28th Jan - Backwoods: 2 very distant probables from the raptor watch point; 29th Jan - Backwoods: an immature; 30th Jan - Backwoods: a single from the raptor watch point
37. Booted Eagle Fairly abundant and widespread, dark phase birds noted on several occasions; 26th Jan, 1st & 8th Feb - Baga Hill: a single probably related to same individual; 26th Jan & 2nd Feb - Baga Fields: 1 may have been the above bird; 30th Jan - Backwoods: 1 at the raptor watch; 1st Feb - Santa Cruz: 1; 2nd Feb - Parsham: 1
38. Rufous-bellied Eagle* 29th Jan - Backwoods: two immatures from the raptor watch point
39. Indian (Lesser) Spotted Eagle 1st Feb - Santa Cruz: a fine individual seen soaring with a Greater Spotted Eagle; 3rd Feb - Divar Island: a single
40. Greater Spotted Eagle 26th Jan - Carambolin Lagoon: 2; 31st Jan - Nachinola: 2; 1st Feb - Santa Cruz: 3; 3rd Feb - Arpora Woods: 1; 6th Feb - Zuari River: 2
41. Indian Black Eagle 26th Jan - Baga Hill: 1; 27th Jan - Tambdi Surla: 2; 28th to 30th Jan - Backwoods Raptor Watch: singles
42. Grey-headed Fish Eagle 29th Jan - Backwoods: a superb adult sat in a tree and found by our group was one of the highlights and surprises of the trip.
43. White-bellied Sea Eagle 26th Jan - Baga Hill: adult; 26th Jan - Biera Mar Hotel: adult;1st Feb - Dona Paula: adult; 1st Feb - Chorao Island Ferry: adult; 3rd Feb - Arpora Woods: 2 juveniles at nest and adult overhead; 6th Feb - Zuari River: adult
44. Long-billed Vulture 4th Feb - Merck Meat Factory: a single seen circling with Black Kites
45. Indian White-backed Vulture* 29th Jan - Backwoods: 1 from the raptor watch point
46. Pallid Harrier 1st Feb - Santa Cruz: a female and a juvenile; 3rd Feb - Divar Island: 2 to 3 juveniles; 6th Feb - Zuari River: male
47. Marsh Harrier 26th Jan - Carambolin Lagoon: 3 females; 31st Jan - Biera Mar: female; 1st Feb - Santa Cruz: male & female; 3rd Feb - Divar Island: 7
48. Crested Serpent Eagle 28th Jan - Tambdi Surla: upto 3; 4th Feb - Bondla: 1; 7th Feb - en route to Baga from Maem Lake: 1; Also several noted at Backwoods during the three days that we were there.
49. Osprey 26th Jan - Carambolin Lagoon: 1; 31st Jan - Calvin to Carona Ferry: 2; 31st Jan - Nachinola: 1; 1st Feb - Chorao Island Ferry: 1
50. Peregrine 26th Jan - Carambolin Lagoon: 1; 31st Jan - Fort Aguada: 1; 5th Feb - Carambolin Lake: 1 was possibly the same bird seen on the 26th Jan;
51. Kestrel 25th Jan - en route from airport to Hotel: female; 26th, 30th Jan & 2nd Feb - Baga Fields: female; 3rd Feb - Divar Island: female
52. Red Spurfowl 28th Jan - Tambdi Surla: 1; 29th Jan - Backwoods: 1
53. Grey Junglefowl 4th Feb - Bondla: male seen well along the road
54. Yellow-footed Button-quail3rd Feb - Divar Island: 8+
55. Barred Button-quail*2nd & 5th Feb - Morjim Beach: 2
56. Indian Peafowl 27th Jan - Baga Hill: 3 on the top
57. Spotted Crake 3rd Feb - Biera Mar: 1 seen at dusk
58. White-breasted Waterhen 26th Jan - Riverside Hotel: 1; 26th Jan to 6th Feb - Baga Fields: seen each visit with a peak of 5 on 6th Feb; 26th Jan to 3rd Feb - Biera Mar Hotel: seen each visit with a peak of 6 on 1st Feb 3; 31st Jan - Fort Aguada: 3; 5th Feb - Carambolin Lake: several noted but no specific count made; 6th Feb - Zuari River: 1; 7th Feb - Maem Lake: 1
59. Moorhen 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake: 10+
60. Coot 26th Jan & 5th Feb - Carambolin Lake: 10+
61. Purple Gallinule 26th Jan & 5th Feb - Carambolin Lake: no specific count made but hundreds present
62. Pheasant-tailed Jacana 26th Jan & 5th Feb - Carambolin Lake: no specific counts made but many present
63. Bronze-winged Jacana 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake: 40+; 5th Feb - Carambolin Lake: no specific count made but many present
64. Black-winged Stilt 5th Feb - Carambolin Lake: 5
65. Red-wattled Lapwing Commonly encountered in many locations; e.g. 26th Jan - Riverside Hotel: 12+ just along the river from the hotel
66. Yellow-wattled Lapwing 31st Jan - Nachinola: 5; 1st Feb - Dona Paula: 18
67. Pacific Golden Plover 26th Jan - Carambolin Lagoon: 27; 1st Feb - Santa Cruz: 11; 3rd Feb - Baga Salt Pans: 8; 6th Feb - Zuari River: 50+
68. Lesser Sandplover 26th Jan - Carambolin Lagoon: 40+; 1st Feb - Santa Cruz: 2; 2nd Feb - Morjim Beach: 70+; 2nd Feb - Parsham: 2; 5th Feb - Morjim Beach: 400+
69. Greater Sandplover 2nd & 5th Feb - Morjim Beach: 20+
70. Caspian Plover 2nd & 5th Feb - Morjim Beach: a 1st year male that had been present since October 2003 was apparently the first record for Goa
71. Kentish Plover 2nd & 5th Feb - Morjim Beach: 5 on the first visit with upto 20 on the second visit
72. Little Ringed Plover 26th Jan - Carambolin Lagoon: 140+; 26th Jan - Baga Fields: 10+; 31st Jan - Fort Aguada: 6; 6th Feb - Baga Fields: 6
73. Ringed Plover 1st Feb - Santa Cruz: a single only
74. Whimbrel 1st Feb - Chorao Island Ferry: 1 flew past; 4th Feb - Bandipara: 1
75. Curlew 1st Feb - Chorao Island Ferry: 1 flew past; 3rd Feb - Bandipara: 1 probably of the eastern form orientalis that had been reported as an "Eastern Curlew"
76. Black-tailed Godwit 6th Feb - Zuari River: 40+
77. Redshank Fairly common on tidal areas though under recorded; 26th Jan - Carambolin Lagoon: 6; 31st Jan - Biera Mar Hotel: 2; 1st Feb - Santa Cruz: 2; 1st Feb - Chorao Island Ferry: 2 on the crossing; 2nd Feb - Parsham: 2
78. Greenshank 26th Jan - Carambolin Lagoon: 7; 31st Jan - Baga Fields: 1; 1st Feb - Santa Cruz: 16; 3rd Feb - Baga Salt Pans:1
79. Marsh Sandpiper 31st Jan - Baga Fields: 5+ at the lake near the river; 3rd Feb - Baga Salt Pans: 2
80. Green Sandpiper; 26th & 31st Jan - Biera Mar Hotel: 1; 31st Jan - Nachinola: 1; 1st Feb - Santa Cruz: 1; 2nd Feb - Baga Fields: 2
81. Wood Sandpiper; 26th Jan - Carambolin Lagoon: 5+; 26th & 31st Jan - Biera Mar Hotel: 3; 31st Jan - Baga Fields: 5; 1st Feb - Santa Cruz: 2; 2nd Feb - Baga Fields: 1; 3rd Feb - Baga Salt pans: 1; 5th Feb - Carambolin Lake: 5; 6th Feb - Baga Fields: 2
82. Common Sandpiper 26th Jan - Carambolin Lagoons: 8; 26th & 31st Jan - Biera Mar: singles; 31st Jan - Calvin to Carona Ferry: 2; 2nd Feb - Baga Fields: 3; 6th Feb - Zuari River: 1
83. Terek Sandpiper 26th Jan - Carambolin Lagoon: 1; 1st Feb - Chorao Island Ferry: 1; 2nd Feb - Parsham: 2
84. Temminck's Stint 26th Jan - Carambolin Lagoon: 5; 31st Jan - Baga Fields: 1; 5th Feb - Carambolin Lake: 3
85. Little Stint 26th Jan - Carambolin Lagoon: 40+
86. Pintail Snipe 25th Jan - Baga Fields: 2; 1st Feb - Santa Cruz: 1
87. Common Snipe 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake: 3 in the rice fields at the causeway end; 2nd Feb - Parsham: 1
88. Sanderling* 5th Feb - Morjim Beach: 1
89. Dunlin 2nd & 5th Feb - Morjim Beach: 2
90. Painted Snipe 26th Jan & 2nd Feb - Baga Fields: 8 (4 males & 4 females) present on a pond near the Cavala Hotel; 7th Feb - Nachinola: male
91. Little Pratincole 26th Jan - Carambolin Lagoon: 270+; 1st Feb - Santa Cruz: 23; 2nd Feb - Morjim Beach: 40+; 2nd Feb - Parsham: 2; 3rd Feb - Baga Salt Pans: 3; 5th Feb - Morjim Beach: 30+
92. Caspian Gull Only recorded at Morjim Beach where two forms were seen. By far the commonest form was Steppe Gull barabensis whilst cachinnans was in the minority. 2nd Feb - Morjim Beach: 15+ with only 2 of these being cachinnans; 5th Feb - Morjim Beach - 45+ with only 6+ assigned to cachinnans
93. Heuglin's Gull 2nd Feb - Morjim Beach: 1+ adult; 5th Feb - Morjim Beach: 4+ adults with 2 having extensive head streaking and resembling the form taimyrensis
94. Great Black-headed Gull 2nd Feb - Morjim Beach: 60+ with most congregating on a sandbar mid river; 5th Feb - Morjim Beach: 120+ with a fine gathering of 80+ on the beach
95. Brown-headed Gull 1st Feb - Chorao Ferry crossing: 30+; 3rd Feb - 1 flew past with a flock of Black-headed Gulls; 5th Feb - Morjim Beach: no specific count made but several hundred
96. Black-headed Gull 1st Feb - Chorao Island: 4; 2nd Feb - Morjim Beach: many 2nd Feb - Parsham: 25+; 3rd Feb - Divar Island: 50+; 4th Feb - Bandipara: 120+; 5th Feb - Morjim Beach: thousands
97. Slender-billed Gull 2nd Feb - Morjim Beach: 2
98. Gull-billed Tern Abundant and widespread tern; 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake: 5+; 1st Feb - Santa Cruz: 2; 1st Feb - Chorao Island Ferry: 1; 2nd Feb - Morjim Beach: 1; 5th Feb - Carambolin Lake: 3; 6th Feb - Zuari River: 7
99. Sandwich Tern 2nd Feb - Morjim Beach: 5+; 5th Feb - Morjim Beach: 20+
100. Lesser Crested Tern 2nd Feb - Morjim Beach: 20+; 5th Feb - Morjim Beach: 40+; 6th Feb - Zuari River: 8
101. Greater (Swift) Crested Tern 6th Feb - Zuari River: 22
102. Little Tern 6th Feb - Zuari River: 12+
103. Whiskered Tern 26th Jan & 5th Feb - Carambolin Lake: single on both visits
104. Pompadour Green Pigeon 27th Jan - Bondla: 1; 28th Jan - Backwoods: 1; 29th Jan - Backwoods: 2; 4th Feb - Bondla: pair in the zoo grounds; 6th Feb - Zuari River: 2
105. Orange-breasted Green Pigeon 31st Jan - Maem Lake: 6; 7th Feb - Maem Lake: 3
106. Nilgiri Wood Pigeon 5th Feb - Near Calangute: 2
107. Mountain Imperial Pigeon 27th Jan - Tambdi Surla: 1; 28th Jan - Tambdi Surla: 8; 30th Jan - Backwoods: 1
108. Spotted Dove Common but under recorded, the most widespread and most frequently encountered dove
109. Emerald Dove 27th Jan - Tambdi Surla: 1; 29th Jan - Backwoods: 2; 31st Jan - Maem Lake: 1; 7th Feb - Maem Lake: 1
110. Rock Dove Common around towns and on the Baga Fields
111. Rose-ringed Parakeet 26th Jan - Carambolin Lagoon: 2; 7th Feb - en route Baga: 2
112. Plum-headed Parakeet 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake: 3; 26th Jan - Baga Hill: 1; 27th Jan - Backwoods: 1; 1st Feb - Baga Hill: pair; 4th Feb - Bondla: 3
113. Malabar Parakeet 28th Jan - Backwoods: 1; 29th Jan - Backwoods: 10+
114. Fairy Bluebird; 27th Jan - Backwoods: 4; 29th Jan - Backwoods: 2 males; 4th Feb - Bondla: male
115. Vernal Hanging Parrot 27th to 30th Jan - Backwoods: numerous individuals were seen in flight only; 4th Feb - Bondla: 1; 8th Feb - Baga Hill: 1
116. Asian Koel Common and widespread; 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake: 1; 26th Jan - Baga Hill: 4; 27th Jan - Bondla: 7; 27th Jan - Backwoods: 1; 31st Jan - Maem Lake: 3; 31st Jan - Fort Aguada: 2; 2nd Feb - Baga Fields: 1; 4th Feb - Bondla: 1; 6th Feb - Zuari River: 1; 7th Feb - Maem Lake: 3; 8th Feb - Baga Hill: 1
117. Blue-faced Malkoha 3rd Feb - Arpora Woods: 1 at the quarry; 6th Feb - Zuari River: 1
118. Greater Coucal 27th Jan - Backwoods: 1; 31st Jan - Fort Aguada: 1; 1st Feb - Baga Hill: 1; 3rd Feb - Arpora Woods: 1; 4th Feb - Bondla: 3
119. Oriental Scops Owl 27th Jan - Backwoods: Grey and red phase birds roosting in the same bamboo thicket
120. Brown Fish Owl 5th Feb - Near Calangute: 1
121. Jungle Owlet 1st Feb - Baga Hill: 1
122. Spotted Owlet 26th Jan - Carambolin Wood: 1; 26th Jan & 1st Feb - Biera Mar Hotel: 1; 2nd Feb - Baga Fields: 1 in scrub along the river; 7th Feb - en route to Nachinola: 1
123. Brown Hawk Owl 26th Jan - Carambolin Wood: the regularly roosting bird; 29th Jan - Backwoods: 1 seen by torch light in the camp
124. Brown Wood Owl 2nd Feb - Saligao Zor: the long staying individual roosting
125. Sri Lanka Frogmouth 27th Feb - Backwoods: a pair roosting in a bamboo thicket in the camp
126. Grey Nightjar 27th Jan - Tambdi Surla: 2 at dusk; 30th Jan - Riverside Hotel: a nightjar that flew over was probably this species; 31st Jan & 7th Feb - Maem Lake: the same roosting bird was seen on both visits
127. Jerdon's Nightjar 27th Jan - Tambdi Surla: a fine individual spot lit at dusk
128. Indian Swiftlet 28th Jan - Tambdi Surla: 25+
129. White-rumped Needletail 27th Jan - Tambdi Surla: 2
130. House (Little) Swift 29th Jan - Backwoods: 1; 3rd Feb - Divar Island: 50+; 8th Feb - Zuari River: 12+; In addition there was nightly roost under the covered bridge by the Riverside Hotel
131. Pacific Swift* 5th Feb - Morjim Beach: a single seen flying over
132. Asian Palm Swift 25th Jan - Baga Fields: 1+; 26th Jan - Baga Fields: 6; 31st Jan - Biera Mar Hotel: 2; 6th Feb - Baga Fields: 20+; 7th Feb - Beira Mar Hotel: 10+; 8th Feb - Baga Hill: numerous
133. Crested Treeswift 27th Jan - Tambdi Surla: 6; 28th Jan - Tambdi Surla: 4; 30th Jan - Backwoods: several at the raptor watch point
134. Malabar Trogon 27th Jan - Tambdi Surla: pair; 28th Jan - Backwoods: pair
135. Pied Kingfisher 26th Jan - Carambolin Lagoon: 3; 31st Jan - Maem Lake: 2; 1st Feb - Santa Cruz: 1; 2nd Feb - Parsham: 2; 2nd Feb - Baga Fields: 2 along the river; 5th Feb - Carambolin Fields: 1 along the stream; 5th Feb - Carambolin Lake: 2; 7th Feb - Maem Lake: 1; 7th Feb - Biera Mar Hotel: 1;
136. Common Kingfisher Common and widespread; 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake: 3; 27th Jan - Tambdi Surla: 2; 28th Jan - Backwoods: 2; 29th & 30th Jan - Backwoods: 1; 31st Jan - Maem Lake: 1; 31st Jan - Calvin to Carona Ferry: 1; 2nd Feb - Parsham: 2; 2nd Feb - Riverside Hotel: 1 along the river; 3rd Feb - Baga Salt Pans: 1; 5th Feb - Carambolin Fields: 1; 6th Feb - Zuari River: 5; 7th Feb - Nachinola: 1; 8th Feb - Maem Lake: 2
137. Blue-eared Kingfisher 28th & 28th Jan - Tambdi Surla: same single along the dried up riverbed; 7th Feb - Maem Lake: a single
138. Stork-billed Kingfisher 31st Jan & 7th Feb - Maem Lake: 1; 2nd Feb - Baga Salt pans: 1; 2nd Feb - Baga Fields: 1; 6th Feb - Zuari River: 3
139. White-breasted Kingfisher The commonest and most widespread kingfisher, perhaps under recorded; 25th Jan - en route from Airport to hotel: 2; 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake: 3; 26th Jan - Baga Fields: 4; 27th & 29th Jan - Backwoods: 1; 30th Jan - Baga Fields: 1; 31st Jan - Maem Lake: 1; 31st Jan - Nachinola: 1; 31st Jan - Fort Aguada: 1; 1st Feb - Santa Cruz: 3; 2nd Feb - Parsham: 4; 2nd Feb - Baga Fields: 2; 3rd Feb - Divar Island: 2;4th Feb - Bondla: 2; 5th Feb - Carambolin Fields: 2; 5th Feb - Carambolin Lake: 3; 6th Feb - Zuari River: 3; 6th Feb - Baga Fields: 3; 7th Feb - Nachinola: 1
140. Black-capped Kingfisher 26th Jan - Lake Carambolin: 1;26th Jan to 7th Feb - Baga Fields: 1 was also seen from the Biera Mar hotel;6th Feb - Zuari River: 2
141. Collared Kingfisher 6th Feb - Zuari River: 3
142. Chestnut-headed Bee-eater 27th Jan - Tambdi Surla: 1 over the temple; 29th Jan - Backwoods: 20; 4th Feb - Bondla: 6
143. Blue-tailed Bee-eater 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake: 4; 26th Jan - Biera Mar Hotel: 3; 31st Jan - Biera Mar Hotel: 2; 31st Jan - Fort Aguada: 4; 1st Feb - Santa Cruz: 3; 5th Feb - Carambolin Lake: 6
144. Green Bee-eater Commonest and most widespread of the bee-eaters; e.g. 25th Jan - Baga Fields: 20+
145. Indian Roller 26th to 3rd Feb - Baga Fields: singles most days with 2 together on 2nd Feb
146. Hoopoe 28th Jan - Carambolin Lagoon: 1; 30th Jan - Baga Fields: 2; 1st Feb - Dona Paula: 8; 2nd & 6th Feb - Baga Fields: 1
147. Malabar Grey Hornbill 27th Jan - Bondla: 8; 28th Jan - Backwoods: 2; 28th Jan - Tambdi Surla: 1; 4th Feb - Bondla: 6
148. Malabar Pied Hornbill 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake: 1; 27th Jan - Backwoods: 2; 28th Jan - Backwoods: 2 at the raptor watch; 29th Jan - Backwoods: 3 (though 23 were seen by the group)
149. Great Hornbill 29th Jan - Backwoods: 1 flew over the forest and was only seen briefly
150. Brown-headed Barbet 27th Jan - Backwoods: 1; 4th Feb - Bondla: one calling constantly along the main road
151. White-cheeked Barbet 26th Jan - Baga Hill: 1; 31st Jan - Maem Lake: 1; 2nd Feb - Baga Hill: 2
152. Crimson-fronted Barbet Largely replaced Coppersmith Barbet away from the coast; 27th to 30th Jan - Backwoods: seen daily with peak count of 3 on 28th Jan
153. Coppersmith Barbet 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake: 1; 27th Jan - Bondla: 1; 31st Jan & 7th Feb - Maem Lake: 3+
154. Rufous Woodpecker 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake: 1; 27th Jan - Backwoods: 1; 4th Feb - Bondla: pair along the road
155. Black-rumped Flameback 27th Jan - Bondla: 3; 27th Jan - Backwoods: 2+; 28th Jan - Backwoods: 2; 31st Jan - Maem Lake: 1; 4th Feb - Bondla: 2
156. Greater Flameback 27th Jan - Bondla: pair; 27th & 29th Jan - Backwoods: 1
157. White-naped Woodpecker 31st Jan - Near Maem Lake: 2 pairs
158. White-bellied Woodpecker 27th Jan - Backwoods: 1; 27th & 28th Jan - Tambdi Surla: 2
159. Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker 28th Jan - Backwoods: 1
160. Heart-spotted Woodpecker 28th & 29th Jan - Backwoods: at least two birds; 4th Feb - Bondla: 2
161. Indian Pitta Possibly four birds seen; 27th & 29th Jan - Backwoods: 1+ seen very well in the open on several occasions; 3rd Feb - Arpora Woods: a single elusive bird; 8th Feb - Baga Hill: a single in scrub on the top of the hill
162. Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark 1st Feb - Dona Paula: 6+; 3rd Feb - Divar Island: 1
163. Greater Short-toed Lark 26th Jan - Baga Fields: 4; 30th Jan - Baga Fields: 1; 1st Feb - Dona Paula: 3; 1st Feb - Baga Fields: 30+; 3rd Feb - Divar Island: 2
164. Oriental Skylark 1st Feb - Dona Paula: 6; 3rd Feb - Divar Island: 3
165. Malabar Lark 26th Jan - Baga Fields: 3; 28th Jan - Backwoods: 2 at the raptor watch point; 30th Jan - Baga Fields: 4; 31st Jan - Nachinola: 1; 1st Feb - Dona Paula: 2; 1st Feb - Baga Fields: 1; 5th Feb - Carambolin Fields: 1; 8th Feb - Baga Hill: 1
166. Rufous-tailed Lark 5th Feb - Carambolin Fields: 1
167. Sand Martin 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake: several
168. Swallow 28th Jan - Carambolin Lake: several; 1st Feb - Bandipara: 20+
169. Wire-tailed Swallow 26th Jan - Carambolin Lagoon: numerous; 29th Jan - Backwoods: 2; 31st Jan - Maem Lake: several; 31st Jan - Calvin to Carona Ferry: 1; 1st Feb - Santa Cruz: 1; 6th Feb - Zuari River: 10+
170. Streak-throated Swallow Under recorded; 26th Jan - Carambolin Lagoon: several; 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake: 1; 29th Jan - Backwoods: 9; 31st Jan - Calvin to Carona Ferry: 1; 6th Feb - Zuari River: 20+
171. Red-rumped Swallow Common and widespread, seen nearly everywhere
172. Long-tailed Shrike Most abundant and widespread shrike but under recorded; 5th Jan - Baga Fields: 1; 6th Jan - Carambolin Lagoon: 1; 8th to 29th Jan - Backwoods: 1-2; 30th Jan to 2nd Feb - Baga Fields: 1-2; 31st Jan - Nachinola: 1; 31st Jan - Maem Lake: 1; 1st Feb - Santa Cruz: 2; 2nd Feb - Morjim Beach: 2; 3rd Feb - Divar Island: 3; 5th Feb - Carambolin Fields: 1
173. Brown Shrike 4th Feb - Bondla: a fine adult ♂ in the zoo grounds
174. Black-naped Oriole 27th Jan - Backwoods: immature♂
175. Black-hooded Oriole 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake; ♂; 26th Jan - Baga Hill: ♂; 28th Jan - Backwoods: 2; 31st Jan - Maem Lake: 6+; 4th Feb - Bondla: 3; 7th Feb - Maem Lake: 2
176. Golden Oriole Common and widespread; 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake: 2; 26th Jan - Baga Hill: 5; 27th Jan - Bondla: 2; 27th Jan - Backwoods: 1; 29th Jan - Backwoods: ♂; 30th Jan - Backwoods: pair; 31st Jan - Maem Lake: 2+; 1st Feb - Baga Hill: 1; 6th Feb - Zuari River: 3; 7th Feb - Maem Lake: 1; 8th Feb - Baga Hill: 1
177. Black Drongo Common and Widespread on the coast, scarcer inland
178. Ashy Drongo Restricted to open woodland areas: 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake : 1; 27th, 29th & 30th Jan - Backwoods singles only; 27th Jan - Tambdi Surla: 2; 4th Feb - Bondla: single
179. White-bellied Drongo 31st Jan & 7th Feb - Maem Lake: 1; 1st Feb - Baga Hill: 1; 2nd Feb - Saligao Zor: 1
180. Bronzed Drongo A forest Drongo replacing Ashy and Black in this habitat; 27th Jan to 28th Jan - Backwoods: 3+; 4th Feb - Bondla: several noted; 7th Feb - Maem Lake: 1
181. Greater Racket-tailed Drongo 27th Jan - Bondla: 1; 27th to 29th Jan - Backwoods: recorded daily with 4 on 27th Jan; 4th Feb - Bondla: 2; 7th Feb - Maem Lake: 1
182. Spangled Drongo 27th & 28th Jan - Backwoods: 1; 29th Jan - Backwoods: 2; 4th Feb - Bondla: 1
183. Ashy Woodswallow 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake: 1; 28th Jan - Backwoods Raptor Watch Point: 1; 29th Jan - Backwoods: 6; 31st Jan - Nachinola: 2; 7th Feb - Biera Mar: 4
184. Chestnut-tailed Starling 27th Jan - Backwoods: 6; 28th Jan - Backwoods: 3; 29th Jan - Backwoods: 1; 1st Feb - Baga Hill: 3; 2nd Feb - Baga Fields: numerous
185. Brahimny Starling Relatively uncommon; 26th Jan - Baga Fields: 2; 30th Jan - Baga Fields: several seen; 31st Jan - Fort Aguada: 5; 2nd Feb - Morjim Beach: 4+ along the road
186. Rose-coloured Starling 30th Jan - Baga Fields: common; 31st Jan - Fort Aguada: 30+; 2nd Feb - Baga Fields: numerous; 5th Feb - Carambolin Fields: 2; 6th Feb - Zuari River: 1; 6th Feb - Baga Fields: common; 7th Feb - Biera Mar Hotel: 40+
187. Common Myna Uncommon; 30th Jan & 2nd Feb - Baga Fields: maximum of 5+
188. Jungle Myna Most common and widespread of the Myna, recorded most places visited, common on the Baga Fields
189. Rufous Treepie 31st Jan - Maem Lake: 1; 4th Feb - Bondla: 3
190. Large-billed (Jungle) Crow Abundant inland at Bondla and Backwoods where largely replaces House Crow; 27th Jan - Bondla: 4; 28th Jan - Backwoods: 7; 28th Jan - Tambdi Surla: 6; 29th Jan - Backwoods: 2; 4th Feb - Bondla: 20+;
191. House Crow Very common at the coast with reduced numbers inland at Bondla and Backwoods
192. Bar-winged Flycatcher Shrike 27th & 29th Jan - Backwoods: singles; 4th Feb - Bondla: 1
193. Large Woodshrike 29th & Jan - Backwoods: 4+
194. Common Woodshrike 29th Jan - Backwoods: 5; 7th Feb - Maem Lake: 2
195. Large Cuckooshrike 30th Jan - Backwoods: 1 seen at the raptor watch
196. Black-headed Cuckooshrike 27th Jan - Bondla: pair; 31st Jan - Maem Lake: ♂; 31st Jan - Fort Aguada: 2 females; 1st Feb - Baga Hill: 1 female; 4th Feb - Bondla: 2; 6th Feb - Zuari River: 1; 7th Feb - Maem Lake: 1
197. Scarlet Minivet 27th Jan - Backwoods: 2; 29th Jan - Backwoods:♂
198. Small Minivet 26th Jan - Carambolin Lagoon: pair; 28th Jan - Backwoods: pair; 29th Jan - Backwoods: 3♂ & 2 females; 30th Jan - Backwoods: 4 ; 1st Feb - Baga Hill: 1; 4th Feb -Bondla: 3; 7th Feb - Maem Lake: 1; 8th Feb - Baga Hill: 4
199. Common Iora 27th & 28th Jan - Backwoods: singles; 2nd Feb - Saligao Zor: 1; 3rd Feb - Arpora Woods: 1; 7th Feb - Maem Lake: 7
200. Golden-fronted Leafbird 26th Jan - Baga Hill: 1; 27th Jan - Bondla: 1; 27th to 29th Jan - Backwoods: seen daily with peak of 3 on 29th Jan; 31st Jan - Maem Lake: 2
201. Blue-winged Leafbird 29th Jan - Backwoods: 1; 7th Feb - Maem Lake: 1
202. Grey-headed Bulbul; 28th Jan - Backwoods: 3; 30th Jan - Backwoods: 1; 2nd Feb - Saligao Zor: 1; 4th Feb - Bondla: 3
203. Black-crested Bulbul 27th Jan - Backwoods: 6; 28th Jan - Backwoods: 5; 4th Feb - Bondla: 1
204. Red-whiskered Bulbul Common and widespread, seen most places visited
205. Red-vented Bulbul Another species that is probably under recorded; 26th Jan - Carambolin Lagoon: 1; 29th Jan - Backwoods: 1; 31st Jan - Maem Lake: 1; 4th Feb - Bondla: 3
206. White-browed Bulbul 26th Jan - Carambolin Wood: 4; 2nd Feb - Baga Hill: 2; 3rd Feb - Arpora Woods: 3; 8th Feb - Baga Hill: 2
207. Yellow-browed Bulbul 27th & 28th Jan - Backwoods: Backwoods: 2+; 28th Jan - Tambdi Surla: 2
208. Black Bulbul 27th Jan - Backwoods: 2 were the only ones of the trip
209. Puff-throated Babbler 27th to 29th Jan - Backwoods: singles; 1st Feb - Baga Hill: 3; 2nd Feb - Saligao Zor: 3; 4th Feb - Bondla: 1; 7th Feb - Maem Lake: 2; 8th Feb - Baga Hill: 1
210. Indian Scimiter Babbler 7th Feb - Maem Lake: 2 seen with another heard
211. Tawny-bellied Babbler 3rd Feb - Arpora Woods: 6
212. Dark-fronted Babbler 27th to 29th Jan - Backwoods: small groups were seen every day; 4th Feb - Bondla: 3
213. Jungle Babbler 27th Jan - Bondla: 1; 31st Jan - Maem Lake: 3; 4th Feb - Bondla: 8; 7th Feb - Maem Lake: 2; 8th Feb - Baga Hill: 4
214. Brown-cheeked Fulvetta 26th Jan - Baga Hill: 2; 27th to 29th Jan - Backwoods: fairly common, seen daily with 7+ on the 28th being the highest count; 31st Jan & 7th Feb - Maem Lake: 2; 4th Feb - Bondla: 7
215. Asian Brown Flycatcher 26th Jan, 2nd & 8th Feb - Baga Hill: 1 probably relates to the same bird
216. Brown-breasted Flycatcher 27th Jan - Backwoods: 1; 27th & 28th Jan - Tambdi Surla: 1 along the river; 4th Feb - Bondla: 1
217. Red-breasted Flycatcher 27th Jan to 29th Jan - Backwoods: a fine adult male was present throughout behind our cabin
218. Red-throated (Taiga) Flycatcher 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake: a single along the road
219. White-bellied Blue-flycatcher 27th & 28th Jan - Backwoods: a single
220. Tickell's Blue-flycatcher 27th Jan - Bondla: 1; 27th, 28th & 29th Jan - Backwoods: singles 2nd Feb - Saligao Zor: 1; 3rd Feb - Arpora Woods: 1; 4th Feb - Bondla: 1 in the zoo grounds
221. Verditer Flycatcher 27th Jan - Backwoods: 2; 27th Jan - Tambdi Surla: 1; 4th Feb - Bondla: 1
222. White-throated Fantail 26th Jan & 8th Feb - Baga Hill: 1+ at display perch; 31st Jan - Fort Aguada: 1; 1st Feb - Baga Hill: 1; 3rd Feb - Divar Island: 1; 3rd Feb - Arpora Woods: 1; 6th Feb - Zuari River: 1
223. Asian Paradise Flycatcher 26th Jan - Carambolin Lagoon: 1; 27th Jan - Backwoods: 2; 29th Jan - Backwoods: a fine white phase male; 1st Feb - Baga Hill: 1 2nd Feb - Saligao Zor: 2 including a stunning white phase male; th Feb - Bondla: a white phase male
224. Black-naped Monarch 27th Jan - Backwoods: 2 females; 28th & 29th Jan - Backwoods: pair; 2nd Feb - Saligao Zor: female; 4th Feb - Bondla: male
225. Zitting Cisticola 31st Jan - Baga Fields: 1; 1st Feb - Santa Cruz: 7; 3rd Feb - Divar Island: 1
226. Grey-breasted Prinia 26th Jan - Baga Hill: 3; 4th Feb - Bondla: 3
227. Ashy Prinia 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake: 4; 31st Jan - Fort Aguada: 1; 6th Feb - Zuari River: 1
228. Plain Prinia 26th Jan - Carambolin Lagoon: 4; 3rd Feb - Divar Island: 3
229. Common Tailorbird 26th Jan - Carambolin Wood: 1; 26th Jan - Riverside Hotel: 1; 29th Jan - Backwoods: 2; 31st Jan - fort Aguada: 2; 1st Feb - Baga Hill: 1; 2nd Feb - Saligao Zor: 2
230. Clamorous Reed Warbler 2nd Feb - Baga Fields: 1 in Mangroves along the river
231. Blyth's Reed Warbler Fairly common and widespread with maximum of 7 on 27th Jan at Backwoods
232. Syke's Warbler 7th Feb - Baga Fields: 1; 8th Feb - Baga Hill: 3+
233. Western Crowned Leaf Warbler 27th to 30th Jan - Backwoods: seen daily in small numbers; th Feb - Bondla: 4
234. Greenish Warbler 26th Jan - Carambolin Lagoon: 1; 27th Jan - Bondla: 1; 27th to 29th Jan - Backwoods: recorded daily in small numbers; 4th Feb - Bondla: 3; 7th Feb - Maem Lake: 3+; 8th Feb - Baga Hill: 1
235. Bluethroat 1st Feb - Santa Cruz: 1; 3rd Feb - Biera Mar Hotel: 1; 7th Feb - Nachinola: 1
236. Indian Blue Robin 28th & 29th Feb - Backwoods: an immature; male proved to be elusive; 4th Feb - Bondla: a superb male was perhaps bird of the trip
237. Oriental Magpie Robin Fairly common and widespread; 26th Jan - Carambolin Lagoon: 1; 27th to 29th Jan - Backwoods: between 2 and 4 seen daily; 31st Jan - Maem Lake: 2; 2nd Feb - Baga Fields: 3; 4th Feb - Bondla: 2; 8th Feb - Baga Hill: 2
238. White-rumped Sharma Uncommon; 28th & 30th Jan - Backwoods: singles; 4th Feb - Bondla: female
239. Pied Bushchat 26th Jan - Carambolin Lagoon: male; 26th Jan - Baga Fields: 2 males; 30th Jan - Baga Fields: 1 male; 31st Jan - Nachinola: pair; 31st Jan - Baga Fields: pair; 2nd Feb - Morjim Beach: 1male; 2nd Feb - Baga Fields: 3
240. Siberian Stonechat Common and Widespread; 5th Jan - Baga Fields: 1 male & 2 females; 26th Feb - Carambolin Lagoon: male; 30th Jan - Baga Fields: 4; 1st Feb - Santa Cruz: 2 males; 1st Feb - Baga Fields: 4; 3rd Feb - Divar Island: many / 20+; 5th Feb - Carambolin Fields: 1; 6th Feb - Baga Fields: 6+; 3rd Feb - Divar Island: male; 6th Feb - Baga Fields: male; 7th Feb - Nachinola: 1; 7th Feb - en route to Maem Lake: 4
241. Indian Robin Not as common as anticipated; 26th Jan - Carambolin Lagoon: 2 females; 1st Feb - Baga Hill: single male; 8th Feb - Baga Hill: single female
242. Blue-capped Rock Thrush 4th Feb - Bondla: female along the road
243. Blue Rock Thrush 2nd Feb - Morjim Beach: male
244. Malabar Whistling Thrush 28th Jan - Tambdi Surla: 1; 28th Jan - Backwoods: 3; 4th Feb - Bondla: 1; 7th Feb - Maem Lake: 2
245. Orange-headed Thrush 26th Jan - Baga Hill: 1; 27th & 28th Jan - Backwoods: 1; 27th Jan - Tambdi Surla: 1; 29th Jan - Backwoods: 3; 30th Jan - Backwoods: 1; 2nd Feb - Saligao Zor: 2; 4th Feb - Bondla: 1
246. Niligri Blackbird; 27th & 28th Jan - Backwoods: 2; 31st Jan - Maem Lake: 1; 4th Feb - Bondla: 1; 7th Feb - Maem Lake: 3
247. Black-lored Tit 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake: 2; 1st Feb - Baga Hill: 1; 7th Feb - Maem Lake: 1
248. Velvet-fronted Nuthatch 27th to 30th Jan - Backwoods: seen every day in varying numbers
249. Tree Pipit 31st Jan - Nachinola: 1; 31st Jan - Biera Mar Hotel: 2; 7th Feb - Baga Fields: 3
250. Richards Pipit 26th to 8th Feb - Baga Fields: recorded on every visit with a peak of 6 on 1st Feb
251. Blyth's Pipit 31st Jan - Baga Fields: 2; 1st Feb - Baga Fields: 4
252. Paddyfield Pipit Commonest and most widespread of the pipits. Recorded every visit to the Baga; Fields with maximum of 6 on 1st Feb. Also recorded from the following locations: 28th Jan - Backwoods: 1; 1st Feb - Santa Cruz: 3+; 3rd Feb - Divar Island: 1; 5th Feb - Carambolin Fields: 1; 5th Feb - Morjim Beach: 1
253. Tawny Pipit 1st Feb - Dona Paula: 1
254. Forest Wagtail 27th & 28th Jan - Backwoods: 2 possibly as many as 4; 27th Jan - Tambdi Surla: 1; 4th Feb - Bondla: 2 in the zoo grounds
255. White-browed Wagtail 26th & 31st Jan - Biera Mar Hotel: 2; 31st Jan - Maem Lake: 1; 5th Feb - Carambolin Lake: 2; 6th Feb - Zuari River: 1; 8th Feb - Riverside Hotel: 2
256. White Wagtail* 3rd Feb - Biera Mar Hotel: 1
257. Yellow Wagtail 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake: 2 of what appeared to be the race zaissanensis; 2nd Feb - Morjim Beach: 1 flew over; 5th Feb - Carambolin Lake: 7 that included birds that appeared to be of the races; zaissanensis and thunbergi
258. Grey Wagtail 27th & 28th Jan - Tambdi Surla: singles; 4th Feb - Bondla: 1
259. Thick-billed Flowerpecker Under recorded; 27th & 28th Jan - Backwoods: 2+
260. Plain Flowerpecker Under recorded; 26th Jan - Baga Hill: 3; 29th Jan - Backwoods: 1; 8th Feb - Baga Hill: 2
261. Pale-billed Flowerpecker Under recorded; 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake: 1; 1st Feb - Baga Hill: 1
262. Crimson-backed Sunbird Replaces Purple-rumped Sunbird inland; 27th Jan to 30th Jan - Backwoods: seen daily with peak of 20+on 29th Jan; 4th Feb - Bondla: numerous;
263. Purple-rumped Sunbird Under recorded; 26th Jan - Baga Hill: pair; 26th Jan to 8th Feb - Riverside Hotel: pair throughout; 31st Jan - Fort Aguada: 2; 7th Feb - Maem Lake: 2
264. Purple Sunbird 28th Jan - Backwoods: male; 8th Jan - Backwoods: 1 at the raptor watch point; 29th Jan - Backwoods: 2; 3rd Feb - Arpora Woods: 2; 8th Feb - Baga Hill: 1
265. Loten's Sunbird 29th Jan - Backwoods: male
266. Crimson Sunbird 31st Jan - Biera Mar Hotel: 2; 2nd Feb - Baga Hill: pair
267. Little Spiderhunter 28th Jan - Backwoods: 3; 31st Jan and 7th Feb - Maem Lake: 2+
268. House Sparrow Under recorded; 6th Feb - Zuari River: 2 by the slipway
269. Chestnut-shouldered Petronia 27th & 28th Jan - Backwoods: 1; 3rd Feb - Divar Island: 3; 5th Feb - Carambolin Fields: 1
270. Baya Weaver 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake: 1; 31st Jan - Fort Aguada: 10; 4th Feb - Bondla: 20+; 5th Feb - Carambolin Lake: 13; 7th Feb - en route to Maem Lake: 100+
271. Indian Silverbill 2nd Feb - Morjim Beach - pair
272. White-rumped Munia 26th Jan - Carambolin Lake: 6+; 28th& 29th Jan - Backwoods: several; 31st Jan - Biera Mar Hotel: 40+; 2nd Feb - Saligao Zor: 4+; 3rd Feb - Arpora Woods: 7; 4th Feb - Bondla: many; 8th Feb - Baga Hill: 2
273. Scaly-breasted Munia 30th Jan - Baga Fields: 10+; 31st Jan - Biera Mar Hotel: 25+
274. Black-headed Munia 31st Jan - Fort Aguada: 5
275. Black-throated Munia 27th Jan - Backwoods: 3
In addition a large Parakeet was seen over the Baga Fields on 25th Jan and 8th Feb and was thought to have probably have been a Alexandrine Parakeet.
Other Wildlife
Malabar Giant Squirrel 27th Jan - Tambdi Surla: 1; 27th to 29th Jan - Backwoods: several seen
Striped Palm Squirrel Numerous and widespread
Golden Jackal 29th Jan - Backwoods: 2 along the road
Grey Mongoose 1st Feb - Baga Hill: 1; 1st Feb - Biera Mar Hotel: 1 seen to catch and kill a snake
Grey Langur (Monkey) Several Monkeys were seen at Backwoods were probably this species
Fly Foxes (Fruit Bats) 31st Jan - a roost was seen close to Nachinola
Bush Cobra 5th Feb - Near Calangute: 1 shot off into the brush
Snake species
Several snake species were encountered with a large Rat Snake at Tambdi Surla and Grass Snakes at Biera Mar Hotel