Bird Watching in GoaAre you really crazy about birds ? ... and also having interest in Bird Watching ? Then, Goa is a best place to fulfill your dream of Bird Watching... Bird watching in Goa requires no special equipment except patience, a good pair of binoculars, a sun hat, sensible walking shoes and a bottle of cool drinking water. It also helps to have a good bird guide on hand to identify the species. Walk slowly and try to be as quiet as possible, since loud noises will scare the birds away. Pay close attention to colour, size and markings. Learn to recognise birds by sound as well as sight. Some birds are far easier to hear than to see and many draw attention to themselves by their songs and calls. While some of the best spots are described below, all wooded areas in Goa are home to a diversity of birds, and an interesting species can turn up almost anywhere. Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Chorao...The sanctuary is located on the island of Chorao, just 5 km (by road and ferry) from Panjim. A short drive down the Ribander Causeway will bring you to the Ribander Jetty on the southern banks of the River Mandovi, where you can take a ferry across the sparkling blue waters. The boat accommodates both passengers and cars, and takes 10 minutes to reach the sleepy island of Chorao.Located on the west of the island, the sanctuary is just 1.8 sq km, but the mangroves here, criss-crossed by water canals, are filled with birds. Unfortunately, the Forest Department does not yet have infrastructure in place for boats or guides, though you can hire a private canoe from the jetty. The canoe trip lasts for around 2 hours, so while bottled water, tea and soft drinks are available at a few small shops (locally known as gaddas), near the jetty, it would probably be a good idea to carry your own packed lunch or sandwiches. Before setting off for Chorao, check the day's tides from the forest office in Campal or at the sanctuary office at Chorao Jetty, and choose your time of departure. Different species of Mangroves...There are 14 different species of mangroves in the sanctuary, their stilt roots supporting them in the soft mud. Plankton, shrimps, tiny crabs and small estuarine fish breed here and provide a rich feeding ground for the hundreds of birds that flock to the sanctuary. Cruise leisurely along the placid waters of the canals, to the sound of the water gently lapping against the boat and the different calls of birds. Watch as a white bellied sea eagle swoops down to snatch a flailing fish from the waters. The resident birds on the island include a variety of drongos, baya (weaverbirds), eagles, kites, egrets, herons, kingfisher, grey-headed myna, purple sunbird, tailor birds, redshank, common sandpipers, red-wattled lapwing, pheasant-tailed jacana and green bee-eater.The migratory birds that collect here from November to February include pintail ducks, cormorants storks, purple moorhen and mallards. If you are lucky enough, you might spot other wildlife here like the flying fox, the Indian rock python and the smooth Indian otter. Carambolim LakeThis lake at the heart of Carambolim Village, 12 km from Panjim, with the Karmali Railway Station on its west bank, is fed solely by rainwater and has a bird population of under 500 during the monsoons. From September onwards, the water levels recede and the bird density increases, reaching almost 10,000 by February. The birds here feed on aquatic plants, worms and tiny fish. The place is ideal for spotting pintail ducks, purple moorhen, lesser whistling teal, cattle egret, pond heron, coots, little egret, the red-rumped swallow, and the bronze-winged and pheasant-tailed jacana.More Spots of Bird Watching in GoaDo also visit excellent but lesser known bird-watching sites such as Curtorim Lake in interior Salcete, the estuary at Morjim Beach in Pernem, the spring at Saligao, Mayem Lake in Bicholim, the banks of the Chapora River in Bardez and the marshlands around Merces, near Panjim. All offer many sightings.Where to Start for Bird Watching in GoaSea Safari conducts bird-watching trips along the banks of the Cumbarjua Canal. The boat trip is subject to a minimum of 8 persons. Trips leave either early morning or late evening.Crocodile Station also conducts bird-watching/crocodile spotting trips. Return from Bird Watching in Goa page to Goa Holidays and Goa Hotels Home Page
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