[MarkHows]

My recent trip to Goa is now documented

http://www.hows.org.uk/inter/birds/2.../ind/india.htm

Mark

[Sleeper]

Hi Mark

Thanks for the bird report very nice. The videos look great which I shall take a longer look at in time as my wife and I are to visit Goa in Feb.

May I ask about the status of sites close to the Marihna Dourada hotel? Still good?

Was the hotel OK? I hear building work has been a problem for some guests?

Thanks again for the report.

[rioja]

I stayed at the MD up to a couple of weeks ago and have nothing but positives to report. We were situated in the new block, the rooms are fine and kept very clean as is the rest of the hotel. There was virtually no noise from the building site at the rear as most of the construction is finished.I think it represents excellent value for money, especially if booked through a package tour.
The MD is in a great spot to walk the local lagoons and to walk to both Arpora woods and Baga Hill.There are plenty of species to be seen, especially if you are good on ID's . Unfortunately I'm not.
I was not particularly impressed with the Beira Mar and although it's worth a visit I wouldn't want to stay there.
Recommended are days out to Morjim beach and Siolem paddyfields, Carambolin lake ( now restored, it apparently had been drained last year) Chorao Island and the Zuari river boat. The latter was arranged through my guide "Raymond" who can be contacted if you ask at the taxi rank outside the Beira Mar. He often visits the viewing area at the rear of the hotel. He knows what he's about and worth engaging.
We got lucky on the Zuari ( only 4 birders on board the boat which was comfy too) and found several Collard Kingfishers. Chorao Island gave good views of Pallid and distant views of Montagu's harrier too.

[Sleeper]

Thanks rioja

We are looking forward to our upcoming trip and hope to follow in some of your footsteps with the trips. We have booked the almost obligatory Backwoods stopover and am looking for every excuse as to why I should be allowed to get my suitcase down from the loft!

Thanks for the MD info I hope we are as impressed as you are.
Much appreciated on the feedback.

[MarkHows]

rioja has answered the questions much as I would, and his recommendations are excellent.

If you have any other questions, specifics etc. I am happy to answer them

Mark

[Sleeper]

Hi
Just a question I have unanswered really is

When you hire a guide for say a day or half day does the guide come with you to bird watch or will he stay in the vehicle until you come back or would it be more that he drops you off and a mutual time is agreed? A little nieve question but it is something I have not had answered as yet.

Thanks.

[MarkHows]

Two types of Guide a Driver who will drive you to said location and wait for you or return at agreed time.

A Bird guide will come birdwatching with you and help you find species / ID them etc.

A birdguide is usually more expensive than a driver but you see more.

Mark

[rioja]

If you know your birds a driver will suffice really although the bird guides will know where to find roosting Owls, etc. As I am very new to this hobby a guide is invaluable for ID'ing different species. Mine also had a telescope which I haven't so that was useful too.
Several people in our hotel had tried to book the Zuari river trip through the tour company but they were cancelled every time because of lack of numbers. Our guide arranged a trip with just 4 of us which was brilliant. Cost R2850 for 2.(The boat was R2000)
A trip to Carambolin cost R850 pick up 6.45am dropped back at hotel 11.30 am.
A trip to Chorao cost R900 Pick up 2.00pm, visit Owl roost then the ferry to Chorao plus call into 2 department stores on the way back.The guide gets prize points for taking potential customers. Back to hotel 6.00pm
Morjim Beach and the Siolem paddy fields was R1100 because we went back to the department store outside Panjim because I decided to buy a Christmas present for my wife there. Turned into a very expensive trip ! Out at 2.00pm back at 6.00pm.
I think most guides want to work a separate morning and afternoon as they make more than taking you out for the day.
I met a couple of guys at the Beira Mar who had come with a taxi driver and the garbage he was telling them had me cringing and I know very little !
Incidentally, the guides are taxis too so they can fill in with taxi work when there is no guiding work about.Always agree a price before you go anywhere. I didn't and my trips slowly grew a little more expensive although I thought the prices very reasonable.
My guide guide told me that most of his clients don't return to him because once they have seen where to go they don't need him anymore.

[rockfowl]

I can only add 'sleeper' that Raymond is well worth looking out for, he knows his stuff and I work in bird tourism. If you have time, a morning at Bondla is well worth a visit, some overlap with 'backwoods' but with perhaps a little more freedom. Enjoy the trip..

[Sussex bird man]

Hi all, I've been out there only twice and both times I employed the excellent services of Lloyd Fernandes. He's somewhat a guru there. In fact I'm going out there again on the 18th January and hope to tie up with him for some time. Lloyd is based at Calangute. I hope that helps. SBM

[rioja]

Originally Posted by Sussex bird man

Hi all, I've been out there only twice and both times I employed the excellent services of Lloyd Fernandes. He's somewhat a guru there. In fact I'm going out there again on the 18th January and hope to tie up with him for some time. Lloyd is based at Calangute. I hope that helps. SBM

There was no sign of him late Nov/early Dec .

[Sussex bird man]

I spoke with Lloyd today. He is pretty busy right now but working.

[Sleeper]

Thanks guys for the info.

Looking forward to the trip even with a little trepidation.

[MarkHows]

Originally Posted by Sleeper

Thanks guys for the info.

Looking forward to the trip even with a little trepidation.

Don't worry the locals are friendly and the birds great, you will have a top trip

Mark

[Sleeper]

Thanks for the trip report etc really enjoyed all the effort you put in. I think it feels a bit overwhelming with all the birds even though I have done homework. Like you say a top trip in the offing.

[seedyrom]

Just back from Goa. Literally! Fourth visit. Guides very disappointing this time round. Can provide you with full contact details if you PM me. Raymond excellent guide but VERY UNRELIABLE. Ruined our holiday. Paresh - lazy. Will take you places, knows his stuff but spends most of his time playing on mobile phone or messing with your equipment. Has a scope but never takes it with him! Mahesh (outside Riverside Regency) has been birding 6 years. Couldn't ID birds for us and didn't turn up one morning. Didn't get another chance after that.

[Sleeper]

Hi Ann

That's a real shame about the guides....did you find a guide that was Ok in the end? Hope so.

I have heard that Goa has been quiet this year, but I guess that is no problem. Hope you had a great time birding and enjoying the culture etc.

Hope that list has grown.

[stevieb]

Anybody know if Tijan Kanteh is still about? I used him in 2003 and he was excellent. Own vehicle, carried my 'scope and compiled the daily lists. Great guy.

[Sussex bird man]

Back yesterday after two weeks. Good birding, with Lloyd - very reliable, very knowledgeable and available! Has own transoprt rangeing from a small Maruti car, through Jeeps, to a bus. Let me know if you have problems contacting him. SBM

[stevieb]

Originally Posted by stevieb

Anybody know if Tijan Kanteh is still about? I used him in 2003 and he was excellent. Own vehicle, carried my 'scope and compiled the daily lists. Great guy.

OOPs of course he isn't, wrong bloody country!!What was I thinking lol
Well it began with a G! (Gambia by the way)

[Alf King]

Check out http://www.canopygoa.com/

I haven't used them personally but have visited other parts of India and their prices seem quite reasonable. Ask them to quote you a price including pick up from the hotel; I did this for Dec 2009 and their reply was very prompt and courteous, which in itself indicates reliability. (Unfortunately the holiday cost has prevented me from taking up their offer, and from visiting Goa this year.)

[Birdbox]

Josh (Jasaya) is one of the Beira Mar taxi drivers and used to drive for some of the European bird tours. He was also a decent footballer apparently but an operation to one of his knees left him with a limp. He's a wonderful person and will take you to the sites but walking the sites is now beyond him. Hell, what does that matter? If you've done your homework you should n't need anyone to ID stuff. Because of his slight disability he drives an air-conditioned automatic - go on, treat yourself.

[seedyrom]

Tijan is still around. I think he still has a website:Tijan the Birdman. He is an excellent guide and we spent a wonderful fortnight with him a couple of years ago. We booked him again the following year: he accepted the booking but at the last minute announced that he was palming off on someone else. We were not chuffed.