Was wondering if anyone's been out there recently? We're going back ,in just over a month,to the Baga/Arpora area and would love to know any up-to-date info. We failed on the pitta last time ( tried Arpora woods and Fort Aguada, but not the "shitta" site !). Also ,we were unable to access Baga fields due to flooding ,(Carambolin similar) but that was in early Nov.
Any info greatly appreciated,
Bill Turner.
I've just returned from 2 weeks there, staying at the Marinha Dourada in Arpora. Fairly leisurely birding, but still plenty of good stuff to be found.
Baga fields - still a bit wet on the coastal side and behind the Beira Mar and a bit long grass in places, but much of it is easily accessible with sturdy boots. Some parts were being burnt as we left, so access will be easier shortly.
Indian Pitta - I didn't see any at Arpora in 2 or 3 attempts including at dawn. The old site at Sinquerim (“Pitta in the Shitta”), has totally changed since I was last there – now a small bridge over the stream, no water in the stream, no shady toilet bushes to attract birds. Looked a waste of time trying there.
Carambolim - the lake itself is much the same as recently (rather poor), but there are a series of flooded areas both before the Brown Hawk Owl wood and the other side of this wood. Plenty of potential here.
Siolim paddies - work had just been started in the 2nd week of December, and superb numbers of birds were being attracted. 1500 Small Pratincoles can't be wrong!
Fort Aguada - easy access due to much of the grass already having been burnt off. Excellent numbers of birds and great potential for finding migrants.
Highlights of my visit and of the Bird Holidays tour to Goa/Dandeli in the same 2 weeks (not including the more expected species):
Yellow Bittern – a juv on Arpora pools throughout
Asian Openbill – up to 50 at Siolim paddies
Spoonbill – juv at Siolim on 15th
Steppe Buzzard – singles at Morjim and Grand Island
White-eyed Buzzard – seen at Morjim, Grand Island, Aguada, nr Mapusa, nr Carambolim
Legge's Hawk Eagle - 1 at Dandeli on 21st
Greater Spotted Eagle – usual small numbers around Carambolim/Cumbarjua
Indian Spotted Eagle – seemed a bit scarcer than normal
Tawny Eagle - 6+ Neura on 16th (unusually high number)
Amur Falcon – I personally saw 25 in the 2 weeks, including 12 together over the Marinha Dourada at dusk one evening
Shaheen Falcon – pair at Dandeli on 23rd
Slaty-breasted Rail – present behind Beira Mar and on Arpora pools
Oystercatcher - 1 at Morjim
Small Pratincole – up to 1500 at Siolim, small numbers elsewhere
Black-tailed Godwit - 200 near Carambolim on 16th (high numbers)
Broad-billed Sand – 1 near Carambolim on 16th
Gulls – only 1-2 Great Black-headeds seen at Morjim, up to 100 barabensis and 10+ heuglini. No Slender-billed reported here yet.
River Tern – 10 at PV Dam, Dandeli on 22nd
Green Imperial Pigeon – 3 at Molem on 25th
Oriental Turtle Dove – 2 at Aguada on 21st
Jacobin Cuckoo – odd singles still around the coast
Blue-faced Malkoha – 2 showy birds at Arpora Woods
Brown Wood Owl – heard at Saligao on 12th but difficult to see
Brown Hawk Owl – present in the usual wood at Carambolim and also next to the lake itself
Indian Jungle Nightjar – 4 seen roosting in daylight at Maem Lake
Savanna Nightjar – 4 seen well at a plateau site nr Mapusa
Pacific Swift – 1 at Satpal arboretum on 24th and up to 5 at Arpora on 22nd-24th
Blue-eared Kingfisher – 1 at Tropical Spice Farm near Ponda on 20th and also reported from Bondla
Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher - 1 at Dandeli on 23rd and also reported from Bondla
Blue-bearded Bee-eater – 2 showing well at Maem lake
Common Flameback – pair at Dandeli on 23rd
Rufous-tailed Lark – reported from Divar just before I arrived
Brown-throated Sand martin – 1 at Carambolim on 16th
Brown Shrike – several single birds along the coast
Bay-backed Shrike – back in its usual trees behind the shacks at Morjim
Bluethroat – up to 8 in Baga fields
Isabelline Wheatear - 1 at Aguada on 19th
Red-breasted Flycatcher – 5+ at Fort Aguada on 21st
Taiga Flycatcher – 2 at Fort Aguada on 21st
Indian Scimitar Babbler – heard at Maem Lake
Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler – at least 2 at the usual wintering area at Tikanem
Grasshopper Warbler – a migrant in Baga fields on 25th
Booted Warbler - 1 at Baga fields on 13th, 1 at Aguada on 19th
Yellow-browed Warbler – 1 at Dandeli
Tytler's Leaf Warbler - 1 at Dandeli on 22nd
Vigors's Sunbird – fairly easily seen around Arpora, Baga and Saligao (including one next to the Marinha Dourada restaurant)
Lesser Whitethroat – singles at Maem Lake and Dandeli (halimodendri types, not Hume’s)
Red-headed Bunting – 1 at Tamdi Surla on 25th and 1 at Anjuna around the same time
Tricoloured Munia – up to 150 at Carambolim grassland site on 16th
Streaked Weaver - min of 5, maybe more, with Baya Weavers at Carambolim grassland site on 16th
Lesser Hill Myna – several at Dandeli
I'll reopen the Goa thread
here to try encourage others to post their sightings this winter.
Cheers,
Mark
