Lesser Whistling Duck | Dendrocygna javanica | Nine flew over the hotel salt pans early 22/12. Very numerous at Carambolim Lake, with over 500 present on both visits |
Cotton Pygmy Goose | Nettapus coromandelianus | About 30 seen at Carambolim Lake on each visit |
Garganey | Spatula querquedula | 500+ present at Carambolim Lake on each visit |
Northern Shoveler | Spatula clypeata | Two females at Carambolim Lake 23/12 and a drake there 29/12 - doubtless there were more! |
Northern Pintail | Anas acuta | About 10 at Carambolim Lake 23/12 |
Indian Peafowl | Pavo cristatus | The only sighting was of a male by the river at Backwoods Camp, Molem 28/12. In addition, feathers were found at Baga Hill on two occasions! Several also reported from the top of Fort Aguada hill |
Red Spurfowl | Galloperdix spadicea | Two seen briefly on Baga Hill 1/1. Other birders reported more satisfactory sightings near the shrine, early morning only |
Grey Junglefowl | Gallus sonneratii | Heard at Tambdi Surla 27/12, and a male and two females seen on the Devil's Canyon Trail, Molem 28/12. Again, early morning is the key time |
Little Grebe | Tachybaptus ruficollis | A few present at Carambolim Lake on each visit |
Greater Coucal | Centropus sinensis | About 20 seen, max. 6 at the foot of Baga Hill 21/12. Also quite frequently heard calling |
Blue-faced Malkoha | Phaenicophaeus viridirostris | Two were seen at Molem 29/12. Very quiet and inconspicuous birds, but not shy |
Asian Koel | Eudynamys scolopaceus | Common and seen daily at the coast, especially on the fruiting trees at Baga Hill. Not noted at Molem or Bondla |
Banded Bay Cuckoo | Cacomantis sonneratii | One was in scrub at the foot of Baga Hill 1/1 |
Large Hawk-Cuckoo | Hierococcyx sparverioides | One at Backwoods Camp, Molem 28/12 |
Spotted Dove | Spilopelia chinensis | Very common throughout; seen daily |
Red Collared Dove | Streptopelia tranquebarica | Two were on wires near Tambdi Surla temple, Molem 27/12. This remains the only site for this species in Goa |
Rock Dove | Columba livia | Feral birds were commonly noted at the coast |
Common Emerald Dove | Chalcophaps indica | One very briefly at Baga Hill 21/12 |
Sri Lanka Green Pigeon | Treron pompadora | Two at Bondla 27/12, and heard widely at Molem (an odd, un-pigeon-like pulsing hoot), with 3 seen there 29/12 |
Common Moorhen | Gallinula chloropus | Present in large numbers at Carambolim Lake |
Eurasian Coot | Fulica atra | Present in large numbers at Carambolim Lake |
Purple Swamphen | Porphyrio porphyrio | 100+ at Carambolim Lake on each visit. The birds appear to be of the grey-headed (sub?)species poliocephalus |
Watercock | Gallicrex cinerea | A female was behind the Beira Mar Hotel 21/12, and two were seen there 26/12. Huge birds, likened to a Pheasant x Corncrake hybrid! They don't seem to emerge until it is almost dark (ditto the other 'specials' at the Beira Mar) |
White-breasted Waterhen | Amaurornis phoenicurus | A few noted on most days around almost any wet habitat. A surprisingly shy bird |
Black-winged Stilt | Himantopus himantopus | Up to 20 on the rice fields at Carambolim Lake on each visit |
Grey Plover | Pluvialis squatarola | About 20 on the Chapora Estuary 2/1 |
Little Ringed Plover | Thinornis dubius | Common around Baga, with up to 25 birds in a day |
Yellow-wattled Lapwing | Vanellus malabaricus | Seven on flooded rice fields at Mardol, en route to Bondla 27/12. Also reported from Dona Paula |
Red-wattled Lapwing | Vanellus indicus | Up to 15 around Baga daily, and a few seen at other sites |
Siberian Sand Plover | Anarhynchus mongolus | Up to 100 seen at Morji Beach on each visit |
Greater Sand Plover | Anarhynchus leschenaultii | Much scarcer than Lesser Sand Plover, with 5 on the first visit to Morji Beach 24/12, and only 2 the next day |
Kentish Plover | Anarhynchus alexandrinus | Four at Baga and 2 at Morji Beach 24/12, with about 20 at the latter site 25/12 |
Greater Painted-snipe | Rostratula benghalensis | About three seen very poorly behind the Beira Mar Hotel 21/12, but 4 showed in much better light there 26/12 |
Pheasant-tailed Jacana | Hydrophasianus chirurgus | About 100 at Carambolim Lake on each visit |
Bronze-winged Jacana | Metopidius indicus | Less numerous than the previous species, but still common at Carambolim Lake with about 50 birds seen |
Eurasian Whimbrel | Numenius phaeopus | About 10 on the Mandovi River 24/12 |
Eurasian Curlew | Numenius arquata | One on the Mandovi River 24/12, and four on the Chapora Estuary 2/1 |
Black-tailed Godwit | Limosa limosa | One on the flooded rice paddies at Carambolim Lake 29/12; apparently a fairly extreme Goan rarity! |
Pin-tailed Snipe | Gallinago stenura | Twelve certain birds were noted, at Candolim, Baga Fields, with a max. of 6 behind the Beira Mar Hotel 26/12. Not difficult to identify if seen well - concentrate on structure and the trailing edge of the wing. Some other snipe may have been of this species too |
Common Snipe | Gallinago gallinago | Two behind the Beira Mar Hotel 26/12; probably others too (see above) |
Common Sandpiper | Actitis hypoleucos | Very common around the lakes and canals at Baga |
Green Sandpiper | Tringa ochropus | Twelve birds noted at the hotel lakes and Carambolim Lake |
Marsh Sandpiper | Tringa stagnatilis | Up to five regularly on the hotel lakes, and about 10 on each visit to Carambolim Lake |
Wood Sandpiper | Tringa glareola | Present in good numbers at the hotel lakes, max. 15, and also up to 50 at Carambolim Lake |
Common Redshank | Tringa totanus | Common on the hotel lakes |
Spotted Redshank | Tringa erythropus | Ten bird days at the lakes around the hotel, though apparently absent towards the end of our stay |
Common Greenshank | Tringa nebularia | Up to 10 seen almost daily |
Temminck's Stint | Calidris temminckii | Three on the hotel lakes 30/12, with 2 still there the next day |
Sanderling | Calidris alba | About twenty at the Chapora Estuary 2/1 |
Little Stint | Calidris minuta | Forty at Carambolim Lake 23/12, and about 20 there and near the Stoliczka's Site (Carambolim village) 29/12 |
Barred Buttonquail | Turnix suscitator | Two were seen briefly in the scrub behind Morji beach 25/12. A probable was flushed the next day on top of Baga Hill, and another buttonquail sp. was seen near Backwoods Camp, Molem 28/12 |
Small Pratincole | Glareola lactea | Good numbers seen. About 30 were behind the Beira Mar Hotel 21/12, then 500 at Carambolim Lake 23/12 (with 100 there 29/12), 100 and 250 at Morji beach 24/12 and 25/12, and about 30 more spread over the last four days of the trip around Baga |
Little Tern | Sternula albifrons | Four at Morji Beach 25/12, and 2 on the Chapora Estuary 2/1 |
Gull-billed Tern | Gelochelidon nilotica | Up to ten noted on each trip to Morji Beach and Carambolim Lake, and a few noted offshore near Coco Beach |
Sandwich Tern | Thalasseus sandvicensis | Present at Morji Beach in similar numbers to Great Crested Tern |
Greater Crested Tern | Thalasseus bergii | Up to 10 on each visit to Morji Beach |
Lesser Crested Tern | Thalasseus bengalensis | Up to 30 on each visit to Morji Beach |
Slender-billed Gull | Chroicocephalus genei | Seven were picked up in flight at Morji Beach 25/12 |
Black-headed Gull | Chroicocephalus ridibundus | Marginally scarcer than Brown-headed Gull, but still present in large numbers at the same sites |
Brown-headed Gull | Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus | Abundant at the coast, with more than 500 at Morji Beach on each visit. Also a few offshore from Fort Aguada, and also off Panjim salt pans |
Pallas's Gull | Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus | Three adults at Morji Beach 24/12, but only one there the next day. However, 14 were present on the Chapora Estuary 2/1 |
Caspian Gull | Larus cachinnans | The predominant gull species on the Chapora Estuary, with upwards of 500 birds present on each visit. The birds seem to show very much more variation in e.g. eye colour and primary pattern than the widely cited European literature sometimes suggests! |
Heuglin's Gull | Larus fuscus heuglini | Rather scarcer than Caspian, with between 50 and 100 noted at Morji Beach |
Asian Openbill | Anastomus oscitans | 34 were present at Ciba-Geigy 23/12, and one flew over Carambolim Lake the same afternoon. Also, one was perched in mangroves beside the Mandovi River 24/12 |
Lesser Adjutant | Leptoptilos javanicus | Three were present at Ciba-Geigy 23/12. This site has apparently been quite dependable this winter, with birds also being seen on the mangroves on Chorao Island |
Asian Woolly-necked Stork | Ciconia episcopus | One at Ciba-Geigy 23/12, and one in flight near Saligao 31/12 |
Oriental Darter | Anhinga melanogaster | Two adults and 2 juveniles at Ciba-Geigy 23/12 |
Little Cormorant | Microcarbo niger | Up to 30 around Baga almost daily, and a few also at Carambolim Lake, and in flight elsewhere |
Great Cormorant | Phalacrocorax carbo | Two flew over with Little Cormorants near Saligao early 31/12. The species is apparently something of a rarity in Goa |
Indian Cormorant | Phalacrocorax fuscicollis | About 200 at Ciba-Geigy 23/12, and a few at Carambolim Lake 29/12 |
Cinnamon Bittern | Botaurus cinnamomeus | The regular female at the Beira Mar Hotel showed very well at dusk 26/12 |
Western Reef Heron | Egretta gularis | A few seen at the coast, max. 9 off Panjim salt pans 23/12, with dark birds predominating. One on the hotel lakes 20/12 |
Little Egret | Egretta garzetta | Very common around the coast and at all wetland habitats |
Black-crowned Night Heron | Nycticorax nycticorax | Two were seen flying over the hotel towards the Beira Mar Hotel area at about 6.40pm 20/12 and 1/1, with one doing the same 30/12 |
Striated Heron | Butorides striata | Noted almost daily around Baga, with a few at other sites such as Carambolim Lake |
Indian Pond Heron | Ardeola grayii | Very common indeed, often seen far from water |
Great Egret | Ardea alba | Up to 10 seen most days around Baga; also at Carambolim Lake |
Medium Egret | Ardea intermedia | A few on the hotel lakes most days, and over 150 present on the Carambolim Lake rice paddies on each visit |
Eastern Cattle Egret | Ardea coromanda | Commonly seen at the roadside and in fields throughout Goa |
Purple Heron | Ardea purpurea | Singles seen at Baga and Carambolim Lake, and 2 at Ciba-Geigy 23/12 |
Grey Heron | Ardea cinerea | Up to 3 seen on most days, mostly around Baga |
Jungle Nightjar | Caprimulgus indicus | At least one at dusk at Tambdi Surla temple, Molem 27/12 |
Sri Lanka Frogmouth | Batrachostomus moniliger | Heard at night from Backwoods Camp, Molem 27/12 |
Crested Treeswift | Hemiprocne coronata | About 30 seen at Bondla and Molem |
White-rumped Spinetail | Zoonavena sylvatica | About 40 just before dusk at Tambdi Surla temple, Molem, 27/12, but entirely absent from that site on other occasions |
Asian Palm Swift | Cypsiurus balasiensis | Present in small numbers in the coastal plain, wherever there were palms |
Fork-tailed Swift | Apus pacificus | At least one was present with the mixed swift flock at Tambdi Surla temple, Molem, 27/12. The species resembles Common Swift more than Little Swift - rakish and long-winged. Several Little Swifts with moulted tail feathers caused false alarms over Baga |
Little Swift | Apus affinis | Easily the commonest swift; seen daily in large numbers |
Indian Swiftlet | Aerodramus unicolor | A few dozen present on five or six dates over Baga, and also at Molem, but 100+ over Baga 21/12 |
Brown Boobook | Ninox scutulata | Heard each evening at Backwoods Camp, Molem, but much better was one roosting in a palm tree in the shola beyond the Stoliczka's site 29/12. The tree is immediately outside the only house in the wood - do ask the elderly lady who lives there - she's very helpful! |
Spotted Owlet | Athene brama | One was regular in broad-leaved trees behind the hotel, with two there 1/1. Also one behind Baga beach 26/12 |
Jungle Owlet | Glaucidium radiatum | One was located in daylight behind the fig tree at the foot of Baga Hill 25/12, and two were present and showed very well there the next day. One was seen again there 1/1. Also heard calling from Backwoods Camp, Molem 27/12 and 28/12 |
Indian Scops Owl | Otus bakkamoena | One was heard calling at night from Backwoods Camp, Molem, 27/12 and 28/12 |
Brown Fish Owl | Ketupa zeylonensis | The regular bird at Maem Lake was seen, albeit briefly, 31/12. If trying for this bird, you would be well served by taking a driver who knows the site well, and exactly in which trees to look |
Brown Wood Owl | Strix leptogrammica | One heard behind the hotel in the small hours of 23/12, and another calling near Backwoods Camp, Molem 27/12 |
Osprey | Pandion haliaetus | Present throughout at Baga, with up to 3 on the hotel lakes, but usually just one seen each day |
Crested Honey Buzzard | Pernis ptilorhynchus | Two were apparently resident around the hotel and Baga Hill, and clearly other birds also in the area, but sightings dried up in the second week. Also noted at Molem |
Crested Serpent Eagle | Spilornis cheela | Heard frequently at Molem, and three seen soaring over the forest there |
Changeable Hawk-Eagle | Nisaetus cirrhatus | One very vocal individual on the east side of Maem Lake 31/12. Listen for the insistent, rising crescendo of 7 or eight "kleee" notes. The bird regularly favours the exposed 'ash-like' tree about 50 yards north of the dam |
Rufous-bellied Eagle | Lophotriorchis kienerii | Three soaring over Tambdi Surla temple, Molem 29/12 |
Lesser Spotted Eagle | Clanga pomarina | One sub-adult behind the Beira Mar Hotel 21/12 was seen with another bird there 26/12. Also, one near the Stoliczka's Site (Carambolim village) 29/12, and another over fields near Saligao 31/12. The species is perhaps more frequent in Goa than is currently thought |
Booted Eagle | Hieraaetus pennatus | Daily sightings at Baga 20-26/12, max. 2 22/12, then 3 more there 29/12 and 30/12. Sightings of pale birds outnumbered those of dark birds 7:4 |
Shikra | Tachyspiza badia | Eight singles noted, mostly at Baga |
Western Marsh Harrier | Circus aeruginosus | Nineteen sightings, all over the fields and marshes around Baga and Carambolim Lake |
Brahminy Kite | Haliastur indus | Very common near the coast, but again, absent inland. Beware ID problems with immature birds! |
Black Kite | Milvus migrans | Very common, with the population showing a good mixture of resident and migrant race birds. Oddly, absent in the Ghats |
White-bellied Sea Eagle | Icthyophaga leucogaster | A total of fourteen sighting of this magnificent bird, the best being an adult on posts off Panjim saltpans 29/12, and an adult in pursuit of a second year bird at Fort Aguada 1/1. Likely to be encountered almost anywhere along the coastal strip |
Common Buzzard | Buteo buteo | One over Coco Beach 24/12, and another over Baga Hill 2/1 |
Long-legged Buzzard | Buteo rufinus | One over Baga Hill 30/12 and 1/1 |
Malabar Trogon | Harpactes fasciatus | This species was voted highlight of the trip! A stunning male and two females were located by the Devil's Canyon Trail, Molem 28/12. The birds were very inconspicuous, but not shy, perching motionless in the open on lianas and low branches |
Common Hoopoe | Upupa epops | One at Fort Aguada 1/1 was the only record |
Malabar Grey Hornbill | Ocyceros griseus | Four at Molem 28/12, and five there the next day |
Malabar Pied Hornbill | Anthracoceros coronatus | Two at Molem 28/12, and 1 near Backwoods Camp, Molem the next day |
Indian Roller | Coracias benghalensis | Twelve were noted, mostly on wires over arable fields near the coast, but also a few inland |
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater | Merops leschenaulti | 26 seen around Molem, including about 20 on wires near Tambdi Surla temple, Molem 27/12 |
Asian Green Bee-eater | Merops orientalis | Very numerous in all suitable habitat |
Blue-tailed Bee-eater | Merops philippinus | About 50 seen in total, mostly in small parties, but about 20 were at Carambolim Lake 29/12 |
Common Kingfisher | Alcedo atthis | Very common and widespread; seen daily in good numbers |
Pied Kingfisher | Ceryle rudis | Not seen daily, and much scarcer than White-throated Kingfisher. Two seen around Baga on five occasions |
Stork-billed Kingfisher | Pelargopsis capensis | Present at low density around Baga; rarely more than two in a day. Also noted in small numbers at Molem |
Black-capped Kingfisher | Halcyon pileata | One was seen on three occasions on the marshy fields behind the Beira Mar Hotel, and another was at Molem 29/12 |
White-throated Kingfisher | Halcyon smyrnensis | Common throughout; regularly 10+ in a day |
Crimson-fronted Barbet | Psilopogon rubricapillus | One at dawn at Backwoods Camp, Molem 28/12 |
Coppersmith Barbet | Psilopogon haemacephalus | A total of 10 seen, and others heard. A nest hole was found in a dead tree behind the hotel |
Brown-headed Barbet | Psilopogon zeylanicus | Only one seen, at Molem 27/12 |
White-cheeked Barbet | Psilopogon viridis | Common and very vocal, heard and seen almost daily in any lightly wooded or forest habitat. Particularly numerous on Baga Hill |
Speckled Piculet | Picumnus innominatus | One seen briefly at Molem 29/12 |
Heart-spotted Woodpecker | Hemicircus canente | Heard frequently around Backwoods Camp, Molem, and seen twice, 27/12 and 28/12, the latter in small trees by the camp fire |
Rufous Woodpecker | Micropternus brachyurus | Singles were on Baga Hill 23/12 and 25/12, and there were three sightings at Molem 28/12 and 29/12 |
Black-rumped Flameback | Dinopium benghalense | The most commonly seen woodpecker. Sixteen were seen, max. 4 at Molem 28/12. Widely distributed, both on the coast and in the hills |
Buff-spotted Flameback | Chrysocolaptes lucidus | Two at Molem 28/12, and again the next day |
Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker | Yungipicus nanus | One at Bondla 27/12 |
Yellow-crowned Woodpecker | Leiopicus mahrattensis | A male was seen on Baga Hill 1/1 and 2/1 |
Common Kestrel | Falco tinnunculus | A male at Vasco da Gama airport 20/12 was the only sighting |
Peregrine Falcon | Falco peregrinus | One was over Baga Hill 1/1. In addition, a large falcon seen the day before near Saligao was thought more likely to have been a Laggar Falcon |
Rose-ringed Parakeet | Psittacula krameri | Quite common near the coast, but usually seen only in flight. Max. c.20 26/12 |
Plum-headed Parakeet | Psittacula cyanocephala | About 30 seen, mostly around Baga |
Vernal Hanging Parrot | Loriculus vernalis | About 30 were seen at Bondla and Molem, but all but one gave only poor views. The very distinctive flight call (a whistled almost pipit-like "peeep-peeep-peeep"), once learnt, reveals more than would otherwise be the case |
Indian Pitta | Pitta brachyura | After a fruitless but foetid attempt at Fort Aguada, one showed extremely well on several occasions at Backwoods Camp, Molem 27/12 and 28/12 |
Small Minivet | Pericrocotus cinnamomeus | A total of seven noted, mostly on Baga Hill, but also at Molem |
Scarlet Minivet | Pericrocotus flammeus | A male at Bondla 27/12, and two further males at Molem on the next two days |
Black-headed Cuckooshrike | Lalage melanoptera | A male at the top of Baga Hill 22/12 and a female at Candolim that afternoon, and 2 near the Stoliczka's Site (Carambolim village) 29/12 |
Ashy Woodswallow | Artamus fuscus | A total of eighteen sightings, with birds noted, usually in pairs, at Baga, Baga Hill, Tambdi Surla temple, Molem and behind the Beira Mar Hotel |
Common Iora | Aegithina tiphia | Common in all wooded areas, notably Baga Hill, where up to 10 were recorded on each visit |
Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike | Hemipus picatus | A male at Bondla 27/12, and five more at Molem the next day |
Large Woodshrike | Tephrodornis virgatus | Possibly as many as 20 in a feeding party at Bondla 27/12, and one at Molem 29/12 |
Common Woodshrike | Tephrodornis pondicerianus | One on Baga Hill 21/12 and another at Molem 27/12 |
Black-hooded Oriole | Oriolus xanthornus | One on Baga Hill 25/12, then 3 at Bondla 27/12, 2 at Molem 27-29/12, 1 at Maem Lake 31/12 and 1 at Baga Hill 2/1. All birds noted were males, suggesting that the females are either elusive or difficult to distinguish from Eurasian Golden Oriole |
Eurasian Golden Oriole | Oriolus oriolus | Noted almost daily, with up to ten birds on several days. Particularly common on Baga Hill and at Molem |
White-throated Fantail | Rhipidura albicollis | Seen quite frequently at Baga Hill, max. 3 22/12 and 23/12, and also at Saligao Zor and Molem |
Bronzed Drongo | Dicrurus aeneus | Three at Bondla 27/12, and 2 singles at Molem 28/12 and 29/12. A single on Baga Hill 2/1 suggested that this species is perhaps overlooked in the coastal area |
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo | Dicrurus paradiseus | One at Bondla 27/12, and then a further 7 at Molem 28/12 and 29/12 |
White-bellied Drongo | Dicrurus caerulescens | A total of 5 at Baga Hill, plus 3 at Bondla 27/12 and 2 at Molem 29/12 |
Ashy Drongo | Dicrurus leucophaeus | Possibly overlooked at first, it became clear that perhaps 25-30% of the Drongos in wooded habitat at the coast were of this species. Also present in some numbers (up to 15 daily) at Bondla and Molem |
Black Drongo | Dicrurus macrocercus | Very common around Baga |
Black-naped Monarch | Hypothymis azurea | Three at Bondla 27/12, and 6 more at Molem 27-29/12. Also two at Saligao Zor 31/12 |
Indian Paradise Flycatcher | Terpsiphone paradisi | A total of eight was recorded, always singly, at Baga Hill, Saligao Zor, Molem and Bondla. Two white males were at Molem 27/12, and 1 superb bird of this type was at Saligao Zor 31/12 |
Long-tailed Shrike | Lanius schach | Seen daily, with up to 10 birds noted |
Brown Shrike | Lanius cristatus | A first winter behind the hotel 25/12 and 31/12, and an adult near Backwoods Camp, Molem 29/12. Behaviour apparently rather atypical of a shrike - not really a 'tops of bushes' job. Could easily be overlooked |
Rufous Treepie | Dendrocitta vagabunda | About 13 noted, at various sites such as Baga Hill, Mandovi River, behind the hotel, Molem and Bondla |
House Crow | Corvus splendens | Excessively common. 72 gathered in a 'parliament' at the hotel at dusk 29/12 |
Large-billed Crow | Corvus macrorhynchos | Surprisingly frequent around Baga, with up to ten regularly noted, not only on Baga Hill, but also in the village behind the hotel. Also very common in the Ghats |
Indian Black-lored Tit | Machlolophus aplonotus | One at Baga Hill 23/12, five around Baga 25/12, and 2 behind the hotel 31/12 |
Rufous-tailed Lark | Ammomanes phoenicura | Two at the Stoliczka's Site (Carambolim village) 29/12 |
Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark | Eremopterix griseus | Three at Baga 30/12, and a further 7, including 2 males, at Chapora Fort 2/1 |
Malabar Lark | Galerida malabarica | Up to 10 on the fields near the hotel throughout, and a few also noted near the Stoliczka's Site (Carambolim village) and Chapora Fort |
Greater Short-toed Lark | Calandrella brachydactyla | Three at Baga 23/12 |
Common Tailorbird | Orthotomus sutorius | Fourteen noted on seven dates, max. 5 at Baga Hill 1/1 |
Ashy Prinia | Prinia socialis | Ten on Baga Hill 21/12, 5 at Bondla 27/12, 4 at Maem Lake 31/12, and 1 back at Baga Hill 2/1 |
Plain Prinia | Prinia inornata | About 8 near the Stoliczka's Site (Carambolim village) 29/12 |
Blyth's Reed Warbler | Acrocephalus dumetorum | Heard very frequently, in almost any scrubby cover, often far from water. Also seen almost daily |
Clamorous Reed Warbler | Acrocephalus stentoreus | Five behind the Beira Mar Hotel 21/12, and 2 there 26/12, 1 at Candolim 22/12, singles at Baga 30/12 and 31/12, and another near Saligao 31/12 |
Dusky Crag Martin | Ptyonoprogne concolor | At least one over the hotel lakes 21/12, and a further five there 25/12 |
Wire-tailed Swallow | Hirundo smithii | About a dozen seen daily around Baga and elsewhere |
Barn Swallow | Hirundo rustica | Genuinely infrequent - only about fifteen noted on only 4 dates |
Eastern Red-rumped Swallow | Cecropis daurica | The commonest hirundine - large flocks of up to 200 noted every day |
Greenish Warbler | Phylloscopus trochiloides | Very common indeed. Once the distinctive 'Pied Wagtail' call is learnt, it is apparent that birds are almost everywhere. One showing characteristics of P.t.viridanus (Green Warbler) was at Bondla 27/12. Beware birds superficially resembling Two-barred Greenish Warbler (P.t.plumbeitarsus) - this (sub)species is unknown in India! (Russell Slack) |
Western Crowned Warbler | Phylloscopus occipitalis | A total of six was noted at Molem 28/12 and 29/12 |
Grey-headed Bulbul | Microtarsus priocephalus | Four at Bondla 27/12, and a further 7 at Molem over the following two days |
Flame-throated Bulbul | Rubigula gularis | Two at Bondla 27/12, and six more at Molem over the next two days. The newly suggested English name, Black-crested Bulbul, is entirely silly for the (sub?)species occurring in the Western Ghats, which has no crest and a brilliant red throat! |
White-browed Bulbul | Pycnonotus luteolus | Fourteen noted on seven dates, max. 4 26/12, mostly on Baga Hill |
Red-whiskered Bulbul | Pycnonotus jocosus | The commonest Bulbul by far - up to 20 at Baga Hill, and also noted at most other wooded sites visited |
Red-vented Bulbul | Pycnonotus cafer | Eleven noted on six dates at various sites |
Yellow-browed Bulbul | Acritillas indica | Two at Bondla 27/12, and a further 25 or so at Molem over the next two days |
Black Bulbul | Hypsipetes leucocephalus | Two at Bondla 27/12, and 13 more at Molem 27-29/12 |
Dark-fronted Babbler | Dumetia atriceps | Ten at Bondla 27/12, and four more at Molem that day and the next |
Puff-throated Babbler | Pellorneum ruficeps | Seen well on several occasions under the large bushes at the foot of Baga Hill, and also three at Bondla 27/12. The technique is to sit very still and listen for leaves being turned over! |
Brown-cheeked Fulvetta | Alcippe poioicephala | A few on Baga Hill, and very common at both Bondla and Molem (c. 20 daily there). The fluty whistling song is worth learning - it sounds as if it should come from a much more exciting bird! |
Jungle Babbler | Argya striata | Patchy and erratic in appearance, about 40 were seen on five dates, max. 15 30/12 at Baga |
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch | Sitta frontalis | Two were at Bondla 27/12, and three were seen at Molem the next day |
Rosy Starling | Pastor roseus | An impressive flock of about 300 was at the Stoliczka's Site (Carambolim village) 23/12, but there were none there 29/12. Also about 50 at Fort Aguada 1/1 |
Brahminy Starling | Sturnia pagodarum | About ten seen in the scrub behind Morji Beach 24/12 and 25/12 |
Chestnut-tailed Starling | Sturnia malabarica | Most records came from the Baga area, where up to 30 were regular around the fruiting fig tree at the foot of Baga Hill, and over Baga fields. Also 10 at Bondla 27/12, and one at Molem the next day |
Common Myna | Acridotheres tristis | Genuinely scarce, with only about five firmly identified, all around Baga |
Jungle Myna | Acridotheres fuscus | Much the commoner Myna, with many birds seen every day |
Orange-headed Thrush | Geokichla citrina | A pleasing number of sightings. One was at the Fort Aguada Pitta site 22/12, about 7 were at Bondla 27/12, and there were a further 8 sightings at Molem 27-29/12 |
Common Blackbird | Turdus merula | A female was at the Fort Aguada Pitta site 22/12, and a male was near Backwoods Camp, Molem 27/12 |
Indian Robin | Copsychus fulicatus | Eight seen, mostly singly, at various sites, until 10+ were noted on the dry slopes around Chapora Fort 2/1 |
Oriental Magpie-Robin | Copsychus saularis | Frequently seen, usually in small numbers, but about 10 were estimated between Ponda and Carambolim Lake 29/12 |
White-rumped Shama | Copsychus malabaricus | Two at Bondla 27/12, and another seen and frequently heard around Backwoods Camp, Molem 27-29/12, at one point sunning itself and dust-bathing outside the tent! |
Asian Brown Flycatcher | Muscicapa dauurica | Six recorded around the hotel and Baga Hill, and three more at Molem 27-29/12 |
Brown-breasted Flycatcher | Muscicapa muttui | One was along the dry stream at Bondla Zoo 27/12, and another was at Molem 29/12 |
Verditer Flycatcher | Eumyias thalassinus | A superb male was seen briefly at Tambdi Surla temple, Molem 28/1h |
White-bellied Blue Flycatcher | Cyornis pallidipes | Two males were seen, one at Bondla 27/12, and the other at Molem 29/12 |
Tickell's Blue Flycatcher | Cyornis tickelliae | Three noted at Baga Hill and Saligao Zor, and a further four or so at Bondla and Molem 27-29/12 |
Malabar Whistling Thrush | Myophonus horsfieldii | Heard rather frequently at Molem, but not seen until 29/12, when two separate birds were located, one along a river, and another less classically in bushy scrub. Also recorded at Maem Lake 31/12, with one seen and others heard |
Red-breasted Flycatcher | Ficedula parva | A total of about 10 was seen, but only one male, behind the hotel 22/12 |
Blue Rock Thrush | Monticola solitarius | Two first winter birds at Chapora Fort 2/1 |
Pied Bush Chat | Saxicola caprata | A pair was regular around the hotel lakes throughout, and there were several other records of single birds or pairs throughout |
Siberian Stonechat | Saxicola maurus | Up to three males at the Stoliczka's Site (Carambolim village), and another near Saligao 31/12 |
Chat sp. | Saxicola sp. | The regular wintering male at Carambolim village was seen twice, 23/12 and 29/12. While formerly believed possibly to be a Stoliczka's Bushchat, the identity of this bird is now regarded as unknown, possibly a hybrid. |
Thick-billed Flowerpecker | Pachyglossa agilis | One at Bondla 27/12 |
Pale-billed Flowerpecker | Dicaeum erythrorhynchos | Seven noted at Baga Hill early in the trip |
Nilgiri Flowerpecker | Dicaeum concolor | Singles recorded on three dates. It is probably clear that many flowerpeckers were left unidentified once we'd seen all three! |
Purple-rumped Sunbird | Leptocoma zeylonica | The commonest sunbird, with up to 15 around Baga Hill and other lowland sites. Absent at Bondla and Molem |
Crimson-backed Sunbird | Leptocoma minima | Only seen at Bondla and Molem, where very common - over 50 estimated at the former site |
Purple Sunbird | Cinnyris asiaticus | Eight noted on five dates, both near the coast and in the hills |
Loten's Sunbird | Cinnyris lotenius | Seven noted on six dates, mostly on Baga Hill, but also at Molem and Saligao Zor. The call resembles nothing less than a Siskin - "dzweee" |
Javan Leafbird | Chloropsis cochinchinensis | It was realized after the event that this species had been seen at Baga Hill, possibly 23/12, with 2 25/12 and another the next day. The local subspecies does not show any blue in the primaries! |
Golden-fronted Leafbird | Chloropsis aurifrons | Six noted at Baga Hill, with 5 at Molem 27-29/12 and another at Maem Lake 31/12 |
Asian Fairy-bluebird | Irena puella | Five at Bondla 27/12, and then a further 7 at Molem 27-29/12 |
Baya Weaver | Ploceus philippinus | Large concentrations of up to 200 birds were noted near the hotel, at Candolim and at Carambolim Lake |
Scaly-breasted Munia | Lonchura punctulata | Four behind the Beira Mar Hotel 26/12, 2 at Molem 28/12 and seven there the next day |
White-rumped Munia | Lonchura striata | Seen almost daily in small numbers, max. 20 on three dates |
Yellow-throated Sparrow | Gymnoris xanthocollis | Two at the Stoliczka's Site (Carambolim village) 23/12, 2 near the hotel 25/12, 1 at Bondla 27/12, about 200 on electricity pylons near Molem town 28/12, and 30 again at the Stoliczka's Site 29/12 |
House Sparrow | Passer domesticus | Recorded almost daily around habitation |
Grey Wagtail | Motacilla cinerea | One behind the Beira Mar Hotel 26/12, 2 at Bondla 27/12, and a further 2 at Molem 28/12 and 29/12 |
Western Yellow Wagtail | Motacilla flava | Fifteen at Carambolim Lake rice paddies 23/12, and also present there 29/12, and one over Baga 30/12 |
White-browed Wagtail | Motacilla maderaspatensis | Seen everywhere except Molem, but never very common, max. 10 on two dates around Baga |
Blyth's Pipit | Anthus godlewskii | One near certain individual near the hotel 25/12 |
Tawny Pipit | Anthus campestris | Five noted at various dry sites, and about 10 at Chapora Fort 2/1 |
Richard's Pipit | Anthus richardi | About 10 were at Chapora Fort at dusk 2/1 |
Paddyfield Pipit | Anthus rufulus | Frequently seen around cultivated fields near the coast, and at the Stoliczka's Site (Carambolim village) and Carambolim Lake |
Tree Pipit | Anthus trivialis | Seven located in fields near Baga 30/12 |
Black-headed Bunting | Emberiza melanocephala | A female was on top of Baga Hill 22/12, 30 were near Tambdi Surla temple, Molem 27/12, with 10 there the next day |
Red-headed Bunting | Emberiza bruniceps | At least 3 were with Black-headed Buntings near Tambdi Surla temple, Molem 27/12. A few were also reportedly seen at Baga in early January |
Grey-necked Bunting | Emberiza buchanani | At least five were seen at Chapora Fort 2/1. Also reported from Baga fields in early January |
Additional species reported by others during our stay: |
| |
Comb Duck |
| Carambolim Lake |
Ruddy-breasted Crake |
| Behind the Beira Mar Hotel |
Terek Sandpiper |
| Panjim saltpans |
Glossy Ibis |
| Carambolim Lake, at dusk |
Yellow Bittern |
| Behind the Beira Mar Hotel |
Alpine Swift |
| Over Baga |
Black Eagle |
| Baga Hill |
Pallid Harrier |
| Baga fields |
Great Hornbill |
| Molem |
Oriental Skylark |
| Dona Paula ridge |
White-tailed Stonechat |
| Behind the Beira Mar Hotel |