Day 6
An early start for the short trip to Arpora to ensure we
were on site before dawn to maximise Mikes chances of seeing the Pitta. Jungle Nightjars called as we made our way
past the nightclub into the forest, but couldn’t be seen. After waiting, for
what seemed to be ages, Santosh heard the Pitta and, with Mike in close
attendance, he stalked up on it as it foraged on the forest floor. Result, one
happy Mike. Unfortunately Phil was not happy, as Delhi belly had attacked and
he was fast deteriorating. Santosh took him back to the Hotel, while we birded
the forest until Santosh returned. The only new bird picked up in this period
was Blue-winged Leafbird.
On Santosh’s return we travelled down to Morjim Beach, a
little late but hopefully the gulls and terns would still be workable – we’d
previously been informed that the beach was now getting quite popular with
joggers and dog walkers, so getting good views at any time of day was unlikely.
On getting out of the taxi we found a very close Black-winged Kite perched on a
tree stump. As we walked onto the beach, it was obvious the gulls wouldn’t be
on the beach, as the beach was busy with joggers, dog walkers, yoga
participants and others. We found the flock of sand plovers and quickly found
several Greater Sand Plovers amongst the more numerous Lesser .
A cuckoo on a low shrub just behind the beach grabbed our
attention. Initial thoughts was that it was a Banded Bay, but closer
inspection allowed it to be identified as Grey-bellied Cuckoo.
Heading toward the river mouth we picked up a number of
gulls and terns fishing out at sea and moving up and down the river.
Brown-headed Gulls were the first to be identified, followed by Heuglin’s Gull,
Caspian Tern, Gull-billed Tern, Lesser Crested Tern, and Black-headed Gull.
Then the real prize, an almost full summer plumaged Pallas’s Gull flew past not
too far off shore. The gull and tern flock were roosting on a sand bar in the
middle of the river. This made viewing difficult but a couple more Pallas’s Gulls’
could be picked out, but prevented a decent scrutiny of the birds.
We then walked through some woodland, picking up our first
White-browed Bulbul and Bank Myna’s before located the Bay-backed Shrike,
beyond the wooden shacks. Despite grilling the numerous Rose-coloured
Starlings, no Brahminy Starlings could be found.
A return visit to Arpora woods failed to find any new
species.
For the afternoon session we made the short journey to Saligao,
The afternoon started with excellent views of a Greater Spotted Eagle circling
overhead before we found one, possibly two, Indian Spotted Eagles. White-bellied Drongo was next to make it onto
our trip list, to complete the drongo’s available to us. As the path narrowed a
Martin found a Yellow-fronted Pied Woodpecker excavating its nest hole. The
path took us to a small spring, more enclosed by forest than the more familiar
Saligao Sor. Another group of “birders” were already at the spring so the birds
were keeping their distance. Monarchs and Paradise Flycatchers could be seen
flitting around but otherwise it was quiet bird wise.
By this time Mike was also suffering, virtually stripping
off naked to try to cool down. Soaking a handkerchief in the spring provided
sufficient relief, to the extend he redressed.
Santosh advised we stay put and wait as the birds would come
down to drink and sure enough they did. At one point we had up to 5
Orange-headed Thrushes, a Malabar Whistling Thrush, a group of Brown-cheeked
Fulvetta’s , several Puff-throated Babblers , a Rufous Woodpecker, and 4
Tickell’s Blue Flycatchers bathing and drinking from the stream. Suddenly a
pigeon was picked up at the back and after a few, long, seconds, it showed
itself, a beautiful Emerald Dove. A few
minutes later another pigeon was located in the trees behind us – a Nilgiri
Woodpigeon.
With the light fading fast, Santosh took us to one of his
sites for Brown Wood Owl. Unfortunately there were a number of dogs in the area
which, although unseen kept up a constant loud barking, no doubt ensuring that
any owl in the vicinity kept it’s distance, or it’s head down. Scanning the
trees with the torch only produced the eye shine from a Palm Civet. Back at the
taxi, several Indian Flying Foxes were seen flying over.
Day 7
Things were going downhill fast, with both Phil and now Mike
on the sick list, however both were adamant that both myself and Martin get out
for the last day – thanks guys. So it was another early start. For the first
time we noticed / heard the Flying Foxes chattering while they fed in one of
the Hotel trees as we wandered out to meet our taxi. Unfortunately Santosh was
booked up, but he arranged a driver for us who knew the way and some of the
stopping points on the way to Bondla.
About halfway along the final approach road, we pulled and
got out. We could hear at least 3 Gray Junglefowl cocks and several hens, but
despite a hours search we couldn’t get close enough to see one. We did, however, manage to find out first
Grey-breasted Pirina.
The next stop was by the reservoir where we got excellent
views of at least 3 Greater Flamebacks and out best views of Velvet-fronted
Nuthatch. Scanning the ridges we found a
pair of Crested Goshawks cruising over.
We decided to try birding the Zoo itself and for a while we
wondered just how good an idea it was, as few birds were to be found. However
perseverance paid off when, by the ornamental gardens we first found a Vernal
Hanging Parrot and 5 minutes later a stonking male Blue-headed Rock Thrush.
Returning to the taxi was saw a doe and calf Spotted Deer just outside the car
park.
As our pick up for the airport wasn’t until 9pm, on return
to the hotel, we paid a last visit to the Beira Mar, but nothing new was picked
up.
Post script
On the journey back to Cardiff from Gatwick we saw more
Ring-necked Parakeets than we did in Goa itself.
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