Kearsney Birder: HEAT AND DUST 5 DAYS IN GOA

Friday, 10 February 2012

HEAT AND DUST 5 DAYS IN GOA

After the madness that is Mumbai,Goa was literally a breath of fresh air.The Kamat Hotel in Calangute was pretty good too,we stayed here three years ago but we had a much better apartment this time.We arrived about 7 in the morning and after breakfast went for a stroll along the beach.

BLACK RUMPED WOODPECKER In the pines on the fringes of the sand.

GREEN BEE EATER

LESSER SAND PLOVER

BRAHMINY KITE

KENTISH PLOVER

ROSE COLOURED STARLING

JUNGLE MYNA

STARLINGS AND MYNA at the rubbish tip.

BRAHMINY KITE ; probably my favourite Indian bird.

GREEN BEE EATER doing what comes naturally!
That just about sums up the first day in Goa,not bad for starters.I had the name of a local guide and contacted him that evening to enquire if he was going out next day,our luck was in and we would be picked up at 0625,next morning so after a superb chicken tandoori dinner and a couple of Kingfisher lagers it was an early night.
We were picked up by Lloyd Fernandes on the dot and were joined at the next pick up by John Clements,Richard Smith and Tony Greenland,small world these days.
Panjim Beach was our first destination where the highlights were in no particular order Heuglins gull,Pallas`s gull,Lesser crested tern,Small pratincole,Bay backed shrike,and Paddyfield pipit.