Sharvani ChandvalePlanning to go birdwatching in Goa? The land of sun and sea is home to more than just fish and fishermen. The hinterlands and islands make the perfect destination for birdwatching in Goa. It’s home to more than 500 local and migratory species that occasionally love tropical vacations. You can visit the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, take a boat ride through the mangroves or drive around the islands of Divar and Chorao to catch some exciting, adorable and rare birds in Goa.
Soul Travelling’s Ambassador Bob spoke to Satej, a local birdman in Chorao to get his insights on birdwatching in Goa. So if you want to make new aviary friends, this birdwatcher’s guide for Goa will help you.
Best Locations to Goa Birdwatching in Goa
Goa’s climate of wetlands, estuaries, ghats and seas create the perfect ecosystems for migratory birds. While migratory birds find the food, shelter and warmth they need to escape harsh climatic conditions, the local birds never consider leaving because it’s Goa. That said, if you are just starting as a birdwatcher in Goa, these are some locations to start with:
1. Chorao Island for birdwatching in Goa
Chorao Island, known for its Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, hosts more than 200 types of birds and amphibians. You can meet a few birds on the small walking path in the sanctuary, but most live along the water. Take a boat ride through the mangroves to meet some rare birds and land creatures.
According to Bob, you can spot 7+ species of Kingfishers, a few types of Sandpipers, a few Eurasian Curlews, some Western Reef Herons, some Shanks, many Egrets, some Cormorants, a few Brahminy Kites, a random Black-headed Ibis and many others.
If you want to meet the Bulbuls and Hornbills, drive through inland Chorao. Since these birds live on fruits, they tend to live on the interiors. All-in-all, this makes Chorao perfect for birdwatching in Goa. It’s a quiet corner away from the hustle and bustle and one worth exploring on a quiet morning.
2. Divar Island
Divar Island sits next to Chorao Island and isn’t as famous for birdwatching yet. It’s a quiet place decked with lush green fields sitting away from the activity of Panjim city. You can spend hours exploring ruins of old architecture, discovering historical landmarks and falling in love with a different side of Goa. According to Bob, Soul Travelling’s bird-watching expert, there are many more interesting and lesser-known birds in Divar. You’ll just have to be an explorer on your own. Check this list out for all the birds sighted on Divar Island so far.
3. Carambolim Lake
The Carambolim Lake is a man-made water body close to Old Goa and Panjim. It’s a scenic spot popular for picnics and birdwatching in Goa. Due to its bird population, it has also been declared a Bird Sanctuary. A day travelling to the lake is the perfect offbeat Goa experience.
What can you find at Carmbolim Lake?
According to GTDC, “Cattle egrets, white-breasted water hens, and northern pintails frequent this area during winter migration, with the top ten birds being Pintal, Lesser Whistling Teal, Pond Heron, Purple Moorhen, Red-rumped Swallow, Little Egret, Bronze-winged Jacana, Pheasant Tailed Jacana, and Coot. Shovelers, Garganeys, open-billed Storks, Cotton Pygmy Goose, and Marsh Harriers are also spotted. Some migratory birds like pink flamingos visit only in winter. The surrounding woods are rich in birdlife, ideal for spotting Jungle Owlet and Brown Hawk Owl.”
Drive down to Carambolim Lake for birdwatching in Goa, meet Flamingos and encounter some other gorgeous little aviary friends.
4. Goa’s Wildlife Sanctuaries
Apart from the above-mentioned renowned birdwatching spots in Goa, you can also try your luck and drive into untapped areas such as the Bhagwan Mahavir or Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuaries. These are believed to be hotspots for some unique and rare birds like the Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Flame-throated Bulbul, Grey-headed Bulbul and the Malabar Parakeet. You can go out on your own or follow expert bird-watchers mentioned below.
Goa Bird-watching Tips
While you can find certain birds in Goa throughout the year, some others come out only during specific times of the day or year. For instance, most birds prefer staying in when it’s hot outside, so experts recommend going birdwatching early in the morning or late in the evening, after 5 PM. In the Chorao Bird Sanctuary, you’ll find birds out for breakfast in the water. For example, the Indian Cormorant will dive into the water to look for fish, resurface after feeding and sit on a tree to dry itself.
Apart from this, it is suggested that you carry a pair of binoculars and use apps like Merlin to help you identify birds.
If you’d like to tag along with experts, consider joining these FB Groups for Birdwatchers in Goa:
So, why should you go birdwatching in Goa?
Birdwatching in Goa can be fun if you know your way around. You can see a Kingfisher swooping in to catch fish, a Cormorant shuffling its way through the mud or a Brahmini Kite perched atop the tallest tree. Between these sightings, you meet crocodiles, crabs and even otters. The Chorao and Divar Islands of Goa are hotspots for biodiversity that thrive in estuaries and mangroves. If you’re looking for a Goa beyond beaches, you needn’t look further than Chorao Island.
