Participants

Hans-Åke & Karin Gustavsson
Exercisgatan 30 B
SE-212 13 MALMÖ
Sweden
E-mail: hans-ake.gustavsson@telia.com       

General

This report contains the bird observations made during a two week holiday trip to Goa. The trip was primarily a family holiday and by no means a full time birding trip. The major part of our time was spent on the beaches and sightseeing, and birding was normally restricted to a few hours before breakfast as well as a few afternoons. Exceptions were a full day trip to the Carambolim area (birding until lunch) and a four day visit to Backwoods and the Bondla forest.

Due to this, my strategy was to focus on forest birds in general and on species new to me personally in particular. Therefore little time was spent looking for wintering waders, ducks and herons, and normally rather common species of these families therefore might be missing or only being found in low numbers in the list of species. Nevertheless, 228 species were recorded, showing the quality of the area.

We generally found Goa to be a very nice place to visit with fine beaches, good food, very friendly people and a lot to see as a holiday maker.

Travel

Our trip was arranged by the charter tour operator Ving, costing 9.600:- SEK (1.025 €) per person. We flew from Copenhagen, with a short en-route stop in Sharjah for fuelling and for changing crews. We stayed in the Sea Breeze Hotel in Candolim, which is situated in the southern part of the main tourist area and therefore laying 6-7 km’s away from many of the birding sites around Baga. Although that this meant that taxis had to be used to go birding, we found the location of the hotel, close to the beach and many very good restaurants in Candolim, to be very good.

Taxis and birding guides

There are numerous taxis around, eagerly promoting their services as soon as you pass them on the sidewalk. Prices are quite fixed, although some bargaining always seems to be necessary to get the correct price. If you manage to find a driver who you like, it’s advisable to use him on a more regular basis. We started to use a guy called Toney already on our first day, and then continued to use his service throughout the rest of our stay. We found this to be very satisfactory as we soon were able to agree on some discount prices and as Toney proved to be very reliable, always on time and never in our opinion overcharging. Toney is not a birder; in fact he knows very little about birds, but he now has learnt how to find many of the localities in the coastal area. We therefore strongly recommend him to anybody visiting the area. Toney can be contacted on the following address:

Mr. Santosh Bagkar, Att: Toney
Murrod Waada
IN-403516 Candolim – Bardez – Goa
India
Phone: +91 932 612 0105

Except during the visit to Backwoods, no birding guides were used.

Site information

Most of the sites are well known and good site descriptions can be found elsewhere. Therefore, only a few updates are given here:

Arpora Woods

Found to be the by far most productive site in close vicinity of the tourist areas, holding quite a few species which otherwise can be tricky to find along the coast. Birds seen included Blue-winged Leafbird, Tawny-bellied Babbler, Black-headed Cuckoo-shrike, Common Wood-shrike, Rufous and Yellow-crowned Wood-peckers to mention a few. The regular Indian Pitta was favouring the area immediately after the stone wall of the Cubana Night Club, normally frequenting the scrub on both sides of the track. Possibly a second individual was seen one morning along the left hand fork of the track, just past the so called quarry, a few hundred meters up the valley. The nest of the resident White-bellied Sea-eagles had been destroyed during the monsoon of last summer, but the birds still seem to frequent the area (seen by others during our stay).

Baga Hills

Two ways to enter the area exist: The first has been mentioned in several other trip reports, and is a small track leaving the road that goes along the north bank of the Baga River, almost at the mouth of the river, after a building with a sign “Hilda’s Beauty Parlour”. The track passes a number of houses and can sometimes be a bit tricky to follow to start with. It will finally bring you to the top of the westernmost part of the hills, close to an inhabited house. The second is found about 2 km further inland, east of the Baga Bridge, close to a small white church where a rather newly made, broad gravel road goes almost all the way to the top of the hills, passing through some rather dense scrub along the way. At the end of the road you can cross an old fence and from there walk along the ridge all the way out to the coast.

Carambolim Wood

Two Brown Hawk Owls were roosting close the houses in the middle of the small forest. The man living in one of the houses knew the exact roosting site (in one of the palm trees just in front of the houses) and was eager to point out the birds to us as soon as he saw our bins. He demanded some money but seemed to be satisfied with 20 Rupies.

Backwoods

Our stay at the Backwoods Camp was pre-booked well in advance over the internet. The price for a four day/three night visit was 7.500 Rupies per person, including transports to and from our hotel, accommodation, all meals and guiding. Everything, from our first request via e-mail, to the final payment was handled very professionally by the Backwoods staff. The visit was a great experience and definitely the ornithological highlight of the trip. To go there is almost a must if you are visiting the area – strongly recommended! For info, see www.backwoodsbirding.com Contacts: Loven Pereira, phone +91 982 214 4939 or Pramod Madkaikar, phone +91 982 238 7434, mail: backwoodsgoa@hotmail.com    

Trip reports and other useful info

Several trip reports can be found on the web. In our opinion, one of the best – also giving pretty good site information – was “Goa: November 2002” by Paul Wetton

Other reports used were “Goa 7th-22nd February 2002” by Ray Thorneycroft and “Goa Januari-februari 2005” by Magnus Ullman/Avifauna (in Swedish only).

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Kristian Svensson, Malmö for providing a lot of valuable info when planning our trip.

Itinerary

6th Feb:         Left home at 13:00 and finally took of from Copenhagen airport at 19:45, four hours delayed due to heavy snowfall.
7th Feb:        Landed at the Dabolim airport in Goa at 09:30 and arrived to our hotel in Candolim at 12:00. Short visit at the Beira Mar Hotel 15:30-16:15.
8th Feb:        Arpora Woods 07:30-09:25.
9th Feb:        Arpora Woods 06:50-09:20, Baga Fields and the Beira Mar Hotel 16.00-18:50.
10th Feb:      Baga Hills 07:00-09:20, Saligao Spring 16:00-17:00.
11th Feb:      Arpora Woods 06:55-09:25, Fort Arquada 16:00-17:30
12th Feb:      Baga Hills 07:05-10:30.
13th Feb:      Carambolim Lake, Carambolim Wood and the adjacent mudflats 07:00-12:00. Visits to the Mangueshi and Mardol Mahalsa temples as well as
to the Tropical Spice Plantation north of Ponda during the afternoon.
14th Feb:      Arpora Woods 06:55-09:25, Morjim Beach 11:45-16:20 (birding only part of the time) and rice fields east of Siolim 16:45-17:15.
15th Feb:      Backwoods. Pick-up at the hotel 05:45 for a two hour transport to the Western Ghats. Birding at Tambdi Surla 07:45-09:45, Toide 10:45-12:40 and in the forest close to the camp 15:50-18:30.
16th Feb:      Backwoods. Birding along the stream at Tambdi Surla 07:20-09:45, around the entrance road to the camp 10:30-12:00, Barabhumi 16:15-18:05
and finally waiting for Nightjars at a site not far from Barabhumi 18:15-19:20.
17th Feb:      Backwoods. Birding in the forest close to the camp 07:00-09:45, 10:15-12:30, along the entrance road 13:30-15:15 and again in the forest 16:00-18:30.
18th Feb:      Bondla Forest. Birding along the entrance road 07:50-10:30 and inside the reserve 10:45-12:00. Visited the Carambolim area 14:00-16:15 on our way back to the coast.
19th Feb:      Baga Fields and the Beira Mar Hotel 15:50-18:50.
20th Feb:      Arpora Woods 06:55-09:20.
21st Feb:       Left the hotel at 04:00 and departed from the airport at 08:00. Back home in Malmö at 15:00 almost one hour before schedule.

List of species

Following Inskipp, T., Lindsey, N. and Duckworth, W. A. Checklist of the Birds of the Oriental Region. 2001. Oriental Bird Club. (Web address: www.orientalbirdclub.org/publications/checklist )

1.Red Spurfowl Galloperdix spadicea: 1 heard Backwoods 15.2.

2.Grey Junglefowl Gallus sonneratii: 1 female seen and 2-3 males heard at the nightjar site not far from Barabhumi 16.2, 1 along the road close to Backwoods Camp 18.2, 1 male and 1 female Bondla Approach Road 18.2.

3.Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus: 2 Baga Hills 10.2, 3 Baga Hills 12.2, 1 along the road to Backwoods 15.2.

4.Lesser Whistling-duck Dendrocygna javanica: Approximately 80 Carambolim Lake 13.2 and 18.2.

5.Cotton Pygmy-goose Nettapus coromandelianus: Approximately 50 Carambolim Lake 13.2 and 18.2.

6.Garganey Anas querquedula: 1 female Carambolim Lake 13.2, 1 male Carambolim Lake 18.2.

7.Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos nanus: 1 Bondla Approach Road 18.2.

8.Yellow-crowned Woodpecker Dendrocopos mahrattensis: 1 female Arpora Forest 9.2.

9.Rufous Woodpecker Celeus brachyurus: 1 Arpora Woods 9.2, 1 Arpora Woods 11.2, 2 Backwoods 17.2, 1 Arpora Woods 20.2.

10.   White-bellied Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis: 1 heard Backwoods 17.1.

11.   Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense: Rather common, totally 15 birds recorded during 11 days.

12.   Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus: 2 Tambdi Surla 15.2, 1 Backwoods 15.2.

13.   Heart-spotted Woodpecker Hemicircus canente: 2 Barabhumi 16.2, 2 Backwoods 17.2.

14.   Brown-headed Barbet Megalaima zeylanica: 1 along the road to Bondla 18.2.

15.   White-cheeked Barbet Megalaima viridis: Common along the coast, 1-8 birds recorded daily.

16.   Crimson-fronted Barbet Megalaima rubricapilla: 1 Tambdi Surla 15.2, 2 Tambdi Surla 16.2, 1 Backwoods 16.2, 2 Barabhumi 16.2, 4 Backwoods 17.2.

17.   Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala: Rather common along the coast, totally 13 birds recorded during 8 days.

18.   Malabar Grey Hornbill Ocyceros griseus: 3 Tambdi Surla 15.2, 3 Backwoods 15.2, 3 Barabhumi 16.2, 4 Backwoods 17.2, c.10 Bondla 18.2.

19.   Malabar Pied-hornbill Anthracoceros coronatus: 2 along the road to Backwoods 15.2, at least 15 Barabhumi 16.2.

20.   Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis: 1 seen on two occasions Tambdi Surla 16.2.

21.   Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops: 3 Carambolim Lake 13.2, 5 Baga Fields 19.2.

22.   Malabar Trogon Harpactes fasciatus: 2 males Tamdi Surla 16.2, 1 male, 1 female and 1 heard Bondla 18.2.

23.   Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis: 5 Baga Fields 9.2, 1 Siolim 14.2, 1 Backwoods 15.2, 1 Backwoods 17.2, 1 Carambolim Lake 18.2, 2 Baga Fields 19.2.

24.   Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis: Rather common around freshwater locations, totally 16 birds recorded during 5 days.

25.   Blue-eared Kingfisher Alcedo meninting: 1 along the stream at Tamdi Surla 16.2.

26.   Stork-billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis: 1 Fort Arquada 11.2, 1 Carambolim Lake 13.2, 1 Tamdi Surla 15.2, 2 Backwoods 16.2.

27.   White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis: Common, totally 39 birds recorded during 10 days.

28.   Black-capped Kingfisher Halcyon pileata: 2 Beira Mar 7.2, 1 Beira Mar 9.2, 1 Beira Mar 19.2.

29.   Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis: 1 Arpora 10.2, 1 Carambolim Lake 13.2, 1 Carambolim Lake 18.2.

30.   Little Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis: Common, 2-20 birds recorded daily during 12 days.

31.   Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus: 5 Beira Mar 7.2, c.10 Baga Fields 9.2, c.10 Carambolim Lake 13.2, c.15 Siolim 14.2, c.10 Carambolim Lake 18.2, c.10 Baga Fields 19.2.

32.   Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti: 3 Backwoods 15.2, 3 Backwoods 16.2, c.10 Backwoods 17.2.

33.   Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea: Rather common, totally 13 birds recorded during 7 days.

34.   Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis: 1 Arpora Woods 8.2, 1 Baga Fields 9.2, 3 Carambolim Area 13.2, 1 Backwoods 17.2, 1 Bondla 18.2.

35.   Vernal Hanging-parrot Loriculus vernalis: 2 Tambdi Surla 15.2, 2 Backwoods 15.2, 4 Tambdi Surla 16.2, 2 Backwoods Camp 16.2, >10 Backwoods 17.2, 8 Bondla 18.2.

36.   Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri: 1 Baga Fields 19.2 was the only observation.

37.   Plum-headed Parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala: 1 Carambolim Wood 13.2, 2 Arpora Woods 13.2, 2 Backwoods 15.2, 2 Backwoods 16.2, 2 Backwoods 17.2, 2 Bondla 18.2, c.10 Arpora Woods 19.2.

38.   Malabar Parakeet Psittacula columboides: c.10 Tambdi Surla 15.2, 2 Tambdi Surla 16.2, 1 Barabhumi 16.2, 1 Backwoods 17.2.

39.   Indian Swiftlet Collocalia unicolor: c.10 Bondla 18.2.

40.   Asian Palm-swift Cypsiurus balasiensis: 1 Baga Fields 9.2, 1 Panaji 13.2, 1 Baga Fields 19.2, 2 Calangute 20.2.

41.   Pacific Swift Apus pacificus: 1 Arpora Woods 9.2, 1 Baga Hills 12.2. Both birds seen well.

42.   House Swift Apus affinis: Common, counts of 5-300 birds daily during 10 days.

43.   Crested Treeswift Hemiprocne coronata: 1 Toide 15.2, 5 at the nightjar site not far from Barabhumi 16.2, >5 Bondla 18.2.

44.   Spot-bellied Eagle Owl Bubo nipalensis: 1 calling outside the Backwoods Camp 17.2.

45.   Brown Fish-owl Ketupa zeylonensis: 1 flushed Barabhumi 16.2, 1 flushed Backwoods 17.2.

46.   Brown Wood-owl Strix leptogrammica: 1 Saligao Spring 10.2.

47.   Brown Hawk-owl Ninox scutulata: 2 roosting Carambolim Wood 13.2 and 18.2.

48.   Sri Lanka Frogmouth Batrachostomus moniliger: 1 male and 1 female roosting Backwoods 16.2.

49.   Grey Nightjar Caprimulgus indicus: 1 male displaying not far from Barabhumi 16.2.

50.   Savanna Nightjar Caprimulgus affinis: 1 male displaying plus 1 female not far from Barabhumi 16.2.

51.   Rock Dove Columba livia: Common. Domestic birds recorded during ten days.

52.   Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis: Common, 3-10 birds recorded during 13 days.

53.   Pompadour Green-pigeon Treron pompadora: 6 Tambdi Surla 15.2, >5 Tambdi Surla 16.2, 5 Barabhumi 16.2, 2 Backwoods 17.2, 4 Bondla 18.2.

54.   Mountain Imperial-pigeon Ducula badia: 8 Tambdi Surla 15.2.

55.   Slaty-breasted Rail Gallirallus striatus: 1 Beira Mar 9.2, 2 Beira Mar 19.2.

56.   White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus: 6 Beira Mar 9.2, 1 Bondla 18.2, >10 Beira Mar 19.2.

57.   Baillon's Crake Porzana pusilla: 2 Beira Mar 9.2, 1 Beira Mar 19.2.

58.   Ruddy-breasted Crake Porzana fusca: 1-2 Beira Mar 9.2, 2 Beira Mar 19.2.

59.   Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio: c.200 Carambolim Lake 13.2 and 18.2.

60.   Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus: c.10 Carambolim Lake 13.2 and 18.2.

61.   Common Coot Fulica atra: c.50 Carambolim Lake 13.2 and 18.2.

62.   Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura: 1 Baga Fields 9.2, 1 Baga Fields 19.2.

63.   Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago: 1 Beira Mar 7.2, 2 Beira Mar 19.2.

64.   Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata: 21 Carambolim Mudflats 18.2.

65.   Common Redshank Tringa tetanus: 3 Baga Fields 9.2, c.30 Carambolim Mudflats 13.2, 1 east of Siolim 14.2, 5 Carambolim Mudflats 18.2, 1 Baga Fields 19.2.

66.   Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis: 1 Baga Fields 9.2, 4 Carambolim Mudflats 13.2, 2 Baga Fields 19.2.

67.   Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia: 1 Baga Fields 9.2, c.15 Carambolim Mudflats 13.2, 1 east of Siolim 14.2, c.5 Carambolim Mudflats 18.2.

68.   Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus: 2 Baga Fields 9.2, c.5 Carambolim Lake 13.2, 2 east of Siolim 14.2, 1 Carambolim Mudflats 18.2, 1 Baga Fields 19.2.

69.   Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola: 5 Beira mar 7.2, 5 Baga Fields 9.2, 5 Carambolim Lake 13.2, 2 east of Siolim 14.2, c.15 Carambolim Lake 18.2.

70.   Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus: 18 Carambolim Mudflats 13.2, >2 Carambolim Mudflats 18.2.

71.   Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos: 1 Arpora 8.2, 1 Carambolim Mudflats 13.2, 1 Backwoods 17.2, 1 Carambolim Mudflats 18.2.

72.   Little Stint Calidris minuta: >150 Carambolim Mudflats 18.2.

73.   Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis: 1 male and 1 female Beira Mar 9.2.

74.   Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus: c.20 Carambolim Lake 13.2 and 18.2.

75.   Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus: c.20 Carambolim Lake 13.2 and 18.2.

76.   Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus: 3 Carambolim Lake 13.2.

77.   Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva: 1 Carambolim Mudflats 18.2.

78.   Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius: 1 Baga Fields 9.2, 5 Carambolim Lake 13.2, 1 Carambolim Mudflats 18.2, 4 Baga Fields 19.2.

79.   Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus: c.70 Morjim Beach 14.2.

80.   Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus: 8 Morjim Beach 14.2.

81.   Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii: 7 Morjim Beach 14.2.

82.   Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus: Rather common, 3-10 birds recorded daily during 9 days.

83.   Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans: c.50 Morjim Beach 14.2.

84.   Pallas's Gull Larus ichthyaetus: c. 65 Morjim Beach 14.2. Mainly adult birds moulting into summer plumage.

85.   Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus: 4 Candolim 10.2, c.80 Morjim Beach 14.2, c.5 Candolim 20.2.

86.   Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus: c.70 Morjim Beach 14.2.

87.   Slender-billed Gull Larus genei: c.40 Morjim Beach 14.2.

88.   Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica: >10 Carambolim Lake 13.2, 3 Carambolim Mudflats 13.2, c.10 Morjim Beach 14.2, >15 Carambolim Lake 18.2.

89.   Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis: c.55 Morjim Beach 14.2.

90.   Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis: c.15 Morjim Beach 14.2.

91.   Little Tern Sterna albifrons: 11 Carambolim Mudflats 18.2.

92.   Osprey Pandion haliaetus: 1 Arpora 12.2, 1 Carambolim Lake 13.2, 1 Carambolim Mudflats 18.2.

93.   Oriental Honey-buzzard Pernis ptilorhyncus: 1 Arpora Woods 11.2, 1 Carambolim Lake 13.2, c.5 Toide 15.2, 1 Backwoods 17.2, 3 Bondla 18.2.

94.   Black Kite Milvus migrans: Very common, 30-100 birds recorded daily during 11 days. Not recorded in the Backwoods area 15-17.2.

95.   Brahminy Kite Haliastur Indus: Common, 1-20 birds recorded daily during 12 days. Only observation in the Western Ghats was 1 Barabhumi 16.2.

96.   White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster: 2 Baga Hills 10.2, 1 Baga Hills 12.2, 1 close to the Ribandar Ferry, east of Panaji 18.2, 1 Candolim 20.2.

97.   Crested Serpent-eagle Spilornis cheela: 2 Toide 15.2, 1 Tambdi Surla 16.2, 1 Barabhumi 16.2, 1 Bondla 18.2.

98.   Eurasian Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus: 2 Beira Mar 7.2, 2 Baga Fields 9.2, 1 male Baga Hills 10.2, 4 Carambolim Lake 13.2, 1 east of Siolim 14.2, 5 Carambolim Lake 18.2, 1 Baga Fields 19.2.

99.   Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus: 1 Tambdi Surla 15.2, 2 Toide 15.2, 1 Backwoods 17.2.

100.   Shikra Accipiter badius: Totally 15 birds recorded during 9 days.

101.   Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis: 3 Toide 15.2, 1 Backwoods 17.2, 1 Carambolim Lake 18.2.

102.   Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga: 1 4th cal? Carambolim Lake 13.2, 2 imm. Carambolim Lake 18.2. Additionally c.5 unidentified aquila-eagles in the Carambolim area 13.2 and 18.2 respectively.

103.   Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis: 1 imm. east of Ponda 18.2.

104.   Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus: 1 dark morph Arpora Woods 8.2, 1 dark and 1 pale morph Baga Hills 12.2, 1 dark morph Toide 15.2, 2 dark morphs Bondla 18.2.

105.   Rufous-bellied Eagle Hieraaetus kienerii: 1 Toide 15.2.

106.   Changeable Hawk-eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus: 1 imm Backwoods 17.2.

107.   Mountain Hawk-eagle Spizaetus nipalensis: 1 Toide 15.2.

108.   Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus: 1 at the nightjar site not far from Barabhumi 16.2.

109.   Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis: 3 Carambolim Lake 13.2.

110.   Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster: 1 Carambolim Lake 13.2, 2 Carambolim Lake 18.2.

111.   Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger: 5 Baga Fields 9.2, 20 Carambolim Lake 13.2, 1 Morjim Beach 14.2, 7 Carambolim Lake 18.2.

112.   Little Egret Egretta garzetta: Common, 1-20 birds recorded daily during 10 days.

113.   Western Reef-egret Egretta gularis: 4 close to the Ribandar Ferry, east of Panaji 13.2, 2 Morjim Beach 14.2.

114.   Grey Heron Ardea cinerea: Single birds recorded during 5 days.

115.   Purple Heron Ardea purpurea: 1 Beira Mar 7.2, 4 Carambolim Lake 13.2, 2 Carambolim Lake 18.2, 1 Baga Fields 19.2.

116.   Great Egret Ardea alba: 5 from the bus from the airport to Candolim 7.2, c.15 Carambolim Lake 13.2, 2 Carambolim Lake 18.2.

117.   Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia: Common, 1-30 birds recorded daily during 7 days.

118.   Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis: Common, recorded daily.

119.   Indian Pond-heron Ardeola grayii: Common, 1-30 birds recorded daily during 11 days.

120.   Black-crowned Night-heron Nycticorax nycticorax: 1 Beira Mar 9.2.

121.   Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus: 1 imm. Beira Mar 19.2.

122.   Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus: 1 Carambolim Lake 13.2, 8 Carambolim Lake 18.2.

123.   Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans: >27 Carambolim Lake 13.2, 1 east of Siolim 14.2, 5 Carambolim Lake 18.2.

124.   Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus: 2 Carambolim Lake 13.2, 1 east of Siolim 14.2.

125.   Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus: 1 soaring over the Carambolim Mudflats 13.2.

126.   Indian Pitta Pitta brachyura: 1 Arpora Woods 8.2, 1 Arpora Woods 14.2, 1 Backwoods Camp 15.2, 1 Arpora Woods 20.2.

127.   Asian Fairy-bluebird Irena puella: 4 Tambdi Surla 15.2, c.5 Tambdi Surla 16.2, 2 Backwoods 17.2.

128.   Blue-winged Leafbird Chloropsis cochinchinensis: 1 male and 1 female Arpora Woods 14.2.

129.   Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons: 4 Arpora Woods 9.2, 4 Arpora Woods 11.2, 5 Arpora Woods 14.2, 2 Tambdi Surla 15.2, 1 Tambdi Surla 16.2, 1 Barabhumi 16.2, 1 Bondla 18.2, 3 Arpora Woods 20.2.

130.   Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus: 1 Arpora Woods 8.2.

131.   Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach: Rather common, totally 13 birds recorded during 7 days.

132.   Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda: 1 Arpora Woods 8.2, 1 Arpora Woods 11.2, 1 Arpora Woods 14.2, 2 Bondla Forest 18.2, 1 Carambolim Wood 18.2, 1 Arpora Woods 20.2.

133.   House Crow Corvus splendens: Common, recorded daily along the coast.

134.   Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos: Daily counts of 10-20 birds in the Western Ghats 15-18.2.

135.   Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus: 2 Toide 15.2, 1 Backwoods 16.2, 4 Barabhumi 16.2, 3 Backwoods 17.2.

136.   Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus: Common, 2-7 birds recorded daily during 12 days.

137.   Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensi: 1 Tambdi Surla 16.2.

138.   Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus: Rather common, totally 21 birds recorded during 10 days.

139.   Black-headed Cuckooshrike Coracina melanoptera: 1 male Arpora Woods 8.2, 1 female Arpora Woods 11.2, 1 female Arpora Woods 14.2.

140.   Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus: c.10 Arpora Woods 8.2, c.5 Arpora Woods 9.2, c. 5 Arpora Woods 11.2, c.10 Arpora Woods 14.2, c.5 Barabhumi 16.2, c.5 Backwoods 17.2, c.5 Bondla 18.2, 2 Arpora Woods 20.2.

141.   Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus: 2 Tambdi Surla 15.2, 2 Tambdi Surla 16.2, 8+2 Backwoods 17.2.

142.   Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus: 2 Arpora Woods 14.2, 2 Backwoods 17.2, 2 Bondla 18.2.

143.   White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis: 4 Arpora woods 9.2, at least 2 Arpora Woods 14.2.

144.   Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus: Common in open landscape: 5-20 birds recorded daily during 11 days.

145.   Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus: 1 Arpora Woods 11.2, 3-4 Baga Hills 12.2, 4 Arpora Woods 14.2, 5-10 birds daily in the Western Ghats 15-18.2, c.5 Arpora Woods 20.2.

146.   White-bellied Drongo Dicrurus caerulescens: 1 Arpora Woods 11.2, 1 Arpora Woods 14.2, 2 Arpora Woods 20.2.

147.   Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus: 2 Arpora Woods 14.2, 2 Backwoods 15.2, 3 Backwoods 17.2.

148.   Spangled Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus: 1 Backwoods 15.2 and 17.2.

149.   Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus: 3 Backwoods 15.2, 2 Tambdi Surla 16.2, c.5 Backwoods 17.2, 2 Bondla 18.2.

150.   Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea: 1 female Backwoods 15.2, 2 males and 1 female Backwoods 17.2, 2 males Bondla 18.2.

151.   Asian Paradise-flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi: 1 Arpora Woods 8.2, 1 Arpora Woods 9.2, 1 Backwoods 15.2, 2 whereof 1 male of the white morph Tambdi Surla 16.2, 3 Backwoods 17.2, 2 Bondla 18.2, 1 Beira Mar 19.2, 1 Arpora Woods 20.2.

152.   Common Iora Aegithina tiphia: 2 Arpora Woods 8.2, 2 Baga Hills 10.2, 1 Arpora Woods 11.2, 1 Baga Hills 12.2, 1 Backwoods 16.2, 2 Backwoods 17.2, 1 Arpora Woods 20.2.

153.   Large Woodshrike Tephrodornis gularis: c.15 Backwoods 17.2.

154.   Common Woodshrike Tephrodornis pondicerianus: 1 Arpora Woods 14.2, 2 Arpora Woods 20.2.

155.   Blue-capped Rock Thrush Monticola cinclorhynchus: 1 female Bondla 18.2.

156.   Malabar Whistling-thrush Myiophonus horsfieldii: 2 Backwoods 15.2, 2 Tambdi Surla 16.2, 1 Backwoods 17.2.

157.   Orange-headed Thrush Zoothera citrina: 2 Arpora Woods 8.2, 1 Baga Hills 10.2, 3 Tambdi Surla 15.2, 2 Toide 15.2, 2 Tambdi Surla 16.2, 2 Backwoods 16.2, 3 Backwoods 17.2, 1 Bondla 18.2, 1 Arpora Woods 20.2.

158.   Nilgiri Blackbird Turdus merula nigropileus: 1 Backwoods Camp 15.2, 1 Backwoods 17.2, 2 Arpora Woods 20.2.

159.   Brown-breasted Flycatcher Muscicapa muttui: 1 Tambdi Surla 15.2, 3 Tambdi Surla 16.2, 2 Bondla 18.2.

160.   Red-throated Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla: 1 Tambdi Surla 15.2.

161.   Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassina: 1 Bondla 18.2.

162.   White-bellied Blue Flycatcher Cyornis pallipes: 2 males and 1 female Tambdi Surla 16.2.

163.   Tickell's Blue-flycatcher Cyornis tickelliae: 1 Arpora Woods 9.2, 1 Arpora Woods 11.2, 1 Arpora Woods 14.2, 2 Backwoods 15.2, 1 Tambdi Surla 16.2, 1 Barabhumi 16.2, 1 Backwoods 17.2, 2 Bondla 18.2, 2 Arpora Woods 20.2.

164.   Bluethroat Luscinia svecia: 2 Beira Mar 9.2, 1 Beira Mar 19.2.

165.   Indian Blue Robin Luscinia brunnea: 1 male Tambdi Surla 16.2.

166.   Oriental Magpie-robin Copsychus saularis: Rather common, 1-5 birds recorded daily during 12 days.

167.   White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus: 1 Backwoods 17.2, 3 Bondla 18.2.

168.   Indian Robin Saxicoloides fulicata: 1 Arpora Woods 8.2, 1 Arpora Woods 11.2, 2 Baga Hills 12.2.

169.   Siberian Stonechat Saxicola torquata maura: 4 Baga Fields 9.2, 2 Carambolim Wood 13.2, at least 5 Baga Fields 19.2.

170.   Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata: c.5 Baga Fields 9.2, 2 Baga Fields 19.2.

171.   Chestnut-tailed Starling Sturnus malabaricus: c.10 Baga Fields 9.2, c.10 Baga Hills 10.2, c.10 Calangute 10.2, at least 15 Baga Hills 12.2, c.5 Carambolim Lake 13.2, 3+2 Barabhumi 16.2, c.10 Backwoods 17.2, c.5 Bondla 18.2, c.5 Baga Fields 19.2. The birds inland 16-18.2 belonging to the pale headed race blythi.

172.   Rosy Starling Sturnus roseus: c.30 Beira Mar 7.2, c.10 Candolim 8.2, c.30 Baga Fields 9.2, c.10 Calangute 10.2, c.10 Carambolim Wood 13.2, c.10 Candolim 19.2, c.25 Baga Fields 19.2.

173.   Common Myna Acridotheres tristis: 2 Beira Mar 7.2, 5 Baga Fields 19.2.

174.   Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus: Rather common along the coast, 1-25 birds recorded daily during 8 days.

175.   Southern Hill Myna Gracula indica: 2 Tambdi Surla 15.2.

176.   Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis: 2 Backwoods 15.2, 1 Backwoods 17.2, 1 Bondla 18.2.

177.   Black-lored Tit Parus xanthogenys: 2 Arpora Woods 8.2, 3 Baga Hills 10.2, 3 Baga Hills 12.2, 2 Carambolim Wood 18.2, 2 Arpora Woods 20.2.

178.   Eurasian Swallow Hirundo rustica: c.50 Carambolim Lake 13.2, singles Carambolim Lake 19.2.

179.   Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii: 1 Beira Mar 7.2, 2 Baga Fields 9.2, 1 Carambolim Lake 13.2, 3 east of Siolim 14.2.

180.   Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica: Common, recorded daily.

181.   Streak-throated Swallow Hirundo fluvicola: c.50 Carambolim Lake 13.2, c. 10 Tambdi Surla 15.2, 5 Toide 15.2, 10 Backwoods 16.2, 5 Barabhumi 16.2, c.10 Backwoods 17.2, c.20 Carambolim Lake 18.2.

182.   Grey-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus priocephalus: c.5 Arpora Woods 11.2, 1 Tambdi Surla 15.2.

183.   Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus: 1 Tambdi Surla 15.2, 3 Backwoods 16.2, 2 Barabhumi 16.2, at least 5 Backwoods 17.2, c.5 Bondla 18.2.

184.   Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus: Common, recorded daily.

185.   Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer: Rather common, 1-5 birds recorded daily during 9 days.

186.   White-browed Bulbul Pycnonotus luteolus: c.5 Arpora Woods 9.2, 1 Baga Hills 10.2, 3-4 Arpora Woods 11.2, 1 Baga Hills 12.2, 2 Arpora Woods 14.2, 2 Arpora Woods 20.2.

187.   Yellow-browed Bulbul Iole indica: 1 Tambdi Surla 15.2, 1 Backwoods Camp 15.2.

188.   Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus: 1 Tambdi Surla 15.2, 2 Backwoods 15.2, 1 Backwoods 16.2, 2 Bondla 18.2.

189.   Grey-breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsonii: 1 Arpora Woods 14.2, 2 Arpora Woods 20.2.

190.   Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis: c.5 Arpora Woods 11.2, 1 Carambolim Lake 13.2.

191.   Plain Prinia Prinia inornata: 3 Carambolim Lake 13.2.

192.   Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus Agricola: 2 Beira Mar 19.2.

193.   Blyth's Reed-warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum: Totally 18 birds recorded during 11 days.

194.   Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius: 1 Carambolim Lake 13.2, 1 Bondla 18.2.

195.   Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides: Common, totally 49 birds recorded during 12 days.

196.   Western Crowned-warbler Phylloscopus occipitalis: 1 Backwoods Camp 15.2, 2 Backwoods Forest 17.2, 3 Backwoods Camp 17.2.

197.   Puff-throated Babbler Pellorneum ruficeps: 2 Arpora Woods 9.2, 1 Baga Hills 10.2, 1 Backwoods 15.2, 1 Tambdi Surla 16.2.

198.   Indian Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus horsfieldii: 1 heard calling Tambdi Surla 16.2.

199.   Tawny-bellied Babbler Dumetia hyperythra: 7 Arpora Woods 14.2.

200.   Dark-fronted Babbler Rhopocichla atriceps: 8 Backwoods 15.2, 7-8 Backwoods 16.2, 3 Backwoods 17.2, 3 Bondla 18.2.

201.   Jungle Babbler Turdoides striatus: Rather common, totally 50 birds recorded during 8 days.

202.   Brown-cheeked Fulvetta Alcippe poioicephala: c.10 Baga Hills 10.2, 8 Arpora Woods 11.2, 1 Baga Hills 12.2, c.5 Arpora Woods 14.2, 2 Backwoods Camp 15.2, 2 Backwoods 15.2, 3 Barabhumi 16.2, c.5 Backwoods 17.2, 3 Bondla 18.2.

203.   Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla: 21 Baga Fields 19.2.

204.   Malabar Lark Galerida malabarica: c.10 Baga Fields 9.2, 3 Carambolim Wood 13.2, c.10 Baga Fields 19.2.

205.   Thick-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum agile: 1 Baga Hills 12.2, 1 Backwoods 16.2, 1 Barabhumi 16.2, 1 Backwoods 17.2.

206.   Pale-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum erythrorhynchos: 1 Baga Hills 12.2.

207.   Plain Flowerpecker Dicaeum concolor: 1 Baga Hills 10.2, c.5 Baga Hills 12.2, 1 Carambolim Lake 13.2, 2 Arpora Woods 14.2, 1 Backwoods 16.2. Several unidentified flowerpeckers seen and heard additionally.

208.   Purple-rumped Sunbird Nectarinia zeylonica: 1 male Arpora Woods 9.2, 1 male Baga Hills 12.2, 6-7 Arpora Woods 14.2, 2 Arpora Woods 20.2.      

209.   Crimson-backed Sunbird Nectarinia minima: 2 Backwoods 15.2, 5 Tambdi Surla 16.2, c.10 Backwoods 17.2, c.5 Bondla 18.2.

210.   Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica: 1 male Arpora Woods 8.2, 2 males Arpora Woods 11.2, 1 male Baga Hills 12.2, 3-4 Tambdi Surla 15.2, 1-2 Toide 15.2, c. 5 Backwoods 16.2, c.5 Backwoods 17.2, 3 Arpora Woods 20.2.

211.   Loten's Sunbird Nectarinia lotenia: 5 Baga Hills 10.2, 1 male Baga Hills 12.2, 2 males Bondla 18.2.

212.   Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra: 1 in a small bird party Backwoods Camp 17.2.

213.   House Sparrow Passer domesticus: Common along the coast, recorded during 10 days.

214.   Chestnut-shouldered Petronia Petronia xanthocollis: 2 Toide 15.2, 2 Backwoods 16.2.

215.   Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus: 1 Bondla 18.2.

216.   White-browed Wagtail Motacilla madaraspatensis: 2 Candolim 7.2, 2 Carambolim 12.2, 2 Candolim Beach 12.2, 2 Carambolim Lake 13.2, 2 Mangueshi Temple, Ponda 13.2, 2 Tropical  Spice Plantation, north of Ponda 13.2, 1 east of Siolim 14.2, 2 Candolim Beach 20.2.

217.   Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava: 5 Carambolim Lake 13.2.

218.   Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea: 1 east of Siolim 14.2, 2 Backwoods 15.2, 1 Backwoods 17.2.

219.   Richard's Pipit Anthus richardi: c.5 Baga Fields 9.2, c.5 Baga Fields 19.2.

220.   Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus: 2 Baga Fields 9.2, 1 Candolim Beach 12.2, 2 Carambolim lake 13.2, c.5 Baga Fields 19.2.

221.   Blyth's Pipit Anthus godlewskii: 3 Baga Fields 19.2.

222.   Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis: 3 Baga Fields 9.2, c.5 Carambolim Lake 13.2, 3 Baga Fields 19.2.

223.   Streaked Weaver Ploceus manyar: 1 along with Baya Weavers Beira Mar 9.2.

224.   Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus: c.150 Beira Mar 7.2 and 9.2, c.100 Carambolim Lake 13.2 and 18.2.

225.   White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata: c.10 Beira Mar 7.2, c.10 Arpora Woods 8.2, c.5 Arpora Woods 9.2, c.5 Baga Fields 9.2, c.5 Baga Hills 10.2, 2 Baga Hills 12.2, c.10 east of Siolim 14.2, 2 Backwoods 17.2, c.10 Carambolim Lake 18.2.

226.   Black-throated Munia Lonchura kelaarti: c.15 Tambdi Surla 15.2.

227.   Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata: 2 Beira Mar 7.2, 4 Baga Fields 19.2.

228.   Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus: 3 Bondla 18.2.

Mammals

Bonnet Macaque Macaca radiate: c.10 Backwoods 15.2.

Black-faced Langur Presbytis entellus: Rather common. Small parties seen or heard on almost every visit to Arpora Woods. Also frequently encountered in the Western Ghats.

Golden Jackal Canis aureus: 1 seen from the car when returning to Backwoods after dusk 16.2.

Malabar Giant Squirrel Ratufa indica: 1 Backwoods 15.2, 1 Tambdi Surla 16.2, 2 Backwoods 17.2, 1 Bondla 18.2.

Three-striped Palm Squirrel Funambulus palmarum: Several recorded in the Backwoods area

Reptiles

Indian Rat Snake Ptyas mucosa: 1 Backwoods 15.2.