Spotting Migratory Birds in India

Guest article. Image by Antonio A Goncalves

Note: The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of RetoxMagazine.com

Pursuing The Hobby Of Birdwatching In Goa

Pictured above: Alcedo atthis - Guarda Rios/Common Kingfisher.
Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Goa, India.

One of the hidden pleasures of any hobby is that it can give purveyors an excuse to travel to far-flung destinations. Birdwatching can be carried out from the comfort of a kitchen, but that’s very restrictive and not very exciting. Soon bird watchers will want to be visiting the best bird-watching sites in the country, then: the world!

India is one of the most marvellous places for birdwatching and especially for spotting migratory birds in winter. Over a hundred species of birds migrate to the country, either escaping the harshness of winter in their native habitat or searching for better feeding grounds. India has many wildlife areas set up to help birds in their temporary habitat, and this makes the country an ideal place to visit for bird lovers. Migratory birds flying to India in the winter include Siberian cranes, greater flamingo, ruff, black winged stilt, common teal, common greenshank, northern pintail, yellow wagtail, white wagtail, northern shoveller, rosy pelican and the long billed pipit.

Once migrating birds feel the time is right (tailwinds seem to be good and the birds have enough fat to sustain them on the flight), they will begin their journey, mostly in flocks and usually at high altitude for the best winds.

Among all the Indian regions, many migrating bird species choose the small state of Goa. At least a hundred species are known to migrate to this western Indian state, visiting lakes at Chorao, Carambolim, Bhatim, Pilar, Curtorim and Verna.

Goa is indeed an excellent habitat for many birds, from nesting and aquatic to migratory ones. In addition to the lakes listed above, a trek though the Western Ghats is also rewarding for keen ornithologists; here you may see the colourful forest wagtail. One bird sanctuary in Goa is the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. It’s located on the River Madovi, and birdwatchers can enjoy a ferry ride from Ribandar to the sanctuary. Bird lovers will probably see many sandpipers, dunlins, and others, all migrants, pecking around for tiny creatures along the river’s banks.

Gulls, terns and waders enjoy the Morjim forest and Saligao springs – both areas are excellent for spotting exotic bird species. Famous for its exotic birds is also the Mayem Lake. Here you’ll spot pheasant-tailed jacana, pygmy goose and comb duck, as well as more common species of herons, egrets and gull-billed terns.

For those who like travelling and seeing new places while pursuing their hobby of birdwatching, Goa really is quite hard to beat.