Painting the Nest

Osprey India 2019.

There was me thinking lockdown would give me a chance to sort through some photo's. How wrong could I have been!. But then on a good note the house is now decorated from top to bottom. Which should allow me some more time out in the field.

Magnificent Seven

After an hours drive we had reached the Sorroco Plateau. The light wasn't great and as you can see in the picture it was very overcast. Digiscoping in these conditions is not ideal. But a record shot is better then nothing. On our way to the clearing that Rayman knew about we came across seven Brahminy Kite perched in a tree. But by the time i had stood the tripod up only four remand. Still it was early and hopefully the sun would soon shine through.

Birding by Torchlight.

It's 5:35am and i am full of excitement it's my first guided trip in goa.Rayman is waiting at the gates of the Marinha dourada Hotel. As we start the short drive to Pick up another birder called Stuart. Rayman my guide tells me that he has heard of a Brown Wood Owl at a little place called Saligao that we will visit on route with Stuart. Twenty minutes later we are all standing in, what in the dark was like a garden of a house with Rayman shinning a torch into a tree whispering it's here. A couple of clicks later without using the camera flash and after watching it in my binoculars i managed a few snaps for my records.

  Here is a list of birds for Saligao (Brown Wood Owl in torchlight in the dark!) and Socorro plateu (grassland/trees area in daylight). A day full of new life ticks pics and memories. 

Brown Wood Owl

Peafowl

Asian Palm Swit

Golden-fronted Leafbird

White-browed Bulbul

Red-whiskered Bulbul

Red-vented Bulbul

White-bellied Drongo

Asian Paradise Flycatcher

Black-headed Cuckoo-shrike

Chestnut-tailed Starling

Blue-tailed Bee-eater

Rosy Starling

Indian Golden Oriole (M + F)

Common Woodshrike

Small Minivet (M + F)

Brahminy Kite

Thick-billed Flowerpecker

Chestnut-shouldered Petronia

Pale-billed Flowerpecker

Orange-breasted Green Pigeon

Black-headed Ibis

Coppersmith Barbet

Scaly-breasted Munhia

Marsh Harrier

White-rumped Munhia

Purple Heron

Booted Eagle

Exchange and Info

My wife and i  had the pleasure to meet the very helpful Mr Veen at the Currancy exchange. Not only could he change my money up. It was him who put me in touch with Rayman who was a fantastic Bird guide who really knew the best places to visit and had eagle eyes for finding the birds too.This Female sunbird was photographed whilst at Mr Veens contacting Rayman to plan my first Meeting and trips.

Click and Go

Another species that was a lifer for me was this Bronzed-winged Jacana. But with so many birds to see and photograph it was a case of just click and go.

Flaming missed it.

Whilst taking some photo's of the Pond Heron. This Flameback landed on the opposite tree. By the time i had found the bird in my scope it had dissapeared behind the trunk of the tree never to be seen again. This was the only photo i managed and only time i saw a Flameback this one i believe is a blacked -rump. And a new tick for me. yeppi this place was going to keep me busy. Here is my List for my first real morning's birding in Goa. Many thanks to Paul Neale a fellow Blogger for inviting me to share a taxi with him and his wife Sandra and for showing me the area.

GOA 2019

27^th November

Siolim causeway & paddyfields.

Other Observers:  Paul & Sandra Neale “nealesbirdsblogspot.com”

White-throated Kingfisher

Pied Kingfisher
Asian palm Swift

Wire-tailed Swallow

Blue-tailed Bee-eater

Grey Heron

Purple Heron
Indian Pond Heron

Red wattled Lapwing

Spotted Dove

Redshank

Spotted Redshank

Wood Sandpiper

Temminck’s stint

Black-rumped flameback

Black-winged Stilt

Black Kite

Brahminy Kite

Marsh Harrier

Booted Eagle

                         Cinnamon Bitten (seen from car)

Bronzed winged Jacana

Asian Openbill

White Stork

Barn Swallows

Black drongo

Grey wagtail

Green Bee-eater

Kingfisher

White browed Wagtail

Paddyfield Pipit

Stonechat

Red-whisked Bulbar

Plum Headed & Rose ringed Parakeet
Zitting Cisticola

Siolim Experiance

        The first trip out for me was to the Village of Siolim and its paddyfields and marshland. But most of all the chance to gain some new life ticks. To be Continued!!!

Garden Bird

This Magpie robin was quite happy to pose for me on my first walk around the hotel gardens of the Marinha Dourada.

Common Rocks

            This Common Sandpiper was a pleasure to watch feeding on the rocks one morning.

Kingfisher Time

The Marinha Dourada hotel had two large lakes which enticed White throated kingfishers most evenings. So i was able to watch them from the balcony while enjoying a cold beer.

Yellow wattled road.

 Another find along the road to Little Vagator beach was these Yellow-wattled lapwing.

Not kite flying Weather.

A trip to little Vagator beach produced this Juvenile Black Kite. And a nice start to a relaxing day at the beach.

Opening this years Bill.

Been along time since i had the chance to add some photos and update my blog with some new images from a recent trip to Goa, India. And a great bird and life tick for me was this Asian Openbill.

Heard but not Seen.

As I started the walk along the track I could hear the loud ekk  ekk ekk call that this Kingfisher was making. But it wasn't until the end of the track and walk that I finally found this bird.

First Heard.

The noise that these two Yellow-tailed black Cockatoo's made on there arrival was loud. And it wasn't long before I had them in the scope.

Walking on Water.

Made a visit to the Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre in Tweed Heads. This White-faced Heron was quite content patrolling the mangroves. http://minjungbalacc.my-free.website/

Balcony Birding

Spent the morning watching this Blue-faced Honeyeater feeding on the Honey gem bush.

An Elegant Wader.

This Black-winged Stilt made a great subject for this Set of Photo's. A very elegant wader and one I always enjoy watching.