Real Birder

Carambolin Lake

Situated a few kilometres south-east of Old Goa, the lake is approximately 50 minutes from Baga. We visited Carambolin twice as it is an excellent area for waterbirds in particular. Our first visit was also our first day out with Lloyd. He picked us up at the Marinha Dourada at 6.30 am and by 7.30 am we were birding from the spot marked A on the map. At 9.00 am we moved to the more shaded spot marked B for breakfast and more birds, with several new species picked up in the scrub and wooded area behind B. As the day heated up numerous raptors circled overhead. Villagers were thinning out the vast expanses of weed and water lilies at the shallower end of the lake on both our visits and whilst there were still plenty waterbirds, apart from Garganey, European ducks were absent and we missed both Spot-billed Duck and a single Comb Duck that was seen both just before and just after our second visit. After spending several hours round the lake we returned to Old Goa for a spot of lunch, some shade and a walk around the cathedral where the remains of Saint Francis Xavier are interred. He was a Spanish missionary known as the Apostle of the Indies and he was also a founding member of the Jesuit Society. After our rest, we headed to the area marked D and E on the map, overlooking mud flats on one side of the road with fields and a small river opposite. On our return we visited Carambolin Wood (C) to find the roosting Brown Hawk Owls. One of the older villagers follows birdwatchers around the wood and will show you the roost site in the hope of receiving a few Rupees – 20Rs seems to be acceptable as the first offer of 10Rs was ignored. On our second visit we reversed the route and tried the mud flats first, hoping to see Small Pratincole. We seemed to miss what few of these birds were around at virtually every site and this was no exception. A very close group of six Temmink’s Stint almost made up for our disappointment.

On the two visits the Carambolin area yielded 107 species to closely rival Backwoods for the most productive outings. With more time and further visits I’m sure the area would be even more productive.

 







 

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