Batim Lake

Alan and Yvette and Ian collected us in a 5 seater taxi driven by Pinto at 8am.  Not quite sure where we were going except that we crossed the Mandovi River and after a few miles veered towards the east. Passed through Merces village where the church goers were also celebrating Goan feast day. 

Fiirst studied the paddy fields where we looked unsuccessfully for cinnamon bittern and painted snipe. Saw Asian openbill, black headed ibis, marsh harrier, wood sandpiper, marsh sandpiper, roller, blue tailed and little green bee eater. Grey wagtail, white rumped and scaly breasted munia, Indian shag. Small pratincole, red rumped and wire tailed swallows, grey wagtail.  

Then to Batim lake nearby for lesser whistling duck, garganey, pintail, shoveler, teal, pochard, cotton Pygmy goose, bronze winged and pheasant tailed jacana. Night heron, coot, white breasted waterhen, bronze drongo, shikra, dusky crag Martin, Asian koel, blue faced malkoha? Black eared kite.  

Alan and Yvette came back for a swim and lunch. 

Thankfully It's not quite so hot as it has been.

I'll be sending this from You and Me restaurant later on. 

These buffalo were being herded down our track.  Quick get out of their way!