Carambolim Lake

We left at 7 am just before sunrise. A thick mist was lying over the low fields. Not too good for birding. It took about an hour to get to Carambolim. The barrier on the railway line lowered just as we drew up but within a minute it was lifted for us. ..no train after all.

This is typical birding area. Our first success through the mist was an Indian Grey Hornbill which is quite unusual for this place. Frustratingly the Brown wood owls were not at home but a pair of spotted owlets showed up. By 10 am the sun had burned away the mist.

A blue faced malkoha, golden orioles aplenty, white browed bulbul,  Lotens sunbird, green warbler, white bellied blue flycatcher and blue tailed bee eater. Common wood shrike, thick billed flowerpecker, plain prinia, pale and dark phase booted eagles and a morning flyover of glossy ibis.

Moving on to the  paddy fields where the brackish Zuari river had  overflowed we saw plenty of waders including spotted redshank, wood sandpiper and a variety of egrets. 

The railway line is being doubled at Carambolim and apparently the  workings has caused mercury to leach into the water thus poisoning the fish and small invertebrates essential for the variety of ducks and jacanas. 

Although the area is supposedly managed by the forest department they seem unable to prevent pollution. The lake edge by the road is full of plastic waste. 

Washing machine is finally fixed.