Divar Island and Morjim

Thursday 16th Jan.

This island is in the Mandovi River. During the current summer season the plains are dry. Fallow paddy fields with burnt rice stalks are ideal for larks and pipits. A dried up football pitch and the surroundings held little ringed plovers. On the goal posts were hunched brahminy, black eared and black kites waiting for the air to warm up. The locals too are wrapped up in hoodies and shawls in the cool morning whilst most of the Europeans are already begin to perspire. Well, actually I think Helen is an Indian too because she is loving the heat!

There was an interesting bird in a bush which wasn't a starling, nor a bulbul. Let's get closer and put the scope on it. It was a Jacobin (pied) cuckoo. Pretty unusual for Goa. We stared at it and suddenly it flew straight towards us passing a few feet overhead and landing on a telephone wire!  For us birders it was thrilling!

Birds seen today were Montagues, pallid and marsh harrier, lesser adjutant stork, Blyths , tawny and paddyfield  pipits. Black shouldered kite, rufous tailed lark, brown and long tailed shrike, great spotted and booted eagles, blue throat, and sand Martin. 

After a long, hot morning we headed back and had our usual siesta under whirring fans. By four we were off to Literati bookshop. It's in an old Goan, Portuguese house with shelves around the walls and sofas in the middle. It feels like someone's house. In fact the owners have moved into an extension and left the original features of the house intact. The garden is a peaceful haven with bougainvillea, frangipani and hibiscus shrubs and some ancient twisted mango trees. Huge butterflies flutter past as you sit in the shady garden with a cool drink. We bought the Butterflies of Goa guide for £1.50 which would have cost £10 at home. We've seen Southern Birdwing and Brown Pansy amongst others. Not many moths.

We met Thompson Patterson who was our Marinha Dourada neighbour last year. He will do some birding with us. Dinner tonight at Nick's Place with Alan and Yvette and kindly hosted by Ian. We intend to go to Morjim Beach tomorrow for gulls and the Zuari River trip on Saturday. 

Having difficulties getting wifi at times so can't always update promptly. 

Friday 17th Morjim beach and surrounds

As we can't get uploading easily here is today's news.

Morjim beach in the early morning has sun worshippers alongside the Sand  and Kentish plovers! 

Not many gulls about but a strange plover turned out to be a Caspian plover which is very unusual for here.

The area is spoiled by huge amounts of disposable paper plates and cups scattered through the bushes. Litter is something you have to try and ignore here as there's nothing you can do about it.

Surprisingly there are very few flies. Maybe the drongos, bee eaters and flycatchers are doing their job well. 

Going to Alan and Yvette's tonight for Chicken Xacuti, a local Goan dish.