I know that many bird watchers visit Goa, quite a lot stay in the hotel down the road from you, Marinha Dourada.

I've stayed at the Sun Village 4 times, lovely hotel and great staff. However the only bird watching I did was from my sun bed, watching the eagles fly over!

One tip I would pass on to you though is to change your money and make your telephone calls in Sammy's place just outside of the hotel on the left hand side as you come out of the Reception gates. He is a really great guy, can't do enough for you and you get much better rates than the hotel. Our paths may even cross whilst you are there as we always walk up from the Marinha to see Sammy and his family.

The Sun Village is well placed for the rice paddy's opposite the Marinha Dourada, Baga Hill, Baga Fields, Arpora Woods etc etc.
Try the Beira Mar hotel, a well known birders hang out, for an evening beer and to find a knowledgeable taxi driver/guide.Lots of the bird tours use it as a base. Not the best hotel but good bird watching and craic from their rear terrace.
We are off imminently and I'm looking forward to seeing Goa just after the rainy season. I have only been in February when everything was pretty dry.
Looking forward to the abundant Kingfishers too, not all will have feathers on either !!!!!!

Thanks for the replies very helpful tips.

Can anyone add any information to this

Many thanks

I've birded the area around the Sun Village/MD quite intensively on three occassions in recent years so it may be better, if you want, to PM me for more specific info.

I've been birdwatching in goa for many years and I would say the best thing for you is to get a taxi driver to take you to the pool bye the railway station( I cannot remember the name of the pool), our first trip to Goa was made all the better for that trip, as you pass the station between the pool and the paddy field if you get the taxi to stop and you take a walk towards the village you will add at least 20 new birds to your life list( also look for the wire tailed swallow over the paddy field), if you pay a couple of rupees to get on to the station you can pan the back af the pool with your scope, also opposite the station is a large bush, stand there for about 10 mins you will be suprised at how many birds visit that bush, we went new years eve at about 6o'clock in the morning, well worth the trip, also take some goodies for the village they are in dire need of help, thats were we take all our clothes, etc and the kids love the sweeys you take, on our last visit a little girl picked Lynn a flower, she pressed the flower and I still have it.
Happy birding. Danny

If you can find some sweeys, good luck to you ,it should be sweets, Danny

Thanks read it as sweets

Can you remember where the pool by the railway station is? What is the best time of day to visit? Could it be the one near Old Goa?

Carambolim pool, I think, and early morning is very good, I should think evenings would be o/k for birds coming in to roost, but it gets dark very quickly so not to much time bird watching. Danny

In Feb 2008 Carambolin Lake was drained with a new causeway being built along its southwestern edge and there were very few birds present on the small area still left, only Gallinules and the odd Heron and no ducks at all. I spoke to the engineer on site and he said it would remain that way permanently.

I know a taxi driver who knows all of the best birding spots. He is a safe driver and has binoculars and bird guides, he will also have access to a decent telescope and tripod shortly. He is basd in Candolim and has a good knowledge of the birds you will see, but is not an expert by any means. He can also take you to a spot where there has been a large roost of flying foxes for a number of years, which is a sight worth seeing. If you PM me, I can give you his email. He is very reliable.

THanks Sandyboy have sent you a PM

Can anyone add anymore to this post