I found myself back at Socorro Plateau for birding on the morning of 8 December 2025.
Sometimes you revisit a place not because you expect something new, but because you feel there’s still more to discover. This morning turned out to be exactly that.
We reached the plateau early, and the light was just right. Soft, calm, and welcoming. As soon as we started walking, I noticed movement in the fields ahead.
Two peafowls were running across the open land before disappearing briefly under some shade. Moments later, they stood there, calm and unbothered.
I stopped instantly.
This wasn’t a moment to rush.
I crouched low and started moving very slowly, carefully judging each step. I knew that if I went even a little too far, they would sense it and run. So I stopped where I was, kept my distance, and gently laid down on the ground.
From there, I clicked a few shots.
This was my first time seeing peacocks in the open, living freely in their natural space. Until then, I had only seen them in zoos. Watching them like this felt completely different, raw and real. It’s a moment that’s going to stay with me for a very long time.
As I continued walking, I noticed movement in the grass and spotted a Paddyfield Pipit. Small, subtle, and easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. I managed to get a nice click, and that alone made me smile.
Not too far from there, a Black Kite was perched fairly close. Strong, sharp, and alert. The light worked beautifully, and the shot turned out exactly how I had hoped.
A little further along, I found a Long-tailed Shrike perched on a tree. Calm, composed, and perfectly framed against the open landscape.
We kept exploring, and by pure chance, I clicked a very small bird that didn’t stand out much at first. Only later, while checking, did I realise it was a Thick-billed Flowerpecker, which is considered an uncommon sighting in Goa. That discovery felt incredibly rewarding.
Soon after, I spotted a Spotted Dove. It was my first time seeing a dove that wasn’t the regular rock pigeon, and it felt surprisingly exciting to notice such a subtle difference.
Walking through the grass, I then came across a pair of Common Hoopoes. Seeing them together was special, and I took my time capturing a few shots before quietly moving on.
Just before wrapping up the walk, we spotted our last bird of the day, a White-throated Kingfisher, perched beautifully on a branch. A perfect way to end the trip.
Overall, this turned out to be a very successful birding day. New birds, uncommon sightings, and moments that reminded me why I enjoy birding so much. Identifying new species, slowing down, and simply being present made the experience incredibly satisfying.
Keep watching this space for more birding blogs.
If you enjoy bird photography, you can also follow me on Instagram for more images and moments from the field.
Images shot on Sony A6700 – Tamron 70-300
See you in the next one.
Happy birding. 🐦📸