Bird Walk at Paliem Plateau (Pernem), Goa
- Goa
- 17 October, 2026
- Ankush Sahani
About Paliem Plateau (Pernem)
In Goa’s far north, in Pernem taluka near the coast at Arambol and Querim, the Paliem Plateau is a flat-topped stretch of laterite rising above the villages, coconut groves and paddy fields. The plateau looks bare in the dry season, but it changes completely with the monsoon. Rock pools and seepages fill with water, and the thin soil bursts into carpets of tiny wildflowers, many of them found only in the Western Ghats and Konkan. Grassland, scattered shrubs, cashew patches and wooded slopes surround the open rock, and the Arabian Sea is close by. Frogs, lizards, butterflies and dragonflies thrive here after the rains. Because it is high, open and near the coast, the plateau is also a natural lookout over a major migration route.
For birders, Paliem is best in autumn, when the plateau becomes a highway for migrants heading south. Flocks of Blue-tailed Bee-eaters and European Rollers pass through. Harriers quarter low over the grass, and cuckoos, wrynecks and shrikes stop to refuel. Eagles and kites ride the coastal winds overhead. Laterite plateaus like this one are among Goa’s most threatened habitats, because they are often written off as barren wasteland. Laterite quarrying, real estate and tourism projects, road building, garbage dumping, dry-season fires and plantations all eat into them. Recognising Paliem as a living grassland ecosystem and protecting it from quarrying and construction will help keep it a vital stopover for migrating birds.
Bird Guide: Ankush Sahani
With over two years of birding experience, he has documented 357 species across Goa. He feels most at home in the field while observing birds and understanding their habitats. His approach to guiding goes beyond identification, focusing on behavior and deeper connections. His aim is to inspire curiosity and encourage people to care about bird conservation through every walk.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Paliem Plateau (Pernem)
Paliem Plateau is a stopover for birds in the middle of epic journeys. Loose flocks of European Rollers, dazzling turquoise and chestnut, pass through on their way from Central Asia and Europe to Africa. Dozens of Blue-tailed Bee-eaters perch on bushes and then stream steadily south. Over the grass, the slim, buoyant Montagu’s Harrier and the Western Marsh Harrier hunt low, both winter visitors from far to the north. The mighty White-bellied Sea-Eagle soars in from the coast, and Brahminy Kites gather in impressive numbers. The Oriental Honey-buzzard searches for wasp and bee nests to raid. The plateau is a great place to see cuckoos too. The Common Cuckoo, the crested Pied Cuckoo, the finely barred Banded Bay Cuckoo and the Gray-bellied Cuckoo all pass through. The Eurasian Wryneck, a strange, bark-patterned woodpecker that can twist its neck like a snake, hides on the ground. The Rufous Woodpecker drums on the wooded slopes, and the Chestnut-headed Bee-eater hawks from the trees. Bay-backed and Long-tailed Shrikes watch from lookout perches, Blyth’s Swift sweeps overhead, and Gray-fronted Green-Pigeons feed quietly in the fig trees.
European Roller
Western Marsh Harrier
White-bellied Sea-Eagle
Oriental Honey-buzzard
Brahminy Kite
Blue-tailed Bee-eater
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater
Eurasian Wryneck
Rufous Woodpecker
Common Cuckoo
Pied Cuckoo
Banded Bay Cuckoo
Grey-bellied Cuckoo
Grey-fronted Green-Pigeon
Bay-backed Shrike
Long-tailed Shrike
Ashy Drongo
Common Iora
White-throated Kingfisher
Indian Peafowl
Summary of Walk
Six birders joined guide Ankush Sahani at Paliem Plateau in Pernem, Goa, on 17 October for a walk that began after the first fresh rains in a month, giving the plateau a lovely, refreshed look. The group walked across the open plateau with great enthusiasm and was rewarded with a remarkable 66 species, including several passage migrants and winter migrants that are on the move at this time of year. The Mongolian Short-toed Lark, a subtle ground bird that rewards careful observation, and the Siberian Stonechat, perched on the grass stems, were among the highlights, and the European Roller, a dazzling blue and chestnut passage migrant, drew admiration from everyone. The Green-winged Teal, a handsome winter visitor on the water, and the Common Cuckoo added more interest, while the Bay-backed Shrike and the Booted Warbler gave the group a chance to practise careful identification of tricky birds. Ankush shared his knowledge of the plateau’s habitat and the movements of migratory birds and explained how the changing weather influences which species can be seen. The mix of open laterite plateau, grassland and scrub makes Paliem a special place for birds, and the group enjoyed exploring each of these habitats in turn. With a compact group, there was time to discuss every sighting in detail, and the enthusiasm of the participants was a joy to see. A tally of 66 species in a single morning is a fine achievement and a reminder that Goa offers far more for birders than its famous beaches. The group left with new birds on their lists and a strong wish to return as the season unfolds.
Number of Participants
0
