JANUARY: Goa Bird Festival Europe travel news The former Portuguese enclave of Goa is rapidly establishing itself as one of the premier winter birding destinations for European birders - and the reasons are not hard to find. The well-developed infrastructure and easy, inexpensive travel by bus and taxi, as well as the guaranteed sunshine and the discounted price, all contribute to make WildWings birding extravaganza great value for money. And, in a relatively small area one can find almost endless habitats from estuaries and mangroves to rice fields and monsoon forests.
With the tameness and approachability characteristic of the Indian Subcontinent, the species list is remarkable including parakeets and lorikeets, bee-eaters and rollers, hornbills and barbets, orioles and drongos, bulbuls and babblers, flowerpeckers and woodpeckers. Based in Baga, the hotel overlooks rice fields and marshes, offering an opportunity for real doorstep birding. Dates: from London Gatwick: 28 Jan - 12 Feb 2006 (also 4-19 Nov 2006 & 13-28 Jan 2007) Price: £899 per person sharing a twin room with en suite facilities, a fridge and ceiling fan, including flights, airport/hotel transfers, accommodation with breakfast, WildWings tour leaders and local guides.
