birding in Goa- part 1

Most people in the bustling village of Calangute have tourism-related businesses. Lloyd Fernandes is no exception. The owner of several vehicles, he will ferry you to and from a place. He will drive you around Goa so you can see her natural and historical wonders. Besides these rather mundane activities, he will (if you are so inclined) take you bird watching.

Lloyd owns and runs Birds & Breakfast, which are exactly what he delivers. Each group that comes to him gets a custom-made experience, based on the kinds of birds they want to see and the places they want to visit. You walk through forests, stand beside lakes- just watch the birds, with Lloyd softly pointing out something you don't want to miss, like a golden oriole or Indian Pita (not the bread). And after that, a simple but delicious breakfast of tea or coffee, bread, boiled eggs, homemade mango jam, honey, and fruit.

Lloyd has been doing this for fourteen years now. He’s had a number of interesting bird experiences in that time: he’s held the chick of a red-wattled lapwing, seen a drongo eat a sunbird, and, in his own backyard, watched a pair of tailorbirds raise their young. The first group came to him in 1997. They gave him his first pair of binoculars and a book by DrSalim Ali. There’s been no looking back. Learning from and alongside the avid bird watchers who have hired him, Lloyd has seen over 400 of the birds that can be found in Goa. He can even recognize more than half of them by the sounds they make.


Next time- how you can get in touch with him!

Amor Piki mangoes

I’m the kind that believes in simple pleasures. And what do you know- the simple pleasures, more often than not, are also the ones that are good for the environment. For instance, the other morning I put a container of water out and had the joy of seeing a modvonn (or magpie robin) come take a few sips.

Now this post obviously isn’t about birds – you can tell that from the title. What it is about is that King of Fruits- the mango. There is nothing like a mango that has ripened on the tree. Each kind has its own flavour, aroma, skin… And the names have a charm of their own- Mankurad, Malgese, Frias, Chimut, Afonso, Mussarad, Bisp’, Xavier and on and on.

But we still haven’t arrived at the topic of today’s post. Every king was once a prince; every ripe mango was once amo/amor piki.

What exactly is AMO PIKI? It is a mango that isn’t quite ripe yet. The skin can’t be peeled off so easily. The taste is similar to a ripe mango but with a tang that changes the overall effect. And the smell is sharp, not so sharp as a tor (unripe mango) but more sappy than a ripe one.

How are these eaten? The organic fruit that drops around and on my home is enjoyed as a cold whole or slices. Alternatively, stew pieces in sugar syrup and eat with cream. Or if you’re looking for something a mite healthier, blend the stewed pieces with yoghurt and freeze in an ice cube tray with a little honey on top.

Can’t get your hands on an AMO PIKI because you don’t have a mango tree? Ask a friend who does to let you taste one succulent tangy fruit. If you have space, plant a tree in your garden. A tree is never a waste. Sure, you’ll have to wait a few years before you get any fruit. But it is worth the wait.

Today’s green tip: Summer’s here! Leave a bowl of water out for the animals and birds in your garden ecosystem.