This weekend, take a break from those mobile screens and step into the wilderness, where you'll be surrounded by blue skies and chirping birds.
In the second edition of Beyond the Blue, explore Carambolim Lake and get lost in nature’s melody on a breathtaking bird walk on February 9, 2025.
The one-hour guided tour will give parents, children and others an opportunity to connect with nature and pick up various skills, besides breakfast at a local outlet, a stop for Q and A and other interactive activities.
“We live in a very distracted world, and these bird walks are an opportunity to meet like-minded people,” says Aishwarya Rivonkar, host of Beyond the Blue, who organised a beach walk last year in South Goa.
"This walk will start with breakfast at a local house as we will be serving a meal as part of the experience,” she adds.
This bird walk is perfect for busy parents, professionals and nature lovers looking for a conscious break, where zoologist Ankush Sahani will discuss the various species of birds, delicate dragonflies and even elusive butterflies, all while soaking in the tranquil beauty of the lake.
The one-hour guided tour will give parents, children and others an opportunity to connect with nature and pick up various skills, besides breakfast at a local outlet, a stop for Q and A and other interactive activities.
The guided walk will include spotting and learning about resident and migratory birds with the help of an expert guide.
There is a possibility of sighting kingfishers, egrets, jacanas, drongos, darters and other interesting birds, and also exploring the mesmerising wonders of nature by learning about dragonflies, damselflies and butterflies.
“We will encourage mindfulness and ask participants to slow down, listen to bird calls and connect with the environment. We will also engage in fun birding challenges – activities where participants try to spot birds from a curated checklist,” says Aishwarya.
A brief talk on wetland ecosystems and the importance of preserving habitats is also included in the session.
Of over 300 species at Carambolim Lake, the group will be spotting famous and rare lake inhabitants like the black-hooded oriole, the pied kingfisher, the Indian paradise flycatcher (a beautiful bird with a white elongated tail), purple heron, purple swamp hen and other interesting species apart from birds.
Aishwarya says such walks encourage young minds to be mindful of their surroundings.
“Our ancestors were aware of their environment and believed in co-existing with nature. We are, however, getting more modernised and losing track of the fact that we need to conserve nature. So, we need to live in a world where we can live along with the nature and other species,” Aishwarya says.
“We look for locations away from the city, and we want to disconnect with city noises, so people can enjoy their time connecting with nature,” adds Aishwarya, who added that there is no age restriction for those seeking to participate in the walk.
DETAILS
WHAT: Beyond the Blue – birding experience
WHEN: Sunday, February 9, 2025
WHERE: Carambolim Lake, North Goa
CONTACT: +91 9637857434