Unplaned visit to Dr. Salim Ali Birds Sanctuary, Goa

I was at my village Kudal and suddenly made a plan for Goa at relative’s place.
After spending two days at relative’s home I started searching nearby places on the map. I found Dr. Salim Ali Birds Sanctuary is just 15 minutes away from that place. So I planned to visit sanctuary next day morning. I got a scooter and the next morning I left at 6.30 am from home. I reached at 6.50 am at the sanctuary gate. I was the first person for a day. I buy a ticket. It is for 20 Rs. for adult and 30 Rs. for a camera.
A person at the ticket counter suggested me to take a boat ride because there is less no. of chances to see birds in mangroves. They charge Rs. 700 for a boat ride. If you are in a group it will divide among all members. So I asked him is there any group coming today, then he replies yes. One group is coming. But I decided to walk in mangroves because it looks awesome from the gate.
After some walk, I realized it was the wrong decision. Because I didn’t found a single bird in mangroves. Then I reached a watchtower. I climb up and view from the top is really great. Even I saw a boat from that group which I supposed to be there. Fro top I saw that walking track and boat way connect at one point. So I reached that point and the same time that boat also reached there. Boatman was the same person who was at the ticket counter. So I got in the boat. And unexpectedly one of my Facebook friend Mohan Upadhyay leading that group. He is a member of Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra, Chiplun, and he is working on conservation of Sea Turtles from 15 years at Velas.
As soon as I got the lift in a boat I saw Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher. I was very lucky to have that boat ride. In that one and a half hours boat ride we saw so many birds and one crocodile also. The boatman has lots of knowledge about birds. And he is really a kind person. Because he didn’t charge from me for a boat ride.
At 10 am we came back to the gate I spend some time in mangroves. They also made one room where you can get information about birds. That room was really cool.
Best time to visit at the sanctuary is winter and at early morning at the time of low tide.
If you are coming from Panjim or from famous beaches of Goa, then you have to reach to the gate by ferry boat.