Last December, our team at Grounded embarked on an exciting bird-watching walk at the Socorro Plateau in Goa. A local eco-organization organized this beautiful trail, Khoj-aao, providing us with a perfect retreat into the wild, which is literally in my backyard in Goa.

We gathered at the meeting spot around 4 PM, ready for an evening walk. Goa is renowned for its birdlife and home to the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, had us hopeful for what the plateau had in store for us.  We were told that the plateau is home to around 400 species of birds and many trees in Goa. These are some of the joys of living in Goa.

As we walked, the plateau revealed its wonders. We saw a variety of birds, insects, and plants that made the experience truly special. The setting sun cast a golden glow over the landscape, adding to the beauty of the evening.

Here are some of the highlights from our walk:

• Birds of Goa: Green bee-eaters, Blue-tailed bee-eater, Red-vented bulbuls, Red-whiskered bulbuls, Indian Robin, Indian Golden Orioles, Black drongo, Rock pigeons, Brahminy kite, Malabar Barbets, Asian Koel, Barn swallows, Spotted doves, Indian Peafowl, Pied Bushchat, Brahminy Starlings, Plum-headed Parakeets, Greater Coucal

• Biodiversity: Indian Giant Millipede, Crematogaster ant colonies, Indian Golden Hare (scat), Crab's eye, Ironwood plant (Anjan in Hindi), Button pipeworts, Saptaparni tree (blackboard tree), Ghela (fish poison plant), many types of grasses.

Pc: Sanjeet Wahi

Our bird-watching walk at Socorro Plateau was more than just an evening out. It was a chance to connect with nature, learn about the local wildlife, and bond as a team. The memories we made and the beauty we witnessed will stay with us for a long time.

If you're ever in Goa and looking for a peaceful retreat, we highly recommend taking a bird-watching walk at the Socorro Plateau. It's an experience you will remember!

In celebration of World Earth Day 2024, we wanted to share our journey of building a small house in Goa using rammed earth construction. We've divided our experience into three parts:

PART 1: the project's inception,

PART 2: the challenges we encountered, and finally,

PART 3: the successful execution of our first rammed earth wall on-site.

Our story begins with the start of the project and a hands-on workshop on Rammed Earth led by Gia Mantra Village. Sanjeev Wahi the COO of Grounded attended this workshop.

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Following this, we delved into research and development specific to our site living in Goa, conducting tests, and facing various challenges along the way.

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Through our dedication and with assistance from Thumb Impressions, we overcame these obstacles and successfully completed the first wall of the house.

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From researching and trying out different mixes to solving real-life challenges with the walls, we've come a long way. Building rammed earth walls depends a lot on the specific site and many factors need to be taken into account. We've successfully built these walls at our site and want to share our experience to help others interested in rammed earth construction find all the information they need in one place. You can find more about our journey on our Instagram. If you have any questions, feel free to send us a direct message.

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Sakshi R Ghodake

Our love for flowers continues and Goa is vested with a bounty of gorgeous bright flowers that bloom profusely throughout the year. Following is a list of a some locally found species that are grow well in Goa.

Cordia Sebestena L. Tree

Cordia Sebestena L.

Common Name: Aloe Wood, Orange Geiger Tree.
Color: Orange.
Fruiting: Blooms throughout the year, particularly in the spring and summer.
Occasionally seen in gardens, can be seen in Kala academy and Garcia da Orta academy.

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Cascabela thevetia (L.) Lippold

Common Name: Oleander.
Color: Yellow, pink & white.
Fruiting: Blooms from summer to fall.
Is usually planted as a hedge plant and maintained as a shrub.

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Allamanda Cathartica

Allamanda Cathartica

Common Name: Allamanda Golden-Trumpet Golden, Trumpet Vine, Yellow Allamanda.
Color:Yellow, pink & white color.
Fruiting: It blooms from spring to summer.

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Plumeria Rubra L. Tree

Plumeria Rubra L.

Common Name: Champa
Color: Yellow, pink & white
Fruiting: Blooms from early summer to fall.

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Albizia Julibrissin Rosea

Common Name: Silktree
Color: Pink
Fruiting: Blooms from early summer.

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Caesalpinia Pulcherrima

Common Name: Peacock flower
Color: Yellow, orange, red
Fruiting: Blooms from late summer to fall.

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Brugmansia plant

Brugmansia

Common Name: Angel’s Trumpet
Color: Yellow, white
Fruiting: Flowers in mid to late spring in warm climates and continue into the fall (autumn), often continuing as late as early winter in warm conditions.

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Mussaenda erythrophylla

Common Name: Ashanti blood, red flag bush and tropical dogwood
Color: Pink, white, red
Fruiting: Blooms from March to June.

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Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Common Name: Hibiscus
Color: Pink, white, red, yellow
Fruiting: Blooms throughout the year.

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Nyctaginaceae.

Common Name: Bougainvillea
Color: Pink, white, yellow
Fruiting: Blooms from May to December.

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Ixora coccinea

Common Name: Scarlet Jungle Flame, Flame of the Woods
Color: Pink, white, yellow, orange, red
Fruiting: Blooms from spring to fall.

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FLOWERING CREEPERS

Campsis Radicans

Common Name: trumpet creeper
Color: Yellow, orange, red
Fruiting: Blooms during summer months.

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Clerodendrum thomsoniae

Common Name: Bleeding-heart, Bleeding Heart Vine
Color: White, red
Fruiting: Blooms during summer season.

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Thunbergia laurifolia

Common Name: Blue Trumpet Vine, Laurel-Leared Thunbergia, Laurel Clock Vine
Color: Pale blue, purple
Fruiting: Blooms from August to September.

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All Photographs are from the internet.

Goa is not only known for its beaches, but it is famous for its flora and fauna as well. If you're someone living in Goa, you will know of its vibrant variety of aviary species. The state is home to 5% of the world’s bird species and about 50% of the bird species found in India, making it an important location for birdwatchers.

Intermediate Egret

Red Whiskered Bulbul

Asian Geen Bee Eater

The bird-lovers visiting Goa have a lot of places to choose from; Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Carambolim Lake, Soccorro Plateau, Morjim Beach, Curtorim Wetland Complex and Zuari are among the significant birdwatching locations here.

Purple Rumped Sunbird

Pale Billed Flowerpecker

Barn Swallow

Black Winged Stilt

Black Headed Ibis

Brahminy Kite

Oriental Magpie Robin

Gull Billed Tern

We here at GROUNDED have attempted to give you a compilation of the most commonly spotted birds in Goa, especially the regions closer to our villa projects. For anyone looking to move to Goa, check out our upcoming sustainable villa developments here.

All photographs are taken by our COO and resident wildlife and architectural photographer, Sanjeet Wahi.

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Grounded in Goa is a series that documents the everyday beauties and joys of living in Goa. For anyone looking to move to Goa, it offers a glimpse into Goa's undeniable connection with nature, a life lived in harmony with the fertile land, changing skies, and the giving waters.

Also read - What To Look For While Buying A House in Goa and Designing a House in Goa

Grounded in Goa is a series that documents the everyday beauties and joys of living in Goa. For anyone looking to move to Goa, it offers a glimpse into Goa's undeniable connection with nature, a life lived in harmony with the fertile land, changing skies, and the giving waters.

Also read - What To Look For While Buying A House in Goa and Designing a House in Goa

Goa is a goldmine of biodiversity and trees are the crucial negotiators that tie these ecosystems together. As awareness increases about habitat loss and deforestation, people have taken the responsibility of hosting planting and re-wilding drives. The first step in this process is to identify and select plant species which are most effective and resource efficient for natural landscaping.

Here are popular, easy to source, and easy to plant species that are commonly found along Goa’s roads and within Goan homes.

AVENUE TREES

These trees are typically used for roadside planting owing to their large and extensive canopies that offer shade throughout the year. One often finds seasonal flowering trees chosen as avenue trees. However, fruiting varieties are typically avoided and are found mostly in private properties.

01 The Indian Laburnum

Cassia Fistula or The Indian Laburnum or Amaltas as it is locally called is a medium-sized deciduous tree. It is a sun loving tree that is known for its abundant and glorious yellow summer flowers. The tree is extensively found in Goa, especially along the roads of Panjim.

02 The Scholar’s Tree

The Scholar’s Tree or Satvin as it is locally called is a tall, evergreen tree with branches in whorls. The tree blooms in the winter with white, fragrant flowers that are found in clusters. The tree is found all over Goa and is also otherwise known as The Devil’s Tree.

HOME TREES

Goa’s incredible biodiversity is best experienced at home. Homeowners can choose to plant any native flowering or fruiting tree without worrying about extensive care or maintenance. Many of these trees are also found in Goa’s public gardens and are known to attract a wide variety of birds and butterflies. These trees also support a lot of insects and creepy crawlies. This post tells you how you can design to coexist with and celebrate Goa’s diverse flora and fauna.

03. The Frangipani Tree

Plumeria Rubra or Plumeria Obtusa or Frangipani or Champa as it is lovingly called is a tropical tree and is a residential favourite in Goa. The Champa shrub has a lovely sculptural form and requires little maintenance. The plant does not require too much water and can thrive in any well-drained soil. The flowers are fragrant, bloom throughout the year, and come in different colours.

04. The Traveller’s Palm

The Traveller’s Palm is a picturesque spreading tree that looks beautiful when used along compound walls and the site edges. The fan profile layers over and blurs the hard site edge while also creating privacy. The palm is water loving and retentive, making it a valuable landscape feature during Goa’s heavy monsoons.

Also read about the native trees of Goa here.

Find a detailed list of Goa’s native trees in this directory.

Read our blog post on Protecting the Western Ghats here.