Kuldip Topo is a dedicated birder and nature enthusiast based in Goa. His solo birding adventures, love for documenting birds on eBird, and participation in initiatives like the Goa Bird Atlas and pelagic bird surveys reflect his deep commitment to bird conservation and citizen science.
1. Please tell us a bit about yourself. What do you do and where do you live?
My name is Kuldip Santosh Topo, residing in Goa. I am currently employed as a Project Assistant for the Community-Based Ecotourism Project in Tambdi Surla, Goa, under the Mineral Foundation of Goa. Additionally, I do freelance guiding for Mrugaya Xpeditions, conducting birdwatching trails, night trails, and nature walks in Goa. Mrugaya Xpeditions is a nature-based tour operator that specializes in bird watching tours across India, herpetofauna exploration in Goa and Amboli, educational tours for students, and heritage architecture tours.
I obtained a Master’s degree in Zoology in 2019 from Goa University College. Following that, I served as Technical Support Group (TSG) member, responsible for conducting People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR) under the Goa State Biodiversity Board in 2019. Subsequently, I assumed the role of Project Assistant for the Biodiversity Assessment and Management Plan for Tollem and Cavrem Mines of Timblo Pvt. Ltd. under the Mineral Foundation of Goa in 2020.
2. When and how did you get interested in birding?
Honestly, I wasn’t into birdwatching initially. But during my M.Sc. in 2018–19, I met Jalmesh Karapurkar—now a nature enthusiast and wildlifer from Goa—who introduced me to birding.
He was both a college friend and a mentor, sharing his passion for birds. We would explore the campus with his monocular and, on weekends, visit birding hotspots in Goa with our classmates. Our weekends were spent exploring wildlife areas and learning about birds from him.
During college, he would lend me his Nikon D3400 camera with a 300mm lens, which helped me take pictures and learn about different bird species. Over time, I began venturing into forests alone, eager to spot and document more birds—still using his camera. I’m really thankful to him for teaching me about birds and lending me his gadgets, like the camera and monocular, during my learning phase. To me, he’s the person who transformed a hunter into a nature lover.
He also introduced me to NGOs like the Arannya Environment Research Organisation (AERO), which conducts nature-based activities, and the Goa Bird Conservation Network (GBCN), which organizes bird walks in Goa. Through these organizations, I had the opportunity to learn from experts and gain valuable knowledge.
3. Do you have a favourite bird or birds? Why is it/are they your favourite?
My favorite bird is the Indian Paradise-Flycatcher, especially the white morph with its long tail. It’s truly amazing to watch as it flaunts its ribbon-like tail in the wild. Watching it dive into the water for a quick bath always makes me admire it even more.
A male Indian Paradise Flycatcher makes a graceful dash across the water. Photo by Abhijit Mishra | Macaulay Library
4. Do you have a birding partner or a group you enjoy birding with? How is birding alone different from birding with others?
For the past one to two years, I’ve mostly gone birding alone, as my work often requires me to travel solo. Whenever I get some free time, I try to do a bit of birding in and around the area. Sometimes, on weekends, my friends Sagar Naik and Jalmesh Karapurkar join me to explore new spots. We also go birding as a group when there’s a chance to spot a lifer or a new bird species in the state. Every year, we participate in the Goa Bird Race, conducted by HSBC India Bird Races (now renamed as WINGS-Birds of India) in collaboration with GBCN.
Birding alone, which I do most of the time, gives me the freedom to explore areas at my own pace and spend as much time as I want. On the other hand, birding with a group can be restrictive due to time constraints, and with larger groups, there tends to be more chaos, which isn’t ideal for birding. However, I find that birding with a small group of 2-4 people, especially those who are attentive and knowledgeable birders, can be a truly rewarding experience
5. What is your most memorable birding experience?
I’d like to share my recent experience from the Bird Race event held on 23rd February 2025, where my group and I participated in the Goa Bird Race.
We began our day with a wetland birding trail, where we spotted species like the Bristled Grassbird, Bay-backed Shrike, Lesser Whitethroat, Orange-breasted Green Pigeon, and even a Collared Kingfisher, along with several other common species in and around Carambolim Lake and its surroundings (Important Bird Area). This gave us an advantage in terms of spotting rare species and boosting our bird count for the race.
The Pectoral Sandpiper made a rare appearance in Goa at Maina-Raia Wetlands in the month of January 2024, after taking guidance from Omkar Dharwadkar, a passionate naturalist from Goa, I reached the location, after a three-hour search, I was thrilled to spot the bird in an agricultural field and capture some photographs, making the experience truly rewarding.
6. Anything on the birding bucket list? (Doesn’t have to be a bird, could be a place, witnessing a phenomena, etc)
There are still many lifers left to add to my bucket list that I’d like to spot and document in Goa first. In the future, I would love to visit Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh, again to catch a glimpse of the elusive Snow Leopard, which we missed on our previous trip in 2021. I also look forward to exploring other states like Maharashtra for mountaineering and trekking with my friends, where we’ll go birding and try to spot and photograph other fascinating wildlife.
7. Which of the two do you enjoy more and why: a) regular birding around your house/local patch/district, or b) widespread birding in different landscapes across different districts and states?
Regular birding in and around my house and workplace is more convenient, easy, and enjoyable for me, as it’s budget-friendly and doesn’t require much planning or extra effort. On weekends or during long holidays, I like to plan visits to neighboring states for birding and to explore other fascinating wildlife.
8. How has your approach to birding changed over the years?
During my initial days of birding, I wasn’t very focused on bird data or documentation. However, over time, I realized its importance. Now, wherever I go—whether it’s my backyard, workplace, or even another state—I make it a habit to create eBird checklists for both day trips and night trails.
Initially, I wasn’t very keen on documenting birds, but using eBird made me realize its potential and how I, as an individual, can contribute meaningfully. This also encouraged me to participate in the Goa Bird Atlas and contribute to a larger cause. Additionally, I’ve been actively involved with AERO in their pelagic bird surveys, which not only offer a great opportunity to observe seabirds but also provide a new and exciting experience.
Being part of such initiatives has deepened my understanding of bird distribution, migration patterns, and conservation efforts, making my birding journey all the more meaningful.
Participants of the September 2024 pelagic bird survey beam with excitement during their expedition off the coast of Goa.
9. Have you set any birding goals for the coming months?
Yes, I’ve set a few birding goals for the coming months. One of my main focuses is to actively participate in eBird’s monthly challenges, as they keep me motivated to explore different habitats and improve my documentation skills. I plan to regularly submit checklists—including both day and night trails—to contribute valuable data.
I also plan to participate in the monthly bird walks conducted by GBCN, as they offer a great opportunity to connect with fellow birders, learn from experts, and discover new birding hotspots. These activities will help me stay consistent with birding while contributing meaningfully to citizen science.
Header Image: Orange-breasted Green-Pigeon Treron bicinctus © Amit Bandekar / Macaulay Library
