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TRANSCRIPT
Report of a birding trip to
Sri Lanka 8–19 January 2017
by
Dick Meijer and Peter van Scheepen
Orange-breasted Pigeon, Udawalawe
Horton plains
Introduction
We (Peter van Scheepen and Dick Meijer) visited Sri Lanka from 9 January to 19
January 2017. Our prime targets were the 33 endemic species of bird of Sri Lanka
(see table 1) as well as three highly sought–after wintering birds: Kashmir
Flycatcher, Pied Thrush and Indian Pitta.
We had extremely good and often multiple views of all our main targets. Moreover
we found three unexpected species: Rain Quail, Malayan Night–Heron and Pallas's
Grasshopper–Warbler. We consider the latter as the bird of the trip with Pied Thrush
as a very close second best.
We recorded 242 species of bird, of which none was 'heard only' and we recorded
15 species of mammal of which a distant Leopard was perhaps the most exciting.
Our itinerary enabled us to see all our main target species as well as an
unprecedented percentage of over 90 of all our targets. Kithulgala and Sinharaja
are essential to find the endemic owls and rain forest species. The highlands near
Nuwara Eliya are essential to find the much sought–after endemic species of higher
altitudes.
Nandana Hewagamage of Nature Walk Sri Lanka ([email protected] ,
+94(0)712541093 or +94(0)779669367, skype: nadanantgl,
www.naturewalksrilanka.com) was our driver and guide. Nandana did a great job:
he was very sharp in the field, persevering, and not in the least very good
company. Highly recommended!
Sri Lanka turned out to be a pleasant place to stay with great nature, friendly
people, comfortable transport, fine accommodation, good food and excellent
weather.
All the above mentioned ingredients resulted in a very successful and relaxed trip
alike.
Map 1
Map 2. South-west Sri Lanka
Sites visited and noteworthy species
1. Kithulgala (37 targets, 24 endemics)
Recorded by us: Sri Lanka Junglefowl (1st endemic), Malayan Night–Heron, Crested
Hawk–Eagle, Sri Lanka Green–Pigeon (2nd endemic), Green–billed Coucal (3rd
endemic), Serendib Scops–Owl (4th endemic), Chestnut–backed Owlet (5th
endemic), Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Indian Swiftlet, Sri Lanka Gray Hornbill (6th
endemic), Crimson–fronted Barbet (7th endemic, seen en route to Kithulgala,
Yellow–fronted Barbet (8th endemic), Crimson–backed Flameback (9th endemic),
Layard’s Parakeet (10th endemic), Sri Lanka Hanging–Parrot (11th endemic), Indian
Pitta, Sri Lanka Drongo, (12th endemic), Indian Paradise–Flycatcher, Sri Lanka
Swallow (13th endemic), Black–capped Bulbul (14th endemic), Yellow–browed
Bulbul, Square–tailed Bulbul, Large–billed Leaf Warbler, Dark–fronted Babbler, Sri
Lanka Scimitar–Babbler (15th endemic), Brown–capped Babbler (16th endemic),
Orange–billed Babbler (17th endemic), Brown–breasted Flycatcher, Tickell’s Blue–
Flycatcher, Spot–winged Thrush (18th endemic), Southern Hill Myna (heard only)
and Purple-rumped Sunbird.
Also possible: Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Red–faced Malkoha, Sri Lanka Woodshrike, Sri
Lanka Blue-Magpie, Green Warbler, Indian Blue Robin, Sri Lanka Myna, Jerdon’s
Leafbird, White–throated Flowerpecker and Black–throated Munia.
Kithulgala
2. Sinharaja / Martin’s Place (48 targets, 27 endemics)
Seen by us: Sri Lanka Spurfowl (19th endemic), Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Crested
Hawk–Eagle, Sri Lanka Green–Pigeon, Red–faced Malkoha (20th emdemic), Green–
billed Malkoha, Chestnut–backed Owlet, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Malabar Trogon, Sri
Lanka Gray Hornbill, Yellow–fronted Barbet, Crimson–backed Flameback, Layard's
Parakeet, Sri Lanka Hanging–Parrot, Sri Lanka Drongo, Indian Paradise–Flycatcher,
Sri Lanka Blue-Magpie (near rubbish dump at ticket office, 21st endemic), Sri Lanka
Swallow, Black–capped Bulbul, White–browed Bulbul, Yellow–browed Bulbul,
Square–tailed Bulbul, Green Warbler, Large–billed Leaf Warbler, Sri Lanka White–
eye (22nd endemic), Dark–fronted Babbler, Sri Lanka Scimitar–Babbler, Orange–
billed Babbler, Yellow–billed Babbler, Ashy–Headed Laughingthrush (23rd endemic),
Brown–breasted Flycatcher, Spot–winged Thrush, Sri Lanka Thrush (24th endemic),
Sri Lanka Myna (25th endemic), White–faced Starling (26th endemic), White–
throated Flowerpecker (27th endemic), Purple–rumped Sunbird, Black–throated
Munia and Tricolored Munia.
Also possible: Sri Lanka Wood–Pigeon, Serendib Scops–Owl, Spot–bellied Eagle–
Owl, Chestnut–headed Bee–eater, Crimson–fronted Barbet, Tawny–bellied Babbler,
Southern Hill Myna, Jerdon’s Leafbird and Long–billed Sunbird.
Ticket office, Sinharaja rain forest
3. Udawalawe (13 targets, 2 endemics)
Seen by us: Blue–breasted Quail, Rain Quail, Crested Hawk–Eagle, Orange–
breasted Pigeon, Sri Lanka Green–Pigeon, Gray–bellied Cuckoo, Chestnut–headed
Bee–eater, White–tailed Iora, Jerdon’s Bushlark, Tawny–bellied Babbler, Yellow–
billed Babbler, White–browed Bulbul, Green Warbler and Tricolored Munia.
Also possible: Blue–faced Malkoha, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Crimson–backed
Flameback, Indian Pitta and Sri Lanka Woodshrike.
4. Bundala NP (4 targets, no endemics)
Seen by us: Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Jerdon's Bushlark, Yellow–billed Babbler, and
Tricolored Munia.
Also possible: Jerdon’s Nightjar, Indian Nightjar, White–tailed Iora and Tawny–
bellied Babbler.
Bundala NP
5. Tissamaharama (3 targets, 2 endemics)
Seen by us: Sri Lanka Woodshrike (28th endemic), Jerdon's Bushlark, White–browed
Bulbul, Yellow–billed Babbler, Jerdon's Leafbird (garden of Hibiscus hotel), Purple–
rumped Sunbird and Long–billed Sunbird.
Also possible: Streaked Weaver.
7. Yala NP (21 targets, 6 endemics)
Seen by us: Blue–breasted Quail, Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Crested Hawk–Eagle,
Orange–breasted Pigeon, Blue–faced Malkoha, Gray–bellied Cuckoo, Chestnut–
headed Bee–eater, Indian Pitta, Sri Lanka Woodshrike, Indian Paradise–Flycatcher,
Jerdon’s Bushlark, Yellow–browed Bulbul, Large–billed Leaf Warbler, Tawny–bellied
Babbler and Yellow–billed Babbler.
Also possible: Sri Lanka Green–Pigeon, Jerdon’s Nightjar, Indian Nightjar, Malabar
Pied Hornbill, White–tailed Iora, Sri Lanka Swallow, Sri Lanka White–eye, Dull–blue
Flycatcher, Indian Blue Robin, Sri Lanka Whistling–Thrush, Indian Silverbill and
Gray–hooded Bunting.
8. Surrey Estate (6 targets, 5 endemics)
Seen by us: Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Sri Lanka Wood–Pigeon (29th endemic), Indian
Paradise–Flycatcher, Orange–billed Babbler, Indian Blue Robin and Dull–blue
Flycatcher (30th endemic).
Also possible: Sri Lanka Spurfowl.
9. Victoria Park / Nuwara Eliya (14 targets, 7 endemics)
Seen by us: Yellow–eared Bulbul (31st endemic), Sri Lanka Bush–Warbler (below
Nuwara Eliya, along access road, 33th endemic), Pallas's Grasshopper–Warbler, Sri
Lanka White–eye, Sri Lanka Whistling–Thrush (below Nuwara Eliya, along access
road, 32nd endemic), Indian Blue Robin, Kashmir Flycatcher, Pied Thrush and Indian
Blackbird.
Also possible: Sri Lanka Wood–Pigeon, Indian Pitta, White–browed Bulbul, Large–
billed Leaf Warbler, Sri Lanka Scimitar–Babbler and Dull–blue Flycatcher.
10. Horton Plains (20 targets, 10 endemics)
Seen by us: Sri Lanka Wood–Pigeon, Hill Swallow, Yellow–eared Bulbul, Green
Warbler, Sri Lanka Bush–Warbler, Sri Lanka White–eye, Yellow–billed Babbler and
Indian Blackbird.
Also possible: Crimson–backed Flameback, Sri Lanka Blue-Magpie, Large–billed
Leaf Warbler, Dark–fronted Babbler, Sri Lanka Scimitar–Babbler, Orange–billed
Babbler, Dull–blue Flycatcher, Indian Blue Robin, Sri Lanka Whistling–Thrush,
Jerdon’s Leafbird, Indian Silverbill, Black–throated Munia and Scaly–breasted Munia.
Horton Plains
11. Kandy (20 targets, 8 endemics)
Seen by us: Yellow–fronted Barbet, Southern Hill Myna (along road to Kandy) and
Purple–rumped Sunbird.
Also possible: Sri Lanka Wood–Pigeon, Spot–bellied Eagle–Owl, Crimson–fronted
Barbet, Crimson–backed Flameback, Sri Lanka Hanging–Parrot, Indian Pitta, Hill
Swallow, Green Warbler, Large–billed Leaf Warbler, Tawny–bellied Babbler, Dark–
fronted Babbler, Sri Lanka Scimitar–Babbler, Brown–capped Babbler, Brown–
breasted Flycatcher, Tickell’s Blue–Flycatcher, Dull–blue Flycatcher, Kashmir
Flycatcher, Pied Thrush and Purple Sunbird.
Sri Lanka endemics and sites where recorded
Species Site (s)
1. Sri Lanka Spurfowl Sinharaja
2. Sri Lanka Junglefowl Recorded at all sites visited
3. Sri Lanka Wood–Pigeon Surrey Estate and Horton Plains
4. Sri Lanka Green–Pigeon Kithulgala and Sinharaja
5. Red–faced Malkoha Sinharaja
6. Green–billed Coucal Kithulgala and Sinharaja
7. Serendib Scops–Owl Kithulgala
8. Chestnut–backed Owlet Kithulgala and Sinharaja
9. Sri Lanka Gray Hornbill Kithulgala and Sinharaja
10. Crimson–fronted Barbet En route to Kithulgala
11.Yellow–fronted Barbet Kithulgala, Sinharaja, Victoria Park and Kandy
12. Crimson–backed Flameback Kithulgala and Sinharaja
13. Layard’s Parakeet Kithulgala and Sinharaja
14. Sri Lanka Hanging–Parrot Kithulgala, Sinharaja and Victoria Park
15. Sri Lanka Woodshrike Tissamaharama and Yala NP
16. Sri Lanka Drongo Kithulgala and Sinharaja
17. Sri Lanka Blue-Magpie Sinharaja
18. Sri Lanka Swallow Kithulgala and Sinharaja
19. Black–capped Bulbul Kithulgala and Sinharaja
20. Yellow–eared Bulbul Horton Plains and Victoria Park
21. Sri Lanka Bush–Warbler Horton Plains and en route to Nuwara Eliya
22. Sri Lanka White–eye Sinharaja, Horton Plains and Victoria Park
23. Sri Lanka Scimitar–Babbler Kithulgala and Sinharaja
24. Brown–capped Babbler Kithulgala
25. Orange–billed Babbler Kithulgala and Sinharaja
26. Ashy–headed Laughingthrush Sinharaja
27. Dull–blue Flycatcher Surrey Estate
28. Sri Lanka Whistling–Thrush En route to Nuwara Eliya
29. Spot–winged Thrush Kithulgala, Sinharaja and Horton Plains
30. Sri Lanka Thrush Sinharaja
31. Sri Lanka Myna Sinharaja
32. White–faced Starling Sinharaja
33. White–throated Flowerpecker Sinharaja Table 1: Sri Lanka endemics and sites where recorded by us
Itinerary
Date Transport and activities Accommodation
8 January Transavia flight Amsterdam to Dubai at 6.35
– 16.30 hrs. and SriLankan Airways flight
Dubai to Colombo at 23.00 – 4.55 hrs.
Slept on the plane
9 January Arrival in Colombo at 4.55 hrs.; Kithulgala
village and Kithulgala rain forest.
Kithulgala, Plantation
hotel
10 January Kithulgala village and Kithulgala rain forest. Kithulgala, Plantation
hotel
11 January Kithugula village in early morning and drive
to Sinharaja rain forest
Sinharaja, Martin's
lodge
12 January Sinharaja rain forest. Sinharaja, Martin's
lodge
13 January Sinharaja rain forest. Sinharaja, Martin's
lodge
14 January Sinharaja in early morning and drive to
Udawalawe, safari in afternoon.
Udawalawe, Safari
lodge
15 January Bundala NP early morning and drive to lakes
of Tissamaharama in afternoon.
Tissamaharama, Hibiscus hotel
16 January Safari in Yala NP. Tissamaharama,
Hibiscus hotel
17 January Drive to Nuwara Eliya in the morning and
Victoria Park in afternoon.
Nuwara Eliya,
Leisure village
18 January Drive to Horton Plains in early morning and
Nuwara Eliya in afternoon.
Nuwara Eliya,
Leisure village
19 January Drive to airport via Kandy and Sri Lankan
Airways flight to Dubai at 18.40 – 21.50 hrs.
Table 2: Itinerary
Daily log
8 January
Flew with early morning Transavia flight from Amsterdam to Dubai – where we
resisted the temptation to go to the Mushrif National Park to search Pallid Scops–
Owl – and with late night Sri Lankan Airlines flight from Dubai to Colombo.
9 January
Early morning drive from Kitunayaka airport north of Colombo to Kithulgala by
minivan with stop at Minuwangoda (Indian Scops-Owl). On foot and by ferry across
Kelani river to Makandawe rain forest in the afternoon. Slept in Plantation hotel with
nice restaurant on the bank of the river.
10 January
On foot across Kelani river over suspension bridge and back and thereafter uphill
along rubber trees (Crimson–backed Woodpecker) in the morning. Again on foot
across Kelani river over suspension bridge and back by ferry and tuk-tuk in the
afternoon. Slept in Plantation hotel again.
11 January
Again on foot across Kelani river
over suspension bridge which
produced poor views of Green–
billed Coucal (and leeches from
the tea plants) in the morning.
By minivan and 4–WD to Martin's
Place near the gate of Sinharaja
NP and on foot into the forest
over the main trail (brief views of
Sri Lanka Thrush) in the
afternoon. Slept in Martin's
Place, rather basic, without WiFi
and cell phone–signal but en route to Sinharaja
nevertheless attractive due to its atmosphere and view.
12 January
On foot again into the Sinharaja forest beyond the research station in the morning
(Red–faced Malkoha, White–faced Starling and Ashy–headed Laughing–Thrush). On
foot downhill to the ticket office and uphill back in the afternoon (Sri Lanka Blue-
Magpie). Slept in Martin's Place again.
13 January
By 4–WD to well-known house at Kalawana very early in the morning to watch Sri
Lanka Spurfowl which are being fed there; also very good views of Green–billed
Coucal near the house. On foot uphill to research center near the gate outside of
the park where Pied Thrush remained unseen. Slept in Martin's Place again.
14 January
Drove by minivan from Sinharaja to Udawalawe – had Sri Lanka Spurfowl at the
ticket office of Shinharaja before we left – and did a safari in the afternoon which
produced amongst others: Jerdon's Bushlark, Gray–bellied Cuckoo, White–tailed
Iora, Orange–breasted Green–Dove, Blue–breasted Quail, Rain Quail, Malabar Pied
Hornbill, Chestnut–headed Bee–eater and Tawny–bellied Babbler. Slept in Safari
Lodge.
15 January
Drove from Udawalawe to Bundala, birded the very bird–rich Bundala NP in the
early morning, where we failed to find Spoon–billed Sandpiper which was seen here
the previous day amidst the many other waders. Drove to Tissamaharama. Birded
the area around the lake which produced Sri Lanka Woodshrike. Slept in the
excellent Hibiscus hotel in Tissamaharama.
16 January
Drove to Yala NP and were in the park from 6.00 to 18.00 hrs. which produced our
only Blue–faced Malkoha and Black–headed Cuckoo–Shrike as well as a Leopard on
a distant tree. Slept in Hibiscus hotel again.
17 January
Drove from Tissamaharama
surrounded by rice fields to Nuwara
Eliya surrounded by tea plants with a
productive stop at Surrey Estate
(Dull–blue Flycatcher, Brown Wood–
Owl, Indian Blue Robin and Sri Lanka
Wood–Pigeon). Found Pied Thrush,
Yellow–eared Bulbul and Kashmir
Flycatcher in Victoria Park and Sri
Lanka Whistling–Thrush, Indian Blue
Robin, Indian Blackbird, Yellow–eared Victoria park, Nuwara Eliya
Bulbul and Sri Lanka Bush–Warbler (our 33rd and last Sri Lanka endemic) along the
road below Nuwara Eliya. Slept in Leisure Village.
18 January
Drove uphill from Nuwara Eliya to the gate of Horton Plains NP in the morning which
produced Hill Swallow, good views of Sri Lanka White–eye, Indian Blackbird, Sri
Lanka Wood–Pigeon and Green Warbler. Went to a forest near our hotel in the
afternoon (Green Warbler and Sri Lanka White–eye again) and to the inner part of
the horse race track where we had very good views of Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler,
an unexpected and very good species. Slept in Leisure Village again.
19 January
Left Nuwara Eliya very early to drive to Kandy with good views of Hill Myna (so far
our last heard only species of the trip) on the way. Failed to find Spot–bellied
Eagle–Owl in the Udawattekele park and continued to Katunayaka airport where we
said goodbye to our guide Nandana and flew to Dubai with Sri Lankan Airways at
18.40 hrs.
Weather
The weather was excellent during our entire stay: no rain whatsoever, sunny every
day, hot in the lowlands, pleasant in the hills.
Annoyances and dangers
Leeches in Kithulgala and Sinharaja were the most annoying things we had to deal
with. Despite the drought leech socks were necessary at these two sites, especially
the tea plants seem to harbor many leeches. Safety is not an issue in Sri Lanka: we
felt very safe everywhere.
Nandana Hewagamage
References
In the field we used:
Warakagoda, Deepal; Inskipp, Carol and Tim and Grimmett, 'Birds of Sri
Lanka', (2012), Helm Field Guides, ISBN 0713688535.
While preparing and digesting our trip we used the following trip reports:
Chris Bowden & Angela Schmid, Trip report Sri Lanka,Three weeks birding in
December 1997.
Mike Bowman, Sri Lanka, 20 October to 4 November 1997.
Eldert Groenewoud, Trip report Sri Lanka, October 19th – November 1st 2008
Remco Hofland (Inezia Tours), Sri Lanka, 17 februari – 2 maart 2014 (in
Dutch).
Teus Luijendijk, Sri Lanka juni/juli 2009 (in Dutch).
Simon Plat, Sri Lanka– ideaal voor endemen en familie, Club 4500, januari
2005 (in Dutch).
Laurens Steijn (Birding Breaks), Sri Lanka reisverslag 4 – 20 december 2013
(in Dutch).
Laurens Stein (Birding Breaks), Checklist Sri Lanka, 2 – 18 December 2015.
Hans Westerlaken, Bird Trip Report Sri Lanka, 22nd of December 2012 – 3rd of
January 2013
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to Hans Westerlaken who advised us to work with Nandana during
our trip. We thank Kees Verburg for his remarks after his proof reading of an earlier
version of this report.
Dick Meijer [email protected]
Peter van Scheepen [email protected]
Systematic list of birds
Sequence and taxonomy follow Clements 2016.
Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L.
Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2016. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world:
v2016. Downloaded from:
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
E = Endemic
1. Lesser Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna javanica)
80 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January, 100 at Bundala NP and 15 at
Tissamaharama on 15 January and 40 at Yala NP on 16 January.
Lesser Whistling-Duck, Bundala NP
2. Cotton Pygmy-Goose (Nettapus coromandelianus)
15 seen at Tissamaharama on 15 January.
3. Garganey (Anas querquedula)
4 seen at Bundala NP 15 January.
4. Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus)
30 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January, 15 at Bundala NP and 1 at
Tissamaharama on 15 January and 40 at Yala NP on 16 January, 10 at
Tissamaharama and 2 en route to Nuwara Eliya on 17 January.
Indian Peafowl, Udawalawe
5. Sri Lanka Spurfowl (Galloperdix bicalcarata) E
1 ♂♀ seen and 1 or 2 heard at Kalawana on 13 January and 1 ♂♀ at the
ticket office of Sinharaja rain forest on 14 January.
6. Blue-breasted Quail (Synoicus chinensis)
1 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January and 1 at Yala NP on 16 January.
7. Rain Quail (Coturnix coromandelica)
1 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January.
8. Sri Lanka Junglefowl (Gallus lafayettii) E
Up to 9 seen and more heard almost daily.
Not seen at Udawalawe.
9. Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
3 seen at Bundala NP 15 January.
10. Asian Openbill (Anastomus oscitans)
Up to 18 seen almost daily. Not seen at
Nuwara Eliya.
Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Sinharaja rain forest
11. Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus)
2 seen at Yala NP on 16 January.
12. Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala)
2 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January, 30 at Bundala NP and 1 at
Tissamaharama on 15 January and 20 at Yala NP on 16 January, 1 at
Tissamaharama and 1 en route to Nuwara Eliya on 17 January.
13. Little Cormorant (Microcarbo niger)
Up to 150 seen almost daily. Not seen at Sinharaja rain forest.
14. Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
2 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January.
15. Indian Cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis)
3 seen at Bundala NP on 15 January.
Asian Openbill, Tissamaharama Painted Stork, Yala NP
16. Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster)
3 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January, 100 at Bundala NP and 20 at
Tissamaharama on 15 January and 5 at Yala NP on 16 January, 1 at
Tissamaharama on 17 January.
Oriental Darter, Bundala NP
17. Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis)
12 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January, 25 at Bundala NP and 200 at
Tissamaharama on 15 January and 25 at Yala NP on 16 January, 100 at
Tissamaharama on 17 January.
Spot-billed Pelican, Yala NP
18. Yellow Bittern (Ixobrychus sinensis)
3 seen at Bundala NP and 1 at Tissamaharama on 15 January.
19. Black Bittern (Ixobrychus flavicollis)
3 seen at Kithulgala village on 10 January, 1 at Bundala NP and 10 at
Tissamaharama on 15 January and 1 at Tissamaharama on 17 January.
Black Bittern, Tissamaharama
20. Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea)
5 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January, 10 at Bundala NP and 6 at
Tissamaharama on 15 January and 10 at Yala NP on 16 January.
21. Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)
1 seen at Udawalawe on
14 January, 5 at Bundala NP and
2 at Tissamaharama on 15
January and 2 at Yala NP on
16 January.
22. Great Egret (Ardea alba)
Common in the lowlands.
23. Intermediate Egret
(Mesophoyx intermedia)
Common.
24. Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
Common.
Purple Heron, Tissamaharama
Intermediate Egret & Little Egret, Sinharaja rain forest Indian Pond-Heron, Kithulgala
25. Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
Common.
Cattle Egret, Yala NP
26. Indian Pond-Heron (Ardeola grayii)
Common.
27. Striated Heron (Butorides striata)
1 seen at Bundala NP on January.
28. Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
20 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January, 1 at Bundala NP and 1 at
Tissamaharama on 15 January and 1 at Yala NP on 16 January, 1 at
Tissamaharama on 17 January.
29. Malayan Night-Heron (Gorsachius melanolophus)
1 seen at Kithulgala rain forest on 10 January.
30. Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)
40 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January and 1 at Bundala NP on 15 January.
31. Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus)
4 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January, 50 at Bundala NP and 10 at
Tissamaharama on 15 January and 40 at Yala NP on 16 January.
Black-headed Ibis, Yala NP
32. Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)
8 seen at Bundala NP on 15 January and 25 at Yala NP on 16 January.
Eurasian Spoonbill, Bundala NP
33. Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus caeruleus)
1 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January and 1 at Horton plains on 18 January.
34. Oriental Honey-buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus)
3 seen at Kithulgala village on 9 January, 1 there on
10 and 11 January, 1 en route to Sinharaja rain
forest on 11 January, 1 at Sinharaja rain forest on
12 January and 2 there on 13 January.
Oriental Honey-buzzard, Sinharaja rain forest
35. Crested Serpent-Eagle (Spilornis cheela)
2 seen at Kithulgala village on 10 January, 1at Udawalawe on 14 January,
1 at Yala NP on 16 January, 1 en route to Nuwara Eliya on 17 January and
1 en route to Katunayaka airport on 19 January.
36. Crested Hawk-Eagle (Nisaetus cirrhatus)
1 seen en route to Kithulgala on 9 January, 1 at Kithulgala village on
10 January, 2 at Sinharaja rain forest on 12 January, 3 at Udawalawe on
14 January and 2 at Yala NP on 16 January.
37. Legge's Hawk-Eagle (Nisaetus kelaarti)
1 seen at Sinharaja rain forest on 12 and 13 January, 1 en route to Nuwara
Eliya on 17 January and 1 at Horton plains on 18 January.
38. Rufous-bellied Eagle (Lophotriorchis kienerii)
1 seen at Sinharaja rain forest on 13 January and 1 en route to Nuwara Eliya
on 17 January.
39. Black Eagle (Ictinaetus malaiensis)
2 seen at Sinharaja rain forest on 12 January and 1 there on 13 January and
2 en route to Katunayaka airport on 19 January.
40. Shikra (Accipiter badius)
1 seen at Sinharaja rain forest on 12 January, 1 en route to Nuwara Eliya on
17 January and 1 en route to Katunayaka airport on 19 January.
41. Besra (Accipiter virgatus)
1 seen at Sinharaja rain forest on 11 January.
42. Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus)
1 seen at Kithulgala village on 9 January, 1 at Udawalawe on 14 January,
4 at Bundala NP and 6 at Tissamaharama on 15 January and 1 at Yala NP on
16 January.
43. White-bellied Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)
3 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January, 1 at Bundala NP and 1 at
Tissamaharama on 15 January and 3 at Yala NP on 16 January.
44. Gray-headed Fish-Eagle (Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus)
1 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January, 1 at Bundala NP on 15 January and 1 at
Yala NP on 16 January.
45. White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus)
1 seen at Kithulgala rain forest on 10 January, 1 at Kithulgala village on
11 January, 1 en route to Udawalawe and 1 at Udawalawe on 14 January,
15 at Bundala NP and 5 at Tissamaharama on 15 January, 5 at Yala NP on
16 January and 10 at Tissamaharama on 17 January.
46. Ruddy-breasted Crake (Zapornia fusca)
2 at Bundala NP on 15 January.
47. Watercock (Gallicrex cinerea)
5 at Bundala NP and 1 at Tissamaharama on 15 January and 2 at Yala NP on
16 January.
Watercock, Bundala NP
48. Gray-headed Swamphen (Porphyrio poliocephalus)
30 at Bundala NP and 10 at Tissamaharama on 15 January and 20 at Yala NP
on 16 January.
49. Eurasian Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)
6 at Bundala NP and 2 at Tissamaharama on 15 January and 1 at Yala NP on
16 January.
50. Indian Thick-knee (Burhinus indicus)
1 seen at Bundala NP on 15 January.
51. Great Thick-knee (Esacus recurvirostris)
4 seen at Bundala NP on 15 January and 8 at Yala NP on 16 January.
Great Thick-knee, Bundala NP
52. Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)
4 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January and common at Bundala NP,
Tissamaharama and Yala NP on 15 and 16 January.
53. Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)
3 seen at Bundala NP on 15 January and 1 at Yala NP on 16 January.
54. Pacific Golden-Plover (Pluvialis fulva)
35 seen at Bundala NP on 15 January and 1 at Yala NP on 16 January.
55. Yellow-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus malabaricus)
2 seen at Bundala NP on 15 January and 12 at Yala NP on 16 January.
Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Bundala NP
56. Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus)
1 seen en route to Kithulgala on 9 January, 20 at Udawalawe on 14 January,
20 at Bundala NP and 2 at Tissamaharama on 15 January, 10 at Yala NP on
16 January, 2 at Tissamaharama, heard at Nuwara Eliya on 18 January and
1 seen en route to Katunayaka airport on 19 January.
Red-wattled Lapwing, Bundala NP
57. Lesser Sand-Plover (Charadrius mongolus)
3 seen at Bundala NP on 14 January, 100 at Bundala NP on 15 January and
25 at Yala NP on 16 January.
Lesser Sand-Plover, Bundala NP
58. Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus)
60 seen at Bundala NP on 15 January and 10 at Yala NP on 16 January.
59. Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula)
1 seen at Bundala NP on 14 January and 3 at Yala NP on 15 January.
60. Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius)
1 seen at Bundala NP on 15 January and 1 at Yala NP on 16 January.
61. Pheasant-tailed Jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus)
15 at Bundala NP and 2 at Tissamaharama on 15 January and 8 at Yala NP on
16 January.
62. Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)
1 seen at Bundala NP on 15 January.
63. Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata)
1 seen at Bundala NP on 15 January.
64. Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa)
30 seen at Bundala NP on 15 January and 3 at Yala NP on 16 January.
Black-tailed Godwit, Bundala NP
65. Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
5 seen at Bundala NP on 15 January.
66. Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea)
100 seen at Bundala NP on 15 January.
67. Little Stint (Calidris minuta)
2 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January, 1000+ at Bundala NP on 15 January
and 100+ at Yala NP on 16 January.
Little Stint, Bundala NP
68. Pin-tailed Snipe (Gallinago stenura)
30 seen at Bundala NP on 15 January.
69. Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus)
3 seen at Bundala NP on 15 January.
70. Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus)
11 seen at Bundala NP on 15 January.
Red-necked Phalarope, Bundala NP
71. Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)
3 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January, 5 at Bundala NP and 1 at
Tissamaharama on 15 January and 4 at Yala NP on 16 January.
72. Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus)
1 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January, 1 at Bundala NP on 15 January and 1 at
Yala NP on 16 January.
73. Spotted Redshank (Tringa erythropus)
25 seen at Bundala NP on 15 January and 2 at Yala NP on 16 January.
74. Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia)
1 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January, 2 at Bundala NP and 1 at
Tissamaharama on 15 January and 1 at Yala NP on 16 January.
75. Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis)
2 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January, 50 at Bundala NP and 1 at
Tissamaharama on 15 January and 20 at Yala NP on 16 January.
Marsh Sandpiper, Bundala NP
76. Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)
8 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January, 10 at Bundala NP and 1 at
Tissamaharama on 15 January and 30 at Yala NP on 16 January.
Wood Sandpiper, Bundala NP
77. Common Redshank (Tringa totanus)
30 seen at Bundala NP on 15 January and 2 at Yala NP on 16 January.
78. Small Pratincole (Glareola lactea)
3 seen at Bundala NP on 15 January.
79. Brown-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus)
6 seen at Bundala NP on 15 January and 2 at Yala NP on 16 January.
80. Little Tern (Sternula albifrons)
25 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January, 10 at Bundala NP and 2 at
Tissamaharama on 15 January.
Little Tern, Udawalawe
81. Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica)
40 seen at Bundala NP and 5 at Tissamaharama on 15 January, 15 at Yala NP
on 16 January
Gull-billed Tern, Udawalawe
82. Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia)
80 seen at Bundala NP on 15 January.
Caspian Tern, Great Crested Tern and Brown-headed Gull, Bundala NP
83. White-winged Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus)
1 seen at Bundala NP on 15 January.
84. Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida)
100 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January, 50 at Bundala NP and 10 at
Tissamaharama on 15 January, 5 at Yala NP on 15 January and 1 at
Tissamaharama and 1 en route to Nuwara Eliya on 17 January.
Whiskered Tern, Bundala NP
85. Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)
1 seen at Yala NP on 16 January.
86. Great Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii)
20 seen at Bundala NP on 15 January and 3 at Yala NP on 16 January.
87. Lesser Crested Tern (Thalasseus bengalensis)
10 seen at Bundala NP on 15 January.
88. Sri Lanka Wood-Pigeon (Columba torringtoniae) E
1 at Surrey Estate on 17 January and 6 at Horton Plains on 18 January.
Sri Lanka Wood-Pigeon, Horton Plains
89. Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
3 seen at Bundala NP on 15 January.
90. Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis)
Common.
91. Asian Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica)
5 seen at Kithulgala village and Kithulgala rain forest on 9 January, 2 there
on 10 January, and 1 at Kithulgala village and heard at Sinharaja rain forest
on 11 January, 4 seen at Sinharaja rain forest on 12 January, 6 on
13 January and 1 Sinharaja rain forest and 1 en route to Udawalawe on
14 January and 1 at Surrey Estate on 17 January.
92. Orange-breasted Pigeon (Treron bicinctus)
7 seen at Udawalawe on 17 January, 1 at Yala NP on 16 January and 2 at
Tissamaharama on 17 January.
Orange-breasted Pigeon, Udawalawe
93. Sri Lanka Green-Pigeon (Treron pompadora) E
1 seen en route to Kithulgala on 9 January, 7 at Kithulgala village on
10 January, 5 at Sinharaja rain forest on 12 January and 2 at Udawalawe on
14 January.
94. Green Imperial-Pigeon (Ducula aenea)
Up to 40 seen almost daily. Not seen at Nuwara Eliya.
95. Green-billed Coucal (Centropus chlororhynchos) E
1 seen at Kithugula village on 11 January, 1 heard at Sinharaja rain forest on
11 January and 2 seen and 1 heard at Kalawana on 13 January.
Green-billed Coucal, Kalawana
96. Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis)
3 seen en route to Kithulgala on 9 January, 2 at Kithulgala village on
10 January, heard there on 11 January, 1 at Sinharaja rain forest on
14 January, 3 at Bundala NP and 1 at Tissamaharama on 15 January and
2 at Tissamaharama on 17 January.
Greater Coucal, Tissamaharama
97. Sirkeer Malkoha (Taccocua leschenaultii)
1 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January.
98. Red-faced Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus) E
4 seen at Sinharaja rain forest 12 January and 1 there on 13 January.
99. Blue-faced Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus viridirostris)
1 seen at Yala NP on 17 January.
100. Pied Cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus)
1 seen at Bundala NP and 1 at Tissamaharama on 15 January and 2 at
Yala NP on 16 January.
101. Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus)
1 ♂♀ seen en route to Kithulgala on 9 January, 3 at Tissamaharama on
15 January and 15 there on 17 January.
Serendib Scops-Owl, Kithulgala rain forest
102. Gray-bellied Cuckoo (Cacomantis passerinus)
15 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January and 4 at Yala NP on 16 January.
103. Serendib Scops-Owl (Otus thilohoffmanni) E
1 seen at Kithulgala rain forest on 9 January.
104. Indian Scops-Owl (Otus bakkamoena)
1 seen at Minuwangoda on 9 January.
105. Brown Fish-Owl (Ketupa zeylonensis)
2 seen at Yala NP on 16 January.
106. Jungle Owlet (Glaucidium radiatum)
1 seen at Tissamaharama on 15 January.
107. Chestnut-backed Owlet (Glaucidium castanotum) E
1 ♂♀ seen at Kithulgala village on 9 January, 2 heard at Sinharaja rain forest
on 13 January and 1 there on 14 January.
108. Brown Wood-Owl (Strix leptogrammica ochrogenys)
1 seen at Surrey Estate on 17 January.
Asian Koel, Tissamaharama
Brown Wood-Owl , Surrey Estate Brown Boobook, Sinharaja rain forest
109. Brown Boobook (Ninox scutulata)
2 seen at Sinharaja rain forest on 12 January 1 seen and 3 heard there on
13 January and heard on 14 January
110. Sri Lanka Frogmouth (Batrachostomus moniliger)
1 ♂ seen and 6 heard at Kithulgala rain forest on 10 January and 1 seen at
Sinharaja rain forest on 12 January.
111. Indian Swiftlet (Aerodramus unicolor)
Common. Not seen in the lowlands.
112. Alpine Swift (Apus melba)
3 seen at Nuwara Eliya on 17 January and 10 there on 18 January.
113. Little Swift (Apus affinis)
4 seen at Sinharaja rain forest on 13 January.
114. Asian Palm-Swift (Cypsiurus balasiensis)
3 seen en route to Kithulgala and 5 at Kithulgala on 9 January, 2 there on
10 January, 2 at Sinharaja rain forest on 13 January, 1 at Tissamaharama
on 15 January, 10 at Yala NP on 16 January and 10 at Tissamaharama on
17 January.
115. Crested Treeswift (Hemiprocne coronata)
3 seen en route to Kithulgala on 9 January, 1 at Sinharaja rain forest on
13 and 14 January, 1 at Bundala NP and 1 at Tissamaharama on 15 January
and 1at Yala NP on 16 January.
116. Malabar Trogon (Harpactes fasciatus)
5 seen at Sinharaja rain forest on 12 January.
117. Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops)
2 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January and 1 at
Yala NP on 16 January.
118. Sri Lanka Gray Hornbill (Ocyceros gingalensis) E
1 seen at Kithulgala village on 9 and 11 January,
3 at Sinharaja rain forest on 12 January and 1 there
on 13 January.
119. Malabar Pied-Hornbill (Anthracoceros coronatus)
4 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January.
Sri Lanka Gray Hornbill, Sinharaja rain forest
120. Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)
3 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January, 3 at Bundala NP and 1 at
Tissamaharama on 15 January and 1at Yala NP on 16 January.
121. Stork-billed Kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis)
1 seen and 1 heard near Sinharaja rain forest on 13 January, 1 at
Tissamaharama on 15 January and 1 seen and 1 heard at Yala NP on
16 January.
122. White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis)
Up to 10 seen daily. Not seen at Nuwara Eliya.
123. Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis)
5 seen at Bundala NP on 15 January, 1 at Tissamaharama on 15 January and
3 there on 17 January.
124. Green Bee-eater (Merops orientalis)
Seen regularly. Common in the lowlands. Not seen at Nuwara Eliya.
Green Bee-eater, Bundala NP
Stork-billed Kingfisher, Sinharaja White-throated Kingfisher,
Tissamaharama
125 Blue-tailed Bee-eater (Merops philippinus)
Seen regularly. Common in the lowlands. Not seen at Nuwara Eliya.
Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Bundala NP
126. Chestnut-headed Bee-eater (Merops leschenaulti)
3 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January and 2 at Yala NP on 16 January.
127. Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis)
8 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January and 1 en route to Kitunayaka airport on
19 January.
Indian Roller, Bundala NP
128. Crimson-fronted Barbet (Psilopogon rubricapillus) E
2 seen en route to Kithulgala on 9 January.
Crimson-fronted Barbet, en route to Kithulgala
129. Coppersmith Barbet (Psilopogon haemacephalus)
1 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January and 8 at Tissamaharama on 17 January.
130. Brown-headed Barbet (Psilopogon zeylanicus)
2 seen at Tissamaharama on 15 January and 3 there on 17 January.
Brown-headed Barbet, Tissamaharama
131. Yellow-fronted Barbet (Psilopogon flavifrons) E
Up to 2 seen daily and more heard at Kithulgala, Sinharaja rain forest,
Surrey Estate and Kandy.
132. Yellow-crowned Woodpecker (Dendrocopos mahrattensis)
1 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January and 2 at Yala NP on 16 January.
133. Lesser Yellownape (Picus chlorolophus)
1 ♂♀ at Kithulgala village on 11 January, 1 ♂♀ Sinharaja rain forest on
11 January and 1 there on 14 January.
134. Black-rumped Flameback (Dinopium benghalense)
1 seen at Kithulgala village on 9 January, 2 there on 10 January and 1 on
11 January, 1 at Sinharaja rain forest on 13 January, 2 at Udawalawe on
14 January, 2 at Tissamaharama on 15 January and 1 there on 17 January.
135. Crimson-backed Flameback (Chrysocolaptes stricklandi) E
1 seen at Kithulgala village on 10 January and 1 seen and 2 heard at
Sinharaja rain forest on 12 January.
136. White-naped Woodpecker (Chrysocolaptes festivus)
1 seen at Tissamaharama on 15 January.
137. Eurasian Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
1 seen at Horton plains on 18 January.
138. Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
1 seen at Tissamaharama on 15 and 16 January and 1 at Nuwara Eliya on
17 January.
Yellow-crowned Woodpecker, Yala NP Crimson-backed Flameback, Kithulgala
139. Alexandrine Parakeet (Psittacula eupatria)
2 seen at Kithulgala village on 9 January, heard there on 10 January and
10 at Udawalawe on 14 January.
140. Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri)
10 seen en route to Kithulgala on 9 January, 25 at Udawalawe on 14 January,
20 at Bundala NP on 15 January, 200 at Tissamaharama on 15 and 17
January and 20 Yala NP on 16 January.
141. Plum-headed Parakeet (Psittacula cyanocephala)
1 seen en route to Udawalawe on 14 January and 1 en route to Nuwara Eliya
on 17 January.
142. Layard's Parakeet (Psittacula calthrapae) E
4 seen at Kithulgala village on 9 January, 1 there on 10 and 11 January,
3 at Sinharaja rain forest 12 January and 2 there on 13 January.
143. Sri Lanka Hanging-Parrot (Loriculus beryllinus) E
Up to 15 seen daily at Kithulgala village, 3 at Sinharaja rain forest on
12 January, 1 there on 13 January and 1 at Surrey Estate on 17 January.
144. Indian Pitta (Pitta brachyura)
Heard at Kithulgala village on 9 January, 2 seen there on 10 January, heard
there on 11 January, 1 seen at Kalawana on 13 January, 1 at Udawalawe on
14 January and 1 at Yala NP on 16 January.
Indian Pitta, Kithulgala village
145. Sri Lanka Woodshrike (Tephrodornis affinis) E
2 seen at Tissamaharama on 15 January and 4 at Yala NP on 16 January.
146. Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike (Hemipus picatus)
2 seen at Kithulgala village on 10 January, 2 at Sinharaja rain forest on
13 January and 2 at Nuwara Eliya on 18 January.
147. Ashy Woodswallow (Artamus fuscus)
1 seen near Sinharaja rain forest on 13 January.
148. Common Iora (Aegithina tiphia)
1 seen en route to Kithulgala on 9 January, 1 at Udawalawe on 15 January,
1 at Bundala NP on 15 January, 3 at Yala NP on 16 January and 1 at
Tissamaharama on 17 January.
149. White-tailed Iora (Aegithina nigrolutea)
1 seen at Udawalawe on 15 January.
150. Small Minivet (Pericrocotus cinnamomeus)
3 seen at Tissamaharama on 15 January and 1 at Yala NP on 16 January.
151. Scarlet Minivet (Pericrocotus speciosus)
14 seen at Sinharaja rain forest on 12 January, 3 there on 13 January and
1 on 14 January, 1 at Tissamaharama on 17 January and 2 at Nuwara Eliya
on 18 January.
152. Black-headed Cuckooshrike (Lalage melanoptera)
1 seen at Yala NP on 16 January.
153. Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus)
4 seen en route to Udawalawe and 6 at Udawalawe on 14 January, 10 at
Bundala NP on 15 January, 5 at Yala NP on 16 January, 1 at Tissamaharama
on 17 January and 1 at Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya on 17 January.
Brown Shrike. Yala NP
154. Black-hooded Oriole (Oriolus xanthornus)
Up to 2 seen almost daily. Not seen at Nuwara Eliya.
Black-hooded Oriole, en route to Kithulgala
155. White-bellied Drongo (Dicrurus caerulescens)
Up to 5 seen daily at Kithulgala village and Sinharaja rain forest and 1 seen
at Yala NP on 16 January.
White-bellied Drongo, Kithulgala
Indian Paradise-Flycatcher, Tissamaharama
156.Sri Lanka Drongo (Dicrurus lophorinus) E
1 seen at Kithulgala village on 9, 10 and 11 January,
3 at Sinharaja rain forest on 12 January and 1 there on
13 January.
157. White-browed Fantail (Rhipidura aureola)
2 seen at Yala NP on 16 January.
158. Black-naped Monarch (Hypothymis azurea)
2 seen and 1 heard at Kithulgala rain forest on 9 January,
1 at Sinharaja rain forest on 11 January and 1 at Yala NP
on 16 January.
159. Indian Paradise-Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi)
2 seen at Kithulgala rain forest on 9 January, 1♂ en route
to Sinharaja rain forest on 11 January, 2 at Sinharaja rain
forest on 11 January, 1 at Tissamaharama on 15 January, 7 at Yala NP on
16 January and 1 at Tissamaharama on 17 January.
160. Sri Lanka Blue-Magpie (Urocissa ornata) E
4 seen at Sinharaja rain forest on 12 January and 1 there on 13 January.
Sri Lanka Blue-Magpie, Sinharaja rain forest
161. House Crow (Corvus splendens)
Common in cities and villages.
162. Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos)
3 seen and more heard at Kithulgala village on 9 January. Common in the
lowlands.
Large-billed Crow, Udawalawe
163. Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark (Eremopterix griseus)
40 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January, 20 at Bundala NP on 14 January and
25 at Yala NP on 16 January.
164. Jerdon's Bushlark (Mirafra affinis)
15 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January, 4 at Bundala NP on 14 January, 2 at
Tissamaharama on 15 January and 2 at Yala NP on 16 January.
Jerdon's Bushlark, Udawalawe
165. Oriental Skylark (Alauda gulgula)
2 seen at Bundala NP on 14 January.
Oriental Skylark, Bundala NP
166. Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia)
4 seen at Bundala NP on 14 January.
167. Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Common in the lowlands and at Nuwara Eliya. 2 seen at Sinharaja rain forest
on 13 January.
168. Hill Swallow (Hirundo domicola)
1 seen en route to Nuwara Eliya and 1 at Nuwara Eliya on 17 January and
12 at Horton Plains on 18 January.
169. Sri Lanka Swallow (Cecropis hyperythra) E
2 seen en route to Kithulgala and 10 at Kithulgala village on 9 January,
6 there on 10 January, 8 at Sinharaja rain forest on 13 January and
2 en route to Udawalawe on 14 January
170. Gray-headed Canary-Flycatcher (Culicicapa ceylonensis)
1 seen at Surrey Estate on 17 January and 1 seen and 1 heard at Horton
Plains on 18 January Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya on 17 January.
171. Cinereous Tit (Parus cinereus)
2 seen at Surrey Estate and 1 at Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya on 17 January
and 6 at Horton Plains on 18 January.
172. Velvet-fronted Nuthatch (Sitta frontalis)
2 seen at Sinharaja rain forest on 12 January, 1 at Surrey Estate on
17 January and 3 at Horton Plains on 18 January.
173. Black-capped Bulbul (Pycnonotus melanicterus) E
Up to 15 seen daily at Kithulgala and Sinharaja rain forest.
174. Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer)
Common.
175. Yellow-eared Bulbul (Pycnonotus penicillatus) E
4 seen and more heard at Nuwara Eliya and Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya on
17 January and 15 at Horton Plains on 18 January.
176. White-browed Bulbul (Pycnonotus luteolus)
1 ♂♀ seen at Kithulgala village on 9 January, 3 at Tissamaharama on 15
January, 2 at Yala NP on 16 January and 2 at Tissamaharama on 17 January.
White-browed Bulbul, Tissamaharama
177. Yellow-browed Bulbul (Iole indica)
1 seen at Kithulgala village on 9 January, 4 there on 10 January and 1 at
Kithulgala rain forest on 10 January, 8 at at Kithulgala village on 11 January,
8 at Sinharaja rain forest on 12 January, 4 there on 13 January and 1 on
14 January.
Yellow-browed Bulbul, Sinharaja rain forest
178. Square-tailed Bulbul (Hypsipetes ganeesa)
Up to 10 seen daily at Kithulgala and Sinharaja rain forest.
Square-tailed Bulbul, Sinharaja rain forest
179. Green Warbler (Phylloscopus nitidus)
1 seen at Sinharaja rain forest on 13 January and 1 at Horton Plains and
1 at Nuwara Eliya on 18 January.
180. Large-billed Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus magnirostris)
1 seen at Kithulgala village on 10 January, heard at Sinharaja rain forest on
11 January and 1 at Yala NP on 16 January.
181. Blyth's Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalus dumetorum)
1 heard at Kithulgala village on 9 January, 2 seen and more heard at
Udawalawe on 14 January, 1 seen and more heard at Bundala NP on
14 January, 4 seen and more heard at Yala NP on 16 January, heard at
Tissamaharama on 17 January, 2 seen at Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya on
17 January and seen and more heard at Horton Plains on 18 January.
182. Clamorous Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalus stentoreus)
1 seen and 1 heard at Bundala NP on 14 January and 1 heard at
Tissamaharama on 15 January.
183. Pallas's Grasshopper-Warbler (Locustella certhiola)
1 seen at the horse race track of Nuwara Eliya on 18 January.
184. Sri Lanka Bush-Warbler (Elaphrornis palliseri) E
1 seen at Nuwara Eliya on 17 January and 3 at Horton Plains on 18 January.
185. Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis)
6 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January and heard at Bundala NP on 14 January.
Zitting Cisticola, Udawalawe
186. Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius)
Up to 2 seen and more heard almost daily.
187. Gray-breasted Prinia (Prinia hodgsonii)
1 seen at Yala NP on 16 January.
188. Jungle Prinia (Prinia sylvatica)
1 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January.
189. Ashy Prinia (Prinia socialis)
1 seen en route to Kithulgala on 9 January and 10 at Udawalawe on
14 January.
190. Plain Prinia (Prinia inornata)
3 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January, 2 at Bundala NP on 14 January,
1 at Yala NP on 16 January, 1 at Tissamaharama on 17 January.
191. Yellow-eyed Babbler (Chrysomma sinense)
8 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January and 2 Yala NP on 16 January.
192. Sri Lanka White-eye (Zosterops ceylonensis) E
1 seen at Sinharaja rain forest on 12 January and 20 at Nuwara Eliya and
Horton Plains on 18 January.
193. Oriental White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus)
1 seen at Kithulgala village on 10 January ad 4 at Yala NP on 16 January.
194. Tawny-bellied Babbler (Dumetia hyperythra)
2 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January and 2 at Yala NP on 16 January.
195. Dark-fronted Babbler (Rhopocichla atriceps)
1 ♂♀ seen at Kithulgala village on 9 January, 1 there on 10 January, hesrd at
Sinharaja rain forest on 11 January and 10 there on 12 January.
196. Sri Lanka Scimitar-Babbler (Pomatorhinus melanurus) E
1 seen and 1 heard at Kithulgala village on 9 January and 1 seen at
Sinharaja rain forest on 12 January.
197. Brown-capped Babbler (Pellorneum fuscocapillus) E
1 seen at Kithulgala village on 10 January and heard there on 11 January.
198. Orange-billed Babbler (Turdoides rufescens) E
6 seen at Kithulgala village 9 January, 5 there on 10 January and 10 on
11 January, 5 at Sinharaja rain forest on 11 January, 20 there on 12 January
and 7 on 13 January, 3 at Udawalawe on 14 January, 2 at Bundala NP on
14 January, 10 at Tissamaharama on 15 January, 20 at Yala NP on
16 January, 20 at Tissamaharama on 17 January and 1 seen and more heard
at Kandy on 19 January.
Orange-billed Babbler, Sinharaja rain forest
199. Yellow-billed Babbler (Turdoides affinis)
Common.
200. Ashy-headed Laughingthrush (Garrulax cinereifrons) E
6 seen at Sinharaja rain forest on 12 January and 9 at Kalawana on
13 January.
Yellow-billed Babbler, Tissamaharama
201. Asian Brown Flycatcher (Muscicapa dauurica)
1 seen at Kithulgala village on 9 and 10 January, 2 at Sinharaja rain forest on
12 and 13 January, 1 at Tissamaharama on 15 January, 1 at Yala NP on
16 January and 1 at Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya on 17 January.
202. Brown-breasted Flycatcher (Muscicapa muttui)
1 seen at Kithulgala village on 9, 10 and 11 January, 2 at Sinharaja rain
forest on 11 January, 4 there on 12 January and 1 on 13 January and 1 at
Surrey Estate on 17 January.
Brown-breasted Flycatcher, Sinharaja
203. Indian Robin (Copsychus fulicatus)
20 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January, 20 at Bundala NP on 14 January,
30 at Yala NP on 16 January and 1 at Tissamaharama on 17 January.
204. Oriental Magpie-Robin (Copsychus saularis)
1 seen at Kithulgala village on 9 January, 1 heard there on 10 January and
1 seen and more heard on 11 January, 2 at Sinharaja rain forest on
11 January, 2 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January, 5 at Yala NP on 16 January,
5 at Tissamaharama on 17 January, 3 at Nuwara Eliya on 17 January and 8 at
Horton Plains on 18 January.
205. White-rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus)
2 seen at Yala NP on 16 January.
206. Tickell's Blue-Flycatcher (Cyornis tickelliae)
1 seen at Kithulgala village on 9, 2 there on 10 January and 1 on 11 January,
heard at Sinharaja rain forest on 12 January and 1 seen at Kalawana on
13 January.
Tickell's Blue-Flycatcher, Kalawana
207. Dull-blue Flycatcher (Eumyias sordidus) E
1 seen at Surrey Estate on 17 January.
208. Indian Blue Robin (Larvivora brunnea)
1 ♂ seen at Surrey Estate on and 1 ♀ at Nuwara Eliya on 17 January.
209. Sri Lanka Whistling-Thrush (Myophonus blighi) E
1 ♂ and 1 ♀ at Nuwara Eliya on 17 January.
210. Kashmir Flycatcher (Ficedula subrubra)
1 seen at Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya on 17 January.
211. Pied Bushchat (Saxicola caprata)
12 seen at Nuwara Eliya and Horton Plains on 18 January.
212. Pied Thrush (Geokichla wardii)
3 seen at Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya on 17 January.
Pied Thrush. Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya
213. Spot-winged Thrush (Geokichla spiloptera)
2 seen at Kithulgala village on 10 January; 1 there on 11 January;
2 at Sinharaja rain forest on 12 January; 2 at Kalawana on 13 January;
1 at Udawalawe on 14 January and 1 at Nuwara Eliya on 18 January.
Spot-winged Thrush, Kalawana
214. Orange-headed Thrush (Geokichla citrina)
1 ♂ seen at Tissamaharama on 17 January.
215. Sri Lanka Thrush (Zoothera imbricata) E
2 seen and more heard at Sinharaja rain forest on 11 January and 5 there on
12 January.
216. Indian Blackbird (Turdus simillimus)
1 seen and more heard at Nuwara Eliya on 17 January and 1 at Horton Plains
on 18 January.
217. Sri Lanka Myna (Gracula ptilogenys) E
2 seen at Sinharaja rain forest on 11 January, 7 there on 12 January and
4 on 13 January.
218. Southern Hill Myna (Gracula indica)
Heard at Sinharaja rain forest on 10 January and 2 seen en route to Kandy
on 19 January.
219. Rosy Starling (Pastor roseus)
200 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January, 50 at Bundala NP on 14 January and
1 at Yala NP on 16 January.
220. White-faced Starling (Sturnornis albofrontatus) E
3 seen at Sinharaja rain forest on 12 January.
221. Brahminy Starling (Sturnia pagodarum)
4 seen at Yala NP on 16 January.
222. Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)
Common.
223. Jerdon's Leafbird (Chloropsis jerdoni)
1 seen at Tissamaharama on 15 and 17 January.
224. Golden-fronted Leafbird (Chloropsis aurifrons)
4 seen en route to Kithulgala on 9 January, 1 at Kithulgala village on
10 January and 1 at Sinharaja rain forest on 13 January.
225. Thick-billed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum agile)
1 seen at Tissamaharama on 15 and 17 January.
226. White-throated Flowerpecker (Dicaeum vincens) E
5 seen at Sinharaja rain forest on 12 January.
227. Pale-billed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum erythrorhynchos)
1 seen and 1 heard at Kithulgala village on 10 February, 1 at Sinharaja rain
forest on 11 February, 3 seen and more heard there on 12 February and
heard on 13 January, 1 seen and more heard at Tissamaharama on
15 January and 5 there on 17 January, 5 at Surrey Estate on 17 January,
heard at Nuwara Eliya on 18 January and heard at Kandy on 19 January.
228. Purple-rumped Sunbird (Leptocoma zeylonica)
Up to 15 seen almost daily.
229. Purple Sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus)
1 seen at Kithulgala village on 10 January, 1 at Sinharaja rain forest on
12 January, 3 at Udawalawe on 14 January, 1 at Bundala NP on 14 January,
8 at Yala NP on 16 January and 2 at Tissamaharama on 17 January.
Purple Sunbird, Yala NP
230. Long-billed Sunbird (Cinnyris lotenius)
1 ♂♀ seen at Tissamaharama on 15 January and 1 there on 17 January.
231. Forest Wagtail (Dendronanthus indicus)
1 seen at Kithulgala village on 11 January, 1 at Sinharaja rain forest 13 and
14 January, 1 at Surrey Estate on 17 January and 2 at Nuwara Eliya on
18 January.
232a. Western Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava thunbergi)
25 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January.
232b. Western Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava lutea)
10 seen at Bundala NP on 14 January.
232c. Western Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava sp)
4 seen at Tissamaharama on 15 January.
233. Citrine Wagtail (Motacilla citreola)
1 seen at Bundala NP on 14 January.
234. Gray Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)
2 seen at Kithulgala village on 9 January, 1 there on 10 January1 at
Tissamaharama on 15 January, 3 at Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya on
17 January and 10 at Nuwara Eliya and Horton Plains on 18 January.
235. Paddyfield Pipit (Anthus rufulus)
4 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January, 6 at Bundala NP on 14 January and
6 at Yala NP on 16 January
236. Blyth's Pipit (Anthus godlewskii)
1 seen at Yala NP on 16 January.
237. House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
4 seen en route to Sinharaja rain forest on 11 January, 2 en route to
Udawalawe on 14 January, 20 at Yala NP on 16 January and common at
Nuwara Eliya.
238. Baya Weaver (Ploceus philippinus)
2 seen at Tissamaharama on 15 January.
239. White-rumped Munia (Lonchura striata)
1 seen at on Kithulgala village on 9 January, 2 there on 10 January, 6 near
Sinharaja rain forest on 13 January, 1 at Sinharaja rain forest on 14 January,
3 en route to Udawalawe on 14 January, 2 at Bundala NP on 14 January and
1 at Tissamaharama on 17 January.
White-rumped Munia, Kithulgala village
240. Black-throated Munia (Lonchura kelaarti)
1 seen near Sinharaja rain forest on 13 January.
241. Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata)
7 seen en route to Kithulgala village on 9 January, 4 en route to Sinharaja
rain forest on 11 January, 2 at Yala NP on 16 January and 1 at Horton Plains
on 18 January.
242. Tricolored Munia (Lonchura malacca)
3 seen en route to Sinharaja rain forest on 11 January, 4 at Bundala NP on
14 January and 3 at Tissamaharama on 17 January.
Systematic list of mammals
1. Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus)
30 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January, 1 at Bundala NP on 14 January and
15 at Yala NP on 16 January.
Asian Elephant, Yala NP
2. Sambar Deer (Rusa unicolor)
3 seen at Yala NP on 16 January.
3. Spotted Deer (Cervus axis)
2 seen at Bundala NP on 14 January and 30 at Yala NP on 16 January.
Spotted Deer, Yala NP
4. Water Buffalo (Bubalis arnee)
Seen at Udawalawe, Bundala NP and Yala NP. Not sure all were wild.
Water Buffalo, Yala NP
5. Toque Macaque (Macaca sinica)
1 seen at Kithulgala village on 10 January, 1 at Udawalawe on 14 January,
20 at Bundala NP on 14 January, 10 at Yala NP on 16 January and 60 at
Kandy on 19 January.
6. Purple-faced Langur (Trachpithecus vetulus)
4 seen at Sinharaja rain forest on 11 January, 10 there on 12 January and
6 at Horton Plains on 18 January.
7. Tufted Gray Langur (Semnopithecus priam)
1 seen at Kithulgala rain forest 10 January, 75 at Bundala NP on 14 January,
15 at Tissamaharama on 15 January and 10 at Yala NP on 16 January.
Toque Macaque, Yala NP Purple-faced Langur, Kithulgala Tufted Gray Langur, Bundala NP
8. Leopard (Panthera pardus)
1 seen at Yala NP on 16 January.
9. Wild Boar (Sus scrofa)
1 seen at Sinharaja rain forest on 13 January, 25 at Yala NP on 16 January
and 2 at Kandy on 19 January.
Wild Boar, Yala NP
10. Black-naped Hare (Lepus nigricollis)
1 seen at Sinharaja rain forest on 13 January.
11. Indian Palm-Squirrel (Funambulus palmarum)
Up to 20 seen almost daily.
12. Dusky Palm-Squirrel (Funambulus obscurus)
2 seen at Sinharaja rain forest on 11 January, 6 there on 12 January and
3 on 13 January.
Dusky Palm-Squirrel, Sinharaja rain forest
13. Sri Lankan Grizzled Giant-Squirrel (Ratufa macroura)
3 seen at Kithulgala village on 9 January, 1 there on 10 January and heard at
Sinharaja rain forest on 12 January.
14. Indian Gray Mongoose (Herpestes edwardsii)
8 seen at Yala NP on 16 January.
Indian Gray Mongoose, Yala NP
15. Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus giganteus)
100+ seen en route to Sinharaja rain forest on 11 January, 1000+
Tissamaharama on 15 January and 20 at Yala NP on 16 January.
Indian Flying Fox, Tissamaharama
Systematic list of reptiles
1. Marsh Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris)
1 seen at Bundala NP on 14 January and 4 at Tissamaharama on 15 January.
Marsh Crocodile, Tissamaharama
2. Indian Flapshell Turtle (Terrapin) (Lissemys punctata)
1 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January and 1 at Bundala NP on 14 January.
Indian Flapshell Turtle (Terrapin), Bundala NP
3. Indian Rat Snake (Ptyas mucosa)
1 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January was most likely this species.
4. Common Rough-sided Snake (Aspidura trachiprocta)
1 seen at Nuwara Eliya.
5. Keelback Watersnake (Xenochropis asperrimus)
1 seen at Sinharaja rain forest on 13 January.
6. White-lipped Pit Viper (Trimeresurus albolabris)
1 seen at Sinharaja rain forest on 11 January.
7. Bengal Monitor (Varanus bengalensis)
1 seen en route to Sinharaja rain forest on 11 January, 1 at Sinharaja rain
forest on 13 January and 1 at Bundala NP on 14 January.
8. Water Monitor (Varanus salvator)
2 seen at Kithulgala village on 11 January and 2 at Yala NP on 16 January.
9. Common House Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus)
2 seen at Tissamaharama on 15 January.
10. Sri Lankan Kangaroo Lizard (Otocryptis wiedmanni)
1 seen at Kithulgala village on 9 January, 1 en route to Sinharaja rain forest
and 1there on 11 January.
Sri Lankan Kangaroo Lizard, Sinharaja rain forest
11. Rhino Horned Lizard (Ceratophora stoddartii)
1 seen at Nuwara Eliya on 17 January.
Common Garden Lizard , Kithulgala rain forest
12. Common Garden Lizard
(Calotes versicolor)
2 seen at Kithulgala village on
9 January, 1 there on 10 January and
1 on 11 January and 1 at Sinharaja rain
forest on 13 January.
Common Garden Lizard, Sinharaja
Other animals
1. Giant Golden Orb-weaving Spider (Nephila pilipes)
1 seen at Sinharaja rain forest on 12 January.
Giant Wood Spider, Sinharaja rain forest
2. Giant Blue Earthworm (Megascolex coeruleus)
1 seen at Sinharaja rain forest on 13 January.
Giant Blue Earthworm, Sinharaja rain forest