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Home , Lakshadweep

& with and the Lakshadweeps Wildlife List December 1 – 18, 2012

Species list compiled by Mark Brazil

Mammals

We began our wildlife sightings with quite a large group of Spinner Dolphins from the Huhule Hotel in the Maldives on 4 December and saw more dolphins, this time a small group of Indopacific Humpback Dolphins off the mouth of the river at on 8 December as we arrived and again on 10 December as we left. Also on 10 December, a Three‐striped Palm Squirrel was in the grounds of the church in Kochi. An unidentified striped squirrel was seen during the Kandy excursion on 14 December

Also in Kandy, troupes of Toque Macaque were seen at the Temple of the tooth on 14 December. Giant Fruitbats (also known as flying foxes) were seen on a number of occasions and on several islands, but most notably in large numbers at the Botanical Garden in Kandy.

Reptiles Our first identifiable reptiles were Hawksbill Turtles during our snorkel at Olkhahale on 5 December in the Maldives, and we subsequently saw more during other snorkel sessions there, along with several Green Turtles. Green Turtle was also seen during in the Lakshadweep Islands on 11 & 12 December.

At the lake at Kandy on 14 December, we saw our largest reptile of the trip (in the genus Varanus), the Asian Water Monitor.

Birds Our bird list, though not as extensive as our fish list – because of the nature of the habitats and locations we visited, was nevertheless interesting and included the following:

Painted Stork Several seen while driving back from Alleppey to Kochi on 9 December were the only ones seen during the trip. Asian Openbill Two were seen on 9 December in the backwaters of Kochi, and more were seen on the day we visited Kandy, Sri Lanka. Striated Heron 1 at Olhahale, 2 at Vagaaru and several others sighted at various islands/locations. Indian Pond Heron A common species seen in good numbers in the backwaters of Kochi on 9 December and subsequently seen along and in harbours, in both India and Sri Lanka. Grey Heron We saw our first at Olhahali on the 5 December and saw them subsequently on several of the islands we visited; also seen in Sri Lanka on the day that we visited Kandy. Purple Heron Two seen in the Kochi backwaters on 9 December. Cattle Egret Several seen in the Kochi backwaters on 9 December, then frequently in both southern India and Sri Lanka. Great Egret First seen and in large numbers off the mouth of the river at Kochi, India on 8 December, and abundantly in the backwaters of Kochi on 9 December; also seen in Sri Lanka on 14 December on the way to Kandy, and on 15 December on the way to Kanneliya. Intermediate Egret 1 was identified on 9 December from our boat ride in the backwaters of Kochi, and another was seen on the day we visited Kandy, Sri Lanka. Little Egret First seen and in large numbers off the mouth of the river at Kochi, India on 8 December, and abundantly in the backwaters of Kochi on 9 December; also seen in Sri Lanka on 14 December on the way to Kandy, and on 15 December on the way to Kanneliya. Western Egret First seen in small numbers off the mouth of the river at Kochi, India on 8 December, and again there on 10 December. Oriental Darter We saw several during our boat ride on the backwaters of Kochi on 9 December, but no others. Little Cormorant Seen in the river off Kochi, India on 8 December, then in very large numbers on the backwaters of Kochi on the 9 December. Also seen in Sri Lanka, at Kandy on 14 December. Indian Cormorant Reasonably common on the backwaters of Kochi on the 9 December around Kochi on 10 December. Also seen in Sri Lanka, at Kandy on 14 December. Great Cormorant One seen on the backwaters of Kochi on the 9 December. Black Kite common over coastal and urban areas from Kochi on 8 December onwards until Chennai on 17 December. Brahminy Kite Common offshore and along the riversides at Kochi on 8 & 10 December; also seen in Sri Lanka on 15 December. Osprey One flew past the Clipper Odyssey while we ate lunch on 12 December. Crested Serpent Eagle Seen soaring over the elephants at Pinnewalla, Sri Lanka on 14 December and also on the way out to the Kanneliya Forest Reserve on 15 December. Booted Eagle One each of the pale morpth and dark morph, seen on on 9 December over the backwaters of Kochi. White‐breasted Waterhen 1 adult and 1 juvenile on Utheemu Island, Maldives on 7 December, 1 on Suheli Island (Lakshadweep Islands) on 11 December. Purple Swamphen One on 9 December in the backwaters of Kochi. Black‐winged Stilt A flock of about 15 on 9 December in the backwaters of Kochi. Red‐wattled Lapwing First seen on 9 December in the backwaters of Kochi, and subsequently seen also in Sri Lanka on 14 December when we visited Kandy and on 15 December when we visited Kanneliya. Grey (Black‐bellied) Plover Two on the beach at Cheriyan Island (Lakshadweep Islands) on 12 December. Greater Sand Plover Several were on the beach at Vagaaru Island on 7 December, and on the beach at Cheriyan Island (Lakshadweep Islands) on 12 December. Whimbrel 1 on the beach at Cheriyan Island (Lakshadweep Islands) on 12 December. Wood Sandpiper A flock of at least 20 on 9 December in the backwaters of Kochi. Common Sandpiper We saw one first on Vagaaru Island on 7 December and then on several islands, as well as on the of India at Kochi and in the backwaters of Cochin. Also seen in Sri Lanka on the day we visited Kandy. Ruddy Turnstone Several on the beach at Cheriyan Island (Lakshadweep Islands) on 12 December. Little Stint One on the beach at Cheriyan Island (Lakshadweep Islands) on 12 December. Sanderling Several on the beach at Cheriyan Island (Lakshadweep Islands) on 12 December. Heuglin’s Gull The large, dark‐mantled young gulls seen off the mouth of the river at Kochi on 8 December were all this species. Brown‐headed Gull Common off the mouth of the river at Kochi on 8 December. Black‐headed Gull Very common off the mouth of the river at Kochi on 8 December, all of them in winter plumage. Gull‐billed Tern Common off the mouth of the river at Kochi on 8 & 10 December, and in the backwaters on 9 December; also off Galle, Sri Lanka, on 15 December. Caspian Tern One flew across Chennai harbour as we arrived on 17 December. Lesser‐crested Tern Common around the islands of the Maldives from 5 December onwards; off the mouth of the river at Kochi on 8 December, and also in the Lakshadweep Islands on 11 & 12 December. Black‐naped Tern Common around the islands of the Maldives from 5 December onwards. Common Tern Several in the harbour at Vilinjim on 13 December, and at Chennai Harbour on 17 December. Little Tern Several off Galle on 15 December. Whiskered Tern Very common off the mouth of the river at Kochi on 8 & 10 December and abundant in the backwaters on 9 December. Brown Noddy Common around the islands of the Maldives from 5 December onwards; in the Lakshadweep Islands on 12 December. Pomarine Jaeger Several off the mouth of the river at Kochi on 8 December, harrying the terns and gulls. Rock Dove Common in and around Kochi on 8 & 9 December, and also seen around other towns and cities of southern India and Sri Lanka. Green Imperial Pigeon 1 on way to Kanneliya, Sri Lanka, on 15 December. Spotted Dove Several on way to Kanneliya, Sri Lanka, on 15 December. Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot Several on way, and more in, Kanneliya Forest Reserve, SL, on 15 December. Rose‐ringed Parakeet Seen during the excursion to Kandy, Sri Lanka, on 14 December. Asian Koel Their loud onomatopaic calls were frequently heard on the Maldives and Lakshadweep Islands, and we had occasional sightings; also seen on the 9 December near Kochi and on the day we visited Kandy, Sri Lanka. Southern Coucal Two or more were seen along the riverbanks in the backwaters of Kochi on 9 December (the old name for this large bird was “crow pheasant”); heard during our excursion from Trivandrum, and also heard at Kanneliya, SL, on 15 December. Indian Swiftlet Seen during the excursion to Kandy, Sri Lanka, on 14 December, and to Kanneliya on 15 December. Asian Palm Swift Several on the way to Kanneliya, SL, on 15 December. Two seen while walking along the canal bank on 9 Decermber in the backwatres of Kochi. White‐throated Kingfisher Several seen on 9 December in the backwaters of Kochi and subsequently seen in several places, including on 14 December when we visited Kandy, Sri Lanka and Kanneliya on 15 December. Blue‐tailed Bee‐eater Common on 9 December from our boat ride south of Kochi; also common in SL on 15 December. Chestnut‐headed Bee‐eater Seen during the excursion to Kandy, Sri Lanka, on 14 December. Brown‐headed Barbet Seen during the excursion to Kandy, Sri Lanka, on 14 December. White‐cheeked Barbet Several heard and briefly seen during our village walk on 9 December, 2 Kochi on 10 December. Yellow‐fronted Barbet Two at Kanneliya Forest Reserve, SL, on 15 December. Coppersmith Barbet One heard near the church in Kochi on 10 December. Ashy Woodswallow Two seen from our boat ride on 9 December. Brown Shrike 1 on way back from Kanneliya, SL, on 15 December. Black Drongo Several seen from our boat ride on 9 December, in and around Kochi on 10 December. Black‐hooded Oriole Seen during the excursion to Kandy, Sri Lanka, on 14 December. Rufous Treepie Two during our canal‐bank walk on 9 December, a pair in Kochi on 10 December, and a pair at Pungmoode Rubber Plantation on 13 December. Indian Jungle Crow A rather scarce crow; two were seen near Kochi on 8 December, and several in SL on 15 December. House Crow The common species of crow seen on most days of our expedition, but most notably on the Maldives and Lakshadweep Islands, where they were one of the few species seen, and then very abundantly around the major cities and towns that we visited in India from Kochi to Chennai; also in SL on 14 & 15 December. Barn Swallow 1 on Vagaaru Island on 7 December, then several more sightings on islands, and large numbers over the wetlands south of Kochi on 9 December; also over Cheriyan Island (Lakshadweeps) on 12 December. Sri Lanka Swallow Several on way to Kanneliya, SL, on 15 December. Red‐vented Bulbul A male in the grounds of St ’s church in Kochi on 10 December; several on Suheli Island in the Lakshadweep Islands on 11 December, and at Cheriyan Island on 12 December. Yellow‐browed Bulbul One in the Kanneliya Forest Reserve, SL, on 15 December. Common Tailorbird Three in the grounds of St France’s church in Kochi on 10 December. Yellow‐billed Babbler Seen during the excursion to Kandy, Sri Lanka, on 14 December, and to Kanneliya on 15 December. Oriental Magpie Robin Seen in the backwaters of Kochi area on 9 December and in the city of Kochi on 10 December. Asian Brown Flycatcher Two in Kanneliya Forest Reserve, SL, on 15 December. Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher One heard in Kanneliya Forest Reserve, SL, on 15 December. Grey‐headed Canary Flycatcher One heard in Kanneliya Forest Reserve, SL, on 15 December. Oriental White‐eye Several on Suheli Island in the Lakshadweep Islands on 11 December, and at Cheriyan Island on 12 December. Surprisingly uncommon, with just a few seen on our day on the backwaters of Kochi, on 9 December, in Kochi on 10 December; also seen in Sri Lanka, during the excursion to Kandy, on 14 December, and to Kanneliya on 15 December. Jerdon’s Leafbird Seen during the excursion to Kandy, Sri Lanka, on 14 December. Purple‐rumped Sunbird A male in the grounds of St France’s church in Kochi on 10 December, another at the rubber plantation/farm on 13 December. Purple Sunbird Three birds seen during our canal‐side walk on 9 December. White‐rumped Munia Several on way to Kanneliya Forest Reserve, SL, on 15 December. Scaly‐breasted Munia Several on way to Kanneliya Forest Reserve, SL, on 15 December. White‐browed Wagtail Seen near our mooring on Wellington Island on 9 December.

The species order follows: Grimmett R, Inskipp C & Inskipp T 2011. Birds of the . A&C Black; London.