Sri Lanka: A Birding, Nature & Cultural History Tour Leader: Dave Larson The teardrop-shaped island of Sri Lanka lies in the Indian Ocean just off February 12-25, 2021 the southern tip of India. With its golden sandy beaches, azure blue waters, and warm tropical climate, Sri Lanka is a year-round destination for those seeking sun, sand, and sea. optional extension: The island has a rich cultural heritage that dates back over 2,500 years February 25-28 to the origins of Buddhism in the country with a legacy of magnificently constructed stupas and the ruins of ancient kingdoms. Controlled from the 16th century onwards by the Portuguese, Dutch and finally the British prior to gaining full independence in 1948, the influences of colonial powers remain visible in architecture and a number of forts across the country. Sri Lanka is recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot with a rich variety of endemic flora and fauna, and iconic mammals such as the Asian Elephant, Leopard, and the largest animal ever to have lived on our planet, the Blue Whale. From palm-fringed beaches to scrub jungles and numerous artificial lakes in the lowlands to tropical rainforests, cloud forests, and highlands laden with waterfalls at its center, this resplendent isle is abundant in natural beauty. Mass Audubon Travel | massaudubon.org/travel | [email protected] | 800-289-9504 ABOUT THIS TRIP PACE AND COMFORT: Our days will be quite varied, but we will start early. Some days will be long and involve a lot of sitting. On Day 7, we will drive 5–6 hours from the Highlands to Yala National Park on the coast (we’ll stop to bird along the way). In the afternoon, we will sit in open jeeps seeking wildlife and birds inside the park. On Day 10, the day will start with 3 hours inside Udawalawe National Park watching elephants, and birding. We will then drive 4 hours to Sinharaja, stop for lunch along the way, and then take a short bird walk. There will be walking in Kithulgala at 5000 ft, Horton Plains at 6500 Polonnaruwa, Toque Macaques by Toby Sinclair ft, Sinharaja, and on the extension at most sites. The extended walk to World’s End on the Horton Plains and the climb at Sigiriya are optional. There are other areas to bird in these locations. The trails are generally well maintained but very little is paved. In Sinharaja, especially after rain, we could encounter leeches. Your local guide will provide leech socks at the initial briefing. LODGING: The accommodation is a mix of basic in Kithulgala and Sinharaja, and comfortable in Ranwelli, St Andrews, Yala, Cinnamon Lodge at Habarana, and in Colombo. All rooms in all properties have en suite bathrooms. The bathrooms at Kithulgala and Sinharaja will not have amenities but our local guide will be carrying supplies. WEATHER: February is after the monsoon season, so most of our journey should be dry. Sri Lanka is a tropical island, however, so the Above: waterfall in hill country by Jehan Kumara ; below: Hill Country may get rain at any time. beach near Chenna huts by Toby Sinclair Mass Audubon Travel | massaudubon.org/travel | [email protected] | 800-289-9504 1 HIGHLIGHTS Boat ride on the Dutch Canal through the mangroves to watch a variety of waterbirds Birding around Kithulgala and the nearby Kelani Valley Forest Reserve in search of lowland endemics Birding in Victoria Park, for highland species and endemics A visit to Horton Plains National Park for primates, deer, highland bird species, and endemics A walk in Hakgala Botanical Gardens for endemic primates and highland species Wildlife viewing from jeeps and birding for dry-zone species and winter migrants at Yala National Park Safari at Udawalawe National Park for Asian Elephant and dry- Birding in leech socks in Sinharaja, by Toby Sinclair zone birding Birding in the Sinharaja Rainforest in search of lowland endemics, mixed species bird flocks, and amphibians A visit to one of Sri Lanka’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites -- Sinharaja Forest OPTIONAL EXTENSION Experience five of Sri Lanka’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy Climb the legendary Sigiriya Rock Fortress Visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa Observe Sri Lanka’s primates with a local primate Sri Lanka Spurfowl by Toby Sinclair researcher Explore Anuradhapura, ancient capital of Sri Lanka Mass Audubon Travel | massaudubon.org/travel | [email protected] | 800-289-9504 1 Day-to-Day Itinerary – Main Trip Day 1, Feb 12: Arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport You will be met on arrival by our local guide and driven to Ranweli Holiday Village in Waikkal, north of Negombo (~1-hour drive). We’ll begin our adventure with a 6 pm briefing followed by dinner together. Overnight: Ranweli Holiday Village | http://www.ranweli.com/ (D) Day 2, Feb 13: Birding the Dutch Canal We’ll enjoy an early morning and late afternoon boat ride along the Dutch Canal, through the mangroves and woodland to watch a variety of waterbirds. We’ll explore the unique ecosystem around the mangroves, including water monitors, butterflies and dragonflies, and indigenous aquatic and terrestrial plants amidst this wonderland. A variety of waterbirds including Gray Heron, Purple Heron, four Common Kingfisher, Dutch Canal species of kingfisher (White-throated, Common, Stork-billed, and Pied), Gray- headed Swamphen, Black Bittern, Yellow Bittern, Indian Pond-Heron, Little Cormorant, and Oriental Darter are often seen. Migrant species seen here include Rosy Starling, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Barn Swallow, and the Indian Paradise- Flycatcher. Endemics including the Sri Lanka Swallow and the Crimson-fronted Barbet have been recorded here. Lunch will be at the hotel. During the day, there will be an opportunity to walk along the beach and look for pelagic birds. The shore is often quiet, but a limited number of terns and gulls will be seen with White-bellied Sea-Eagles and Brahminy Kites overhead. Overnight: Ranweli Holiday Village | (B,L,D) Yellow-eared Bulbul, by S. Ramachandran Day 3, Feb 14: Kithulgala and Kelani Valley Forest Reserve In the morning, we’ll depart for Kithulgala (4.5-hour drive). Birding along the way could include the Sri Lanka Swallow, various kingfishers, Brahminy Kite, and parakeets. We’ll check into our hotel before heading out to bird the Kelani Valley Forest Reserve. The reserve was established to protect the watershed of the Kelani River, home to many of Sri Lanka’s endemic fauna and flora. We’ll access the reserve via a river crossing in dugout canoes and search for lowland endemics. Our target birds here include Sri Lanka Hanging-Parrot, Layard’s Parakeet, Green-billed Coucal, Chestnut-backed Owlet, Orange-billed Babbler, Spot-winged Thrush, and subcontinental endemics such as the Malabar Trogon and Sri Lanka Frogmouth. It is also one of the few locations where the elusive Serendib Scops-Owl may be seen. Overnight: Palmstone Retreat (B,L,D) Day 4, Feb 15: Kelani Valley Forest Reserve We’ll spend the day birding around Kithulgala and the nearby Kelani Valley Forest Reserve in search of lowland endemics, returning to the hotel for lunch. Overnight: Palmstone Retreat (B,L,D) Lesser Goldenback morph, by S. Ramachandran Mass Audubon Travel | massaudubon.org/travel | [email protected] | 800-289-9504 2 Day 5, Feb 16: Nuwara Eliya and Victoria seen. Highland bird species including the Sri Lanka White -eye, Dull-blue Flycatcher, and Yellow-eared Bulbul are Park found here and can be seen close to the entrance. Horton Plains is one of the few known locations where elusive In the morning, we’ll head to Jetwing St. Andrews in highland endemics such as the Sri Lanka Whistling- Nuwara Eliya (3-hour drive) with stops en route to bird in Thrush and Sri Lanka Bush Warbler can be found with small valleys and streams. After we check in to our hotel, effort and perseverance. Other sightings could include we’ll have lunch there or at a local restaurant. Black Eagle, Legge’s Hawk-Eagle, Jerdon’s Baza, Sri Lanka In the afternoon, we’ll explore Victoria Park for highland Scimitar-Babbler, Forest Wagtail, Dark-fronted Babbler, species such as Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Pied Thrush, and and Sri Lanka Thrush. We’ll return to our hotel for lunch. endemics including Sri Lanka White-eye, Dull-blue There’ll be afternoon birding at Hakgala Botanic Gardens Flycatcher, and Yellow-eared Bulbul. Migratory species for highland endemics including the whistling-thrush. such as Indian Pitta, Kashmir Flycatcher, and Forest Hakgala is a botanic garden that borders a small patch of Wagtail are also seen here during the winter months. cloud forest. Birds often seen there include Rufous-bellied Overnight: Jetwing St. Andrews | (B,L,D) Eagle, Pied Thrush, Large-billed Leaf Warbler, Velvet- fronted Nuthatch, various flycatchers, woodpeckers, and Day 6, Feb 17: Horton Plains National the Sri Lanka Wood-Pigeon. This is also one of the most reliable locations for seeing the Bear Monkey, the Park highland race of the endemic and Endangered Purple- We’ll head out before dawn with a packed breakfast to faced Leaf Monkey. Close-up encounters are possible here visit Horton Plains National Park for primates, deer, due to their habituation to visitors. highland bird species, and endemics. Overnight: Jetwing St. Andrews | (B,L,D) Horton Plains is Sri Lanka’s highest-elevation national park (~7,000 ft) and contains cloud forests and open Day 7, Feb 18: Yala National Park grassland. The island’s second and third highest points Today will involve a lot of driving, but we will stop en route are here: Kirgalpotta at 7860 ft and Thotupola Kanda at to stretch our legs and do a little birding along the way, 7733 ft.