Sri Lanka - Wildlife & History

Naturetrek Tour Report 10 - 25 November 2012

Report compiled by Dmmithra Samarasinghe

Naturetrek Cheriton Mill Cheriton Alresford Hampshire SO24 0NG England T: +44 (0)1962 733051 F: +44 (0)1962 736426 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk

Tour Report Sri Lanka - Wildlife & History

Tour Leaders: Dmmithra Samarasinghe (Dammi) Local Naturalist Saman Abeysinghe (Summy) Local Naturalist & Archaeologist

Participants: Michael Bowen Susan Bowen Angela Hughes Roger Hughes Colin Wilkinson Margaret Wilkinson Kenneth Knowles Barbara Knowles Carol Wood Roger Morton Sylvia Morton Frances Gregor-Smith Helen Hawkins Michael Hawkins Ann Mellor James Fulton

Day 1 Saturday 10th November

Outbound to Colombo Sri Lankan Airlines flight to Colombo from London Heathrow.

Day 2 Sunday 11th November

KATUNAYAKA – ANAVILUNDAAVA – PUTTLAM - ANURADHAPURA All sixteen group members were welcomed by Palitha, Dhammi and myself at the airport. Having sorted money matters we loaded the luggage, and set off for Anuradhapra, our destination for today. Coming out of the airport, we met our first bird, Common Mynah, and then a pair of Grey Necked Crows. As we proceeded, we added Spotted Dove, Large-billed Crow, Barn Swallow, White Throated (Breasted) Kingfisher, Cattle Egret, Rose Ringed Parakeet, and Brahminy Kite to our list. Passing busy urban areas, we started to travel through coconut (Cocos Nucifera) plantations and paddy (Oriza sativa) fields. Passing Chilaw, we had a rare sighting of a pair of Ashy Woodswallows, and an Indian Roller perching on a wire.

In the paddy fields we counted some more frequent birds such as Intermediate Egret, Blue Tailed Bee-eater, Asian Open-bill, Red Wattled Lapwing, White Breasted Waterhen, Indian Pond Heron and Black Headed Ibis of whom we had more clear views later in Anavilundaava Ramsar wetlands. Once we reached the wetlands in the hot mid-day, we spent about an hour there bagging Spot Billed Pelican, Indian Cormorant, Little Cormorant, Indian Darter, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Crested Serpent Eagle, Purple Swamphen etc. All the group members were hypnotised by the beauty of the lotus flowers dotted all over the reservoir.

Sri Lanka - Wildlife & History Tour Report

We also saw several species of butterflies such as Small Grass Yellow, Plain Tiger, Small Grass Yellow Orange Tip, Indian Crow, Lemon Emigrant & Crimson Rose. We then went to a restaurant near Puttlam for our first comfort stop. The kind staff served us with bananas and biscuits with tea and coffee. We headed towards to Anuradhapura, stopping at two reservoirs on the way - Mahathabbowa and Nochchiyagama, where we could not add new species other than a Black Drongo perched on a wire. By about 2.30 pm, we checked in at the ‘dinner table’ at the hotel and enjoyed a tasty meal.

At 4pm Dhammi lead the group around the Nuwarawewa reservoir and the backyard of the hotel. For this evening, our new birding highlights were Red-vented Bulbul, Oriental Magpie Robin, Black Hooded Oriole, Yellow Billed Babbler, Rosy Starling, Asian Paradise Flycatcher (Brown Morph), Large Cuckoo-shrike, Brown- headed Barbet, endemic Sri Lanka Gray Hornbill, Pied Kingfisher, Little Swift, Asian Palm Swift, Rock Dove, Common Tern, Whiskered Tern, Black-crowned Night Heron, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Little Cormorant and Great Cormorant. We met at the lobby at 19h00 to complete the species checklist, followed by the dinner at Miridiya Hotel, Anuradhapura.

Other wildlife highlights were: Butterflies: Blue Mormon, Danid Egg-fly, Common Emigrant, Small Salmon Arab. Mammals: Indian Palm Squirrel, Toque Macaque, Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Indian Flying-fox.

Day 3 Monday 12th November

Anuradhapura World Heritage Sites, Maha Kanadarawa & Mihintale Our pre-breakfast birding in the hotel garden was well rewarded with a clear view of an Indian Pitta, one of the most sought-after beauties. Green Imperial Pigeon, Asian Koel, and Greater Coucal were the new additions to our list. Though the high water level did not support as much birdlife as in Anavilundawa wetlands yesterday, we could further count some newcomers such as Lesser Whistling Duck, Little Grebe, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, and Black-winged Stilt. Then we continued along the tank bund where we bagged Asian Brown Flycatcher and Purple Sunbird.

After breakfast, we visited the five main monasteries in Anuradhapura. At, Maha Vihara complex the group was split in to two. Dhammy lead eight of us for birding around the Mahamevuna gardens. I lead others to the Sacred Bodhi Tree, Brazen Palace, the refectory, great Ruvan-veli sthupa and rejoined the group who were having a good view of a young Black-rumped Flameback. We all were pleased by the acrobatic efforts taken by the youngsters in a troop of Grey Langurs. After visiting key sites of Isurumuniya & Thuparama Temple, Abhayagiri & Jethawana Monastery complexes, we returned to our hotel for lunch. At the famous Samadhi Buddha Statue in the Abhayagiri Complex, we were lucky to witness a nest-building Malabar Pied Hornbill.

By 14h30 in the afternoon, we travelled further north to reach Mahakanadarawa reservoir, one of the largest stores of water in the north-central province. En-route, we had a quick whistle-stop at the Nuwarawewa Reservoir. During the brief stay of 45 minutes in the breeze, we added some dry-zone forest species such as White-browed Bulbul, Ashy Prinia, Plain Prinia, Zitting Cisticola, Blyth’s Reed Warbler and Green Leaf-Warbler.

2 © Naturetrek November 13

Sri Lanka - Wildlife & History Tour Report

We then continued to Mihinthale Sanctuary, once regarded the “Cradle of Buddhism” in Sri Lanka. The setting sun stopped us from further birding after ticking the new species of Coppersmith Barbet, Crested Tree Swift, Blue-tailed Bee-Eater, Small Minivet, Common Wood-Shrike, Common Iora and Indian Robin. We reached our hotel for cool dip in the pool by 18h30. We then met at the lobby of the Miridiya Hotel, Anuradhapura at 19h00 for the checklist, briefing and dinner.

Day 4 Tuesday 13th November

Anuradhapura to Sigiriya; Sigiriya Sanctuary Our early morning birding started with the endemic Sri Lanka (Pompador) Green Pigeon, followed by Black Bittern, Painted Stork, Cotton Pygmy-Goose, Gull-billed Tern, Saunders Tern, endemic Alexandrine Parakeet, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Purple-rumped Sunbird, and Long-billed Sunbird.

After breakfast, at 09h00, we set off for Seegiriya. On our way, we had a 30 minute stop at Thirappane where we saw a White-bellied Drongo and many water-loving previously seen species in sizable numbers. We enjoyed a few more short waterside-stops at Maradankadawa area for clear views of previously seen species including a Black-crowned Night-Heron, before reaching our hotel for lunch.

In the afternoon, at 14h30, we set off for Sigiriya to try our luck in the then prevailing bad weather. First, we scanned the forest patch along the moat eastwards from the large southern entrance to the fortress, where we had good views of Common Kingfisher, White-browed Fantail, Common Tailorbird, Thick-billed Flowerpecker, Large-billed Leaf Warbler and Brown Shrike.

Then, we were transported to the northern gate area, where in drizzle we walked along a gravel road through the sanctuary and an open area adjoining to the paddy fields. Having seen a good view of a Jerdon’s Leafbird, we went to the Magic Pool area. On the way we had a good view of a Peregrine Falcon. We were fortunate to bag: Orange-headed Thrush, Indian Blue Robin, White-rumped Shama, and Dark-fronted Babbler being the most sought after dry zone forest species. We returned late in the evening, meeting at the lobby in the Hotel Sigiriya at 19h00 for the checklist and briefing which were followed by dinner.

Day 5 Wednesday 14th November

Climbing Sigiriya fortress (morning), birding around the moat and in the sanctuary A few of us participated in our pre-breakfast walk which was rewarded by a Brown-capped Babbler and Jungle Prinia. As we were enjoying our meals, the Sigiriya Rock was playing hide & seek with us in the mist. From the restaurant we had a very long observation of a Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher. Only eight of us dared to count the steps with me at the rock fortress, while others thought of scanning the forest patches around the moat in the Sigiriya sanctuary with Dhammi. While we were exploring the pleasure gardens, mirror wall, paintings, palace complex and the post Kashyapa Monastery Complex with their real hidden values and architectural marvels, Dhammi and his team had good views of Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Jerdon’s Bushlark, Golden-fronted Leafbird and heard a call of Greater Flameback. After reassembling the group, we returned to our hotel for lunch.

Sri Lanka - Wildlife & History Tour Report

There was not much in our afternoon session because of the weather. We scanned the same areas we did in the afternoon yesterday. When we were passing the western entrance area we were amused by a troop of Grey Langurs. Our birding highlights were Black-capped Bulbul, and Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher. We met at the lobby in the Hotel Sigiriya at 19h00 for checklist, briefing and dinner. During the night we heard a call of an Oriental Scops Owl.

Day 6 Thursday 15th November

Sigiriya to Kandy, presentation at Luck Grove Spice, Peradeniya Botanical Gardens & Cultural Dances The morning birding was curtailed because of showers. Therefore after breakfast, we left hotel heading towards Kandy, the last stronghold of the order of our kings. On our way, we visited a spice garden where they a presentation about spices and some facts about Ayurveda, the science of our life and its well-being. We reached our hotel for lunch.

Our afternoon excursion today, took us to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya. We enjoyed walking along the lanes between the palm collections and across the grass and flower beds, and by the riversides searching for new species comprising of Forest Wagtail, Oriental White-Eye, and Southern Hill Myna. One of the highlights was the sighting of thousands of bats hanging on the trees. We were also highly impressed by the very rare native beauties in the Orchid Collection.

Later on we witnessed the programme of traditional dances ending with a walk on the burning charcoal! We returned to our hotel by 18h30. We had dinner and our overnight stay at Hotel Hilltop, Kandy. We met at the lobby at 19h00 for the species checklist, and tomorrows briefing which was followed by dinner.

Day 7 Friday 16th November

Udawatthakele Forest, Hanthana area, Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic After breakfast, at 08h00 we left the hotel for our 15 minute journey to Udawattha-kele forest reserve, where we enjoyed a walk. A pair of Brown Fish Owls was closely monitoring our behaviour from their day roost just about 50 feet above the edge of the large pond. Also there were some soft-shelled terrapins in the water. Our leisurely walk rewarded us with new sightings of Yellow-fronted Barbet, Pale-billed Flowerpecker, and Yellow-browed Bulbul. A Muntjac (Muntiacus muntjack) feeding in the undergrowth was a double bonus for us. We returned to our hotel for lunch.

For the afternoon, we drove further uphill to the Hanthana range. There, along the tar road through Hanthana Tea Estate, we made our two hour walk. Though it was humid, we never felt it much because of the slight breeze and the picturesque landscape. We were able to reach our day’s target by ticking our list with Square-tailed Black Bulbul, Sri Lanka Scimitar Babbler, Bar-winged Flycatcher-Shrike, Plum-headed and Layard’s Parakeets, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, White-rumped Munia, Nutmeg Mannikin and Great Tit.

4 © Naturetrek November 13

Sri Lanka - Wildlife & History Tour Report

We then visited the temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. In the complex, we witnessed how Buddhists pay homage to the material representations of the Buddha. Also we visited the Dalada Museum which explains the story of the relic from Buddha’s (then Prince Siddhartha) birth to present day. The whole complex acts as a gallery of Kandyan art, craft & architecture. We had our dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Hilltop, Kandy.

Day 8 Saturday 17th November

Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, Blue Field Tea Factory, Victoria Park From the morning, everybody was enthusiastic as we headed towards the much cooler Nuwara Eliya. Crossing the River Mahaweli, we said bye to the Capital of the Kandyan Kingdom, travelling through natural grassy terrains shaded by Roberosia, Ficus bengalensis and other flowering trees. It was the massive premises of the nearly 4,000 acre University of Peradeniya, the world’s most beautifully located university, introduced by the British. We had our tea factory demonstration and refreshments. Our avian highlight here was the acrobatic Pacific Swallows. We had a good view of a Crested Serpent Eagle, nicely posing for us and some Great Tits. When we were looking at the scenery far-away beyond the gardens through our spotting scopes, all the tea pluckers came in and stood before us thinking we were photographing them! We all enjoyed this and captured them through our lenses.

Witnessing Delta, Gerandi, Ramboda and Poona (Pundalu-Oya) Waterfalls through the tea estates, we gradually reached the city of Nuwara Eliya passing hair-pin bends of the Ramboda Pass which once was used to control access to the Kandyan Kingdom. We photographed some tea pluckers on the way. We reached our hotel hide- out in much cooler Little England for our pre-planned late lunch. We had a good view of a Common Sandpiper on the way. After a little nap at 15h00, we set off for our evening birding in the Victoria Park in the heart of the town. During our two and a half hours there we found Oriental Skylark, Paddyfield Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Yellow- eared Bulbul, Sri Lanka White-eye, House Sparrow and previously seen Indian Blue Robin. Later, through the hotel windows, we saw birdlife including hovering raptors and wading birds on the bed of Lake Gregory. Dinner and our overnight stay were at Leisure Village Hotel, Nuwara Eliya.

Day 9 Sunday 18th November

Horton Plains National Park & Hakgala Botanical Gardens, city tour in Nuwara Eliya Having had a cup of tea with some crackers, at 05h00, and set for Horton Plains National Park nearly 90 minutes away. A pair of Sri Lanka Wood Pigeons flew over and we further added Dull-blue Flycatcher, Spot-winged Thrush and Sri Lanka Bush Warbler. Then we bussed a little distance to scan the ‘wet pathana’ grasslands where we ticked Pied Thrush, Pied Bushchat, Tri-coloured Munia and a soaring Mountain Hawk-Eagle to our list. We were fortunate to photograph a troop of Purple-faced Monkeys. By 11h00, we were looking down from the view-point the Ambewela plateau, when Dhammy had overheard a call of a Whistling Thrush. His untiring efforts ultimately succeeded in getting this most wanted endemic black beauty, which displayed for nearly fifteen minutes. Then we returned to the hotel for lunch.

In the evening, we made our excursion in Hakgala Botanical Gardens adjoining the Hakgala Nature Reserve. There we met the resident troop of Purple Faced Leaf Monkeys. We all enjoy our walk in the beautifully terraced upland garden.

Sri Lanka - Wildlife & History Tour Report

The new additions to our checklist here were: Greater Flameback, Scarlet Minivet, Indian Blackbird, Brown- breasted Flycatcher and Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher. We returned to our hotel to ensure some time for an evening walk towards the lake, only 100m away from the hotel. From the window, we witnessed a soaring White Bellied Sea Eagle targeting the hundreds of egrets at the lake. We had dinner and an overnight stay at Leisure Village Hotel, Nuwara Eliya.

Day 10 Monday 19th November

Nuwara Eliya - Tissamaharama via Ella: Surray Estate, Ella Motel, Raavanaa Falls, Debara-vewa At 06h00, after a cup of tea with crackers, a few of our group set off. First, Dhammi found a Pied Thrush feeding on a path. We tailed behind him for a little time and moved ahead to scan the large trees. Suddenly, we caught a clear quick glimpse of a tiny beauty, the Kashmir Flycatcher as it just popped up, hopped once on a branch before vanishing away. We returned to the hotel for breakfast and said good-bye to Nuwara Eliya at 08h30 and headed towards Thissamaharama. Within five hours, we had travelled to almost sea level from nearly 7000 feet elevation. Our first stop was at the Surrey Estate, where we walked along the paths scanning the forest thickets. We had good views of previously seen Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon. Then, we had our pre-arranged lunch at Grand Ella Motel (Ella Rest House) viewing the valleys through ‘Ella’s Gap’ with four fading ranges of mountains. A Black Eagle very majestically flew over our heads, reviving us after a tiring journey.

We then made a photo-stop at the 40 m high Raavanaa Waterfall and continued our journey to Thissa. On our way we had a double bonus as a pair of Malabar Pied Hornbills was making a nice display feeding on small berries just 10 metres away from us! In the afternoon, we checked in at The Safari Hotel, our home tonight. Today’s evening excursion took us to the Debarawewa Tank which is overgrown with Water Hyacinth, Salvinia, Water Lily , some rushes and reeds and other water plants. This creates a most suitable habitat for many water- lovers. The water was dotted with lotus, lily and hyacinth flowers and beautiful avian fauna. At one end, there was a huge Marsh Mugger Crocodile on a large mound. Other than the hundreds previously seen, our new species were Yellow Bittern, Watercock, Pin-tailed Snipe, and Wood Sandpiper. Later we met at the lobby at 19h00 for checklist, and briefing followed by dinner.

Day 11 Tuesday 20th November

Bundala NP, Forest area around hotel At 05h30, we setoff for our journey to Bundala National Park, a Ramsar Wetland. From the entrance we hopped into the three jeeps. By about 06h30 we reached large areas of saltpans which exhibited varied gatherings of wading birds. We moved to an area at the edge of the saltpans where we parked our jeeps and enjoyed our breakfast. Just in front of us, there were many hundreds of waders. As there were four spotting-scopes, it was very easy for others to identify the waders. By about 10h00 we turned back for hotel, having ticked the following new species; Northern Pintail, Gargany, Great Thick-knee, Small Pratincole, Pacific Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Kentish Plover, Lesser Sand Plover, Common Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Ruddy Turnstone, Little Stint, Marsh Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Red-necked Phalarope, Caspian Tern, Roseate Tern, Great Crested Tern, Lesser Crested Tern, Lesser Adjutant, Eurasian Spoonbill, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Orange-breasted Green Pigeon; and raptors were; Black-shouldered Kite, Black Kite and Grey-headed Fish Eagle.

6 © Naturetrek November 13

Sri Lanka - Wildlife & History Tour Report

We returned to our hotel for lunc, and then left for Yala by 14h00. En-route, we stopped for some waders at the lagoons alongside the road, resulting in the addition of Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Yellow Wagtail and White- throated Munia. We checked in to our own cottages and by about 16h00 most of the group were down by the beach. The hotel garden was a good habitat for butterfly fauna also. We had to find our own way to return as our way-back was blocked by a solitary bull Elephant in between the cottages, which was undoubtedly a bonus. It was truly a nice evening. Dinner was at 7pm, followed by our overnight stay at Chaaya Wild, Yaala (Now – Cinnamon Wild).

Day 12 Wednesday 21st November

Yala NP and adjoining areas Having had our tea or coffee, with packed breakfasts, we left for Yala at 05h30, and made an early entrance. We split the journey with a nice breakfast-break at the ‘Pattanangala’ beach. The dedicated drivers of our three jeeps took us in every nook and corner in the jungle. Our newly added birding highlights today were Black-necked Stork, Pied Cuckoo, Baya Weaver and a rare previously seen Peregrine Falcon. The mammalian species included newly added Golden Jackal, Ruddy Mongoose, Leopard, Sambar Deer and Jungle Rat, but the Leopard was the talk of the day! After a tiring but good day, we returned to our hotel for lunch. After luxuriating a while in the pool or resting in the room, our evening excursion took us to the salt marshes and lagoons along the roadway outside the hotel where we observed the feeding habits of many species of waders including Ringed Plover, Little Plover and Common Snipe.

After dinner, we left the hotel for a night drive heading towards Kirinda junction. The hardest efforts of our driver were rewarded with a sighting of a Jungle Cat, and a few Indian Nightjars. We all were thrilled by the large tusker Elephant just outside the hotel. Overnight stay at Chaaya Wild, Yala (Now – Cinnamon Wild)

Day 13 Thursday 22nd November

Yala, Udawalawe After a leisurely breakfast, we set off for our next destination, the Centuria Hotel in Embilipitiya. After enjoying our lunch, we left the hotel for Udawalawe National Park, the kingdom of elephants. During our three hours there, we could see two little clans of Asian Elephants with some solitary bull elephants. We had some snacks at the Gonaviddagala rocky outcrop. On our way back three Golden-backed Jackals were on an ambush near a bush by the jeep track. The new bird species seen were Woolly-necked Stork, Crested Honey Buzzard, Barred Buttonquail, Ringed Plover, Sirkeer Malkoha, Indian Scops Owl, Richard’s Pipit, Grey-breasted Prinia, and Yellow-eyed Babbler. We returned to the hotel late in the evening. Dinner & overnight stay at Centuria Hotel, Embilipitiya.

Day 14 Friday 23rd November

Udawalawe, en route to Sinharaaja, Ketala-pathana area After breakfast, we set off for Sinharaja World Heritage Rainforest via Godakawela, Rakwaana and Suriyakanda.

Sri Lanka - Wildlife & History Tour Report

Passing Godakawela, we drove through beautiful tea estates and stopped at Handapaan Ella Resort for a cup of tea. After witnessing two beautiful waterfalls, we reached the Blue Magpie Lodge, our home for today. After lunch and resting a while, we set off for our walk towards Ketalapathana village along the buffer zone of the forest. The Green-billed Coucal was the star of the day while our birding session for nearly two hours rewarded us with Besra, Green-billed Coucal, Crimson-fronted Barbet, Lesser Yellownape, Orange-billed Babbler, White- throated Flowerpecker, Sri Lanka Crested-Drongo and some previously seen species such as Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike and Black Eagle. We were able to watch many species from and beyond the hotel garden. Dinner & overnight stay at Blue Magpie Lodge, Kudawa, Sinharaja.

Day 15 Saturday 24th November

Sinharaaja After an early breakfast, we left for Sinharaja Rainforest in 4x4’s. At the entrance we selected the broader track up to the research station. A giant squirrel nibbling a nut on a local olive tree gave us a warm welcome. During our four hour walk, we met two mixed species bird flocks which are most appreciated and sought after in Sinharaja. Our new additions were Malabar Trogon, Ceylon Magpie and Ceylon Myna. We had clear views of previously seen, most appreciated species such as Dark-fronted Babbler, Spot-winged Thrush, Emerald Dove, Layard’s Parakeet, Greater Flameback, Bar-winged Flycatcher-Shrike, Square-tailed Black Bulbul, Indian Blackbird, Sri Lanka Scimitar Babbler, Orange-billed Babbler, Thick-billed Flowerpecker and Ceylon Crested- Drongo. We enjoy the ricdh diversity of flora as well as the other species of fauna.

We returned to our hotel for lunch. After lunch, we set off for Rathnaloka Hotel in Rathnapura. On our way we were lucky to have a very clear view of a pair of Sri Lanka Frogmouths perched in a little tree just above eye level. In the early evening we checked in at the hotel. After a little break, we had a walk along the road in front of the hotel. Our only new addition to our list was Black-headed Cuckoo-shrike other than few previously seen species highlighted by Greater Coucal, Golden-fronted Leafbird, Yellow-browed Bulbul, White-rumped Munia and a Brown Fish Owl. Dinner & overnight stay at Rathnaloka Hotel, Rathnapura.

Day 16 Sunday 25th November

En route to Colombo In the morning we walked along the road for our second birding session in Rathnapura. We had our breakfast at the hotel after which the group split in two, as four of our group went whale-watching at Mirissa led by Dhamithra. Having said good-bye to Dammy and his team we set-off for our hotel in Katunayaka. Our driver Bandara agreed to drive some extra mileage to do a city tour in Sri Jayawarghana-pura, our capital and in Colombo, our principle commercial city. We checked in at Taj Airport Garden Hotel for our last night’s stay.

Day 17 Monday 26th November

Airport Garden Hotel for our last night After luxuriating a while in the comfort of the best transit hotel, the group did set off for airport for the return flight back to the UK.

Sri Lanka - Wildlife & History Tour Report

Species Lists

Birds (= recorded but not counted; H = Heard Only)

Common name Scientific name Barred Buttonquail Turnix suscitator Sri Lanka Spurfowl Galloperdix bicalcarata Sri Lanka Junglefowl Gallus lafayetii Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus Lesser Whistling-duck Dendrocygna javanica Knob-billed Duck, Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea Cotton Pygmy-goose Nettapus coromandelianus Garganey Anas querquedula Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus Black -headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia Yellow Bittern Lxobrychus sinensis Black Bittern Dupetor flavicollis Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Striated Heron Butorides striata Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Great Egret casmerodius albus Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia Little Egret Egretta garzetta Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Darter Anhinga melanogaster Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus Black Kite Milvus migrans Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus White-bellied Sea Eagle, White-bellied Fish Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster Gray-headed Fish Eagle Lcthyophaga ichthyaetus Shikra Accipiter badius Besra Accipiter virgatus Oriental Honey-buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus

Sri Lanka - Wildlife & History Tour Report

Common name Scientific name Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela Black Eagle Lctinaetus malayensis Changeable Hawk Eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus Mountain Hawk Eagle Spizaetus nipalensis White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Watercock Gallicrex cinerea Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Common Coot Fulica atra Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus Indian Thick-knee, Eurasian Thick-knee Burhinus(oedicnemus) indicus Great Thick-knee Esacus recurvirostris Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Yellow-wattled Lapwing Vanellus malabaricus Red-wattled lapwing Vanellus indicus Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Gray Plover Pluvialis squatarola Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Kentish Plover Charadrus alexandrinus Lesser sand Plover, Mongolian Plover charadrius mongolus Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii Pin-tailed Snipe Gallinago stenura Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus Common Red shank Tringa totanus Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Little Stint Calidris minuta Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus Small Pratincole Glareola lactea Brown-headed Gull Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis Greater Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii Common Tern Sterna hirunda

Sri Lanka - Wildlife & History Tour Report

Common name Scientific name Little Tern Sternula albifrons Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida Common Pigeon, Rock Pigeon Columba livia Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon Columba torringtoniae Spotted Dove Stigmatopelia chinensis Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica Orange-breasted Green Pigeon Treron bicinctus Sri Lanka Green Pigeon Treron (Pompadora) pompadora Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot Loriculus beryllinus Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri Plum-headed Parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala Layard's Parakeet Psittacula calthropae Jacobin Cuckoo, Pied Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus Common Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx varius Banded Bay Cuckoo Cacomantis sonneratii Grey-bellied Cuckoo, Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis passerinus Asian Koel Endynamys scolopacerus Blue-faced Malkoha Rhopodytes viridirostris Sirkeer Malkoha Taccocua leschenaultii Red-fased Malkoha Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis Green-billed Coucal Centropus chlororhynchos Sri Lanka Frogmouth Batrachostomus moniliger Jerdon's Nightjar Caprimulugus atripennis Indian Nightjar Caprimulugus asiaticus Serendib Scops Owl Otus thilohoffmanni Collared Scops Owl Otus bakkamoena Chestnut backed Owlet Glaucidium castanotum Brown Fish Owl Ketupa zeylonensis Indian Swiftlet Collocalia unicolor Brown-backed Needletail Hirundapus giganteus Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis House Swift, Little Swift Apus affinis Crested Treeswift , Gray-rumped Treeswift Hemiprocne coronata Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis Green Bee-eater, Little Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti Stork-billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis Malabar Trogon Harpactes fasciatus Common Hoopoe, Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops

Sri Lanka - Wildlife & History Tour Report

Common name Scientific name Brown-headed Barbet Megalaima zeylanica Yellow-fronted Barbet Megalaima flavifrons Crimson-fronted Barbet Megalaima rubricapillus Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill Ocyceros gingalensis Malabar Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros coronatus Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos nanus Yellow-crowned Woodpecker Dendrocopos mahrattensis Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorophus Lesser Goldenback, Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense Crimson-backed Goldenback, Crimson-back Woodpecker Chrysocolaptes(lucidus) stricklandi Indian Pitta Pitta brachyura Sri Lanka Woodshrike Tephrodornis (pondicerianus) affinis Large Cuckooshrike Coracina macei Black-headed Cuckooshrike Coracina melanoptera Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus Scarlet Minivet, Flame Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus Long-tailed Shrike, Rufous- backed Shrike Lanius schach Common Iora Aegithina tiphia Jerdon's Leafbird Chloropsis jerdoni Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus Sri Lanka Blue Magpie Urocissa ornata House Crow Corvus splendens Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Hill Swallow Hirundo( tahitica) domicola Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica Sri Lanka Swallow Cecropis (daurica) hyperythra Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus White-bellied Drongo Dicrurus caerulescens Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus Sri Lanka Drongo, Sri Lanka Crested Drongo Dicrurus ( paradiseus ) lophorhinus Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Richard's Pipit Anthus richardi Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus Blyth's Pipit Anthus godlewskii Jerdon's Bushlark Mirafra affinis Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark Eremopterix griseus Black-capped Bulbul, Black-headed Yellow Bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus

Sri Lanka - Wildlife & History Tour Report

Common name Scientific name Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer Yellow-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus penicillatus White-browed Bulbul Pycnonotus luteolus Yellow-browed Bulbul Acritillas indica Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus Gray-breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsonii Jungle Prinia Prinia sylvatica Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis Plain Prinia Prinia inornoata Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis Sri Lanka Bush Warbler Bradypterus palliseri Rusty-rumped Warbler, Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler Locustella certhiola Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus Blyth's Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum Booted Warbler Iduna caligata Sykes's Warbler Iduna rama Hume's Whitethroat Sylvia althaea Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides Green Warbler, Bright-green Warbler Phylloscopus (trochiloides) nitidus Large-billed Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus magnirostris White-browed Fantail Rhipidura aureola Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea Asian Paradise-flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi Brown-capped Babbler Pellorneum fuscocapillus Sri Lanka Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus melanurus Dark-fronted Babbler Rhopocichla atriceps Tawny-bellied Babbler Dumetia hyperythra Yellow-eyed Babbler Chrysomma sinense Orange-billed Babbler Turdoides rufescens Yellow-billed Babbler Turdoides affinis Ashy-headed Laughingthrush Garrulax cinereifrons Sri Lanka Hill Myna, Sri Lanka Myna Gracula ptilogenys Lesser Hill Myna Gracula (religioosa) indica Common Myna Acridotheres tristis White-faced Starling Sturnornis albofrontatus Brahminy Starling Sturnia pagodarum Rosy Starling Pastor roseus Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush Myophonus blighi Orange-headed Thrush Zoothera citrina Spot-winged Thrush Zoothera spiloptera Indian Blackbird Turdus (merula) simillimus Indian Blue Robin Luscinia brunnea Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus

Sri Lanka - Wildlife & History Tour Report

Common name Scientific name Indian Robin, Black-backed Robin Saxicoloides fulicatus Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica Brown-breasted Flycatcher Muscicapa muttui Kashmir Flycatcher Ficedula subrubra Dull-blue Flycatcher Eumyias sordidus Tickell's Blue Flycatcher Cyornis tickelliae Gray-headed Canary Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis Thick-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum agile Legge's Flowerpecker, White-throated Flowerpecker Dicaeum vincens Pale-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum erythrorhynchos Purple-rumped Sunbird Nectarinia zeylonica Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica Loten's Sunbird, Long-billed Sunbird Nectarinia lotenia Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus Sri Lanka White-eye Zosterops ceylonensis Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis Great Tit Parus major Streaked Weaver Ploceus manyar Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus House Sparrow Passer domesticus Indian Silverbill, White-throated Silverbill Lonchura malabarica White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata Black-throated Munia Lonchura kelaarti Black-headed Munia Lonchura malacca

Receive our e-newsletter

Join the Naturetrek e-mailing list and be the first to hear about new tours, additional departures and new dates, tour reports and special offers. Visit www.naturetrek.co.uk to sign up.

Naturetrek Facebook

We are delighted to launch the Naturetrek Facebook page so that participants of Naturetrek tours can remain in touch after the holiday and share photos, comments and future travel plans.

Setting up a personal profile at www.facebook.com is quick, free and easy. The Naturetrek Facebook page is now live; do please pay us a visit! Species List