Report of a birding trip to Sri Lanka - SURFBIRDS · Report of a birding trip to Sri Lanka 8–19 January 2017 by Dick Meijer and Peter van Scheepen Orange-breasted Pigeon, Udawalawe

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

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.naturewalsrilanka.com/

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)


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.

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/

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)




13. Little Cormorant (Microcarbo niger)

Up to 150 seen almost daily. Not seen at Sinharaja rain forest.

14. Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)


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)



Tissamaharama on 17 January.

Oriental Darter, Bundala NP

17. Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis)




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)



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)




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)



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)



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)


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)


16 January.

50. Indian Thick-knee (Burhinus indicus)


51. Great Thick-knee (Esacus recurvirostris)


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)


54. Pacific Golden-Plover (Pluvialis fulva)


55. Yellow-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus malabaricus)


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)


59. Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula)


60. Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius)


61. Pheasant-tailed Jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus)


16 January.

62. Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)


63. Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata)


64. Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa)


Black-tailed Godwit, Bundala NP

65. Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)


66. Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea)


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)


69. Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus)


70. Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus)


Red-necked Phalarope, Bundala NP

71. Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)



72. Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus)

1 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January, 1 at Bundala NP on 15 January and 1 at


73. Spotted Redshank (Tringa erythropus)


74. Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia)



75. Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis)



Marsh Sandpiper, Bundala NP

76. Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)



Wood Sandpiper, Bundala NP

77. Common Redshank (Tringa totanus)


78. Small Pratincole (Glareola lactea)


79. Brown-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus)


80. Little Tern (Sternula albifrons)



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)


Caspian Tern, Great Crested Tern and Brown-headed Gull, Bundala NP

83. White-winged Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus)


84. Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida)


Tissamaharama on 15 January, 5 at Yala NP on 15 January and 1 at


Whiskered Tern, Bundala NP

85. Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)


86. Great Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii)


87. Lesser Crested Tern (Thalasseus bengalensis)


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)


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


Orange-breasted Pigeon, Udawalawe

93. Sri Lanka Green-Pigeon (Treron pompadora) E


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)


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)


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)


100. Pied Cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus)

1 seen at Bundala NP and 1 at Tissamaharama on 15 January and 2 at


101. Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus)

1 ♂♀ seen en route to Kithulgala on 9 January, 3 at Tissamaharama on


Serendib Scops-Owl, Kithulgala rain forest

102. Gray-bellied Cuckoo (Cacomantis passerinus)


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)


106. Jungle Owlet (Glaucidium radiatum)


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)


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)


117. Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops)

2 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January and 1 at


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)


Sri Lanka Gray Hornbill, Sinharaja rain forest

120. Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)


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)


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)


133. Lesser Yellownape (Picus chlorolophus)

1 ♂♀ at Kithulgala village on 11 January, 1 ♂♀ Sinharaja rain forest on


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


136. White-naped Woodpecker (Chrysocolaptes festivus)


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)


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


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 at Bundala NP on 15 January, 3 at Yala NP on 16 January and 1 at


149. White-tailed Iora (Aegithina nigrolutea)


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)


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)


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


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


164. Jerdon's Bushlark (Mirafra affinis)

15 seen at Udawalawe on 14 January, 4 at Bundala NP on 14 January, 2 at


Jerdon's Bushlark, Udawalawe

165. Oriental Skylark (Alauda gulgula)


Oriental Skylark, Bundala NP

166. Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia)


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


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


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)


188. Jungle Prinia (Prinia sylvatica)


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)


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


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)


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


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)



220. White-faced Starling (Sturnornis albofrontatus) E


221. Brahminy Starling (Sturnia pagodarum)


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)


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


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)


232b. Western Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava lutea)


232c. Western Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava sp)


233. Citrine Wagtail (Motacilla citreola)


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)


6 at Yala NP on 16 January

236. Blyth's Pipit (Anthus godlewskii)


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)


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


Systematic list of mammals

1. Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus)



Asian Elephant, Yala NP

2. Sambar Deer (Rusa unicolor)


3. Spotted Deer (Cervus axis)


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)


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)


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)


11. Indian Palm-Squirrel (Funambulus palmarum)

Up to 20 seen almost daily.

12. Dusky Palm-Squirrel (Funambulus obscurus)


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


14. Indian Gray Mongoose (Herpestes edwardsii)


Indian Gray Mongoose, Yala NP

15. Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus giganteus)

100+ seen en route to Sinharaja rain forest on 11 January, 1000+


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)


6. White-lipped Pit Viper (Trimeresurus albolabris)


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)


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)


Giant Wood Spider, Sinharaja rain forest

2. Giant Blue Earthworm (Megascolex coeruleus)


Giant Blue Earthworm, Sinharaja rain forest

Documents

Report of a birding trip to Sri Lanka - SURFBIRDS · Report of a birding trip to Sri Lanka 8–19 January 2017 by Dick Meijer and Peter van Scheepen Orange-breasted Pigeon, Udawalawe