The New StandardFor sustainable business and conservation in Sri Lanka

A Member of the Global Partnership on Business and Biodiversity of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

EditorialFrom us to you …..

We warmly welcome you to our finaledition of 'The New Standard' for 2016!We have so enjoyed putting thistogether and hope that you will spendsome time reading it.It is the migratory season and wededicate this edition to the birds fromoverseas arriving to stay out the wintermonths with us. Geese winging theirway south in wrinkled V-shaped flocks isperhaps the classic picture in your mindof bird migration the annual, large-scalemovement of birds between theirbreeding (summer) homes and theirnon-breeding (winter) grounds.

Sri Lanka is the destination of choicefor a variety of migrant birds and theyusually stop over at the same sites everyyear. Our lagoons and wetlands in thesouthern, northern and north westernparts of the country are teeming withthese migrants and this is the time ofyear to pull out your binoculars and hitthe road!

Cont. page 3

we spoke to Prof Kotagama on someinteresting facts that we should know on ourfeathered friends!

An endemic species is one which is onlyfound in a given region or location andnowhere else in the world. Endemic speciesbelong to one of four categories: siteendemic, national endemic, geographicallyendemic or politically endemic. Siteendemism e.g. found only in SinharajaRainforest. A national endemic such as theCeylon blue magpie (Cissaoronata) is limitedto a country, the blue magpie is endemic toSri Lanka.Geographical range endemic e.g. found inthe Himalayan region, which howevercovers several Himalayan countries andtherefore is not a national endemic. Politicalendemism is assigned to species which arefound within a 'political'

Cont. page 3

Q 1 : What categorizes a bird speciesas endemic?A:

He has been a leading resource person toBiodiversity Sri Lanka since its inceptionand has been advising and guiding usalong the way. Among all his othercontributions to the conservation world,Prof Kotagama founded the FieldOrnithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL) in1976. Today FOGSL is recognized as the SriLankan partner “affiliate” of the globalbird conservation organization, BirdlifeInternational.Within the backdrop of the InternationalConference on Bird, Biodiversity andTourism (ICBBT) 2016 which wasconcluded recently,

Expert Q&A

Expert Q& A ..........................................1Editorial ................................................1

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From Our Project Bank ..... ...... 3Hotel Tree of Life Celebrates Bird andBiodiversity weekThe International Conference on Bird,Biodiversity and Tourism ......................7Spotting a Celebrity!..............................8They have flown a long way – be kind...9

Content

Prof. Sarath W.Kotagama needs nointroduction! He iswidely known for hiswork in environment-a l conservat ionth roug h-out theworld.

November-2016 Issue: 21The Migratory Flight - Birds of Sri Lanka

Greater Flamingo - take off in Mannar, December 2016Photo credits: Roshan Jayasekara

Phoenicopterus roseus

General Members

For more details on this project visit our Project Bank at, reach us through 011 5588833

or email roshan@biodiversitysrilanka.org

I

The problems to be addressed

nnovative Partnerships for Revival of the Elusive SriLanka Blue MagpieThe Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, or the Ceylon Magpie (

) is a unique species of bird, endemic to Sri Lanka.Classified as 'Vulnerable' by the IUCN's Red List of ThreatenedSpecies, it is a member of the Crow family, confined to the hillforests of Sri Lanka.

The population of the Sri Lanka Blue Magpie is one that isdeclining rapidly due to the loss of its specialized habitat,the dense wet evergreen rainforest. The scope of the projectwill be limited to a defined area within the Enselwatte TeaPlantation, and the surrounding fringe forest, which is a part ofthe buffer zone of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve. The area lieswithin the Deniyaya area, towards the South-western reachesof the island of Sri Lanka. The tea plantation and theconsequent developments have proved to be a cause of habitatfragmentation for the species living within the confines of theSinharaja Forest Reserve. Individuals of this species are usuallyfound in small groups of up to six or seven birds, are largelycarnivorous, feeding on small frogs, lizards, insects andother invertebrates, but have also been known to feed on fruit.

Due to the endemic and vulnerable nature of this bird, andits charismatic and extremely beautiful morphology, thisspecies is of immense importance to Sri Lanka. It serves asa flagship species for the South-western rainforests of thecountry. Timely conservation of this birds' habitat would servethe global community in saving an endemic and vibrantspecies, as well as in averting the risk that is posed of losing itfor future generations.

The loss of habitat caused by land conversion andfragmentation poses a significant risk to the endemicpopulation of the Sri Lanka Blue Magpie. In order to preservethis bird population within the Sinharaja Rainforest, thisspecies-focused project has been proposed, to address thechallenge of fragmentation with the specific objective ofconserving the continuous habitat much needed for thesurvival of the Sri Lanka Blue Magpie.

Urocissaornata

www.biodiversitysrilanka.org

Editorial Continued

With warm wishes

SecretariatShiranee Yasaratne Sherani RuberuRoshan Salinda Rasheed ,A.M

We are proud to feature in this edition, Sri Lanka's foremostornithologist, Professor Sarath Wimalabandara Kotagama, sowell-known to all of us. Prof Kotagama and his Field OrnithologyGroup (FOGSL) have played a critical and vital role in theconservation of our feathered friends - we pay tribute to 40years of unmatched service from FOGSL since 1976! Don't fail toread our Q&A section which provides many interesting facts onthis all important topic.

Sri Lanka hosted the International Conference on Bird,Biodiversity and Tourism (ICBBT) which was held recently. Weare justly proud that our member, Hotel Tree of Life received theGold Medal for the best presentation at this conference for birdresearch in their property. Our Member focus, surrounds thisand other work done by Hotel Tree of Life. The Asia RegionalPartnership Bird Fair 2016 organized by FOGSL and BirdLifeInternational was also held recently, binging in a host of like-minded visitors to our beautiful country.In case you arewondering how you can be more involved, we draw yourattention to a project from our project bank on the habits andstatus of the Blue Magpie designated as the National Bird of SriLanka.

The festive season is fast approaching and with it happy re-unions with friends and family. Our first publication “WorthProtecting” in book stores now will be a worthy gift to celebratethe season. Don't forget that you can purchase the book at adrastically reduced rate especially for our members - at Rs2000/- a copy, available from our Secretariat. Please avail of thisfantastic opportunity.As the year draws to a close, we at the Secretariat wish you ajoyous season and a fantastic New Year! Your commitment hasegged us on and we look forward to another productive yearworking together in the conservation of our national biologicalheritage.

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November 2016

The New Standard -November 20163

From Our Project Bank - an initiative ready to betaken up by our Members.

Expert Q& A Cont....

The New Standard -November 20164

Brahminy Kite

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Member Focus

BSL Member, Hotel Tree of Life, Kandy celebrated its Bird andBiodiversity week from 23rd to 30th November 2016. Thenature resort well known for its biodiversity has recorded123 birds,28 reptiles, 18 mammals, 19 amphibians, 49butterflies and 21 dragonflies to date. Out of which, 40species are considered nationally and globally threatened(Critically endangered: 4, Endangered: 19, Vulnerable:17).The 63 acre secondary forest owned and managed by thehotel is a small biodiversity hotspot to the hill capital ofSri Lanka.

With recent biodiversity celebrations, the hotel publishedtwo of their research papers namely

andat the

held recently.

“Evaluation ofBiodiversity with means to habitat for wildlife; a case studyof Hotel Tree of Life Kandy Sri Lanka environmentalsustainability initiatives” “Avifauna Diversity at HotelTree of Life Kandy Sri Lanka” InternationalConference on Bird, Biodiversity and Tourism (ICBBT) 2016

endemic birds found in Sri Lanka. Tree of Life then hosted anopen exhibition to all hotel guests themed

with a week of biodiversity photographyexhibition of the viewable biodiversity for the past two years.Tree of Life was

that was held on the 18 October 2016 at BMICH withthe patronage of H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena.Being one of the leading nature resorts in the country, thehotel was recognized for its best practices in environmentalactivities, environmental practices, Greenhouse GasReduction, optimum resource management, environmentalreporting, environmental health and safety, wastemanagement, pollution prevention and environmental-social responsibilities.

“Nature atNature Resort”

awarded the Bronze Trophy ofCommendation at the Presidential Environmental Awards2016 th

The Hotel's Environment Management Executive;Palinda Perera received the Gold Medal for thebest presentation at the ICBBT 2016 conferencefor their Bird (Avifauna)diversity research.

Following the conference, Tree of Life was alsopart of the

organized by Field Ornithology Group of SriLanka joining Bird Life International the globalpartnership of bird conservation organizations.The Bird Fair stall displayed the hotels viewablebird diversity having 16 endemics out of the 34

Asia Regional Partnership Bird Fair2016

Whether called nature tourism or ecotourism, recreational and educational travel based on natural attractions is a promisingmeans of advancing social, economic, and environmental objectives in developing countries. Awareness of biodiversity and theenvironment is gradually increasing. As such, there is a growing consciousness on the importance and the benefits of flora, faunaand ecosystems reflected in the increased demand for tours and travels with a focus on nature.A number of published statisticshave in fact concluded that bird watching is the fastest growing type of nature-based tourism in the World with India, China andThailand bagging the top bird watching destinations in Asia. It is evident that there lies an enormous niche for bird watchingtourism, but this is hinged on the simple fact that these birds must be conserved.

The recently concluded “International Conference on Bird, Biodiversity and Tourism (ICBBT) 2016” could not have come at a morepivotal time. Organized by the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL), in collaboration with The International Institute ofKnowledge Management, the conference was held in commemoration of the 40 year celebrations of FOGSL in Sri Lanka. It sawthe presence of many local and international participants, including Birdlife International, a global not-for-profit organizationdedicated to the conservation of birds, with partner organizations in many different countries. By taking action locally, regionallyand globally, Birdlife International and its partner organizations take positive stances to conserve bird speciesand their habitats.

One of the biggest threats to survival of most species include human land use change such as deforestation and agriculturalconversions which have led to an alarming rise in the loss of species around the world. When it comes to bird species, 1 in 10 areeither threatened, endangered or critically endangered. Research presented during the conference highlighted shifts in regions inwhich birds occur due to climate change. The falcons which grace the Arabian skies, the penguins which attract tourists to coolerclimes and the elusive Blue Magpie which Sri Lankan birdwatchers love to spot may soon become just a distant memory, if thesethreats are not addressed swiftly.

Conservation of biodiversity, especially in a country so rich in its biological attributes, is a matter of economics. No tourist wants tosee a degraded landscape with no flora and fauna to speak of. This goes to raise the question as to why there exists a gap betweenthe species that require funding for their protection, and the resources that are actually diverted. The conference aimed atanswering such questions.

th

Awareness among the community seems to be the key factor which can bring about sustainable conservation. If communities around atourist attraction are granted direct financial benefits generated by tourism, then they will take up the mandate of preserving thebiodiversity which they depend on. The figures support this fact. Globally, US $7 trillion are generated as income through tourism, and itaccounts for 1 in 11 jobs anywhere in the world. Since eco-tourism now plays a significant role in attracting people from all over theglobe, nature plays an important part in the quality package which is offered by a country to a tourist.

An example of this is seen in a small island off the coast of Scotland, which plays host to an abundance of Mull's Sea Eagles, which werereintroduced to the island in recent times. Currently, 1 in 5 tourists visiting the island do so just to observe the eagles, and it is generatingover 3 million pounds annually in the local economy, whilst providing jobs for 66 individuals on the island, according to the Royal Societyfor the Protection of Birds, UK. The studies also showed that the RSPB reserves in UK generated over 60 million pounds in income in 2012alone, while supporting the local communities.

The New Standard -November 20167

The International Conference on Bird, Biodiversity andTourism (ICBBT) 2016..... Continued

Prof. Sarath Kotagama, the chair of the conference as well theco-founder of FOGSL and Professor Emeritus of the Universityof Colombo, also underlined that fact that Eco tourism can gobeyond simply conserving existing biodiversity. It can alsoactively contribute towards regenerating degraded habitatsand restoring them to their original state, thereby facilitatinglasting positive change.

Hotel Tree of Life, Kandy, a member of Biodiversity Sri Lankawas a case study presented during the conference whichhighlighted this fact. The hotel is situated on a 65 acre piece ofland which used to be tea plantations. Out of this area, themanagement of the hotel have now restored 63 acres back tothe original forest, and they have been rewarded for theirefforts by the 123 varying species of fauna now recorded on thehotel's property, including critically endangered amphibians aswell as endemic bird species such as Grey Hornbills and Yellow-fronted Barbets.

The hotel regularly attracts tourists eager to view thisabundant wildlife, and it showcases the great synergy whichcan be created between nature and tourism.

Eco-tourism is a viable income generator for local communitiesand businesses, it helps create awareness about the dwindlingbiodiversity of our planet, and it can ultimately help conservespecies for the future, provided it is carried out in a sustainablemanner. After all, as the participants of ICBBT 2016 discovered,people are the stewards of their natural environment, and byconserving nature we protect ourselves and our families.

The New Standard -November 20168

Spotting a Celebrity!

What is the Sri Lankan equivalent of spotting a celebritywhile you are on safari?

Spotting the elusive black-necked stork, of course! It comesas no surprise then that Srilal Miththapala and AshokaRanjeewa were very excited when they observed thisgraceful wading bird in the Udawalawe NationalPark duringthe first week of November. Birders and ornithologists arealso in agreement that this may have been the very firstinstance that a Black-necked stork has been observed at theUdawalawe National Park.

Black-necked storks are aresident migrant in Sri Lanka, and there is a verys mallbreeding population of 4-8 pairs usually seen in RuhunaNational Park. It is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on theIUCN Red List.

These birds are the tallest in Sri Lanka, reaching a height of120-150cm on average. The striking black beak, head andneck, as well as its bright red legs, make this bird a stunningand valuable addition to the fauna of Sri Lanka. However, it iscritically endangered in a Sri Lankan context,with a knownpopulation of only 50 birds on the island.

(Ephippiorhynchusasiaticus)

Spotting the elusive black-neckedstork , Pic by Srilal Miththapala

The New Standard -November 20169

They have flown a long way – be kind

As the bird migration season begins, experts are urging the public to watchout for exhausted migrants found in their gardens and neighborhood incoming weeks. A number of exhausted or dead birds were found this week. Adisorientated dead Indian pitta, commonly known as , was founddead after having flown into a window at Pelawatte, birdwatcher WillDuncan reported on October 18th. Another dead pitta was by seen byHarshani Ratnayake on the same day.

After flying hundreds of miles, weakened birds can easily becomedisorientated and lose their way. Records indicate Colombo can expect moreIndian pittas this month so people are asked to be vigilant.

If an exhausted migrant is found, the bird should first be protected frompredators such as dogs, cats, rats and crows. If the bird is able to fly and showrecovery on its own, let it recover naturally under a watchful eye, the FieldOrnithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL) advises. Its MigrantWATCH programis aimed at assisting such troubled migrants.

If the bird is unconscious or takes a long time to recover keep it in a dark,quiet and warm place; a clean cardboard box with small holes for ventilationwould be a good enclosure for the troubled bird. Handle the bird as little aspossible to avoid adding to its stress. When the bird is able to fly, release it assoon as possible in a safe environment. Attend to traumatic injuries (brokenbones) as necessary and if extensive care is needed, consult a veterinarian

avichchiya

Malayanan Night Heron Pic by V. Weeratunga

Launching MigrantWATCH 2016-17, biologist VimukthiWeeratunga called for the protection of bird habitat.“Decades ago, we could see thousands of migrant birdsin wetlands such as Bundala but such large flocks are raretoday in southern Sri Lanka,” he said, using the exampleof the “star” migrant, the greater flamingo, that hasabandoned the Bundala wetlands.

“Even small home gardens in Colombo could be vital forthe survival of some of the migrant species so the publiccan do its part and make home gardens bird-friendly,”Mr. Weeratunga said. The blue-tailed bee-eater, forestwagtail, barn swallow, brown flycatcher and brownshrike are some of the common migrants to be seen evenin Colombo.

Mr. Weeratunga, a veteran photographer, hasphotographed rare migrant birds and askedbirdwatchers to be watchful because common-lookingbirds could turn out to be a rare migrant that might bepaying their first recorded visit to Sri Lanka. The long-distance migrants can be badly affected by the impact ofclimate change.Last year, the University of Copenhagen conducted astudy based on observations of thousands of volunteerbirdwatchers across Europe and found that birds areaffected by changing climatic conditions and that whilesome species benefit from these changes, birds of colderregions stand to suffer.

Read more:http://www.sundaytimes.lk/161030/news/they-have-flown-a-long-way-be-kind-215495.html

Biodiversity Sri Lanka50, Navam Mawatha, Colombo 02. Tel.: +94.11.5588833 | Fax.: +94.11.244.9352 |Email: info@biodiversitysrilanka.org | Website: www.biodiversitysrilanka.org

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Oriental Dwaft KingfisherPhoto credits: Gehan Rajeev