Brian Clasper's Trip Report

Jim France and Brian Clasper

BRIANCLASPER AT aol.com

Participants: Brian Clasper, Jim France, Prasanjith & Sam the driver

 

We virtually cleared up with the endemics in 9 days, but missed out on the Frogmouth & Serendib Scops owl & Leopard. However this did not spoil the trip in any way as the sights we did get were tremendous of everything else. It is essential and quicker to find some of the Sri Lankan endemics with a guide and driver and I do not recommend hiring a car and doing it yourself as you will waste a lot of valuable time. We decided to ask Jith of www.walkwithjith.com who was perfect. We flew Emirates booked through "Dial a Flight", cheapest quote.

The weather was initially very wet , later in the holiday it did improve but in the wooded areas it was very humid even when it wasn`t raining.  Certainly we had to alter our itinerary as Jith would phone ahead to find out the weather conditions at our next proposed stop

Day 1 Sunday 16th January

The Emirates airline which took us to Colombo from cold , rainy Manchester through the night after a 4 hrs at Dubai Airport , a shoppers paradise, then onto Colombo via the Maldives after 5 further hours in  the air. Having arrived mid morning to a Warm constant rain after battling through security one of our cases was missing .This eventually caught up with us 2 nights later . This was only possible due to the amazing hard working well organised leader of the trip  SUPER JITH .If I was going back to Sri Lanka I would not hesitate to use this genuine great guy , nothing he can`t do, find & he is very ecologically minded not using tapes. Remember we are mostly after Endemic species of birds  which are in a fragile situation. Let`s face it constant taping disorientates the birds gets them off nests & make them more susceptible to predation & confuses them on their strict territories .We did not see The frogmouth or Serendib Scops Owl on the trip due to overplaying of tapes by earlier groups by other companies. Off we went eventually to Sigiriya Palace Rock Fortress via the cave temple at Dambullah.Driving is slow but safe in Sri Lanka averaging 35 mph .The traffic is not busy and far safer than India. The Scenery is Lush green with Palm trees, Rubber plantations interspersed with Paddyfields. The Bird concentration everywhere was high. On the Lowlands there were plentiful Egrets of he 4 species many Little Green & Blue tailed Bee eaters,with  Smyrnas, Asian Openbills , Black headed  Ibis`, White bellied DRongos on every overhead wire with the occasional sizzled Flying fox.After 3 hrs we arrived at 4.30 pm at the caves climbing up to see the 2000 yr impressive Buddha collection overlooking the Lush valley beneath. Overhead 4 species of swift with vocal babblers & Pittas. Off to the brilliant Hotel Sigiriya for a well earned rest which we were to stay for 2 nights.

Day 2 Monday 17th January

Early morning walk prior to breakfast , we had great views of Indian Pitta & a large variety of local forest birds. After breakfast we drove the short distance to Sigiriya Rock Fortress but had a stop to photograph Blue tailed & Little green Bee eaters but made a surprise discovery of Sri Lankan Bush warbler breeding some 50 miles where it should have been at a much lower elevation. Onward to the Fortress with the surrounding forest & ancient gardens with the trudge up the sides of this rock to get spectacular views over the lowland rainforest. The only problem was the rain & humidity which actually got into my video camera & wrecked the sensors .I managed to buy a new one in Kandy later thank goodness. Highlights on the day were Shaheen Falcon, Indian Pitta ,Sri Lankan Grey Hornbill, Black napped monarch & Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher( one of the best  birds I have ever seen in the world).

Day 3 Tuesday 18th January

After staying at the excellent Village hotel we set off to Kandy .On the way we stopped off at roadside lake where we had Goliath Heron , Cotton Pygmy goose, Grey headed fish eagle with many more waterbirds including over a hundred Pheasant tailed jacana. We eventually arrived in the rain at Kandy at midday checked into our hotel & straight out to the botanical gardens. Very lush foliage  with great views of forest wagtail , pitta , Orange headed thrush. However the highlight was the hundreds of Flying foxes in a 400yd stretch. In the evening we walked down to the Sacred Tooth temple .We went to Sri Lanka not that bothered about such relics but you had to be impressed with the marvel.

Day 4Wednesday 19th January

Kandy was truly spectacular by the highland lake with the old hunting rainforest park of Udawatta-kelle which opened at 0700. Back in the rain we initially struggle to see birds but we couldn`t believe finding a pair of Oriental dwarf kingfishers by the lake & then tremendous views of a fishing Brown Fish owl .As well as the White Asian Paradise flycatcher we saw Chestnut headed Bee eater. We then set off for our next location Nuwara eliya .The climb from forest area higher through the Tea plantations was awesome with the cloud rising up the sides of the valleys. As we got fill of the breathtaking view we stopped for a cracking pot of tea watching the Hill swallows and Indian Robins, As we approached Nuwara Eliya at 6000 feet the countryside looked much more English, with open fields & less Trees & shrubs. We actually had sunshine in the afternoon & walked around the local Victoria park .An Ideal location for the commoner species as well as Brown Shrike , Munias etc.

We then attempted to go to Hakgala Gardens a few kilometres from Nawira eliya but we gave due to very dense fog. However on the way back to the Alpine lodge we stopped for Sri lankan whistling thrush a very elusive bird by a stream.

Oriental Bay Owl

Day 5 Thursday 20th January

The day started overcast and we set off early to Hakgala Gardens stopping off  briefly to see the pair of elusive Sri Lankan whistling thrush. The gardens opened at 0700 & the wait was well worth it. By the large compost area watched on by the unusual looking endemic Purple faced leaf monkeys we first found 3 Pied Thrushes ,Spot winged thrush, The Sri lankan Eurasian Blackbird( looks totally different to ours) & in the same area a Male Kashmir Flycatcher .This stunning endangered bird gave tremendous views as it did a circuit around the patch. All these and many more birds in an area the size of a six yard box. We left at 0900 & travelled onto Horton Plains arriving on this High altitude Savannah reserve at 1100.We stayed till 1600 seeing Sri Lankan Wood pigeon, Sri Lankan White eye, Dull blue flycatcher , Yellow eared Bulbul, Grey headed flycatcher, Richards pipit, Mountain Hawk eagle , Sri lankan Jungle fowl. Highlights bing the experience of standing at World end`s cliff, not for the faint hearted 7 the many spectacular waterfalls. We then set off a bit sunburnt to Sisira`s lodge across country , up & down valleys , again cracking good countryside. We had to change our itinery as Sri Lanka had experienced a third unseasonal monsoon ,on the Tuesday 16 people were killed & 60,000 were made homeless due to land slides . The BBC did not report this as did many other news medias worldwide.

Day 6 Friday 21st January

Sisiras lodge a bit basic but clean & very environmentally friendly, the owner like Jith was a good cricketer & the food perfect. The location was  where they filmed Bridge over the River Kwai. We crossed the river seeing Layards Parakeet , Pompadour green pigeon,, emerald dove, Sri lankan hanging parrot, spot winged thrush & leeches!. In the afternoon we set off to Tissamaharama resort in the SE of the country . On the way we stopped at a massive reservoir,Udalawee. By the road we had Pied cuckoo, Lesser sand plover many waders including stilts , marsh sandpipers , stone curlews , many Smyrnas, Common Peafowl, 3 species of cormorant a flock of 50 Openbills & Malabar Hornbill. After passing some Elephants we arrived at the resort. The Hotel view was great looking onto a lake with a breeding island of Herons & Egrets

Day 7 Saturday 22nd January

After a pleasant evening in an upmarket abode we spent the morning at Bundala Ramsar wetland. Tremendous area for photography, we saw Water monitiors , Pintail snipe, Blue faced Malholka , Greater thick knee, many species of wader & tern. The startling thing was to see people standing in the water net fishing next to a salt water crocodile !.The afternoon was spent at the Yala reserve having just opened having been closed due to the severe floods .We saw many chetal , wild boar, Malabar hornbill , Jackal, Grey Langur, and a Sloth bear digging for Termites close to the Safari landrover. Birds were excellent a Grey headed fish eagle nest , Storks , darter, Brahminy starling, black shouldered kite. We didn`t have the best driver though in the park & on our way out , Trigger managed to get the vehicle stuck , we easily got a lift from another landrover in our convey coming out. However it took 11 people overnight to dig it out with a Tractor. My highlight was ,we eventually completed our journey in a 3 wheeler taxi – tuc tuc- amazing things.

Day 8 Sunday 23rd January

We set off after breakfast to Martins lodge ,Sinharaja. This destination is true dense rainforest .  A textbook location teaming with wildlife in all shapes & sizes. Back to humid conditions but a walk in the afternoon yielded all the specialities red faced malhoka , Malabar trogon , White faced starling, Sri lankan spurfowl, White throated flowerpecker & Sri lankan Magpies which feed at Martins place at the Dining table with a family of Sri lankan jungle fowl.

In the dark after our splendid large evening meal we went looking for Frogmouth & Serendib Owl but to no avail as people over playing tapes. After watching shooting stars , Glowworms & fireflies we returned to our room. Horror time, the leeches had climbed past our essential leech socks and four of them had attached themselves through my shirt to my midriff .They flicked off easy but the bleeding took some stopping, Uuhh!.

Day 9 Monday 24th January

This was to be an amazing day. In the morning walk we found more expected specialities, difficult to photograph though. Then in the afternoon after tracking a spot winged thrush we headed off near the entrance to look for on foot green billed coucal after nearly giving up after an hour we had tremendous views of these rare birds as we walked back to the road stopping to photograph a large Lunar moth.Happy with this we then looked across the track on a bare branch in the open was what turned out to be a Oriental Bay Owl. This is a very rare bird in India .In Sri lanka very few sightings indeed. This was what to be a major twitch there .We were the first people to photograph this race if not a new species as little is known about it. A Breath taking thought.

Day 10 Tuesday 25th January

After sharing our Breakfasts with Junglefowl & Magpies we set off west across country arriving for a rest at our final destination in the luxurious 4 star Hotel Rawani  at Negombo.

Another beautiful setting on the beach we watched Terns ,gulls & sea eagles .The Icing on the cake was a boat trip at the end of the day prior to our return flight home. Through the Mangrove swamps we came close to Black bittern, Yellow bittern, Striated heron and many of the birds we had attempted to photograph this time getting excellent results. Indeed it wqs a good job we were using digital photography otherwise it would have been very expensive session. All in All a perfect trip organised at a very reasonable price by a great leader well done Jith & Sammy.

Species Lists

 

List of Birds seen

Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

2 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

2 at travel to Bundala saltpans on 15/01/2007. 

Little (Javanese) Cormorant (Phalacrocorax niger [pygmaeus])

6 at Sigiriya ,to Kandy & Bot gardn on 11/01/2007. 

Common at Sri Lanka from 09/01/2007  until 18/01/2007.   half as common as Indian seen every day

Indian Cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis)

2 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

100 at Sigiriya ,to Kandy & Bot gardn on 11/01/2007. 

Very common at Sri Lanka from 09/01/2007  until 18/01/2007.   common at Tanks & open water max100at kandy & Bundala

Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)

3 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

Oriental Darter [Indian] (Anhinga melanogaster)

6 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

4 at Yala on 15/01/2007. 

Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis)

30 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

1 at Sigiriya ,to Kandy & Bot gardn on 11/01/2007. 

10 at Yala to Sirjana on 16/01/2007. 

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)

Common at Sri Lanka from 09/01/2007  until 18/01/2007.   all farm land & water

Goliath Heron

1 at lake near Sigiriya

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)

10 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

1 at Colombo-Sigiriya via Dambulla on 09/01/2007. 

6 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

4 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

1 at Sigiriya ,to Kandy & Bot gardn on 11/01/2007. 

1 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

2 at Yala on 15/01/2007. 

10 at travel to Bundala saltpans on 15/01/2007. 

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)

1 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

1 at Colombo-Sigiriya via Dambulla on 09/01/2007. 

1 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

2 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

Great White Egret (Casmerodius albus)

10 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

1 at Colombo-Sigiriya via Dambulla on 09/01/2007. 

1 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

2 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

10 at Yala to Sirjana on 16/01/2007. 

Intermediate (Yellow-billed) Egret (Mesophoyx intermedia)

Common at Sri Lanka from 09/01/2007  until 18/01/2007.   10-20 noted evey day in agric land

Cattle Egret (Bulbulcus ibis)

Very common at Sri Lanka from 09/01/2007  until 18/01/2007.   all agricultural areas

Indian Pond-heron (Ardeola grayii)

Very common at Sri Lanka from 09/01/2007  until 18/01/2007.   every roadside field

Striated Heron (Butorides striatus [striatus])

10 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

Black-crowned Night-heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)

10 at Bundala on 15/01/2007.   at hotel island

1 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

2 at Yala to Sirjana on 16/01/2007. 

Yellow Bittern (Ixobrychus sinensis)

4 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

Black Bittern (Ixobrychus flavicollis)

2 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala)

50 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

10 at Yala on 15/01/2007. 

Asian Openbill (Anastomus oscitans)

8 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

3 at Colombo-Sigiriya via Dambulla on 09/01/2007. 

25 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

1 at Sigiriya ,to Kandy & Bot gardn on 11/01/2007. 

4 at Yala to Sirjana on 16/01/2007. 

8 at travel to Bundala saltpans on 15/01/2007. 

Woolly-necked Stork (Ciconia episcopus)

1 at Yala on 15/01/2007. 

Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus [aethiopicus])

4 at Sigiriya ,to Kandy & Bot gardn on 11/01/2007. 

40 at Yala on 15/01/2007. 

2 at Yala to Sirjana on 16/01/2007. 

Eurasian Spoonbill (Platelea leucorodia)

12 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

4 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

Lesser Whistling-duck (Dendrocygna javanica)

60 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

5 at Colombo-Sigiriya via Dambulla on 09/01/2007. 

10 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

3 at Sigiriya ,to Kandy & Bot gardn on 11/01/2007.  

6 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

Cotton Pygmy-goose (Nettapus coromandelianus)

1 at Sigiriya ,to Kandy & Bot gardn on 11/01/2007.   with most water birds 5miles sw of sigiriya

Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope)

10 at Bundala on 15/01/2007.  

Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)

10 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

Northern Shoveler

5 at Lake near Sigiriya

Crested (Oriental) Honey-buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus [apivorus])

1 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus caeruleus)

1 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

1 at Colombo-Sigiriya via Dambulla on 09/01/2007. 

Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus)

12 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

2 at Sigiriya ,to Kandy & Bot gardn on 11/01/2007.  

1 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

2 at Yala on 15/01/2007. 

White-bellied Sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

1 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

1 at Sigiriya ,to Kandy & Bot gardn on 11/01/2007.  

Grey-headed Fishing-eagle (Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus)

1 at Sigiriya ,to Kandy & Bot gardn on 11/01/2007.  

3 at Yala on 15/01/2007. 

Crested Serpent-eagle (Spilornis cheela)

1 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

3 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

Crested Goshawk (Accipiter trivirgatus)

2 at Sirjana forest walk on 16/01/2007. 

2 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

Shikra (Accipter badius)

1 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

1 at Colombo-Sigiriya via Dambulla on 09/01/2007. 

1 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

1 at Sirjana forest walk on 16/01/2007. 

1 at Yala on 15/01/2007. 

Besra (Accipiter virgatus)

1 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus)

1 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007.  

Indian Black Eagle (Ictinaetus malayensis)

1 at Sigiriya ,to Kandy & Bot gardn on 11/01/2007.   at bot gdns

Changeable Hawk-eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus)

1 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

1 at Yala on 15/01/2007. 

Mountain Hawk-eagle (Spizaetus nipalensis)

1 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)

1 at Colombo-Sigiriya via Dambulla on 09/01/2007. 

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

2 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

Sri Lankan Spurfowl (Galloperdix bicalcarata)

3 at Sirjana forest walk on 16/01/2007. 

Sri Lankan Junglefowl (Gallus lafayetii)

6 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

9 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

6 at Martins place on 17/01/2007. 

2 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

4 at Sirjana forest walk on 16/01/2007. 

10 at Sissouri Lodge gardens on 14/01/2007. 

10 at Yala on 15/01/2007. 

Common Peafowl (Pavo cristatus)

2 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

10 at Yala on 15/01/2007. 

Barred Buttonquail [Bustard Quail] (Turnix suscitator)

1 at Yala on 15/01/2007. 

White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus)

20 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

1 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

10 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

2 at Sigiriya ,to Kandy & Bot gardn on 11/01/2007.   at bot gdn

2 at Sissouri Lodge gardens on 14/01/2007. 

2 at Yala to Sirjana on 16/01/2007. 

Purple Swamphen [Grey-headed Form] (Porphyrio porphyrio seistanicus)

1 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

50 at Sigiriya ,to Kandy & Bot gardn on 11/01/2007.   at large lake 5ml from Sigiriya

Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)

10 at travel to Bundala saltpans on 15/01/2007. 

Pheasant-tailed Jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus)

80 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

100 at Sigiriya ,to Kandy & Bot gardn on 11/01/2007.   at large lake 5ml from Sigiriya

Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)

20 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

1 at Sigiriya ,to Kandy & Bot gardn on 11/01/2007.  

50 at Yala on 15/01/2007. 

Stone-curlew [Eurasian Thick-knee] (Burhinus oedicnemus)

2 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

Great Thick-knee (Burhinus recurvrostris)

1 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

3 at travel to Bundala saltpans on 15/01/2007. 

Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva)

20 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)

6 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula)

1 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

1 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus)

50 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

Lesser Sand (Mongolian) Plover (Charadrius mongolus)

30 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

1 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

Yellow-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus malabaricus)

6 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus)

6 at Colombo-Sigiriya via Dambulla on 09/01/2007. 

2 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

4 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

2 at Sigiriya ,to Kandy & Bot gardn on 11/01/2007.  

Pintail Snipe (Gallinago stenura)

3 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

2 at Yala on 15/01/2007. 

Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa)

1000 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

Spotted Redshank (Tringa erythropus)

4 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

Common Redshank (Tringa totanus)

30 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

10 at Yala on 15/01/2007. 

Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis)

100 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

2 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

2 at Yala to Sirjana on 16/01/2007. 

Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia)

6 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

1 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus)

2 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

1 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)

30 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

40 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

Common Sandpiper (Tringa hypoleucos)

20 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

8 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

1 at Sigiriya ,to Kandy & Bot gardn on 11/01/2007.  

1 at Sissouri Lodge gardens on 14/01/2007. 

4 at Yala on 15/01/2007. 

Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)

10 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

Little Stint (Calidris minuta)

30 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea)

100 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus)

1 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

Brown-headed Gull (Larus brunnicephalus)

20 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

10 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

Gull-billed Tern (Sterna nilotica)

20 at Bundala on 15/01/2007.  

10 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia)

30 at Bundala on 15/01/2007.  

Lesser Crested-tern (Sterna bengalensis)

40 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

1 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

Great Crested-tern (Sterna bergii)

1 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis)

20 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii)

20 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

Little Tern (Sterna albifrons)

60 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

Whiskered Tern (Childonias hybridus)

100 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

4 at Colombo-Sigiriya via Dambulla on 09/01/2007. 

60 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

30 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

30 at Sigiriya ,to Kandy & Bot gardn on 11/01/2007.   at large lake 5ml from Sigiriya

2 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

10 at Yala to Sirjana on 16/01/2007. 

White-winged Black Tern (Childonias leucopterus)

30 at Bundala on 15/01/2007.  

Black Tern (Childonias niger)

1 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

Rock Dove (Columba livia)

Very common at Sri Lanka from 09/01/2007  until 18/01/2007.   feral pigeons amongst dwellings

Sri Lankan Wood-pigeon (Columba torringtoni)

1 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis)

Common at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

Common at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

3 at Hakgala gdns on 13/01/2007. 

10 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

10 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

Common at Yala to Sirjana on 16/01/2007. 

Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica)

1 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

2 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

1 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

1 at Sissouri Lodge gardens on 14/01/2007. 

Orange-breasted Green-pigeon (Treron bicincta)

4 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

Pompadour Green-pigeon (Treron pompadora)

1 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

4 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

60 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

1 at Sissouri Lodge gardens on 14/01/2007. 

Green Imperial-pigeon (Ducala aenea)

1 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

3 at Sirjana forest walk on 16/01/2007. 

4 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

2 at Sissouri Lodge gardens on 14/01/2007. 

Sri Lankan Hanging-parrot (Loriculus beryllinus)

2 at Sirjana forest walk on 16/01/2007. 

2 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

6 at Sissouri Lodge gardens on 14/01/2007. 

Alexandrine Parakeet (Psittacula eupatria)

10 at Colombo-Sigiriya via Dambulla on 09/01/2007. 

10 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri)

10 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

6 at Colombo-Sigiriya via Dambulla on 09/01/2007. 

40 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

30 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

20 at Sigiriya ,to Kandy & Bot gardn on 11/01/2007.  

20 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

Layard's (Emerald-collared) Parakeet (Psittacula calthropae)

1 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

3 at Sirjana forest walk on 16/01/2007. 

3 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

3 at Sissouri Lodge gardens on 14/01/2007. 

Pied (Jacobin) Cuckoo (Oxylophus jacobinus)

1 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

Chestnut-winged Cuckoo (Clamator coromandus)

1 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

Drongo Cuckoo (Surniculus lugubris)

3 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

Asian (Common) Koel (Eudynamys scolopacea)

1 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

3 at Sigiriya ,to Kandy & Bot gardn on 11/01/2007.  

Red-faced Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus)

2 at Sirjana forest walk on 16/01/2007. 

3 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis)

1 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

2 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

1 at Sissouri Lodge gardens on 14/01/2007. 

Green-billed (Sri Lankan) Coucal (Centropus chlororhynchus)

2 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

Oriental Scops-owl (Otus sunia [scops])

1 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

Collared Scops-owl (Otus lempiji [bakkamoena])

2 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

Chestnut-backed Owlet (Glaucidium castanonotus [radiatum])

1 at Sissouri Lodge gardens on 14/01/2007. 

Jerdon's Nightjar (Caprimulgus atripennis)

1 at Yala on 15/01/2007. 

Indian Nightjar (Caprimulgus asiaticus)

1 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

Crested Treeswift (Hemiprocne coronata [longipennis])

1 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

2 at Sirjana forest walk on 16/01/2007. 

20 at Yala on 15/01/2007. 

Indian Swiftlet (Collocalia unicolor)

10 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

Asian Palm-swift (Cypsiurus balasiensis [parvus])

2 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

Common at Sri Lanka from 09/01/2007  until 18/01/2007.   10-30 every day

House Swift (Apus nipalensis [affinis])

Common at Sri Lanka from 09/01/2007  until 18/01/2007.   10-20 every day

Malabar Trogon (Harpactes fasciatus)

4 at Sirjana forest walk on 16/01/2007. 

4 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

1 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

2 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

3 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

Oriental (Black-backed) Dwarf Kingfisher (Ceyx erithacus)

1 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

Stork-billed Kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis)

2 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

1 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

4 at Sissouri Lodge gardens on 14/01/2007. 

White-breasted (Smyrna) Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis)

Common at Sri Lanka from 09/01/2007  until 18/01/2007.   up to 30 every day in all habitats

Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis)

3 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

1 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

Little Green Bee-eater (Merops orientalis)

50 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

10 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

20 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

10 at Sigiriya ,to Kandy & Bot gardn on 11/01/2007.  

10 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

10 at Sirjana forest walk on 16/01/2007. 

50 at Yala on 15/01/2007. 

Blue-tailed Bee-eater (Merops philippinus [superciliosus])

1 at Colombo-Sigiriya via Dambulla on 09/01/2007. 

15 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

20 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

2 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

11 at Sirjana forest walk on 16/01/2007. 

2 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

15 at Yala on 15/01/2007. 

2 at Yala to Sirjana on 16/01/2007. 

Chestnut-headed (Bay-headed) Bee-eater (Merops leschenaulti)

1 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis)

3 at Colombo-Sigiriya via Dambulla on 09/01/2007. 

1 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

2 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

1 at Sigiriya ,to Kandy & Bot gardn on 11/01/2007.  

1 at Sissouri Lodge gardens on 14/01/2007. 

3 at Yala to Sirjana on 16/01/2007. 

Hoopoe (Upupa epops)

3 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

Ceylon Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros gingalensis)

2 at Colombo-Sigiriya via Dambulla on 09/01/2007. 

2 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

2 at Sissouri Lodge gardens on 14/01/2007. 

Malabar Pied-hornbill (Anthracoceros coronatus)

2 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

2 at Yala on 15/01/2007. 

Brown-headed Barbet (Megalaima zeylanica)

5 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

1 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

20 at Sigiriya ,to Kandy & Bot gardn on 11/01/2007.  

1 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

10 at Sissouri Lodge gardens on 14/01/2007. 

Yellow-fronted Barbet (Megalaima flavifrons)

2 at Sirjana forest walk on 16/01/2007. 

1 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

Crimson-fronted Barbet (Megalaima rubricapilla)

2 at Sigiriya ,to Kandy & Bot gardn on 11/01/2007.   

2 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

Coppersmith Barbet (Megalaima haemacephala)

6 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

1 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

20 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

Yellow-crowned Woodpecker (Dendrocopos mahrattensis)

1 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

Lesser Yellownape (Picus chlorolophus)

1 at Sirjana forest walk on 16/01/2007. 

Black-rumped Flameback (Dinopium benghalense)

1 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

Red backed Flameback (Dinopium psarodes)

1 at Kitagugla forest on 14/01/2007. 

Greater Flameback (Chrysocolaptes lucidus)

1 at Sirjana forest walk on 16/01/2007. 

2 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

White-naped (Black-backed) Woodpecker (Chrysocolaptes festivus)

1 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

White-throated Flycatcher (Empidonax albigularis)

15 at Sirjana forest walk on 16/01/2007. 

Indian Pitta (Pitta brachyura [moluccensis])

3 at Sigiriya ,to Kandy & Bot gardn on 11/01/2007.   1 at hotel ,2 at bot gdn

4 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher (Culicicapa ceylonensis)

10 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007.  

Rufous-winged Bushlark (Mirafra assamica)

2 at Yala on 15/01/2007. 

Oriental Skylark (Alauda gulgula)

1 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

Plain Martin (Riparia paludicola)

1 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

Dusky Crag-martin (Hirundo concolor)

6 at Colombo-Sigiriya via Dambulla on 09/01/2007. 

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

Very common at Sri Lanka from 09/01/2007  until 18/01/2007.  

Hill Swallow (Hirundo dumicola)

1 at Colombo-Sigiriya via Dambulla on 09/01/2007. 

5 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

10 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

5 at Sissouri Lodge gardens on 14/01/2007. 

Richard's Pipit (Anthus richardi [novaeseelandiae])

2 at Bundala on 15/01/2007.  

1 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007.  

Oriental (Paddyfield) Pipit (Anthus rufulus [richardi])

11 at Bundala on 15/01/2007.  

2 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007.  

Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava flavissima)

9 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)

1 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

2 at Hakgala gdns on 13/01/2007. 

2 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007.  

1 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

Small Minivet (Pericrocotus cinnamomeus)

2 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

4 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

Scarlet Minivet (Pericrocotus flammeus)

2 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

4 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

2 at Sirjana forest walk on 16/01/2007. 

2 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike (Hemipus picatus)

1 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

2 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

Black-crested Bulbul (Pycnonotus melanicterus)

4 at Kitagugla forest on 14/01/2007. 

2 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

20 at Sirjana forest walk on 16/01/2007. 

5 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer)

Common at Sri Lanka from 09/01/2007  until 18/01/2007.  

Yellow-eared Bulbul (Pycnonotus penicillatus)

10 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

White-browed Bulbul (Pycnonotus luteolus)

6 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

4 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

Yellow-browed Bulbul (Iole indica)

10 at Kitagugla forest on 14/01/2007. 

10 at Sirjana forest walk on 16/01/2007. 

20 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

Black Bulbul (Hypsipetes leucocephalus [madagascariensis])

20 at Kitagugla forest on 14/01/2007. 

10 at Sirjana forest walk on 16/01/2007. 

20 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

Common Iora (Aegithina tiphia)

1 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

1 at Kitagugla forest on 14/01/2007. 

6 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

1 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

Golden-fronted Leafbird (Chloropsis aurifrons)

1 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

1 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

4 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

2 at Yala on 15/01/2007. 

Oriental Magpie-robin (Copsychus saularis)

Common at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

11 at Kitagugla forest on 14/01/2007. 

1 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

White-rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus)

2 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

Pied Stonechat (Saxicola caprata)

Common at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

Indian Robin (Saxicoloides fulicata)

20 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

4 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

10 at Yala to Sirjana on 16/01/2007. 

Sri Lankan Whistling-thrush (Myiophonus blighi)

1 at Hakgala gdns on 13/01/2007. 

1 at Prossie corner on 13/01/2007. 

Pied Thrush (Zoothera wardii)

3 at Hakgala gdns on 13/01/2007. 

Orange-headed Thrush (Zoothera citrina)

1 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

Spotted-winged Thrush (Zoothera spiloptera)

1 at Hakgala gdns on 13/01/2007. 

1 at Kitagugla forest on 14/01/2007. 

2 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula)

2 at Hakgala gdns on 13/01/2007. 

Sri Lankan Bush-warbler (Bradypterus palliseri)

5 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

4 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

2 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

Zitting Cisticola [Fan-tailed Warbler] (Cisticola juncidis)

1 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

3 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

Grey-breasted Prinia (Prinia hodgsonii)

2 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

Ashy Prinia (Prinia socialis)

1 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

1 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

Plain Prinia [Brown Wren-warbler] (Prinia inornata [subflava])

2 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

2 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

1 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

2 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

Sykes` Warbler (Hippolais caligata)

1 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007.   sykes` warbler

1 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

Green Warbler (Phylloscopus nitidus [trochiloides])

1 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

1 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

Large-billed Leaf-warbler (Phylloscopus magnirostris)

1 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

Asian Brown Flycatcher (Muscicapa dauurica (ex. latirostris))

1 at Kitagugla forest on 14/01/2007. 

1 at Martins place on 17/01/2007. 

1 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

4 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

2 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

Brown-breasted Flycatcher (Muscicapa muttui)

2 at Martins place on 17/01/2007. 

Kashmir Flycatcher (Ficedula subrubra [parva])

2 at Hakgala gdns on 13/01/2007. 

Dull-blue Flycatcher (Eumyias sordida)

2 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

White-browed Fantail (Rhipidura aureola)

2 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

2 at Yala on 15/01/2007. 

Black-naped Monarch (Hypothymis azurea)

1 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

1 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

Asian Paradise-flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi)

1 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

1 at Kitagugla forest on 14/01/2007. 

2 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

5 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

3 at Sirjana forest walk on 16/01/2007. 

4 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

2 at Yala on 15/01/2007. 

Ashy-headed Laughingthrush (Garrulax cinereifrons)

20 at Sirjana forest walk on 16/01/2007. 

Brown-capped Babbler (Pellorneum fuscocapillum)

2 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

Indian Scimitar-babbler (Pomatorhinus horsfieldii)

3 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

1 at Sirjana forest walk on 16/01/2007. 

20 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

Tawny-bellied Babbler (Dumetia hyperythra)

2 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

Dark-fronted Babbler (Rhopocichla atriceps)

10 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

2 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

10 at Sirjana forest walk on 16/01/2007. 

26 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

Orange-billed (Sri Lankan) Babbler (Turdoides rufescens)

20 at Kitagugla forest on 14/01/2007. 

20 at Sirjana forest walk on 16/01/2007. 

30 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

Yellow-billed (White-headed) Babbler (Turdoides affinis)

20 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

40 at Kitagugla forest on 14/01/2007. 

10 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

10 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

Great Tit (Parus major)

1 at Hakgala gdns on 13/01/2007. 

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch (Sitta frontalis)

3 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

1 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

Purple-rumped Sunbird (Nectarinia zeylonica)

2 at Kitagugla forest on 14/01/2007. 

10 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

3 at Yala on 15/01/2007. 

Purple Sunbird (Nectarinia asiatica)

1 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

10 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

2 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

10 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

4 at Yala on 15/01/2007. 

Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia)

2 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

Thick-billed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum agile)

1 at Yala on 15/01/2007. 

White-throated (Legge's) Flowerpecker (Dicaeum vincens)

1 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

Pale-billed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum erythrorhynchos)

1 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

1 at Kitagugla forest on 14/01/2007. 

1 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

2 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

Oriental White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus)

10 at Hakgala gdns on 13/01/2007. 

10 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

Black-hooded Oriole (Oriolus xanthornus)

4 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

10 at Kitagugla forest on 14/01/2007. 

4 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

6 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

Common Woodshrike (Tephrodornis pondicerianus)

1 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus)

5 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

1 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

4 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007. 

4 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

1 at Yala to Sirjana on 16/01/2007. 

Crested Drongo (Dicrurus forficatus)

6 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

White-bellied Drongo (Dicrurus caerulescens)

2 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

10 at Drive to Tissa on 14/01/2007. 

10 at Kitagugla forest on 14/01/2007. 

10 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

4 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

4 at Sirjana forest walk on 16/01/2007. 

Sri Lankan Greater Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus)

10 at Sirjana forest walk on 16/01/2007. 

Ceylon Magpie (Urocissa ornata)

6 at Martins place on 17/01/2007. 

4 at Sirjana forest walk on 16/01/2007. 

4 at Sirjana forest walk on 17/01/2007. 

House Crow (Corvus splendens)

Very common at Sri Lanka from 09/01/2007  until 18/01/2007.  

Jungle Crow (Corvus levaillantii [macrorhynchos])

Common at Sri Lanka from 09/01/2007  until 18/01/2007.  

Brahminy (Black-headed) Starling (Sturnus pagodarum)

6 at Yala on 15/01/2007. 

Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)

Common at Sri Lanka from 09/01/2007  until 18/01/2007.  

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

Common at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

Common at Sri Lanka from 09/01/2007  until 18/01/2007.   around towns

White-rumped Munia (Lonchura striata)

2 at Sigiriya Hotel,Fortress forest on 10/01/2007. 

2 at Yala on 15/01/2007. 

Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata)

60 at Horton Plains on 13/01/2007.  

10 at Ranweli hotel,Negumbo on 18/01/2007. 

Black-headed Munia (Lonchura malacca)

5 at Bundala on 15/01/2007. 

MAMMAL CHECKLIST

Indian Flying-fox Pteropus giganteus Biggest gathering in Kandy Park 1,000
Horseshoe bat Rhinolophus sp. Sinharaja:
* Toque Macaque Macaca sinica Very common
Tufted Grey Langur Semnopithecus priam Udawalawe: 1;Common Yala & Bundala
* Purple-faced Leaf Monkey Presbytis vetulus Talangama: 10 Hakgara gardens, 10 Sinharaja
Golden Jackal Canis aureus 1 Yala
Grey Mongoose Herpestes edwardsii Yodhawewa: 1 on 9 December; Ruhuna: 1 on 11 December; Sigiriya: 2 on 20 December
Ruddy Mongoose Herpestes smithii Udawalawe: 1 on 7 December; Ruhuna: 3 on 10 December, 10 on 11 December; Minneriya: 1 on 19 December; Sigiriya: 1 on 20 December
Brown Mongoose Herpestes brachyurus Hunas Falls: 5 on 17 December
Asian Elephant Elephas maximus Udawalawe: 10,Yala 10
Sloth Bear, 1 Yala
Wild Boar Sus scrofa 30� Yala
Spotted Deer Axis axis Yala common
Sambar Cervus unicolor Common Horton Plains
Water Buffalo Bubalus arnee/bubalis Udawalawe: many feral animals & Yala
Indian Palm Squirrel Funambulus palmarum Very common
Dusky Striped Squirrel Funambulus sublineatus Horton Plains common
Grizzled Giant Squirrel Ratufa macroura Sinharaja: 4; Sigiriya: 2
Black-naped Hare Lepus nigricollis Yala 2 �

REPTILE CHECKLIST

Green Vine Snake Ahaetulla nasuta
Green Forest Lizard Calotes calotes
Green Garden Lizard Calotes versicolor
Black-lipped Lizard Calotes nigrilabris
Asian House Gecko Hemidactylus frenatus
Common Skink Mabuya carinata
Bengal Monitor Varanus bengalensis
Water Monitor Varanus salvator
Mugger Crocodile Crocodylus palustris
Indian Softshell Turtle Lissemys punctata