Hans Westerlaken's Trip Report

Bird Trip Sri Lanka                   
22nd of December 2012 – 3rd of January 2013

We used the services of Walk With Jith. This is one of the lesser known companies than for example Bauer or Jetwing. Walk With Jith charged us $500 less than Bauers, namely $1550/1180Euros. We managed to see all 33 endemics and more. This was mainly thanks to our excellent guide. He is a free-lance guide who also works for Bauers and other companies and his skills and determination in the field are excellent. He worked hard to show us all the required species and we actually only missed seeing one much sought-after species, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher.

 

Day-to-day itinerary

On the 21st of December we flew Qatar Airways from Brussels via Doha to Colombo, arriving there at 08.00 hours. The airfare was quite low for Christmas time, only 870 Euros.

 

22nd of December

We were picked up by our guide and drove slowly towards Kitulgala. In the afternoon we made a walk around the police station and Sisiras River Lodge.

Best species seen : Layard’s Parakeet, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Spot-winged Thrush, Indian Pitta, Sri Lanka Green Pigeon, Orange-billed Babbler.

 

Accommodation : Plantation Hotel (good)

 

23rd of December

Early morning walk in the same area and an afternoon walk in the rainforest across the river.
Near Sisiras Lodge we saw  Chestnut-backed Owlet, Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Brown-capped babbler,

Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher ( heard only ). In the rainforest we heard Sri Lanka Scaly Thrush and Sri Lanka Spurfowl but they remained elusive as did Serendib Scop’s Owl. In the late afternoon we saw a

Green-billed Coucal near the hotel.

24h of December

After rather a long drive to Sinharaja Rainforest we walked part of the trail into the forest which runs from Martin’s Place into the reserve.

We saw Sri Lanka Scaly Thrush just before the forest opens at the research centre and came across a flock including Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Red-faced Malkoha and Ashy-headed Laughing Thrush.

On the way back at dusk we heard a Serendib Scop’s Owl , but it was too late to search for it. A Chestnut-backed Owlet was calling around Martin’s Lodge.

Accommodation : Martin’s Lodge (basic)

 

25th of December

After a short walk around Martin’s Lodge we did the same trail in the forest. Around the Lodge we saw Sri Lanka Blue Magpie ( foraging on insects in the dining area), White-throated (Legge’s)

Flowerpecker, Sri Lanka Hill Myna, Ashy-headed Laughing Thrush, White-faced Starling, Sri Lanka Crested Drongo,Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Orange-billed Babbler, Large-billed Leaf Warbler and Spot-winged Thrush.

Despite extensive searches Sri Lanka Frogmouth and Serendib Scop’s Owl could not be located this morning. A Malabar Trogon and a flock containing the same species as on the 24th were seen. After lunch we went down towards the village to find Sri Lanka Spurfowl, a female of which we finally caught glimpses of. A Yellow-fronted Barbet was much more obliging. Sandana’s search for

Sri Lanka Frogmouth was fruitful but coincided with a tropical downpour and an invasion of leeches.Still, one of the highlights of the trip. In the pouring rain a Watersnake made use of the pools.

 

26th of December

In the morning another attempt was made to see Serendip Scop’s Owl but it was still playing hard to get. In a flock we saw Sri Lanka Scimitar Babbler, Green-billed Coucal and Malabar Trogon.

After lunch we walked down to the village to see the Serendib Scop’s Owl which had been located that morning by a park employee. We had great views of the bird whose depiction in the Helm Guide is completely wrong.

 

27th of December

Morning drive to Udawalawa, visiting the Elephant Transit Home after lunch. Afternoon walk near the Transit Home produced Spot-biled Pelican, Oriental Scop’s Owl, Loten’s Sunbird and Blue-faced
Malkoha.

Accommodation : Safari Village Hotel (average)

 

28th of December

Morning drive in Udawalawa National Park. Asian elephants are quite abundant in the open parts of the park as are Jerdon’s Bush Larks and Black-headed Munias. Hundreds of Rosy Starlings roosted in the bare trees. In the more wooded areas Grey-headed Fish Eagle and Orange-breasted Green Pigeon were new species to me.

In the afternoon a wetland near  Tissamaharama was visited. Best birds here : Watercock, Black ,

Yellow and Cinnamon Bittern. Accommodation : Hibiscus Garden Hotel (good)

 

29th of December

A full day’s safari in Yala National Park. Because of the holidays the park was very crowded and we had to queue to glimpse the first leopard of the day. Still many birds were seen in this attractive park with open areas, lakes teeming with birds and the sea.

Highlights included : Pied Cuckoo, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Blue-faced and Sirkeer Malkoha, Brown

Fish Owl, Stork-billed Kingfisher, dustbathing Little Green Bee-eaters, Asy-crowned Finch Lark, Oriental Skylark, Sri Lanka Swallow, Sri Lanka Woodshrike, Brahminy Starling and Velvet-fronted Nuthatch.

Most thrilling was a leopard nearly catching a spotted deer at very close range yielding some fine video footage.

 

30th of December

Successful early morning search for White-naped Woodpecker  near Tissamaharama.Longish drive to

Nuwara Eliya with an unproductive stop forBrown Wood Owl andSri Lanka Woodpigeon.

Late afternoon visit to Victoria Park, finding Forest Wagtail, Indian Blue Robin and “twitching” Kashmir Flycatcher and Pied Thrush .An Indian Pitta showed itself on the grass at dusk.

Accommodation : Binota Residency (average, excellent staff )

 

31st of December

Early start at 4.30 for the Horton Plains. Stop near the entrance for Sri Lanka Blue Whistling Thrush,

Sri Lanka Woodpigeon, Sri Lanka White-eye, Sri Lanka Yellow-eared Bulbul, Sri Lanka Bush Warbler, who all cooperated nicely.Dull-blue Flycatcher eluded us here though.

During the walk to World’s End we saw Indian Blackbird, Sri Lanka Bush Warbler and Hill Swallow but only heard Crimson-backed Woodpecker.

The afternoon visit to Victoria Gardens produced no new species but fine views of Indian Pitta.

 

1st of January

8.30 start for Hakgale Botanical Gardens. On the way we tried successfully for Dull-blue Flycatcher and also saw a male Kashmir Flycatcher.

Apart from stunning views of a pair of Pied Thrushes, the only birds of note were Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher and Yellow-eared Bulbul. The afternoon was spent strolling around Nuwara Eliya.

 

2nd of January

An early morning attempt to see Crimson-backed Woodpecker failed but a Sri Lanka Whisling Thrush briefly showed . Visit to tea-factory en route.

Drive to Kandy and late afternoon walk from the hotel seeing Lesser Hill Myna, Crimson-froned Barbet and incidentally finding a pair of Crimson-backed Woodpeckers, our last endemic species tobe seen.

Accommodation : Nature Walk Resort ( average/good )

 

3rd of January  2013

Pre-dawn visit to Udawatta Kelle Forest Reserve only hearing Brown Wood Owl and Spot-bellied Eagle Owl, but seeing Brown Fish Owl. Attempts at seeing Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher were thwartedby a tropical downpour.

Morning visit to the Temple of the Tooth and afternoon/evening drive to Negombo arriving at 20.00. Brown Hawk Owl calling and seen at parking lot King Coconut Restaurant. 23.00 Drop-off airport.

 

4th of January

4.50 flight to Brussels, arrival at 14.20 local time.

Systematic list of species observed

1	Little Grebe		several at Yala NP
2	Spot-billed Pelican		seen at Udawalawe,  Yala NP, lakes near Tissa
3	Little Cormorant		common near water bodies
4	Indian Shag		8 near Tissa lakes
5	Great Cormorant		2 flew over Tissa lakes
6	Oriental Darter		singles seen at most large water bodies
7	Little Egret		small numbers near water bodies
8	Intermediate Egret		idem
9	Great Egret		fairly numerous in suitable habitat
10	Grey Heron		small numbers near waterbodies
11	Purple Heron		4 near Tissa Lakes
12	Eastern Cattle Egret		common
13	Indian Pond Heron		common
14	Black-crowned Night Heron		2 at Tissa Lakes
15	Yellow Bittern		2 a Tissa Lakes
16	Cinnamon Bittern		1 at Tissa Lakes
17	Black Bittern		1 at Tissa lakes
18	Painted Stork		small numbers at Udawalawe en Yala NP
19	Asian Openbill		singles throughout
20	Woolly-necked Stork		singles at Tissa and Yala NP
21	Lesser Adjutant		1 fine adult at Yala NP
22	Black-headed Ibis		common in suitable habitats
23	Eurasian Spoonbill		30 in Yala NP
24	Lesser Whistling Duck		common in suitable habitats
25	Oriental Honey Buzzard		only two observations en route
26	Black-winged Kite		most common at Udawalawe and Yala NP
27	Brahminy Kite		idem
28	White-bellied Sea Eagle		a few at Udawalaw and Yala NP
29	Grey-headed Fish Eagle		1 at Udawalawe
30	Crested Serpent Eagle		small numbers throughout
31	Shikra		two birds en route
32	Himalayan Buzzard		1 bird at Horton Plains
33	Black Eagle		three birds en route
34	Booted Eagle		1 bird at Udawalawe ( light phase )
35	Mountain Hawk Eagle		1 between Tissa and
36	Common Kestrel		1 Udawlawe, 1 Yala NP
37	Sri Lanka Spurfowl	E	heard Kitulgala, 1 seen Sinharaja, 1 heard Surrey Estate
38	Sri Lanka Junglefowl	E	1 seen Kitulgala, several at Martin’s Lodge
39	Indian Peafowl		common at Udawalawe and Yala NP, sparse elsewhere
40	Barred Buttonquail		1 crossed the track at Yala NP
41	White-breasted Waterhen		common in marshy areas
42	Purple Swam Hen		common in marshy areas
43	Common Moorhen		common in marshy areas
44	Pheasant-tailed Jacana		common in marshy areas
45	Watercock		one female-plumaged individual at Tissa
46	Pacific Golden Plover		6 at Yala NP
47	Grey Plover		1 at Yala NP
48	Little Ringed Plover		10+ Yala NP
49	Kentish Plover		2 Yala NP
50	Lesser Sand Plover		4 Yala NP
51	Greater Sand Plover		10+ Yala NP
52	Yellow-wattled Lapwing		seen in most wet areas in small numbers
53	Red-wattled Lapwing		seen in most wet areas in small numbers
54	Black-tailed Godwit		6 at Yala NP
55	Common Redshank		10+ at Yala NP
56	Common Greenshank		5 at Yala NP
57	Marsh Sandpiper		5+ at Yala NP
58	Green Sandpiper		1 at Tissa
59	Wood Sandpiper		10+ at Yala NP, 2 at Tissa
60	Common Sandpiper		scarce in most wet areas
61	Ruddy Turnstone		10+ at Yala NP
62	Curlew Sandpiper		30+ at Yala NP
63	Black-winged Stilt		scarce in most wet areas
64	Indian Stone Curlew		3 at Udawalawe, 2 at Yala NP
65	Great Thick-knee		2 at Yala NP
66	Gull-billed Tern		several at Tissa and Yala NP
67	Great Crested Tern		several from Yala NP beach
68	Roseate Tern		1 at Yala NP
69	Whiskered Tern		common in most wetland locations
70	White-winged Black Tern		common in wetland areas; thousands at dusk at Yala NP
71	Rock Pigeon		common in the highlands
72	Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon	E	2 near Horton Plains entrance
73	Spotted Dove		common throughout
74	Emerald Dove		common in lowlands
75	Orange-breasted Pigeon		common at Udawalawe and Yala NP
76	Sri Lanka Green Pigeon	E	8 at Kitulgala
77	Green Imperial Pigeon		common in lowlands
78	Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot	E	common in lowlands, e.g. Sissara, Kitulgala
79	Alexandrine Parakeet		several at Kitulgala and Nuwara Eliya
80	Rose-ringed Parakeet		only noted in the highlands in small numbers   9
81	Plum-headed Parakeet		several noted in the highlands
82	Layard’s Parakeet	E	seen in most lowland areas
83	Green-billed Coucal	E	1 at Kitulgala, 2 Sinharaja
84	Southern Coucal		seen and heard at Kitulgala and Sinharaja
85	Sirkeer Malkoha		1 in flight at Yala NP
86	Red-faced Malkoha	E	4 seen in Sinharaja
87	Blue-faced Malkoha		seen  at Udawalawe and Yala NP
88	Asial Koel		1 female in Hibiscus Gardens, 1 Udawalawe, 1 Yala NP
89	Sri Lanka  Crested Drongo   E		several around Martin’s Place
90	Common Hawk Cuckoo		1 at Kitulgala
91	Grey-bellied Cuckoo		1 at Udawalawe
92	Serendip Scop’s Owl	E	1 seen outside Sinharaja Forest, 1 heard 2 kms from Martin’s Place along the main trail.
93	Oriental Scop’s Owl		1 roosting near Elephant Transit Centre, Udawalawe
94	Brown Fish Owl		1 roosting at Yala NP and 1 Udawatta Forest, Kandy
95	Brown Wood Owl		1 heard at Udawatta Forest , Kandy
96	Spot-bellied Eagle Owl (HO)		1 heard at Udawatta Forest, Kandy
97	Brown Hawk Owl		1 seen on King Coconut Restaurant grounds, Negombo
98	Chestnut-backed Owlet  E		1 seen near Sisiras Lodge, heard at Martin’s Place, Sinharaja
99	Sri Lanka Frogmouth	E	a pair seen near Martin’s son’s house, Sinharaja
100	Jerdon’s Nightjar		1 seen just outside Yala NP
101	Indian Swiftlet		seen at most lowland locations e.g. Sinharaja
102	Asian Palm Swift		seen at all lowland locations
103	Little Swift		seen at most locations
104	Crested Tree Swift		several seen at Sinharaja and Yala NP
105	Malabar Trogon		1 at Kitulgala, 5 at Sinharaja including an injured male
106	Common Kingfisher		several near Tissa, in Udawalawe and Yala NP
107	Stork-billed Kingfisher		seen at Tissa, Udawalawe and Yala NP
108	White-throated Kingfisher		seen at all locations
109	Pied Kingfisher		1 at Tissa Lakes
110	Little Green Bee-eater		very common Udawalawe and Yala NP
111	Blue-tailed Bee-eater		seen at all lowland locations
112	Chestnut-headed Bee-eater		only seen at Sinharaja and Yala NP
113	Indian Roller		1 at Udawalawe,  1 Yala NP
114	Hoopoe		common at Yala NP
115	Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill	E	5 near Sisiras Lodge, 2 at Sinharaja
116	Brown-headed Barbet		several seen and heard in Sinharaja, Udawalawe and Yala NP
117	Yellow-fronted Barbet	E	1 seen at close range in Sinharaja and Kandy
118	Red-fronted Barbet	E	2 seen near Nature Walk Resort, Kandy
119	Coppersmith Barbet		1 seen at Udawalawe NP
120	Yellow-fronted Pied Woodpecker		1 seen at Yala NP
121	Lesser Yellownape		1 seen at KItalgula, 1 at Sinharaja
122	Black-rumped Flameback		singles seen at Kitalgula and Sinharaja
123	Crimson-backed Flameback	E	2 seen near Nature Walk Resort, 3 at Udawatta Forest, Kandy
124	White-naped Woodpecker		a pair near Tissa Lakes
125	Indian Pitta		1 seen at Sisiras Lodge, Udawalawe NP and Victoria Gardens
126	Jerdon’s Bushlark		common at Udawalawe NP; several seen at Yala NP
127	Ashy-crowned Finch Lark		5+ at Yala NP
128	Oriental Skylark		7 at Yala NP
129	Barn Swallow		common throughout
130	Hill Swallow	E	3 near World’s End, Horton Plains   21
131	Sri Lanka Swallow	E	4 near Kitalgula; several at Yala NP
132	Forest Wagtail		3 in Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya, 1 Hakgala BG
133	Grey Wagtail		common in highlands, e.g. Horton Plains and Victoria Park
134	Paddyfield Pipit		seen in most open habitat
135	Black-headed Cuckoo-Shrike		1 at Yala NP
136	Small Minivet		several seen at Kitulgala
137	Scarlet Minivet		seen in most lowland locations
138	Bar-winged Flycatcher-Shrike		1 at Kitulgale, 1 at Hakgala BG
139	Sri Lanka Woodshrike	E	two at Yala NP
140	Asian Paradise Flycatcher		seen at most lowland location, including white males
141	Black-naped Monarch		1 seen en route to Nuwara Eliya
142	White-browed Fantail		seen at Tissa Lakes, Udawalawe and Yala NP
143	Black-capped Bulbul		1 at Kitulgala, 2 at Sinharaja
144	Red-vented Bulbul		common throughout
145	Yellow-eared Bulbul		common on Horton Plains and around Nuwara Eliya
146	Whit-browed Bulbul		2 near Elephant Transit Home, Udawalawe
147	Yellow-browed Bulbul		common at Kitulgala and Sinharaja
148	Black Bulbul		common at Kitalgula; several seen en route
149	Common Iora		2 seen at Sinharaja
150	Marshall’s Iora		1 seen at Udawalawe, 2 at Yala NP
151	Jerdon’s Leafbird		1 seen near Kitulgala, 1 Sinharaja, 1 en route to Kandy
151	Golden-fronted Leafbird		2 seen near Kitulgala, 1 en route to Kandy
152	Brown Shrike		seen on most dates
153	Pied Thrush		1 male in Victoria Gardens, a pair at Hakgala showed well
154	Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush  E		1 near Horton Plains entrance, 1 in Nuwara Eliya stake-out
155	Spot-winged Thrush	E	2 near Sisira Lodge, common around Martin’s Place, Sinharaja
156	Sri Lanka Scaly Thrush	E	1 heard near Kitulgala, 1 seen well at Sinharaja
157	Indian Blackbird		a male near the entrance to World’s End, Horton Plains
158	Asian Brown Flycatcher		seen at Kitulgala, Sinharaja and Nuwara Eliya
159	Brown-breasted Flycatcher		1 at Kitulgala, 1 at Sinharaja
160	Kashmir Flycatcher		2 at Victoria Gardens, 1 near Hakgala, 1 in Nuwara Eliya
161	Dull-blue Flycatcher	E	1 near Hakgala BG
162	Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher		2 at Kitulgala, 1 at Udawatta Forest, Kandy
163	Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher		5+ Hakgala BG, 2 Horton Plains, 1 Nuwara Eliya
164	Indian Blue Robin		a male at Victoria Gardens
165	Oriental Magpie Robin		seen at all localities
166	White-rumped Shama		2 seen at Udawalawe, 1 at Yala NP
167	Black-backed Robin		common in Udawalawe and Yala NP
168	Pied Bushchat		2 at Horton Plains
169	Ashy-headed Laughing Thrush	E	three flocks at Sinharaja
170	Brown-capped Babbler	E	small flocks at Sisira Lodge, Sinharaja and Udawatta Forest
171	Sri Lanka Scimitar Babbler  E		seen at Sinharaja, Victoria Gardens and Hakgala BG
172	Dark-fronted babbler		several seen at Sinharaja
173	Yellow-eyed Babbler		2 seen at Udawalawe NP
174	Orange-billed Babbler	E	small flocks at Sisira Lodge and at Sinharaja
175	Yellow-billed Babler		seen at most locations
176	Zitting Cisticola		seen in most open areas
177	Grey-breasted Prinia		2 at Udawalawe
178	Ashy Prinia		1 at Udawalawe and 1 at Nuwara Eliya
179	Plain Prinia		only seen at Yala NP
180	Common Tailorbird		common throughout  23
181	Sri Lanka Bush Warbler	E	1 near entrance Horton Plains and World’s End
182	Syke’s Warbler		1 seen and heard at Yala NP
183	Green Warbler		1 seen at Kitulgale , 1 Sinharaja
184	Large-billed Leaf Warbler		1 seen at Kithulga, 2 seen at Sinharaja
185	Great Tit		common at higher elevations e.g. Horton Plains, Victoria Park
186	Velvet-fronted Nuthatch		a pair at Yala NP
187	Legge’s Flowerpecker	E	3 around Martin’s Place
188	Pale-billed Flowerpecker		2 around Martin’s Place,
189	Loten’s Sunbird		1 at Udawalawe, 2 Yala NP, 1 Tissa Lakes
190	Purple-rumped Sunbird		common Kitulgala, Yala NP, Tissa
191	Purple Sunbird		2 seen near Kandy
192	Sri Lanka White-eye	E	common in highlands, e.g. Victoria Park, Horton Plains
193	Oriental White-eye		common in lowlands
194	White-rumped Munia		common around Sinharaja
195	Scaly-breasted Munia		common around Sinharaja
196	Black-throated Munia		2 just outside Sinharaja
197	Black-headed Munia		common at Udawalawe NP
198	House Sparrow		common in urban areas
199	Baya Weaver		singles seen at Udawalawe and Yala Np
200	White-faced Starling	E	several seen on two dates at Sinharaja
201	Brahminy Starling		2 at Yala NP
202	Rosy Starling		500+ roosting at Udawalawa NP
203	Common Myna		small numbers throughout
204	Sri Lanka Hill Myna	E	2 seen from Martin’s Place
205	Lesser Hill Myna		common around Kandy
206	Black-hooded Oriole		seen on all days outside the highlands
207	White-bellied Drongo		only seen around Kitulgala
208	Sri Lanka Crested Drongo	E	3 at Sinharaja
209	Ashy Woodswallow		2 en route to Udawalawe
210	Sri Lanka Blue Magpie	E	common at Martin’s Place and Sinharaja
211	House Crow		very common throughout
212	Jungle Crow		common throughout  13

66 lifers