This report consists of 9 parts: Introduction | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Species List
List of bird species seen |
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Sri Lanka Junglefowl |
Contrary to the image portayed by its domesticated Red Junglefowl cousin, this bird is a lover of forest cover, and so was not usually seen far from trees. The call is also a lot different to that of a "rooster". Most unusual sight was of a male perched in the canopy early evening near to the reception area ofSisira's River Lodge. Sinaharaja 1 male, 2 separate males, 4 females with young; Sinaharaja 1; Hakgala 1; River Lodge 1 |
Little Grebe |
2 Nuwaraeliya lake |
Asian Openbill |
The first was seen on the paddies/wet meadow near to the River Lodge. A second bird appeared in flight when the first took off. What may have been the same bird was present on the second day |
Cinnamon Bittern |
A single male was seen emerging from a small thicket of grass within the rice paddies near to the River Lodge. It spent most of the time in the half cover, creeping out of the rear for a short time before sneaking back into safety |
Malayan Night Heron |
A single bird was disturbed by our guide within the dense forest as we approached the location of the Serendib Scops-Owl. It was then seen perched high up not far from its original spot |
Indian Pond Heron |
A common bird in most marshy or wet areas |
Eastern Cattle Egret |
An abundant bird almost everywhere |
Yellow-billed Egret |
The larger white egrets were not generally checked during the trip, although a single bird slowly patrolling the paddies near to the River Lodge allowed close scrutiny |
Little Cormorant |
10 together on wires in Colombo while still within city limits; 1 Sinaharaja reception; 1 Sinaharaja village; 3 in rice paddies on the journey from Sinharaja to Nuwaraeliya; 1 Nuwaraeliya lake |
Crested Honey Buzzard |
1 over the village below Sinaharaja on the journey to Nuwaraeliya |
Brahminy Kite |
1 over rice paddies on the journey from Sinharaja to Nuwaraeliya |
Crested Serpent Eagle |
1 flew over the small tract of forest before Sinaharaja reception, while looking for Sri Lanka Frogmouth |
Crested Goshawk |
A perched bird was directly over us in Sinharaja. It's presence was initially given away by the small band of mobbing passerines |
Shikra |
3 together over financial bank where we stopped to cash travellers cheques on the journey from the airport to Sinharaja; 1 over Sisira's River Lodge; 1 Kitungala forest |
Black Eagle |
1 on journey from Sinharaja to Nuwaraeliya; 2 circling together over Kitungala forest |
Crested Hawk-Eagle |
1 over Kitungala forest in the company of a Shikra |
Slaty-legged Crake |
Jith asked Jaya to stop the car on the journey from Sinharaja to Nuwaraeliya when a small bird had fluttered across the road in front of us. Minutes later, we briefly watched this crake above the bank next to the road |
White-breasted Waterhen |
1 Sinaharaja in the distance; 2 on journey from Sinharaja to Nuwaraeliya; 1 Victoria Park; 1 River Lodge paddies, with 2 the followng day with chick at the same location |
Red-wattled Lapwing |
3 in fields on the journey from airport to Sinharaja |
Common Sandpiper |
2 at the stream in Victoria Park |
Whiskered Tern |
1 within the city limits of Colombo |
Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon |
The main breeding area of this endemic is within the mountains, but they do have an altitudanal migration during the non-breeding season. More were seen at the wintering grounds: at least 15 in Sinaharaja forest on the first visit, followed by 1 and 3; 2 Nuwaraeliya forest |
Spotted Dove |
A common bird throughout: Sinaharaja - 1; 3-4 Hakgala; 1 Victoria Park; 3 Hakgala on second visit; quite common Kitungala area, with ~20 in Kitungala forest |
Common Emerald Dove |
1 on the journey from Sinharaja to Nuwaraeliya; 1 Sinaharaja on the track to the information centre; Sinaharaja forest - 1; 3 Sinaharaja village; 2 Kitungala village; 2, 1 River Lodge; 1 Kitungala forest |
Sri Lanka Green Pigeon |
These had been missed during the stay at Sinharaja, but 3 were picked up on the descent from Martin's Lodge (in his jeep) while leaving the area |
Green Imperial Pigeon |
Quite common at Sinha, where all the birds seen were in flight. 1 was perched close to at the River Lodge area, with another 3 in flight |
Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot |
These were more of a common sound and flypast than grounded sighting, but quite a few were eventually seen feeding: 4 Sinaharaja; 2 Sinharaja descent;3 Kitungala village; ~8, ~15 River Lodge; ~8 Kitungala forest |
Alexandrine Parakeet |
These were only seen in flight, with 4 over the River Lodge paddies, and 2 over Kitungala forest. They are very characteristic, being much larger than any of the other parakeets in the area, and having a thin elongated crucifix shape |
Rose-ringed Parakeet |
1 screeching individual perched near to the reception of River Lodge; 2 flew into a tree briefly at the River Lodge paddies |
Layard's Parakeet |
Small numbers only were seen at Sinharaja (6, ~10), but all were in flight, so the plumage characters could not be seen. All of those at this location were seen from the restaurant of Martin's Lodge. They were very much more obliging at Kitungala, particularly in the vicinity of Sisira's River Lodge, where they regularly landed after noisy flypasts to feed on the fruit trees. ~15-20 were seen during any one birding session |
Green-billed Coucal |
This species is one of the more difficult to pin down, due mainly to its low numbers (it is endangered) and retiring habits. One of the best spots to see it is in the woodland just up from the Sinharaja reception. We were out of luck on the very first rainy afternoon hunt, but fortunate with a sunning bird the next morning. A second bird was heard calling near to Sisira's River Lodge |
Greater Coucal |
This is quite a hard bird to get good views of, despite its size and colour against the foliage. 1 was on the journey from the airport just before Sinaharaja; 1 Sinaharaja village; 1 Hakgala; 1 Kitungala village |
Red-faced Malkoha |
Sinharaja Forest is the prime location for these birds, and they are far from easy to find. They are reputed to roam with Babbler flocks, and it is with a group of these that we saw the 3 birds at the Sinharaja research station. They were at the top of the canopy, but could easily be seen due to their size and habit of staying in one tree for a few minutes at a time |
Chestnut-winged Cuckoo |
1 Sinaharaja; 1 Nuwaraeliya forest |
Asian Koel |
1 male Sinha, several heard; female River Lodge |
Serendib Scops Owl |
It is strange notion that this is one of the most newly discovered species, and doesn't even appear in the popular field guide. 4-5 pairs are now known on the island, and each take some tracking down. I was led through the pouring rain and leech infested dense forest to make eye contact in poor light with one of these birds. Kandula, the guide, had heard its call earlier, and skillfully managed to retrace his steps to the exact branch where he had located the bird |
Chestnut-backed Owlet |
After the first afternoon's birding session around the Sisira's River Lodge area, we were returning in the weakening light towards the reception area when I caught sight of an owlet perched near the rubbish hole. It flew into the canopy to be accosted by mobbing passerines, flew off again, and was then relocated a behind the wire fence nearby |
Crested Treeswift |
1 in front of Martin's Lodge; 1 on journey from Sinharaja to Nuwaraeliya |
Indian Swiftlet |
~10 over Sinharaja village; 3-4 over River Lodge on both days in general area of the paddies |
Asian Palm Swift |
~6 over Martin's Lodge; 2 Sinaharaja village; 3-4 on journey from Sinharaja to Nuwaraeliya; 1 over Kitungala forest; 2 over River Lodge paddies |
Malabar Trogon |
A total of 4 were seen in Sinharaja forest. The first 2, seemingly a pair, were amongst a mixed flock beyong the research station. The next day, another male was directly above the research station, and a second male was above the track on return to Martin's Lodge, while pinning down a Scimitar-babbler |
Stork-billed Kingfisher |
1 flew across the river at Kitungala while at the "ferry canoe". A second was first heard calling from the river beside Sisira's River Lodge, and then seen flying into cover. Given the short distance between the lodge and the ferry, these could have been the same bird |
White-throated Kingfisher |
This species provided the best action sequence of the trip, when a perching bird near to the River Lodge paddies dived to the ground with a thud, and returned with a small snake in its bill, which it them started to smash against the branch. They were generally quite regularly seen: 4 on the journey from the airport to Sinharaja; 2 Sinaharaja village; 3 on the journey from Sinharaja to Nuwaraeliya; 1 River Lodge paddies; 2 Kitungala forest |
Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher |
This has to be one of the stars of Sisira's River Lodge. It was pointed out to me by the lodge staff almost on arrival, where it is a bit of a regular. The next day, it reappeared just below the restaurant, quite unmoved by our presence |
Common Kingfisher |
1 flew past during our packed lunch break in Kitungala village |
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater |
2 hunting around the rice paddies on the journey from Sinharaja to Nuwaraeliya; 1 Kitungala village; ~ 8 at the River Lodge paddies, including two adults feeding a single immature; 1 Kitungala forest |
Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill |
These birds reputedly usually travel around in pairs, but the 4 that I saw included only one such brace. First took a bit of locating along the track ofSinaharaja forest before giving itself away by flying over our heads; the pair were over thetrack descending to Sinaharaja village; 1 near to the reception of the River Lodge |
Brown-headed Barbet |
The first was seen when we stopped to look for Sri Lanka Frogmouth just before Sinaharaja; 2 at Sinharaja village; 4 in the River Lodge area; 2 Kitungala village |
Yellow-fronted Barbet |
This bird produces one of the characteristic sounds of the lowland forest: Sinaharaja - 4, 1; 2 at Sinharaja village; 3 Hakgala; 2 Kitungala village |
Lesser Yellownape |
Sinaharaja - 1, 1; 1 which may have been the same bird was seen on consecutive days at the same spot in Kitungala village |
Lesser Goldenback |
A group of 4 were at the clearing just above Sisira's River Lodge, and another bird was at Kitungala village |
Crimson-backed Goldenback |
A pair at Sinha, along the track, were first noticed due to a very soft drumming nearby. Both birds eventually flew into the trees alongside the track. Another bird was in Nuwaraeliya forest |
Indian Pitta |
This is a wintering bird on the island, and they are only easy to see if one of the small favoured wintering patches is known. The first bird, in the semi-light next to the track at Sinharaja was seen twice, but this may have been more through luck than judgement. The bird seen early morning at Sisira's River Lodge is a known visitor |
Ashy Woodswallow |
1 on the journey from the airport to Sinharaja, opposite a supermarket while stopping for provisions; 1 over village on the journey from Sinharaja to Nuwaraeliya |
Common Iora |
1 Martin's Lodge; 1 River Lodge |
Scarlet Minivet |
8 playing in rain from the restaurant at Martin's Lodge; Sinaharaja - 2, 2; 1 Hakgala |
Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike |
2 in mixed flocks at Hakgala on both visits |
Brown Shrike |
1 Victoria Park; 1 River Lodge paddies |
Black-hooded Oriole |
1 at the stop just before Sinaharaja; 4 Kitungala village, one of which was harrassing an immature Yellow-browed Bulbul; 2 in the clearing at Kitungala forest; 8 in the River Lodge area |
White-bellied Drongo |
The amount of white on the belly of these birds varies, and can sometimes appear all dark. 2 on journey from the airport to Sinharaja; 2 at the stop justbefore Sinaharaja; pair building nest Sinaharaja reception; Sinaharaja - 2 separate birds; 1 Martin's Lodge; 1 Sinharaja village; ~6 River Lodge, 4 Kitungala village, 2 Kitungala forest |
Sri Lanka Drongo |
Sinaharaja - 4, 5; 1 Martin's Lodge; 1 Kitungala forest |
Black-naped Monarch |
Sinaharaja - 1; River Lodge - 2 |
Asian Paradise Flycatcher |
2 amazing white males were seen, one with the mixed flock just up from Sinaharaja research station, the other further back along the track the next day. At least 2 females were in attendance on the first occasion, and another 2 on the second |
Sri Lanka Magpie |
First sighting was one not to miss - 3 birds at the breakfast table at Martin's Lodge on the first morning. They seemed to be feeding on the insects which had collected during the night. They didn't return on the two subsequent mornings. Other birds were 1 flying over Sinaharaja clearing; and 3 Sinaharaja around the Sinharaja research area |
House Crow |
Abundant in the lowlands, mainly in the vicinity of towns |
Indian Jungle Crow |
Common in mountains; 1 Kitungala village |
Cinereous Tit |
This pale looking version of the Great Tit has recently been split from that congener as a separate species. ~6 were in Hakgala |
Barn Swallow |
1 over village stop after leaving Sinharaja reception |
Sri Lanka Swallow |
2 Sinaharaja village; 2 over paddies on the journey from Sinharaja to Nuwaraeliya; 2 River Lodge paddies; 2 Kitungala village |
Ashy Prinia |
1 Nuwaraeliya vegetable gardens |
Plain Prinia |
3 , with 2 singing birds, at the roadside of the paddies stopped at on the journey from Sinharaja to Nuwaraeliya |
Common Tailorbird |
3 Victoria Park; 2 Kitungala village |
Black-capped Bulbul |
Sinaharaja - 5, 1; River Lodge - 2 |
Red-vented Bulbul |
Very common thoughout |
Yellow-eared Bulbul |
This endemic is a speciality of the highlands. The first 4 were seen at the Whistling Thrush site during first light, then 6 Nuwaraeliya forest; 4 Victoria Park |
Yellow-browed Bulbul |
3-4, 4, ~8 Sinaharaja; 5 Kitungala village; 3 River Lodge |
Square-tailed Bulbul |
Very common throughout |
Sri Lanka Bush Warbler |
This is a very skulking bird which takes some time, patience, and leg work to see. It favours low scrub within woodland, and the forest at Nuwaraeliya is one of the better sites to find them. We were in the forest without luck for a hour or so before locating a quiet pair on the way out |
Blyth's Reed Warbler |
A single bird was initially picked up by its subsong, in the corner of Victoria Park, in trees alongside the stream |
Green Warbler |
1 Sinharaja village; 1 Nuwaraeliya forest; 2 River Lodge |
Large-billed Leaf Warbler |
2 separate birds at Sinha |
Brown-capped Babbler |
Yet another of the frustrating skulkers. Tandula caught sight of one as we were leaving Sinharaja forest for the final time, and it was difficult to see for any length of time. The 2 at the River Lodge completely turned the tables on this, where they were slowly working their way along the leaf litter directly below the restaurant |
Sri Lanka Scimitar Babbler |
Patience again finally resulted in decent views of 2 separate birds in Sinharaja forest |
Dark-fronted Babbler |
This is not an uncommon bird in Sinharaja, and the soft calls are usually a giveaway. But they do have a habit of feeding under cover! Groups of 4, 6 and 6at Sinaharaja; 2 Nuwaraeliya forest |
Orange-billed Babbler |
These birds always give away their presence with noisy and constant chatter. They tend to favour feeding and progressing in a tight flock in the branches of trees: Sinaharaja - 15, 10, ~12; Sinaharaja research area - ~10; River Lodge ~12, ~8; Kitungala village ~20 |
Yellow-billed Babbler |
These are almost as noisy as Orange-billed, but can be found on the ground feeding as often as in the trees: pair feeding young on journey stop from airport to Sinharaja; 4 at village before Sinharaja; ~20, ~30 River Lodge; ~10 Kitungala village |
Ashy-headed Laughingthrush |
Sinaharaja - 1 with Orange-billed Babblers |
Oriental White-eye |
1 Sinaharaja reception: common Nuwaraeliya forest; common Victoria Park |
Sri Lanka White-eye |
A larger and darker bird than Oriental, the width of the black separating the front of the eye ring is difficult to see in the field. Hakgala was the place to see them, where they were common |
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch |
Sinaharaja - 2 with the mixed flock just up from the research station; 1 Sinaharaja research station; 4, 2 Hakgala; 4 Nuwaraeliya forest |
Sri Lanka Hill Myna |
Small groups were throughout Sinha, mainly being heard, with ~20 seen on any one day |
Southern Hill Myna |
2, 3 River Lodge |
Common Myna |
Quite common throughout |
White-faced Starling |
This was picked up on call on two consecutive mornings on the track from Martin's Lodge to the information centre, they may have been the same bird |
Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush |
4 visits were made to track this bird down, 2 early morning (arriving before first light) and 2 in the evening. First blood was a ghostly image in the murk on the first morning. Then one was heard to call once only on the second evening. Triumph came on the last morning, when the female was feeding around the vegetable stall for some time (for a Whistling Thrush!) |
Pied Thrush |
This winter visitor to the country seems to have a liking for a specific type of fruiting tree, since it was on almost the same branch on successive visits in Victoria Park. This belies the fact that it is still difficult to see, even when its presence in the tree is known |
Spot-winged Thrush |
Sinaharaja - a bird was seen tending a nest on the first morning visit. A brace and then a singleton were feeding on the wet track when returning from seeing the Serendib Scops Owl. 3 birds were hopping around the grounds of Sisira's River Lodge on successive evenings (2 together and then a lone bird, the latter of which may well have been one of the former birds) |
Sri Lanka Thrush |
This is one of the more difficult thrushes to find, due to it being a shy bird, preferring to keep to the forest floor. A pair were picked up in this very environment, thankfully fairly close to the track at Sinharaja |
Indian Blackbird |
1 Hakgala |
Indian Blue Robin |
While waiting beside the stream for the Whistling Thrush to make an appearance, what was probably same bird was seen on both occasions. The first was a fleeting glimpse, but the second multiple sightings at the base of the cascade |
Oriental Magpie-Robin |
Common, mainly in the highlands where there were always birds around the gardens |
Pied Bush Chat |
Pair at Nuwaraeliya vegetable gardens |
Brown-breasted Flycatcher |
1 at the stop before Sinaharaja; 1, 3, 1 Sinaharaja; 1 Hakgala; 1 River Lodge |
Kashmir Flycatcher |
1-2 birds were picked up quite quickly on the first visit to Hakgala, but it took to almost leaving time to see even 1 on the next visit |
Dull-blue Flycatcher |
~6, 2 Hakgala; ~6 Nuwaraeliya forest |
Tickell's Blue Flycatcher |
This bird is incredibly tame, one male which was singing could almost be touched: a pair and then a single male at the River Lodge; 1 Kitungala village |
Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher |
3-4, 6 Hakgala; ~ 10 Nuwaraeliya forest |
Golden-fronted Leafbird |
1 Sinaharaja information centre, 1 Sinaharaja forest; 1 Kitungala village |
Legge's Flowerpecker |
First pair were at the stop before Sinaharaja; Sinaharaja - ~8, 2; 1 Martin's Lodge from the restaurant; 2, 2 Kitungala village |
Pale-billed Flowerpecker |
1 at the stop before Sinaharaja; Sinaharaja - 2, 2; 1 Nuwaraeliya forest |
Purple-rumped Sunbird |
Pair at the stop before Sinaharaja; 1 and a pair in Sinaharaja forest; 2 Sinharaja village; 2, 4 Kitungala village |
Purple Sunbird |
What was probably this species was seen all too briefly in the grounds of the Alpine Hotel, Nuwaraeliya. A definite male was seen singing from the top of one of the tallest trees in Victoria Park |
Loten's Sunbird |
1 feeding (and catching a large spider) amongst the tea plantations on the journey from Nuwaraeliya to Kitungala |
House Sparrow |
Common in towns |
White-rumped Munia |
~15, 4 Kitungala village |
Scaly-breasted Mannikin |
~20 Victoria Park |
Forest Wagtail |
2, 2 at Hakgala where they were feeding in leaf litter, but would fly into the trees if disturbed; 2 Victoria Park, feeding beside the stream |
Grey Wagtail |
1 rice paddies on journey from Sinharaja to Nuwaraeliya; 1, 1 Hakgala; ~6 Victoria Park; 1 Kitungala village |
List of mammals seen |
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Grizzled Giant Squirrel |
2 separate sightings at Hakgala |
Purple-faced Langur |
1 poor view at Sinharaja; troop of ~15 at Hakgala, feeding and moving slowly in the trees above |
Toque Monkey |
A small group was walking through Hakgala on the first visit, with what looked like a single animal amongst the troop of Leaf-Monkeys |
Dusky Palm Squirrel |
Common Nuwaraeliya forest |
Indian Palm Squirrel |
Quite common in the Kitungala area: 2, 4 River Lounge; 3 Kitungala village; 2 Kitungala forest |
Sambar Deer |
A stag was disturbed close to us as we were about to enter Nuwaraeliya forest |
List of reptiles |
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Sri Lankan Keelback Water Snake |
1 was positionend nicely next to a small pool and a banquet of fish along the track in Sinharaja forest |
Rat Snake |
1 slithered across the road in front of the car and into into the tea plantations on the journey from Nuwaraeliya to Kitungala; another crossed the track in front of us just up from the River Lodge |
Green Vine Snake |
This was a treat I had been waiting for some time, of probably one of the most attractive and unusual of the snakes. Despite being on a birding trip, instructions had been given to look out for one of these. Tandula obliged, finding one next to the track at Sinharaja, not too distant from the pool where the Keelback was stationed |
Water Monitor |
1 small individual in a stream, and a much larger one nearby, both next to Sinharaja research station |
Green Forest Lizard |
1 Sinharaja |
This report consists of 9 parts: Introduction | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Species List