Nicholas King's Trip Report

Travel Report by Nicholas King, 2011 Nick & Carol King and Michael & Judy Bates toured with Walk With Jith in 2011. This is Nick's e-mail comment and comprehensive tour feedback.

Nick's E-mail:

Photo: Nandana, Nicholas and Carol King, Judy and Michael Bates

Dear Prasanjith

Sorry not to have got back to you earlier. We've attached our itinerary with comments on the trip highlighted in yellow. The trip mostly went well although the weather was wet at times. At least we were lucky not to get caught up in the serious floods.

We saw a total of 196 birds although we are still picking out a few extras from our photos and we have queries on a few. Will send you the final checklist when we've gone through all our photos. We attach pictures of Great Frigatebird juvenile and Brown Booby (one of 2) seen at Nilaveli beach. We think they may be quite rare vagrants to this area. The picture of Crested Terns in the lagoon north of Nilaveli includes - we think - both a Lesser Crested Tern with an orange bill on top of the rock and Two Greater Crested Terns with yellow bills lower down.

Nandana was an excellent bird guide particularly when he was with one of the good local guides (the guys at Sinharaja and Uda Walawe were particularly good).

The cultural guides we had at Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura were not particularly good. Nandana was much better as a cultural guide to the Tooth Relic Palace in Kandy.

Alan was very reliable as a driver and always turned up on time. While he did not drive fast we were a little concerned at some of his overtaking. After Nandana left us Alan did his best to stop if he saw anything of possible ornithological interest.

The Toyota minibus was in generally good condition though it needed a new rear tyre and one of the stop lights did not work towards the end of the trip. The rear suspension was noisy after the rough road to Trincomalee but Alan said it had recently had new shock absorbers.

All in all we were very pleased with the trip though we found it quite tiring to be travelling for more than 3 weeks.

Regards
Nick and Carol King

Review of Bird watching and wildlife tour with culture attractions - Sri Lanka for Nick/Carol and Michael/Judy

Sorted List of Endemics >> --- Date Sorted Check List >>

We have made comments on each day of the tour in italics and highlighted:

(28^th January 2011) – Arrival (04:45 hrs)  Friday

Your birding tour guide from “Walk With Jith” will meet you at the airport on your arrival and transfer to Colombo. (01:30 hours drive from airport). 

Accommodation – Galle Face Hotel (Bed & B’fast)  

Thanks for seamless arrival and transfer.  Our only comment is that the Galle Face Hotel gave us a room in which the air-conditioning was turned up to the maximum.  We could not find any means of turning it down leaving the room unpleasantly cold.

In the afternoon we took a walk up to Beira Lake (a few new birds) and the area around the National Museum. On the whole we found Colombo somewhat lacking in charm.

29^th January Saturday

Morning train journey from Colombo to Galle.

Accommodation - Unawatuna Beach Resort (10 min. drive from Galle) (half board)

Alan picked us up promptly and got us to the train station.  He was very helpful in making sure we got the right ticket. The train fare was nominal but the train was very crowded and we had to stand for about half of the journey.  Despite this it was an interesting trip.  There were a number of other tourists on the train.  Perhaps someone should tell Sri Lankan Railways that if they put a 1^st class carriage on this train they could charge a premium fare (at least 10 times the fare we paid which I think was 180 rupees) and most tourists (and I suspect some Sri Lankans) would be happy to pay the higher fare.

The deluxe rooms we had at Unawatuna were of very good standard – probably the best we had anywhere.  They were worth the extra payment. Unawatuna was a comfortable place to spend a couple of nights with reasonable food and a nice beach.

30^th January Sunday

Leisure at Unawatuna Beach Resort (half board)

We spent most of the day in the Galle Fort area – quite an interesting place with pleasant streets, an interesting Maritime Museum and a few new birds.

Main itinerary  

Day 01 (31^st January 2011) - Marine turtle hatchery

Morning your tour guide will meet you in Galle and drives to Sinharaja village, visiting Marine turtle hatchery en-route.

Afternoon bird watching in Sinharaja Man & Biosphere Reserve (rain forest).

Sinharaja world heritage rain forest is the last remaining significant primary forest patch in the island. It is home to most endemic flora & fauna species. This is the single most important site in Sri Lanka in term of endemic birds and encounter spectacular mixed feeding flocks of birds.

Highlights – Green billed Caucal (E), Red faced Malkoha (E), Sri Lanka Blue Magpie (E), White faced Starling (E), Orange billed Babbler (E), Ashy headed Laughing Thrush (E), White throated Flowerpecker (E), Sri Lanka Myna (E), Sri Lanka Spur Fowl (E), Serendib Scops Owl (E), Brown capped Babbler (E), Scaly Thrush (E), Spot winged Thrush (E), Sri Lanka Crested Drongo (E) to name just a few endemics.

Accommodation – Martin’s Lodge, Sinharaja village (half board)

Martin's Lodge is a timeless small guesthouse cut off from the rest of the world, runs by Martin and his family. This is the only accommodation close to the park entrance. The food served here is all traditional Sri Lankan cuisine cooked.

 

Alan and Nandana picked us up promptly. We spent most of the day travelling with stops at a mask museum/handicraft store, turtle hatchery and for birdwatching.  Nandana soon demonstrated that he knew where to see birds and by the time we arrived at Martin’s we had already seen 35 species. We found Martin’s Lodge basic but adequate and it is very convenient for visiting Sinharaja.  The open balcony area is very pleasant, food is basic, the rooms are a bit sparse and the availability of leech socks was very welcome.  It was fine for the two nights we spent there.  We did not have the best of weather there with rain most of the time.  With Nandana and the local reserve guide we saw about as much as practicable in the rain.

Day 02 (01^st Feb.) - Sinharaja Rain Forest (endemic birds)

Full day birding in Sinharaja Man & Biosphere Reserve.

Accommodation – Martin’s Lodge, Sinharaja village (half board)

Day 03 (02^nd Feb.) - Udawalawa National Park (elephants & forest birds) / Elephant transit camp

Morning  drive to Udawalawa village, visiting Elephant transis camp en-route.Afternoon elephants, other animals and bird watching jeep safari in Udawalawa National Park.

Udawalawa National Park is situated in dry zone in Sri Lanka, comprising a diversity of habitats including scrub jungles, grasslands, water reservoirs and riverine habitats. The best park in the country for viewing herds of wild elephants at close range.

Highlights – Sri Lanka Green Pigeon (E), Orange breasted Green Pigeon, Malabar pied Hornbill, Plum headed Parakeet, Indian Pitta (M), Southern Sirkeer, Crested Hawk Eagle, Black winged Kite, Grey headed Fish Eagle, White bellied Sea Eagle, Indian Silverbill, Black headed Munia

Accommodation – Centauria Hotel, Udawalawa (half board)

Due to time constraints we missed out the Elephant Transit Camp.  We spent some time looking at the waterfowl along the southern edge of Udawalawe  Reservoir.  The visit to Udawalawe National Park was excellent with a very good national park guide and a sharp eyed driver who spotted a nightjar roosting next to the road for us.

The Centauria Hotel was OK for a night but lacked charm. It was not a hotel we’d choose to go back to.

Day 04 (03^rd Feb.) - Bundala Ramsar Wetland

Morning proceeds to Tissamaharama village via beautiful Rawana waterfalls.

Afternoon birding in and around Bundala Ramsar Wetland.

Bundala Ramsar Wetlandwas the first wetland declared as Ramsar wetland in Sri Lanka, comprising scrub jungle bordering the sea together with large shallow pools. A very good area to watch water birds & migrant waders during northern winter.

Highlights- Golden, Greater & Lesser Sand Plovers (M), Marsh, Wood, Green, & Terek Sandpipers (M), Turnstone (M), Red necked Palarope (M), Pintail Snipe (M), Black tail Godwit (M), Greater Flemingo (M) &, Terns such as Great Crested, Lesser Crested, Caspian, Gull billed, Little Terns, both Greater & Eurasian Thicknees, Watercock, Yellow Bittern, Black Bittern

Accommodation – Elephant Reach, Yala(www.elephantreach.com)  (half board)

The visit to Bundala was very good for birdwatching and other wildlife despite a heavy shower of rain.  We are still finding extra species of birds in our photos. The visit to Tissamaharama was worthwhile particularly to the family with the Collared Scops Owl in the garden.  The family ran a business making curd pots and this kind of visit to a local family is something that we found worthwhile. Elephant Reach is a comfortable hotel with a good pool.

 

Day 05 (04^th Feb.)  -  Yala National Park (Leopards, bears, elephants, crocodiles & forest / water birds) 

Full day birds and mammals watching jeep safari in Yala National Park.

Ruhuna (Yala) National Park

This park situated in Dry zone in Sri Lanka, comprising a diversity of habitats including scrub jungles, water reservoirs, brakish lagoons and riverine habitats. The best park in the country for viewing mammals including Leopard and Sloth Bear.

Highlights – Indian Pea Fowl, Black necked, Painted, Wooly necked and Adjutant Storks, Blue faced Malkoha, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Greater Flemingo (M), Brahminy Myna (M), Rosy Starling (M), Southern Sirkeer

Mammels including Elephant, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Wild Boar, Grey Langer, Marsh & Estuarine Crocodiles.

Accommodation – Elephant Reach, Yala (half board)

We had a very good day in Yala, particularly for Leopards. We saw five in total – in Africa they are very difficult to see and in three months we saw just two on evening/night drives in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia.

Day 06 (05^th Feb.) – Nuwara Eliya Highland / Hakgala Botanical Garden (flora & highland endemic birds)

Morning drives to Nuwara Eliya highland city.

Afternoon bird watching in Hakgala Gardens.

Hakgala Gardens was established in 1860. More botanically minded visitors will find plenty to interest them. The highland race of the endemic Purple faced Leaf Monkey present here and good opportunity for viewing or photographing.

Accommodation – The Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya (half board)

A good day but a bit rushed.  We would like to have spent longer at Hakgala.  The Grand Hotel was excellent.

Day 07 (06^th Feb.) - Horton Plains

Morning a hike through Horton Plains national park where you will see cloud forest and rare montane flora.

Highlights – Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush (E), Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon (E), Sri Lanka White Eye (E), Sri Lanka Dull Blue Flycatcher (E), Sri Lanka Yellow eared Bulbul (E), Sri Lanka Bush warbler (E), Hill Swallow, Velvet fronted Nuthatch, Grey headed Canary Flycatcher, Kashmir Flycatcher (M), Pied Thrush (M), Mountain Hawk Eagle   

Accommodation – The Grand Hotel, Nuwara-eliya (half board)

Despite starting later we still managed the Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush.  The hike was enjoyable despite the limited visibility and we made the best of a rather wet day.  Victoria Park visit was interesting and we would liked to have spent longer at Nuwara-eliya – possibly 3 nights.

Day 08 (07^th Feb.) - Tooth Relic Palace (culture site)

Morning drives to Kandy city.

In the early evening visits to Tooth Relic Palace and enjoy a performance of the famous Kandyan dancers and drummers, with a fire-walking finale.

Accommodation – Hotel Suisse, Kandy (Bed & B’fast)

Another rather wet day.   We had a good visit to the Royal Botanical Garden in the afternoon despite the rain.  Hotel Suisse was OK but a bit faded.  Nandana  was a great guide to the Tooth Relic Palace.

Visited the Senani Restaurant in the evening which did not impress us.

Day 09 (08^th Feb.)-   Udawatta Kelle forest reserve/  Royal Botanical Garden (flora & endemic birds)  

Morning birding in Udawatta Kelle forest reserve in Kandy.

Highlights – Yellow fronted & Crimson fronted Barbets (E), Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot (E), Layard’s Parakeet (E), Alexandrine Parakeet, Tickel’s blue Flycatcher, Indian Pitta (M), Hill Myna, Orange Thrush (M, Forest Wagtail (M)

Afternoon leisure walks and birding in Royal Botanical Garden.

Royal Botanical Garden was established in 1816, is a marvelous collection of specimens of the flora of the tropical world and also good for birding.

Accommodation – Hotel Suisse, Kandy (Bed & B’fast)

Visited Udawatta with Nandana in the morning but while enjoyable our birding success was limited.  We had a meal at the Devonia Restaurant in the evening which was better than the Senani although the service was slow.

We found that Kandy was quite a pleasant place to spend a couple of days.

Day 10 (09^th Feb.) – Dambulla Cave Temple

Morning proceeds to Sigiriya ancient city, visiting Dambulla cave temple en-route,

Dambulla Cave Templeis one of the most impressive sites in Sri Lanka. There are colorful and well preserved frescoes and statues of the Buddha inside the caves, which date back to the 01^st century BC. 

Accommodation – Sigiriya Village Hotel, Sigiriya (half board)

Took our leave of Nandana in the morning.  Visited the Luckgrove spice garden en-route to Dambullah.  Interesting but the prices they were asking were very high – at least three times the price of shops in Kandy.

Dambullah caves were well worth visiting.

Sigiriya Village Hotel was very pleasant with helpful staff, pleasant gardens, a good pool and reasonable food.

Day 11 (10^th Feb.) – Sigiriya Rock Fortress 

Morning climb famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress.

Sigiriya, the rock fortress, which was the pleasure palace of a single king called Kashyapa in the 5^th century A.D. In a pocket of the giant rock are the famous frescoes of the heavenly maidens of Sigiriya.

Afternoon birding in village and forest reserve areas around the Sigiriya rock.

Accommodation – Sigiriya Village Hotel, Sigiriya (half board)

Sigiriya Rock Fortyress was one of the highlights of the trip.  Enjoyed the museum.

Day 12 (11^th Feb.) - Polonnaruwa archeological sites

Morning visits to Polonnaruwa archeological sites and museum.

Polonnaruwa is the medieval capital of Sri Lanka, more than one thousand years old. This city peaked during the reign of the king Parakramabahu the great, when Sri Lanka had an empire extending into India. There you can see,
Palace and public halls of King Parakrama the Great

Shrines, temples and pagodas

The massive but exquisite Gal Vihare sculptures, carved in living granite

The mammoth Sea of Parakrama water reservoir  

Accommodation – Sigiriya Village Hotel, Sigiriya (half board)

Polonnaruwa was more difficult to appreciate properly than Sigiriya but we had a worthwhile day there.  We could have used Nandana’s skills in the Sigiriya area.

Day 13 (12^th Feb.) – Trincomalee

Morning drives to Trincomalee city.

Accommodation – Nilaveli Beach Resort, Trincomalee (half board)  

Good birdwatching at Kantale Tank on the road to Trincomalee.  Very poor road north of Kantale.

Nilaveli Beach Resort was very pleasant with helpful staff, a good beach, a good pool and reasonable food.  We visited Trincomalee including the fort area and the Commonwealth war Graves Cemetery.

We took a boat trip on the lagoon to the north of Nilaveli.  Not particularly interesting for birds apart from the colony of Greater and Lesser Crested Terns on the rocks close to the outlet to the sea.

Day 14 (13^th Feb.) - Trincomalee

Morning visits to Trincomalee village and city areas.

Accommodation – Nilaveli Beach Resort, Trincomalee (half board)

Day 15 (14^th Feb.) - Trincomalee

Leisure at Nilaveli Beach Resort, Trincomalee (half board)

 

Day 16 (15^th Feb.)

Morning drives to Anuradhapura city.

Accommodation – Tissawewa Rest House, Anuradhapura (half board)

Tissawewa Guest House has character and pleasant rooms but the food was very poor.  The manager did not seem to know the basic tenet of keeping a good hotel or guest house – i.e. to keep the guests happy.  We were certainly not the only people complaining about the food.  Alan had to stay elsewhere as there was no decent driver accommodation.

Day 17 (16^th Feb.) -  Anuradhapura culture sites Morning, visits to archeological sites in Anuradhapura ancient capital city. 

Anuradhapura flourished more than 2000 years ago. This is the greatest of the island’s three most famous ruined cities. Birth place of Sinhala royalty and capital city from 3^rd century B.C. to the 10^th century A.D. Countless fascinating ruins including “Sri Maha Bo Tree”- the oldest historical recorded tree in the world.   

Accommodation – Tissawewa Rest House, Anuradhapura (half board)

Anuradhapura was a bit disappointing after Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa.  If we had seen it first we might have taken a different view.

Day 18 (17^th Feb.) – Aukana archeological site 

Morning visit to Aukana archeological site.

Accommodation – Tissawewa Rest House, Anuradhapura (half board)

Aukana was well worth visiting but did not really justify a day and could have been visited on the way to Kitugala.  Good birdwatching on the Kala Wewa reservoir.

Day 19 (18^th Feb. ) - Kitulgala

Morning departure to Kitulgala rain forest area. Afternoon birding in Kitulgala village.

Kithulgala is situated on a particularly delightful stretch of the Kelani river that incorporates rock-strewn section and rapids, often enclosed by high banks of tall bamboo, conditions ideal for the sport of White Water Rafting.

Highlights – Sri Lanka Chestnut backed Owtet (E), Sri Lanka Layard’s Parakeet (E), Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot (E), Sri Lanka Green billed Caucal (E), Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill (E), Sri Lanka Spur Fowl (E), Brown capped Babbler (E), Spot winged Thrush (E), Indian Pitta (M), Dwarf kingfisher   

Accommodation – Plantation Hotel, Kitulgala(half board)  

(http://www.plantationgrouphotels.com/plantation/plantation.html)   

Met up with Nandana and had a good walk in the late afternoon. Reasonable birdwatching and saw some local people threshing rice.  Plantation Hotel reasonably comfortable  although the service was slow.

Day 20 (19^th Feb.) - Kitulgala rain forest

Full day birding in Kitulgala forest and village area.

Afternoon drives to Adem’s Peak area. Late night climb Adem’s Peak Mountain

Accommodation – Punsisi Rest House, Adem’s Peak (half board)

Good birdwatching at Kitugala in the morning and a pleasant drive up to Dalhousie.  Unfortunately we were not accommodated at the Punsisi Rest House but passed onto the White Elephant Hotel.  Despite being new this probably had the worst rooms of any that we used – large but uncomfortable rooms, a doorway into the bathroom that was designed for small people and a shower that did not work.  We had to go up to the Punsisi rest house for meals which were reasonable.

Successful attempt by us with Nandana to the top of Adam’s Peak.  Very good weather but very crowded particularly on the top.  Possibly we should have avoided the weekend.

Day 21 (20^th Feb.) – Colombo

Morning come down  and drives to Colombo city.

Accommodation – Galle Face Hotel, Colombo (Bed & B’fast)

Day 22 (21^st Feb.)

Leisure at Galle Face Hotel, Colombo (Bed & B’fast)

Visited the Museum, Barefoot and the market area.

We both had good rooms at the hotel which is generally very pleasant with a wonderful situation on the ocean.

Day 23 (22^nd Feb.) – Departure Day

Leisure at Galle Face Hotel.

Departure.  Transfer will be arranged. (01: 30 hour. drive to the airport)

(Other than above, the vehicle and the driver will be provided free of charge, if you want to go any other place in your visiting areas (below 50 km. per day)

Seamless transfer back to the Airport.

1. An experienced birding tour guide will be accompanying with you as the tour guide from Day 01 to Day 09 and Day 19 / 20 in Kitulgala.

2. Transport by a comfortable A/C micro van with a separate driver.

See Date Sorted Check List >>

Sorted List of Endemics

	COMMON NAME	SCIENTIFIC NAME	LOCATION	DATE	PHOTO	NOTES	ENDEMIC
1	Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot	Loriculus beryllnus endemic	En route to Sinharaja FR	1/31/2011			Yes
2	Sri Lanka Swallow	Hirundo hyperthrea	En route to Sinharaja FR	1/31/2011			Yes
3	Black-headed Yellow Bulbul	Pycnonotus melanicterus endemic	En route to Sinharaja FR	1/31/2011			Yes
4	Sri Lanka Blue Magpie	Urocissa ornata	Martin's Guest house, Sinharaja	1/31/2011			Yes
5	Sri Lanka Junglefowl	Gallus lafayettii endemic	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011	Yes		Yes
6	Sri Lanka Green Pigeon (Pompadour Green Pigeon)	Treron pompadora	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011			Yes
7	Layard's Parakeet	Psittacula calthropae endemic	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011			Yes
8	Red-faced Malkoha	Phaenicophaeus pyffhocephalus endemic	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011			Yes
9	Yellow-fronted Barbet	Megalaima flavilfrons endemic	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011		Also seen at Kitugala	Yes
10	Spot-winged Thrush	Zoothera spiloptera endemic	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011			Yes
11	Sri Lanka Scaly Thrush	Zoothera imbricata	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011			Yes
12	Brown-capped Babbler	Pellomeum fuscocapillum endemic	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011		NK	Yes
13	Sri Lanka Scimitar-babbler	Pomatorhinus horsfieldii	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011			Yes
14	Orange-billed Babbler	Turdoides rufescens endemic	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011			Yes
15	Ashy-headed Laughingthrush	Garrulax cinereifrons endemic	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011			Yes
16	White-throated Flowerpecker  (Legge's Flowerpecker)	Dicaeum vincens endemic	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011		Female	Yes
17	Sri Lanka Crested Drongo	Dicrurus lophorinus	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011			Yes
18	Crimson-backed Greater Flameback	Chrysocolaptes lucidus stricklandi	En route to Uda Walawe	2/2/2011			Yes
19	Sri Lanka Wood Shrike	Tephrodornis affinis	Yala NP	2/4/2011			Yes
20	Dull-blue Flycatcher (Sri Lanka Dusky-blue Flycatcher)	Eumyias sordidus endemic	Hakgala Botanic Gardens	2/5/2011			Yes
21	Sri Lanka White-eye	Zosterops ceylonensis endemic	Hakgala Botanic Gardens	2/5/2011			Yes
22	Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon	Columba torringtoni endemic	Horton Plains NP	2/6/2011			Yes
23	Yellow-eared Bulbul	Pycnonotus pennicilitatus endemic	Horton Plains NP	2/6/2011	Yes	Also seen on Adam's peak	Yes
24	Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush	Myophonus blighi endemic	Horton Plains NP	2/6/2011		Seen by entrance gate.  Also heard on Adam's peak	Yes
25	Crimson-fronted Barbet	Megalaima rubricapilla endemic	Royal Botanic Gardens, Kandy	2/7/2011			Yes
26	Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill	Ocyceros gingalensis endemic	Anuradhapura	2/16/2011	Yes		Yes
27	Green-billed Coucal	Centropus chlororhynchus endemic	Kitugala	2/19/2011			Yes
28	Sri Lanka Myna	Gracula ptilogenys endemic	Kitugala	2/19/2011			Yes

Date Sorted Checklist:

	Common Name	Scientific Name	LOCATION	DATE	PHOTO	NOTES	ENDEMIC
1	Spot-billed Pelican	Pelecanus philippens	Beira Lake, Colombo	1/28/2011	Yes
2	Little Cormorant	Phalacrocorax niger	Beira Lake, Colombo	1/28/2011	Yes
3	Little Egret	Egretta garzetta	Beira Lake, Colombo	1/28/2011	Yes
4	Cattle Egret	Bubulcus coromandus	Colombo Museum Grounds	1/28/2011	Yes
5	Indian Pond Heron	Ardeola grayii	Beira Lake, Colombo	1/28/2011	Yes
6	Common Myna	Acridotheres tristis	Museum Grounds, Colombo	1/28/2011	Yes
7	House Crow	Corvus splendens	Colombo	1/28/2011
8	White-breasted Waterhen	Amauromis phoenicurus	Unawatuna Resort	1/29/2011	Yes
9	Brahminy Kite	Haliastur indus	Galle Fort	1/30/2011	Yes
10	Spotted Dove	Streptopelia chinensis	Galle Fort	1/30/2011	Yes
11	Blue-tailed Bee-eater	Merops philippinus	Galle Fort	1/30/2011	Yes
12	Brown-headed Barbet	Megalaima zeylanica	Galle Fort	1/30/2011	Yes
13	Barn Swallow	Hirundo rustica	Galle Fort	1/30/2011	Yes
14	Red-vented Bulbul	Pycnonotus cafer	Galle Fort	1/30/2011	Yes
15	Oriental Magpie Robin	Copsychus saularis	Galle Fort	1/30/2011	Yes
16	Rose-ringed Parakeet	Psittacula krameri	Unawatuna Resort	1/30/2011	Yes
17	White-throated Kingfisher	Halcyon smynensis	Unawatuna Resort	1/30/2011	Yes
18	Whiskered Tern	Chlidonias hybridus	Turtle Hatchery, Hikkaduwa	1/31/2011	Yes
19	Asian Openbill	Anastomus oscitans	En route to Sinharaja FR	1/31/2011	Yes
20	Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot	Loriculus beryllnus endemic	En route to Sinharaja FR	1/31/2011	Yes		Yes
21	Greater Coucal	Centropus sinensis	En route to Sinharaja FR	1/31/2011	Yes
22	Grey-rumped Treeswift	Hemiprocne longipennis	En route to Sinharaja FR	1/31/2011
23	Common Kingfisher	Alcedo atthis	En route to Sinharaja FR	1/31/2011	Yes
24	Sri Lanka Swallow	Hirundo hyperthrea	En route to Sinharaja FR	1/31/2011	Yes		Yes
25	Black-headed Yellow Bulbul	Pycnonotus melanicterus endemic	En route to Sinharaja FR	1/31/2011			Yes
26	White-browed Bulbul	Pycnonotus luteolus	En route to Sinharaja FR	1/31/2011
27	Yellow-browed Bulbul	Iole indica	En route to Sinharaja FR	1/31/2011
28	Black Bulbul	Hypsipetes leucocephalus	En route to Sinharaja FR	1/31/2011	Yes
29	Brown Shrike	Lanius cristatus cristatus	En route to Sinharaja FR	1/31/2011
30	Yellow-billed Babbler	Turdoides affinis	En route to Sinharaja FR	1/31/2011
31	Purple-rumped Sunbird	Nectarinia zeylonica	En route to Sinharaja FR	1/31/2011	Yes
32	Long-billed Sunbird (Loten's Sunbird)	Nectarinia lotenia	En route to Sinharaja FR	1/31/2011
33	White-rumped Munia	Lonchura striata	En route to Sinharaja FR	1/31/2011	Yes
34	Scaly-breasted Munia	Lonchura punctulata	En route to Sinharaja FR	1/31/2011		Feeding and nest building
35	White-bellied Drongo	Dicrurus caerulescens	En route to Sinharaja FR	1/31/2011	Yes
36	Sri Lanka Blue Magpie	Urocissa ornata	Martin's Guest house, Sinharaja	1/31/2011	Yes		Yes
37	Asian Brown Flycatcher	Muscicapa dauurica	Martin's Guest house, Sinharaja	1/31/2011	Yes
38	Emerald Dove	Chalcophaps indica	Martin's Guest House, Sinharaja FR	1/31/2011	Yes
39	Green Imperial Pigeon	Ducula aenea	Martin's Guest House, Sinharaja FR	1/31/2011	Yes		Yes
40	Brown-breasted Flycatcher	Muscicapa muttui	Martin's Guest house, Sinharaja	2/1/2011	Yes
41	Rock Pigeon	Columba livia	Martin's Guest House, Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011	Yes
42	Sri Lanka Junglefowl	Gallus lafayettii endemic	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011	Yes		Yes
43	Sri Lanka Green Pigeon (Pompadour Green Pigeon)	Treron pompadora	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011	Yes		Yes
44	Layard's Parakeet	Psittacula calthropae endemic	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011			Yes
45	Red-faced Malkoha	Phaenicophaeus pyffhocephalus endemic	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011			Yes
46	Sri Lanka Frogmouth	Batrachostomus moniliger	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011	Yes	Poor photo
47	Malabar Trogon	Harpactes fasciatus	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011	Yes	Both male and female
48	Yellow-fronted Barbet	Megalaima flavilfrons endemic	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011		Also seen at Kitugala	Yes
49	Small Minivet	Pericrocotus cinnamomeus	Sinharaja NP	2/1/2011
50	Scarlet Minivet	Pericrocotus flammeus	Sinharaja NP	2/1/2011
51	Spot-winged Thrush	Zoothera spiloptera endemic	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011	Yes		Yes
52	Sri Lanka Scaly Thrush	Zoothera imbricata	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011		NK	Yes
53	Brown-capped Babbler	Pellomeum fuscocapillum endemic	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011		NK	Yes
54	Sri Lanka Scimitar-babbler	Pomatorhinus horsfieldii	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011			Yes
55	Dark-fronted Babbler	Rhodocichla atricaps	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011
56	Orange-billed Babbler	Turdoides rufescens endemic	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011			Yes
57	Sri Lanka Woodshrike	Tephrodornis affinis	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011	Yes	Also Yala NP	Yes
58	Ashy-headed Laughingthrush	Garrulax cinereifrons endemic	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011	Yes		Yes
59	Black-naped Monarch	Hypothymis azurea	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011	Yes	Also seen nesting at the Plantation Hotel, Kitugala and at Ella Adventure Park
60	Asian Paradise Flycatcher	Terpsiphone paradisi	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011	Yes
61	Velvet-fronted Nuthatch	Sitta frontalis	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011	Yes
62	White-throated Flowerpecker  (Legge's Flowerpecker)	Dicaeum vincens endemic	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011		Female	Yes
63	Sri Lanka Crested Drongo	Dicrurus lophorinus	Sinharaja FR	2/1/2011		CAK	Yes
64	Black Eagle	Ictinaetus malayensis	Martin's Guest House, Sinharaja FR	2/2/2011
65	Lesser Hill Myna	Gracula religiosa	En route to Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011	Yes
66	Crimson-backed Greater Flameback	Chrysocolaptes lucidus stricklandi	En route to Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011	Yes
67	Common Moorhen	Gallinula chloropus	En-route to Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011
68	Plain Prinia	Prinia inomata	En route to Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011	Yes	With Munias
69	Grey Heron	Ardea cinerea	Uda Walawe Reservoir	2/2/2011	Yes
70	Great White Egret	Casmerodius albus	Uda Walawe Reservoir	2/2/2011	Yes
71	Intermediate Egret	Egretta intermedia	Uda Walawe Reservoir	2/2/2011	Yes
72	Painted Stork	Mycteria leucocephala	Uda Walawe Reservoir	2/2/2011	Yes
73	Woolly-necked Stork	Ciconia episcopus	Uda Walawe Reservoir	2/2/2011	Yes
74	Black-winged Stilt	Himantopus himantopus	Uda Walawe Reservoir	2/2/2011	Yes
75	Common Sandpiper	Actitis hypoleucos	Uda Walawe Reservoir	2/2/2011	Yes
76	Oriental Honey Buzzard	Pernis ptilorhynchus	Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011	Yes
77	Black-winged Kite	Elanus caeruleus	Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011	Yes
78	White-bellied Sea Eagle	Haliaeetus leucogaster	Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011	Yes
79	Crested Serpent Eagle	Spilornis cheela	Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011
80	Changeable Hawk-eagle	Spizaetus cirrhatus	Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011	Yes
81	Sri Lanka Peafowl	Pavo cristatus singhalensis	Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011	Yes
82	Red-wattled Lapwing	Vanellus Indicus	Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011	Yes
83	Orange-breasted Green Pigeon	Treron bicincta	Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011	Yes
84	Alexandrine Parakeet	Psittacula eupatrtia	Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011
85	Plum-headed Parakeet	Psittacula cyanocephala	Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011	Yes
86	Plaintive Cuckoo	Cacomantis passerinus	Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011
87	Asian Koel	Eudynamys scolopacea	Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011	Yes
88	Blue-faced Malkoha	Phaenicophaeus viridirostris	Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011
89	Brown Fish Owl	Ketupa zeylonensis	Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011
90	Indian Nightjar	Caprimulgus asiaticus	Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011	Yes
91	Stork-billed Kingfisher	Halcyon capensis	Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011
92	Little Green Bee-eater	Merops orientalis	Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011	Yes
93	Chestnut-headed Bee-eater	Merops leschenautti	Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011	Yes
94	Indian Roller	Indian Roller, Coracias benghalensis	Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011	Yes
95	Malabar Pied Hornbill	Anthracoceros coronatus	Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011	Yes
96	Coppersmith Barbet	Megalaima haemacephala	Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011
97	Brown-capped Woodpecker	Dendrocopos nanus	Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011
98	Rufous-winged Bushlark	Mirafra assamica	Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011
99	Paddyfield Pipit	Anthus rufulus	Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011	Yes
100	Ashy Prinia	Prinia socialis	Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011	Yes
101	Black-backed Robin (Indian Robin)	Saxicoloides fulicata leucoptera	Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011	Yes
102	White-rumped Shama	Copsychus malabaricus	Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011
103	Black-headed Munia (Tricoloured Munia)	Lonchura malacca	Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011	Yes
104	Baya Weaver	Ploceus philippinus	Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011
105	Large-billed Crow (Indian Jungle Crow)	Corvus macrorhynchos	Uda Walawe NP	2/2/2011	Yes
106	Lesser Whistling-duck	Dendrocygna javanica	Salt pans near Bundala	2/3/2011	Yes
107	Oriental Darter	Anhinga melanogaster	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
108	Purple Heron	Ardea purpurea	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
109	Striated Heron	Butorides striatus	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
110	Yellow Bittern	Ixobrychus sinensis	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
111	Black-headed Ibis	Threskomis melanocephalus	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
112	Common Spoonbill	Platalea leucorodia	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
113	Purple Swamphen	Porphyrio porphyrio	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
114	Common Coot	Fulica atra	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
115	Pheasant-tailed Jacana	Hydrophasianus chirurgus	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
116	Eurasian Thick-knee	Burhinus oedicnemus	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
117	Great Thick-knee	Esacus recurvirostris	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
118	Small Pratincole	Glareola lactea	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
119	Yellow-wattled Lapwing	Vanellus malebaricus	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
120	Pacific Golden Plover	Pluvialis fulva	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
121	Grey Plover	Pluvialis squatarola	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
122	Common Ringed Plover	Charadrius hiaticula	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
123	Little Ringed Plover	Charadrius dubius	Bundala NP	2/3/2011
124	Mongolian Plover (Lesser Sand Plover)	Charadrius mongolus	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
125	Black-tailed Godwit	Limosa limosa	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
126	Eurasian Curlew	Numenius arquata	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
127	Common Redshank	Tringa totanus	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
128	Marsh Sandpiper	Tringa stagnatilis	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
129	Common Greenshank	Tringa nebularia	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
130	Kentish Plover	Charadrius alexandrinus	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
131	Wood Sandpiper	Tringa glareola	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
132	Ruddy Turnstone	Arenaria Interpres	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
133	Red-necked Phalarope	Phalaropus lobatus	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
134	Common Snipe	Gallinago gallinago	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
135	Sanderling	Calidris alba	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
136	Little Stint	Calidris minuta	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
137	Curlew Sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea	Calidris ferruginea	Bundala NP	2/3/2011
138	Caspian Tern	Hydroprogne caspia	Bundala NP	2/3/2011
139	Great Crested Tern	Sterna bergii	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
140	Chestnut-winged Cuckoo	Clamator coromandus	Bundala NP	2/3/2011
141	Indian Cuckoo	Cuculus micropterus	Bundala NP	2/3/2011
142	Pied Kingfisher	Ceryle rudis	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
143	Yellow Wagtail	Motacilla flava	Bundala NP	2/3/2011
144	Purple Sunbird	Nectarinia asiatica	Bundala NP	2/3/2011
145	Rosy Starling	Sturnus roseus	Bundala NP	2/3/2011	Yes
146	Black Bittern	Dupetor flavicollis	Tissamaharama	2/3/2011	Yes
147	Collared Scops Owl	Otus bakkamoena	Tissamaharama	2/3/2011	Yes
148	Black-crowned Night Heron	Nycticorax nycticorax	Yala NP	2/4/2011	Yes
149	Pied Cuckoo	Oxylophus jacobinus	Yala NP	2/4/2011	Yes
150	Eurasian Hoopoe	Upupa epops	Yala NP	2/4/2011	Yes
151	Indian Pitta	Pitta brachyura	Yala NP	2/4/2011	Yes
152	Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark	Eremopterix grisea	Yala NP	2/4/2011
153	Richard's Pipit	Anthus richardi	Yala NP	2/4/2011		?
154	Tawny-bellied Babbler	Dumetia hyperythra	Yala NP	2/4/2011		Near beach
155	White-browed Fantail	Rhipidura aureola	Yala NP	2/4/2011
156	White-throated Silverbill	Lonchura malabarica	Yala NP	2/4/2011
157	Brahminy Starling	Sturnus pagodarum	Yala NP	2/4/2011	Yes
158	Caspian Plover	Charadrius asiaticus	Yala NP	2/4/2011	Yes	Check with Jith
159	Tickell's Blue Flycatcher	Cyomis tickelliae	Ella Adventure Camp en-route to Nuwara Eliya	2/5/2011	Yes
160	Streak-throated Woodpecker	Picus xanthopygaeus	En route to Nuwara Eliya	2/5/2011	Yes
161	Blue-winged Leafbird (Jerdon's Leafbird)	Chloropsis cochinchinensis	Lunch stop en-route to Nuwara Eliya	2/5/2011	Yes
162	Oriental White-eye	Zosterops palpebrosa	Lunch stop en-route to Nuwara Eliya	2/5/2011	Yes
163	Dull-blue Flycatcher (Sri Lanka Dusky-blue Flycatcher)	Eumyias sordidus endemic	Hakgala Botanic Gardens	2/5/2011	Yes		Yes
164	Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher	Culicicapa ceylonensis	Hakgala Botanic Gardens	2/5/2011	Yes
165	Great Tit	Parus major	Hakgala Botanic Gardens	2/5/2011	Yes
166	Sri Lanka White-eye	Zosterops ceylonensis endemic	Hakgala Botanic Gardens	2/5/2011			Yes
167	Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon	Columba torringtoni endemic	Horton Plains NP	2/6/2011			Yes
168	Hill Swallow	Hirundo tahitica	Horton Plains NP	2/6/2011
169	Grey Wagtail	Motacilla cinerea	Horton Plains NP	2/6/2011
170	Yellow-eared Bulbul	Pycnonotus pennicilitatus endemic	Horton Plains NP	2/6/2011	Yes	Also seen on Adam's peak	Yes
171	Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush	Myophonus blighi endemic	Horton Plains NP	2/6/2011	Yes	Seen by entrance gate.  Also heard on Adam's peak	Yes
172	Eurasian Blackbird	Turdus merula kinnisii	Horton Plains NP	2/6/2011		Also known as Ceylon  or Indian Blackbird
173	Zitting Cisticola	Cisticola juncidis	Horton Plains NP	2/6/2011
174	Pied Bushchat	Saxicola caprata atrata	Horton Plains NP	2/6/2011	Yes	Male and female
175	Pale-billed Flowerpecker	Dicaeum erythrorhynchos	Horton Plains NP	2/8/2011
176	Common Tailorbird (Ceylon Long-tailed Tailorbird)	Orthotomus sutorius	Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya	2/6/2011
177	Forest Wagtail	Dendronanthus indicus	Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya	2/6/2011	Yes
178	Crimson-fronted Barbet	Megalaima rubricapilla endemic	Royal Botanic Gardens, Kandy	2/7/2011			Yes
179	Black-hooded Oriole	Oriolus xanthornus	Royal Botanic Gardens, Kandy	2/7/2011	Yes
180	Little Grebe	Tachybaptus ruficollis	Kandy Lake	2/8/2011	No
181	Shikra	Accipiter badius	Kandy	2/8/2011	No
182	Asian Palm Swift	Cypsiurus balasiensis	Dambullah Caves	2/9/2011
183	Small Buttonquail	Turnis sylvatica	Siguriya to Polonnarua road	2/11/2011		At dusk
184	Common Iora	Aegithina tiphia	Polonnaruwa	2/11/2011
188	Golden-fronted Leafbird	Chloropsis aurifrons	Sigiriya Village Hotel	2/12/2011
189	Thick-billed Flowerpecker	Dicaeum agile	Sigiriya Village Hotel	2/12/2011
185	Green Sandpiper	Tringa ochropus	Kantale Tank en route to Trincomalee	2/12/2011	Yes
186	Gull-billed Tern	Gelochelidon nilotica	Nilaveli Beach Resort	2/12/2011	Yes
187	Black-rumped Flameback	Dinopium benghalense	Nilaveli Beach Resort	2/12/2011		Red-backed Woodpecker D.b. psarodes feeding on bark and on the ground.  Pair observed for about 5 minutes.
190	Great Frigatebird	Fregata minor	Nilaveli Beach, Trincomalee	2/13/2011	Yes	Immature bird with tail feathers in poor condition
191	Brown-headed Gull	Larus brunnicephalus	Lagoon north of Nilaveli Beach	2/13/2011
192	Lesser Crested Tern	Sterna bengalensis	Lagoon north of Nilaveli Beach	2/13/2011
193	Brown Booby	Sula leucogaster	Nilaveli Beach, Trincomalee	2/14/2011	Yes	Pair flying out to sea, one calling noisily. NK
194	Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill	Ocyceros gingalensis endemic	Anuradhapura	2/16/2011	Yes		Yes
195	Great Cormorant	Phalacrocorax carbo	Kitagula	2/18/2011	Yes
196	Green-billed Coucal	Centropus chlororhynchus endemic	Kitugala	2/19/2011			Yes
197	Sri Lanka Myna	Gracula ptilogenys endemic	Kitugala	2/19/2011			Yes

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