Bird Trip Sri Lanka 22nd of December rd of January 2013

Transcription

1 Bird Trip Sri Lanka 22nd of December rd 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 Nandana. 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 21 st of December we flew Qatar Airways from Brussels via Doha to Colombo, arriving there at hours. The airfare was quite low for Christmas time, only 870 Euros. 22 nd of December We were picked up by Nandana 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, Spotwinged Thrush, Indian Pitta, Sri Lanka Green Pigeon,Orange-billed Babbler. Accommodation : Plantation Hotel (good) 23 rd 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)

2 25 th 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 24 th 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. 26 th 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. 27 th 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) 28 th 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)

3 29 th 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. 30 th of December Successful early morning search for White-naped Woodpecker near Tissamaharama.Longish drive to Nuwara Eliya with an unproductive stop for Brown Wood Owl and Sri 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 ) 31 st 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. 1 st 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. 2 nd 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 to be seen. Accommodation : Nature Walk Resort ( average/good )

4 3 rd 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 thwarted by a tropical downpour. Morning visit to the Temple of the Tooth and afternoon/evening drive to Negombo arriving at Brown Hawk Owl calling and seen at parking lot King Coconut Restaurant Drop-off airport. 4 th of January 4.50 flight to Brussels, arrival at 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

5 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

6 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

7 131 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

8 181 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 lifers