Anand Prasad

It is difficult to know how long to spend at each site (particularly around Nuwara Eliya) so ideally it would be best to have the end of the trip and any extra time at the area with the most potential. I found that this would be the area around Tissamaharama, as there is good wader and tern habitat, which could turn up anything. I had very good luck at Nuwara Eliya and so had extra time but not where I would have liked to be. The problem with leaving the southeast until last is that you will probably end up doing more miles but in retrospect that is what I would do. Of course this depends on your level of interest in waders and seabirds but at Tissa you have the chance of rarities such as Caspian and Oriental Plover, Long-toed and Red-necked Stint and terns etc. There is also a site near Tissa for Malayan Night Heron but I didn’t find out about this until I got back to Colombo because of my use of the name Tiger Bittern, which my driver didn’t understand! I would rather have used the time spent at Uda Walawe and Bodhinagala at the Tissa/Bundala area.

The route I used is basically a loop which can be done either way round, but I preferred to look for the difficult species first and so chose to start with Kitulgala and Nuwara Eliya. I wanted to see a bogey bird for me, Painted Francolin and so added a trip to Bibile which is northeast of Nuwara Eliya and I also hoped to catch up with another bogey bird Streaked Weaver on the way south from Bibile to Yala. When we drove to Bibile the road seemed to be much of around-about route but Baurs assure me this was the most direct route. If you intend to spend the night at Bibile the more direct looking road is probably quicker but Baurs did not know about the hotel at Bibile and thought we would have to spend the night at Monaragala.

The main decision to be made is whether to Baur or not. Baurs are an excellent tour company, which specialises in bird trips.

A. Baur & Co. Ltd

P.O. Box 11

Colombo 1

Tel : 0094-1-3220551-6 / 0094-1-448822

Fax : 0094-1-448493

Baurs have some very experienced guides, Deepal Warakagoda, for example but their drivers are also extremely knowledgeable on all the best bird watching sites, know what birds are seen where and are quite good on calls. Because they are so connected to local birders their information is always up to date. The cost is not very expensive but you may not want to be mothered quite so much. I definitely felt overprotected but my back is very bad and so I really had no choice and there is no doubt that if you want to see the endemics as quickly as possible a driver of Baurs is a must. I shall try to give as much detail as possible for the independent traveller. But by independent I mean someone who has hired an ordinary taxi. Local transport would be very time consuming and difficult at areas like Nuwara Eliya and Tissa/Bundala, where birding involves trips to at least two outlying sites. The roads except in Colombo and on weekends are not very busy so car hire is a possibility but would be of no real benefit. The fuel quality or perhaps the fact that all the vehicles are old reconditioned cars means the car pollution is even worse than India.

I met some German birders who told me that they had booked a taxi at the airport for 38,000rps for unlimited travel for 3 weeks which was much less than what I paid. They had to return from Sinharaja to Nuwara Eliya after talking to us about the best places to see some birds they had dipped on, so I hope to be able to bridge this information gap with these notes.

Baurs charge $0.35 per mile (although all the cars and roads are in kilometres), and $12 per day for the driver, so you don’t need to buy his food or accommodation. The total cost of car plus driver for 15 days was $487. I drove 876 miles. Steve Webb in his trip report says he drove only 600 miles but I cannot see how this is possible. My vehicle was a large mini bus, which could seat 8 or more. The seats were very comfortable, important if your back is bad. Abhideera drove very carefully and smoothly, which was very much appreciated.

Many trip reports recommend Sunil de Alwis as a driver but he was booked and Baurs assured me Abhideera was as knowledgeable and he certainly proved an excellent diver/guide. He was very tuned into my individual needs, as I have done a lot of birding in Goa and the western ghats of India. He understands birders very well and never became impatient if I was hell bent on a particular bird. He was however not very keen to spend the night at anywhere he did not know. This is a result of the ongoing problems there, which are few and far between in the south but always on the local’s minds.

The situation at Martin’s needs explaining. The Park Offices are 4.5km from the park Entrance (and Martin’s). The road from the main road junction to the Park Offices is a dead end paved road. The taxi can easily drive to the Park Offices but cannot make it the last stretch to Martin’s unless you have a jeep, so the driver will probably prefer to leave the car back at the main road junction, where he will arrange a safe place for it. If you arrange all this with Baurs they can book a jeep to meet you at the turn off from the main road where your driver can leave his car. You then drive by jeep the paved road to the Park Offices to buy your tickets for however many days you want to stay and then continue on the rough track to Martin’s. Baurs can also telegraph Martin, so that you have a room but now that he has more rooms this is not as essential as it used to be. At Baurs suggestion I hired the jeep for this short trip but the jeep has to come quite a way from the nearest town so it is expensive 3500rps for each trip. You can walk to Martin’s easily. It is only 4.5 km by the jeep road and 3 km by the nature trail, which starts about 100 metres from the Park offices just past the bridge and near a little hut/shop on the left. (The owner of this shop, has a Slaty-legged Crake, coming to feed off his breakfast remains, at his house, every morning, his name is Gunaratna). The nature trail takes you right to the Park entrance at the top of the hill where a guard will want to see your ticket, he can show you the way to Martin’s but it is easy to find and very close to the Park entrance. You just continue on the track outside the park which heads down around the hill. Where the road forks take a right continuing downhill and then look for a short entranceway to his house on the left hand side. If you have a guide the shortcuts make the nature trail 2.5 Km. So you can see this is not really worth 7000rps, but remember if you are keeping your driver, you will have to make some arrangement for him. If he is fine walking in he will probably enjoy the stay at Martin’s. If you decide to walk in you will have to arrange with the driver where he can park the car, I am not sure they would want to leave it at the Park Offices for two or three days. If he insists on leaving it at the junction you will have to make it somehow by bus or hitchhiking to the Park Offices. It might be easier to have the driver sleep outside the Park area completely, that way he can drop you off at the Park Offices, drive back to his hotel and then come and pick you up at an arranged time.

The best site for Sri Lanka Spurfowl and Slaty-legged Crake is actually before the Park Office so it is possible to drive there by taxi. We stopped off on the way in and out with the jeep in the early morning. If you have seen the spurfowl you won’t need a guide in the Park (see site details for directions). You are anyway obliged to hire a forest guide who you will arrange to meet when you buy your tickets. You will be paying for your driver for the time you stay at Sinharaja. This is not as bad as it seems as you would anyway have to pay for the cost of the trip back to Colombo and as you have to get back there somehow you may not save any money if you finish with your taxi here. You could however get a bus back to Colombo if this is the end of your birding trip.

I came from India and nearly made the mistake of bringing all my money in Indian Rupees. Not a good idea! The Indian rupee is not valid anywhere in Sri Lanka.

Money can now be changed at ATM machines in Colombo and Nuwara Eliya. I didn’t visit Kandy but there are probably machines there too.

The Sri Lankan rupee is worth a lot less than the Indian rupee (almost half). When I visited the exchange rate was about 130 to the £ and 92 to the $.

Martin’s at Sinharaja was much better than I expected. He has added some more rooms. I had my own room, there is a beautiful veranda to eat meals on and there is now no need to bring your own food. He has no fixed price but we brought are own food and paid 500 per day for the room and 150per day for the cooking.

Food in general was not expensive and I paid about 300 rps per day for food and 100-200 for water and snacks. At Martin’s there is a source of water from a spring but I didn’t use this not knowing the hygienic condition of the system. I took in a case of water with the jeep and then took out the empties afterwards. You need to drink a lot of water in Sri Lanka as it is very humid and you sweat as lot.

The trip report of Brian Gee, which has been very useful in southwest India and the Andaman’s is a bit outdated in Sri Lanka. It would still be useful to have for background information to the major sites. Most of their sites for the difficult to find endemics around Nuwara Eliya are no longer any good. I didn’t visit Hakgala Gardens, which used to be good for Sri Lanka Bush Warbler and one of their sites for Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush, has been damaged by the bright lights of a Hindu temple. The Horton Plains are now excellent for both these species. Baurs drivers make trip reports unnecessary but if you want to know all the possibilities get hold of the OBC Bulletin special supplement on Sri Lanka from

Here are some URLS but they may not all be now accessible.

A site guide should be coming out soon, Pica Traveller Sri Lanka by Wijeyeratne.

The Baurs drivers will probably have all the tapes you need but if you tell them specifically what you want they can probably get it for you. They bought the two tapes The Bird Sounds of Sri Lanka - An Identification Guide by Deepal Warakagoda from the Ceylon Bird Club for me. The third tape should be out soon. Only the first tape was available in the UK in 2001. The tape by Steve Smith is useful and available from Wildsounds at

The tape by Steve Whitehouse may have a useful song or two (S. L. Whistling Thrush if I remember correctly) and is available from FBRIS at

The tape of Painted Francolin is on the tapes on Indian Birds by Erach Barucha and available from BNHS at

This however may make take some time to get hold of and the Francolin is anyway very vocal. I managed to make my own recording and Abhideera probably still has a copy.

Be very careful if you walk around at night. A local hunting trick is called a shotgun trap. These may be set after you have passed earlier and you may walk into it on your return. This tap is sprung with a trip wire, which detonates a shotgun devise, used to kill boar and such. Whist studying Peregrines near Badulla one of the local guides for T. Hoffmann had his knees badly damaged with one of these devices.

It is hot at this time of year and very humid in the wet zone. An umbrella is a good idea as it‘s too humid for a breathable raincoat. There was a night with rain and a couple of hours of rain during the day towards the end of my stay.

19^th January Arrive Colombo early morning. Met by Abhideera and after having to go back into Colombo city to get some cash from the nearest ATM, we headed for Kitulgala.

20^th January. Day at Kitulgala

21^st January Drove to Nuwara Eliya and spent the afternoon in Victoria Park.

22^nd January. Horton Plains and the evening in Victoria Park.

23^rd January. Drove to Bibile first stopping at Surrey Tea Estates for a couple of hours. Spent the afternoon at Bibile. Didn’t see the Painted Francolin

24^th January. Morning at Bibile. Drove south through good non-intensive agriculture and stopped at some ponds. Drove through Yala National Park to Tissamaharama.

25^th January. Morning around Tissa tanks and then drove to Bundala (Hambantota Lewayas)

26^th January Bundala (Hambantota Lewayas) and in the evening drove through Yala National Park, hoping for Chestnut-winged Cuckoo.

27^th January. Drove to Kalametiya early to get there at dawn. Dipped on Rusty-rumped Warbler. Looked for accommodation, tried again for Rusty-rumped Warbler in the evening but dipped again.

28^th January. Kalametiya again in morning, no luck. Drove to Uda Walawe (Udawattakelle) and spent the night at a nearby hotel.

29^th January. Drove early to meet the jeep to take us in to Sinharaja. The idea is to get the jeep to go the site for Sri Lanka Spurfowl which is before the park offices and therefore a long walk from Martin’s.

30^th January. Sinharaja.

31^st January Explored the outside of the Park. Could have moved on but it’s a beautiful place to relax.

1^st February. The jeep came to pick us up early so we could look for the Slaty-legged Crake near the Park offices. Drove to Ingiriya. Birded in Bodhinagala but rain and workman at the site stopped play.

2^nd February. Drove early to get to Bellanwila/Attidiya marshes, south of Colombo for dawn. Settled up all our accounts and spent the afternoon birding around the hotel. Flew next day back to India

Forest Wagtail was feeding behind the lodge. There is a river just below the two lodges, which you need to cross. This may present problems if you want to make a very early start but I am told there is a long way around by bridge. We met a local on the path about 100 meters after the ferry landing, who alerted us to a Green-billed Coucal feeding very close by and we had instant incredible views of one of the more difficult endemics. I immediately regretted not bringing my camera. Abhideera told me he new of a nest nearby but I was glad we didn’t have to run the risk of disturbing them.

About 100 meters after the ferry landing the path comes to a junction, this is where the Green-billed Coucal was seen. The way into the forest is to turn right and after about 500 meters of village cultivation you come to some good forest (Brown-capped Babbler). Along this path there is a path on the right, which runs level, take the left upwards path, at the next fork there is another level path to the right, take the left path. Continue straight ignoring the side-path to the left and cross a small stream. The open area to the left is worth exploring. Continue straight and cross another stream. Here there are two good tracks. The one on the left lead to good habitat for Sri Lanka Spurfowl but we didn’t see or hear any. This is also from what I can gather the way to the site for the newly discovered owl. The path to the right leads to some paddy fields. Cross the small stream and straight ahead behind the fields is the forest edge, where Chestnut-backed Owlet, was seen and heard. This is also a good area for Black-throated Munia (or Hill Munia).

Best birds

Black Bittern, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Layard’s Parakeet, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Green-billed Coucal, Chestnut-backed Owlet, Malabar Trogon, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Rufous Woodpecker, Lesser Yellownape, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Crimson-fronted Barbet ssp. rubricapilla (Ceylon Small Barbet) (calling), Greater Racket-tailed Drongo ssp. lophorinus, Southern Hill Myna, Blue- winged (Jerdon’s) Leafbird, Yellow-browed Bulbul, Black-crested Bulbul ssp. melanicterus (Black-capped Bulbul), Orange-billed Babbler (common), Brown-capped Babbler(1 on first day and 3 on the second), Indian Scimitar Babbler, Brown-breasted Flycatcher, Asian Brown Flycatcher, White-rumped Shama (calling), Spot-winged Thrush, Legge’s Flowerpecker, Forest Wagtail, Hill Munia.

Horton Plains.

The most well known site for Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush is the "Arrenga pond", which I think was discovered by Ben King. It is about 1¼ hrs drive from Nuwara Eliya, so if you leave at 5am you have plenty of time. There are plans to close the entrance gate at night until 6am but this would still be OK if you are not held up at the gate. The pond is on the right just before a large sign, reading, "Have you seen the leopard yet" on the right. (I have in my note 23½ signpost). Using a tape I saw a few glimpses of a male and happened to be in the wrong place when it landed close to the road for a second or two. Apparently these are the kind of views, which are normal. Half light is apparently the only time you see them.

If you continue toward the park headquarters there is a sign on the left reading Pattipola 11.2, Dayagama 12.8. This sign is about 300 m before the park headquarters. Between the sign and the H. Q. is a small wood where I saw Dull Blue Flycatcher. Opposite the sign (on the right) is a track which heads down the valley. Here is good for Dull Blue Flycatcher. About 200m down the track you come to some stunted woodland with some bamboo grass, about 20m past the beginning of the trees look on the right for Sri Lanka Bush Warbler. I didn’t see it here but about 10m further on a female Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush popped right in front of me to give superb views. It must have been feeding right by my feet or perhaps even nesting there. Later Abhideera told me that further down the track there is another site for SLWT, beside a stream, which is a favourite of Deepal Warakagoda but I didn’t know anything about it, so it was quite a surprise to me and the bird.

On the road back to the park entrance there is a path on the right beside a sign reading 5km Tolupola Peak. Coming from the northeast this sign is on the left. A short way down here is good for Sri Lanka Bush Warbler.

Other birds,

Eurasian Blackbird ssp. kinnisii, Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon (several heard calling), Yellow-eyed Bulbul, Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Pacific Swallow ssp domicola (Hill Swallow), Sri Lanka White-eye. Also Purple-faced Langur.

An excellent site for Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon. Two were found very quickly on the trees on the right as you drive down the hill to the house. Also in the wood behind the house two Brown wood Owl and in the trees below the factory building, a nesting pair of Changeable Hawk Eagles. Also Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike and Pacific Swallow.

At Bibile if you have come from Monaragala turn right at the crossroads in the centre of the village. The area for Painted Francolin is 17km north of Bibile on this road. (In my notes I have "18 miles Katawanu", which probably refers to a road marker with this inscription?) There are some large boulders on a small hill on the left. I saw and heard Painted Francolin on the right side of the road. In the long grass they are very difficult to see and I had poor views after one evening and one morning but some people have superb views.

Other birds,

Sri Lanka Spurfowl (heard), Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Brown Fish Owl in flight, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Black-rumped Flameback, Black-headed Cuckooshrike, Indian Pitta, Black-crested Bulbul and Brown-capped Babbler (heard by Abhideera), Forest Wagtail.

This is a pond on the road from Bibile to Yala National Park. It is just north of the northern boundary of the part of the park called Rahuno National Park. Here were several pairs of nesting Streaked Weaver, also Malabar Pied Hornbill, Pied Cuckoo and my first Red-rumped Swallow ssp hyperythra.

This part of the park is on the road heading north-south from Tissa to Buttala (the road to Bibile). It is quiet and birdable except at weekends when the whole country goes on a mad bank-holiday type pilgrimage.

Best birds

Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Grey-bellied Cuckoo, Pied Cuckoo, Blue-faced Malkoha, Sirkeer Malkoha, Brown Wood Owl, Crimson-fronted Barbet ssp rubricapilla, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Indian Pitta, Jerdon’s Bushlark, Red-rumped Swallow ssp hyperythra, White-browed Bulbul, 3 Brown-capped Babblers, White-rumped Shama (heard), Forest Wagtail, Loten’s Sunbird.

There are many ponds around Tissa. The best was off the road from Tissa towards Bundala. Turn right opposite the Sakura guesthouse (which is on the left). This turn off is before the junction where you turn left for Bundala and straight ahead for Walava.

Best Birds

Spot-billed Pelican, Indian Cormorant, Darter, Yellow Bittern (common), Black Bittern (common), White-bellied Sea Eagle, White-winged Tern, Whiskered Tern, Stork-billed Kingfisher. There is a nest site for White-naped Woodpecker near Tissa ponds, which the Baurs drivers know about.

Bundala (or more correctly Hambantota Lewayas).

Lewayas according to Abhideera, literally means saltpan. It was very dry when I visited and although I didn’t enter the park proper the only water was at the last pond on the right, which looks like it has an opening to the sea. This is not a saltpan but it is marked as Hambantota Lewayas on the OBC supplement. This place has great potential. The road after the last pond continues in a loop back to Tissa and there is another wader area near the approach road to Yala Nat. Park proper.

Best birds

Spot-billed Pelican, Pallid Harrier, Peregrine ssp calidus taking a Curlew Sandpiper, 15 Great Thick-knee, 1 Lesser Sand Plover in breeding plumage, Curlew Sandpiper (common), Sanderling, 1 Broad-billed Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, 165 Black-tailed Godwits, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, 23 Red-necked Phalarope, 15 White-winged Tern, Little Tern, Gull-billed Tern, 1 Saunders Tern in breeding plumage, Greater Crested Tern, Lesser Crested Tern, Caspian Tern, Common Tern, Brown-backed Needletail, 1 Blyth’s Pipit.

If you are coming from the east turn left about ½km after a town called Hungama. There is a sign for Kalametiya. The small ponds are about ½km down this road. If you come from the west look out for a small sign (probably after the town Tangalle) for the tourist resort 1000aqua, if you turn right here it will take you around the back roads to the beach and lagoons south of Kalametiya. If you are continuing straight on the main road look for right turn before Hungama.

Spot-billed Pelican, Yellow Bittern (common), Black Bittern (common), Cinnamon Bittern, Watercock (seen once in the morning and evening), a possible Water Rail, about 200 Black-tailed Godwit, Whiskered Tern, Stork-billed Kingfisher, large numbers of Barn Swallows, About 100 Streaked Weaver. No Rusty-rumped Warbler.

The lagoons south of Kalametiya.

Red-necked Phalarope, Whimbrel, Ruddy Turnstone, Spotted Redshank, Marsh Sandpiper (common), Lesser Sand Plover, Curlew Sandpiper (common), Brown-headed Gulls, White-browed Bulbul.

Curlew, Ruddy Turnstone, Curlew Sandpiper, Brown-headed Gull. 40 Greater Crested Tern, Lesser Crested Tern, Common Tern, Little Tern, Gull-billed Tern, 1 Alpine Swift hawking over the shore, large numbers of Barn Swallows, and many unidentified large terns.

Drove around the outside of the park.

Not very productive but I was hoping for a. Jerdon’s Baza. Saw Jerdon’s Bushlark, (Jerdon’s) Blue-winged Leafbird, Gull-billed Tern, thousands of Barn Swallows, Blue-faced Malkoha and White-browed Bulbul. Apparently Blue-eared Kingfisher can be found inside the park.

Some of the site details are closely connected to the transport arrangements, so see that section for further details.

The spurfowl can be heard at many places around the park (e.g. below Martin’s) but it is difficult to see. This site is good because the birds have a habit of roosting up on a hill and coming down lower in the morning, so if you get there early (7 am is fine) you will see them crossing the track. As explained earlier the road to the park offices is a paved dead end road. The track to the spurfowl site starts from about ½ way along this road, beside a yellow house amongst a group of 4 houses on the left. This track is the old road to the Park offices. The track very quickly turns to the left and then heads downhill. After a short distance the track does a U turn bend down the hill. When I was there, there was a large tree fallen across the track here. The path then turns about 90 degrees to the left and runs straight for about 50 metres and then bends a little to the right. This is the area and this bend is a good position with a good field of view. The spurfowl call in the early morning and will later cross the path heading downhill. You need to get into a strategic position so that they do not see you and will cross the path undisturbed. Further down the track there is a more open area on the right. If you reach this you have gone slightly too far but you are in the right area.

Also saw a Stripe-necked Mongoose here.

The forest guards who are anyway obligatory can give you info on whether this bird is still feeding at the dish washing area of Gunaratna. Gunaratna runs the small shop at the start of the nature trail, just after the bridge on the left when you leave the park offices, heading up to Martin’s. The crake feeds on rice, which is thrown away with the dishwater. Look under the tea bushes for it’s approach and for other birds.

Also saw Indian Blue Robin, Indian Pitta, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Chestnut-backed Owlet (heard) and saw many Sri Lanka Hanging Parrots.

I doubt if you need to spend more than two days here. The best birds can be found in the short distance (about 3 km between the Park entrance and the research centre. The hills can be explored but not with a bad back and the people I spoke to, didn’t see much on these side trails. When I tried to walk past the research centre on the main track my forest guard didn’t even follow and since it sounded quiet ahead I took the hint and turned back. Later looking at trip reports I saw that this area is good. Just before the research centre there is a path to the right, which enters a wet area with some side streams. This area is the best place for Scaly Thrush ssp. imbricata.

If it rains there are plenty of leeches. I explored the path by the open area to the right of the park entrance and watch 2 leeches dancing some intimate ritual together. Checking the ground around me I could see no leeches but when I stopped a few meters further on I was covered in them.

Best birds

Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Slaty-legged Crake, Layard’s Parakeet, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Chestnut-winged Cuckoo, Red-faced Malkoha, Chestnut-backed Owlet (heard), Brown-backed Needletail, Malabar Trogon, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Greater Flameback, Lesser Yellownape, Indian Pitta, White-faced Starling, Sri Lanka Myna, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Black-crested Bulbul, Yellow-browed Bulbul, Orange-billed Babbler, Brown-capped Babbler, Indian Scimitar Babbler, Ashy-headed Laughingthrush, Brown-breasted Flycatcher, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Large-billed Leaf Warbler, Spot-winged Thrush, Scaly Thrush ssp. imbricata, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch.

Another site for Green-billed Coucal. Workmen on the road and then later, rain, made this a short visit.

Saw Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Malabar Trogon, Crimson-fronted Barbet (heard).

Lesser Adjutant, Black-crowned Night Heron, Black Bittern, Whiskered Tern and Rusty-rumped Warbler. Also a huge Water Monitor.

Typical wetland species.

Forest Wagtail, Black-rumped Flameback, Stork-billed Kingfisher. Also a chameleon changing colours.

Kit = Kitulgala

NE = Nuwara Eliya

VP = Victoria Park

HP = Horton Plains

ST = Surrey Tea Estate

Bib = Bibile

Go = Gonaganara

Yal = Yala National Park including Rahuno

Tis = Tissamaharama

Bu = Bundala area including Hambantota Lewayas

Kal= Kalametiya area

Ud = Uda Walawe area

Sin = Sinharaja

Bo = Bodhinagala

Atti = Attidiya/Bellanwila

Co = Colombo around hotel Sirisevana

(#) = Number of birds per sighting, when recorded.

- = Seen between the given sites.

Names follow An Annotated Checklist of the Birds of the Oriental Region by Inskipp, Lindsey & Duckworth (1996) except for some more recent changes and corrections, as in P. 9 of "A Field Guide to the Birds of the Indian Subcontinent" by Krys Kazmierczak and Ber van Perlo. The subspecies names are from Harrison (except for the most obvious differences from Grimmskipp).

I didn’t aim for any of the nightjar or frogmouth species. There is a roost site for Collared Scops at Ingiriya near the Citizens Rest (some reports say Citizens Rest Ratnapura, ?). The Yala/Bundala area is good for nightjars. I saw 238 species and it only took 6 or 7 days to see all the endemics.

Painted Francolin Francolinus pictus
Bib (23^rd Jan. heard; 24^th Jan. one seen).

Sri Lanka Spurfowl Galloperdix bicalcarata ^E
Bib (heard on 24^th Jan.), Sin (pair seen on 29^th Jan., see site details). Many more heard at Sinharaja, particularly just below Martin’s house.

Sri Lanka Junglefowl Gallus lafayetii ^E
Kit (2, more calling), HP (3+, 1, 1), Yal (5), Bu, Sin (1, 1, 2, many heard).

Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus
Go (1), Yal-Tis (1), Bu (2 pairs), Kal (1), Ud (1).

Lesser Whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica
Go (6), Tis.

Cotton Pygmy Goose Nettapus coromandelianus
Tis.

Northern Pintail Anas acuta
Bu (common), Kal (small numbers).

Garganey Anas querquedula
Go, Kal.

Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata
Bu.

Rufous Woodpecker Celeus brachyurus
Kit (1), Yal (1).

Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorolophus wellsi
Kit (3 singles on 20^th Jan.), Sin (1 on 29^th Jan., 2 singles on 30^th Jan.).

Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense psarodes
Kit (2), Bib (1, 1), Yal (1), Co (1).

Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus stricklandi
Sin (one on 30^th Jan.).

[White-naped Woodpecker Chrysocolaptes festivus
This species can be seen nesting in a palm near Tissa ponds. The Baurs drivers know the site.]

Brown-headed Barbet Megalaima zeylanica zeylanica
Kit (1, 1, many heard), ST (3+), Bib (1, 1), Yal (3 pairs, 2 singles), Sin (heard often), Bo.

Yellow-fronted Barbet Megalaima flavifrons ^E
Kit (1, 1), Bib (Abi heard), Yal, Sin (7 singles and heard often).

Crimson-fronted (Ceylon Small) Barbet Megalaima rubricapilla rubricapilla ^E
Kit (a possible at on 19^th Jan., heard on 20^th Jan.), Yal (2 seen and many heard on 24^th Jan., heard on 26^th Jan.), Bo (heard).

Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala
Kit (several), Bib (several), Bib (several), Yal (several), Ud (several).

Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill Ocyceros gingalensis ^E
Kit (1, 1, 1, 1, many calling), Yal (2+), Sin (a few heard), Bo (2, 1).

Malabar Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros coronatus
Go (2+ on 24^th Jan.), Yal (2 on 24^th Jan., 1 on 26^th Jan.).

Common Hoopoe Upupa epops ceylonensis
Tis-Bu (1), Bu (1).

Malabar Trogon Harpactes fasciatus fasciatus
Kit (1 on 19^th Jan.), Sin (1, 1, 3+, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 2), Bo (1 female on 1^st Feb.).

Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis
Common in dry zone. Tis, Tis-Bu (4+), Bu, Ud.

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis taprobana
Kit (2), Kal (1), Itt (1).

Stork-billed Kingfisher Halcyon capensis
Tis (2 on 25^th Jan.), Kal (1 on 27^th Jan.), Co (1 on wetland behind hotel on 2nd Feb.).

White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis fusca
Common everywhere, Kit, Tis, Ud, Co.

Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis
Tiss (1), Bu-Yal (2), Co (1).

Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis
Bib (1+), Yal (4+ singles and a pair) Yal-Tis (1+), Tis (1+), Tis-Bu (4), Bu (2), Kal (1+), Ud (8+), Co (1+).

Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus
Kit-NE (2, 2), HP (2), Go (2), Yal-Tis (2), Tis, Tis-Bu (5+), Bu (2, 1), Kal, Ud (4), Sin (1, 1, 2+), Itt, Co (5).

Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti leschenaulti
Kit-NE (1), ST-Bib (1).

Pied Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus jacobinus
Go (2), Yal-Tis (1).

Chestnut-winged Cuckoo Clamator coromandus
Yal (1 possible flying on 26^th Jan.), Sin (1 on 30^th Jan.).

Common Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx varius
HP (heard), ST (1).

Grey-bellied Cuckoo Cacomantis passerinus
Yal (3 singles), Yal-Tis (1), Tis-Bu (2 singles).

Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea
Kit, Itt, Co.

Blue-faced Malkoha Phaenicophaeus viridirostris
Yal (1 on 26^th Jan.), Ud (1 on 28^th Jan.).

Sirkeer Malkoha Phaenicophaeus leschenaultii leschenaultii
Yal (1 on 24^th Jan.).

Red-faced Malkoha Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus ^E
Sin (1 on 29^th Jan., 1 on 30^th Jan., 2 and 1 on 31^st Jan. outside the park proper).

Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis parroti
Kit, Kal, Sin, Co.

Green-billed Coucal Centropus chlororhynchos ^E
Kit (1 on19^th Jan.).

Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot Loriculus beryllinus ^E
Kit, Bib, Sin (1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1, very common over the tea plantations in the morning).

Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria eupatria
Yala (1, 1, 1 on 26^th Jan.), Ud (1,1 on 28^th Jan.).

Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri manillensis
ST (flock of 5), Yal (4 flocks).

Plum-headed Parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala
Yal (3 on 24^th Jan., 6 on 26^th Jan.), Ud.

Layard’s Parakeet Psittacula calthropae ^E
Kit (1, 2, 3 1), Sin (1, 1, 2, 2, 4, 4, 2).

Indian Swiflet Collocalia brevirostris
Flocks. Kit, Kit, Kit, Kit-NE, ST, Sin.

Brown-backed Needletail Hirundapus giganteus indicus
Bu (5 on 26^th Jan.), Sin (1 on 30^th Jan.).

Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis balasiensis
Tis, Kal, Ud.

Alpine Swift Apus melba bakeri
Kal (one bird over the shore, south of the marsh on 28^th Jan.).

Little Swift Apus affinis singalensis
Ud (common).

Crested Treeswift Hemiprocne coronata
Kit, ST-Bib (5+), Bib, Go-Yal (many), Yal (a few flocks), Ud, Sin (2, 2, 2, 2).

Brown Fish Owl Ketupa zeylonensis zeylonensis
Bib (1 on 24^th Jan.).

Brown Wood Owl Strix leptogrammica ochrogenys
ST (2 on 23^rd Jan.), Yal (1 flying on 24^th Jan.).

Chestnut-backed Owlet Glaucidium castanonotum ^E
Kit (1on 19^th Jan., heard twice on 20^th Jan.), Sin (heard at crake site on 1^st Feb.).

Rock Pigeon Columba livia intermedia
VP, Yal, Kal, Ud.

Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon Columba torringtonii ^E
HP (c.4 heard on 22^nd Jan.), ST (2 on 23^rd Jan.).

Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis ceylonensis
Kit (common), VP, ST (common), Go-Yal (common), Tis, Tis-Bu, Bu, Yal (mating on 26^th Jan.), Ud, Sin.

Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica robinsoni
Kit (5 singles one pair), HP, Bo.

Orange-breasted Green Pigeon Treron bicincta leggei
Yala (3, 1 on 26^th Jan.).

Pompadour Green Pigeon Treron pompadora pompadora
Yal (1, 1, 2, 2+, l), Sin (one possible on 1^st Feb.).

Yellow-footed Green Pigeon Treron phoenicoptera
Bib (5 on 23^rd Jan., and a small flock on 24^th Jan.).

Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea pusilla
Kit (11 birds mostly in ones or twos), Bib (1+), Yal (1, 2), Ud, Sin (1, 4, 3, 1, 1, 2, 2, 5, 1, 1, 3, common and very vocal)

Slaty-legged Crake Rallina eurizonoides
Sin (1 on 1^st Feb.), see site details.

[Water Rail Rallus aquaticus
Kal (poor view of what may have been this species on 28^th Jan.).]

White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus
Kit, Kit, NE, ST, Bib-Yal, Yal, Tis, Sin, Co.

Watercock Gallicrex cinerea
Kal (1 in morning and one in evening of 27^th Jan.).

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio poliocephalus
Tis, Kal, Itt, Co.

Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Tis.

Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura
Kal (several).

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa
Tis (8), Bu (165 on 25^th Jan., 7 on 26^th Jan.), Kal (200+ on 27^th Jan.).

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica
Kal (one on 27^th Jan.).

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Kal (1 on 27^th Jan. on the lagoons south of Kalametiya).

Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata
Kal (1 on shore 28^th Jan.).

Common Redshank Tringa totanus
Tis, Kal, Kal (common on lagoons south of Kalametiya).

Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis
Bu (common), Kal (common on lagoons south of Kalametiya), Itt.

Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia
Kal.

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
Kal (2+)

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
Ud.

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus
Bu (1 on 26^th Jan.).

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
Kit, Bu, Kal (marsh and beach), Ud, Itt.

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Bu (3 on 25^th Jan.), Kal (15 on 27^th Jan. in the lagoons south of Kalametiya, 5 on beach area 28^th Jan.).

Sanderling Calidris alba
Bu (4 on 25^th Jan.).

Little Stint Calidris minuta
Bu (hundreds).

[Dunlin Calidris alpina
Bu (4 probables on 25^th Jan., but not seen flying).]

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea
Bu (common), Kal (common on lagoons south of Kalametiya).

Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus
Bu (1 on 26^th Jan.).

Ruff Philomachus pugnax
Bu (1 on 26^th Jan.).

Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus
Go, Tis, Kal, Itt.

Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus
Bu (23 on 26^th Jan.), Kal (2 on 27^th Jan. on lagoons south of Kalametiya).

Great Thick-knee Esacus recurvirostris
Bu (3 on 25^th Jan., 15 on 26^th Jan.).

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus
Tis, Kal, Itt, Co.

Small Pratincole Glareola lactea
Bu (3 on 25^th Jan.).

Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva
Bu, Kal (15).

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola
Bu (few), Kal (1 on 27^th Jan. on lagoons south of Kalametiya).

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus seebohmi
Bu.

Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus
Bu (common, one in breeding plumage), Kal (11 on beach).

Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii
Bu.

Yellow-wattled Lapwing Vanellus malarbaricus
Bu (2+).

Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus lankae
Bib-Go, Go, Tis, Kal, Itt, Co.

Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus
Kal beach area (3, 1, 1).

Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica
Tis, Bu, Bu (2), Kal (1, 1, 1), Ud (3).

Caspian Tern Sterna caspia
Bu (1 on 25^th Jan., 2 on 26^th Jan.).

Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis
Bu (1, 2 probables on 25^th Jan.), Kal (2, 1 on 28^th Jan. at beach area).

Great Crested Tern Sterna bergii velox
Bu (2+ on 25^th Jan.), Kal (40+ at beach area on 28^th Jan.).

Common Tern Sterna hirundo
Bu (2+, 7+, on 25^th Jan., 3 on 26^th Jan.), Kal (12 at beach area on 28^th Jan.). Roseate Tern, which has been seen this spring, cannot be ruled out for all these sightings.

Little Tern Sterna albifrons
Bu (common, 56 on 26^th Jan.), Kal (22 at beach area on 28^th Jan.).

Saunder’s Tern Sterna saundersi
Bu (one in breeding plumage on 26^th Jan.).

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus
Go (2), Tis, Kal (1, 1), Itt, Co.

White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus
Tis (1), Bu (15 on 25^th Jan., 6 on 26^th Jan).

Oriental Honey-buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus
ST-Bib (2), Yal.

Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus
Kit-NE, Bu-Yal, Ud (1, 2, 1).

Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus
Kit, Kal (2), Ud, (1, 2), Bo (1), Co (1).

White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster
Tis, Bu (a few sighrings), Ud.

Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela spilogaster
Kit, Kit, Bib-Go, Sin (one on 29^th Jan. and one on 31^st Jan.).

Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus
Bu (one female flying and perched beside Hambantota Lewayas on 26^th Jan.).

Shikra Accipiter badius badius
Kal (1).

Besra Accipiter virgatus besra
Yala (1 probable on 24^th Jan.), Sin (one seen calling on 31^st Jan.).

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo japonicus
HP (1 or 2 on 22^nd Jan.).

Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis
Kit (1 on 21^st Jan.), ST-Bib (1 on 23^rd Jan.), Sin (one on 31^st Jan.).

Changeable Hawk Eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus limnaetus
ST (pair nesting), Yal (1 on 24^th Jan., 1 on 26^th Jan.), Tis (1 on 25^th Jan.).

Mountain Hawk Eagle Spizaetus nipalensis kelaarti
Kit (1 on 20^th Jan.).

Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus objurgatus
Ud (1, 1, 1).

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus calidus
Bu (seen taking a Curlew Sandpiper and plucking it nearby on 26^th Jan.).

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
Bu (probably under-recorded).

Darter Anhinga melanogaster
Tis (1).

Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger
Kit, Kit, Tis, Kal, Itt, Co.

Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis
Tis.

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
Tis, Ud (c.20 of what was probably this species).

Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Kit, Kal, Itt, Co.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Tis, Bu.

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
Tis (2) Kal (1, 1, 1), Itt (2), Co.

Great Egret Casmerodius albus
Go (5), Tis (c.50), Kal (1, 1, 1, 1), Ud (1), Co.

Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia
Tis (c.50), Kal, Itt, Co.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Common in transit. Sin.

Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii
Common in transit. Kit, Sin, Co.

Little Heron Butorides striatus
Tis.

Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Att (4 on 2^nd Feb.).

Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis
Tis (6+ on 25th Jan.), Kal (c.5 on 27^th Jan. and a few on 28^th Jan.).

Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus
Kal (1 on 27^th Jan.).

Black Bittern Dupetor flavicollis
Kit (1 on 19^th and again on 20^th Jan.), Tis (8+ on 25^th Jan.), Kal (1+ on 27^th Jan., c. 3 on 28^th Jan.), Itt (1 on 2^nd Feb.).

Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephala
Tis (4), Bu (3, 3), Kal (4, 4+), Itt.

Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia
Tis (30), Bu (1).

Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis
Tis (6, 7), Bu (1), Kal (2).

Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala
Tis (35), Bu (1, 3), Kal (3), Itt.

Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans
Bib-Go, Tis (5), Bu (3), Kal (3), Itt, Co.

Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus
Go, Tis-Bu, Kal (2).

Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus
Att (4 on 2^nd Feb.).

Indian Pitta Pitta brachyura
Bib (heard on 23^rd Jan.), Yala (seen 1 and heard 1 on 24^th Jan., heard on 26^th Jan.), Sin (2+ calling below Martin’s on 31^st Jan., one seen at crake site on 1^st Feb.). See site details.

Blue-winged Leafbird Chloropsis cochinchinensis jerdoni
Kit (1 on 20^th Jan.), Ud (1, 1 on 28^th Jan.).

Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons insularis
Yal.

Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus
ssp. lucionensis: Not rare as stated in Harrison. Kit-NE (2), HP (4), Bu
ssp. cristatus: Kit-NE, VP, HP, NE-ST, Bib, Go-Yal, Yal (5 singles, one pair), Ud, Sin, Sin-Bo, Att.
ssp. unspecified: VP, ST-Bib (6 singles).

Sri Lanka Blue Magpie Urocissa ornata ^E
Sin (heard at spurfowl site but daren’t take my eyes from the path, a pair were nesting near the research station and came to feed on the food scraps behind the kitchen. 1, 1, on 29^th Jan., 4, and 2, on 30^th Jan.).

House Crow Corvus splendens
In transit near towns (once even being fed by locals).

Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos culminatus
Kit (1, 2 1, 1, 5), VP (many), HP (6+), ST (many), Ud, Co.

Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus ceylonensis
Kit (1, 1, 1, 1), Go-Yal, Yal (1, 1, 1, 1,), Ud (1, 1, 1).

Black-headed Cuckooshrike Coracina melaschistos
Bib (1 on 23^rd Jan.).

Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus cinnamomeus
Bib (5, 1), Yal, Ud.

Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus flammeus
Kit (4 flocks), HP (heard?), Yal, Sin (1, 1, and 3 small flocks).

Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus leggei
Kit (2, 1), HP (2+), ST (2).

White-browed Fantail Rhipidura aureola compressirostris
Bib, Bib, Yal, Ud.

Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus
Sin (1 in open area by guard hut on 30^th Jan.).

White-bellied Drongo Dicrurus caerulescens
(probably ssp. insularis) ST, Bib, Sin (1,1,1, 2 in display flight and singing on 1^st Feb.).
(probably ssp. leucopygialis) Kit (1, 1, 1, 5).

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus lophorhinus/ceylonicus
Kit (7 singles and a small flock), Yal, Sin (10 singles and a pair).

Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea ceylonensis
Kit (1 on 20^th Jan.), Sin (1, 1, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1).

Asian Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi
Bib, Bib-Go, Yal (3+), Ud, Sin (8 singles and a pair).

Common Iora Aegithina tiphia multicolor
Kit, Yal (2), Yal.

Common Woodshrike Tephrodornis pondicerianus affinis
Bib (2), Yal, Ud.

Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush Myophonus blighi ^E
HP (I male and 1 female on 22^nd Jan.). See site details.

Pied Thrush Zoothera wardii
VP (10+ on 21^st Jan.). See site details.

Spot-winged Thrush Zoothera spiloptera ^E
Kit (2 singles one pair), Sin (6 singles and a pair. Below Martin’s is a good spot).

Scaly Thrush Zoothera dauma imbricata
Sin (1 possibly three on 30^th Jan.). See site details.

Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula kinnisii
HP (1 on 22^nd Jan.).

Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica
Kit (1 on 19^th Jan.), ST (1 on 23^rd Jan.), Sin (1 on 1^st Feb. at Slaty-legged Crake site).

Brown-breasted Flycatcher Muscicapa muttui
Kit (1, 1 on 20^th Jan.), Sin (5 singles on 29^th Jan, and one on 31^st Jan. outside the park proper).

Kashmir Flycatcher Ficedula subrubra
VP (1 male 21^st Jan.).

Dull-blue Flycatcher Eumyias sordida ^E
HP (3 on 22^nd Jan.).

Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher Cyornis tickelliae jerdoni
Kit (1 on 20^th Jan.), Sin (a pair on 30^th Jan., one in full song and 1 on 31^st Jan.).

Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis ceylonensis
HP (1 and 4+).

Indian Blue Robin Luscinia brunnea
VP (male on 21^st Jan.), Sin (one female at crake site on 1^st Feb.). See site details.

Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis ceylonensis
Kit (1, 1, 1 singing), ST.

White rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus leggei
Kit (1 on 20^th Jan.), Yal (24^th Jan. heard).

Indian Robin Saxicoloides fulicata leucoptera
VP, Bib (1, 1, 1), Yal, Ud (1, 1, 1).

Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata atrata
VP, HP (a few).

White-faced Starling Sturnus albofrontatus ^E
Sin (2 and 1 on 29^th Jan.).

Common Myna Acridotheres tristis melanosternus
Kit, HP, ST (29), Ud, Co.

Sri Lanka Myna Gracula ptilogenys ^E
Sin (1, 3, on 29^th Jan., 2 flying on 30^th Jan., 3 and 4 on 31^st Jan. outside the park proper).

Southern Hill Myna Gracula indica
Kit (2 singles and 3 pairs).

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis
Kit (1), Sin (up to 10 in a flock outside the park proper on 31^st Jan.).

Great Tit Parus major mahrattarum
HP (2), ST, Bib.

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Kit-NE (3+ flocks of c.10), ST-Bib (c.10), Go (common), Yal (many flocks), Kal (hundreds over the marsh and the beach on the 27^th and 28^th Jan.), Ud (thousands on 28^th Jan.), Itt.

Pacific Swallow (Hill Swallow) Hirundo tahitica domicola
HP (5, 6), ST (2).

Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica
HP, Ud, Sin-Bo.
ssp. hyperythra, Go, Yal (2), Yal (2).

Black-crested (Black-capped) Bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus melanicterus ^E
Kit (1, 1, 1, 2), Bib, Sin (1, 1, 3+, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 2).

Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer
Common most places, Kit, Kit, NE, ST, Bib, Yal, Tis, Bu, Sin.

Yellow-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus penicillatus ^E
VP (1+ on 21^st Jan.), HP (1, 2, 3, 1, 1 on 22^nd Jan.).

White-browed Bulbul Pycnonotus luteolus insulae
Yal (1, 1, 2), Kal (5+, south of marsh), Ud.

Yellow-browed Bulbul Iole indica guglielmi
Kit (1, 1, 3+), Sin (1, 3, 3, 3, 2, 2).

Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus humii
Kit (3 flocks of c.6, 4 singles), Sin (11 singles, 3 pairs).

Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis omalura
HP, Tis, Kal, Itt, Co.

Jungle Prinia Prinia sylvatica valida
Bib.

Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis brevicauda
Kal, Itt.

Plain Prinia Prinia inornata insularis
Kit-NE, Bib-Go, Kal.

Sri Lanka White-eye Zosterops ceylonensis ^E
VP (3 on 21^st Jan.), HP (1, 3, 1 on 22^nd Jan.)

Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus
HP, ST.

Sri Lanka Bush Warbler Bradypterus palliseri ^E
HP (1 on 22^nd Jan.). See site details.

Rusty-rumped Warbler Locustella certhiola
Itt (one seen well on 2^nd Feb.).

Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum
Kit, Kal, Ud, Itt.

Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus meridionalis
Tis (common), Kal, Itt.

Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius sutorius/fernandonis
Kit (1, 1), VP (3 on 21^st Jan.), ST, Bib, Yal, Co
Saw many with red on crown extending to the eye, e.g. at VP. This is not illustrated or mentioned in any of the field Guides.

Large-billed Warbler Phylloscopus magnirostris
Kit, Sin (many heard, 1, 1, 1, 3).

Ashy-headed Laughingthrush Garrulax cinereifrons ^E
Sin (3 flocks of about 9 birds on the first day, two flocks on the second day and none on the third day which I spent outside the park proper).

Brown-capped Babbler Pellorneum fuscocapillum ^E
Kit (1 on 19^th Jan. and 3 singles on 20^th Jan.), Bib (heard), Yal (3), Sin (2, 1, 1).

Indian Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus horsfieldii melanurus/holdworthi
Kit (1), Sin (7 singles seen in mixed flocks).

Dark-fronted Babbler Rhopocichla atriceps nigrifrons/siccatus
Kit (6 flocks), Sin (10 flocks and a pair nesting in a huge nest for such a small bird), Bo The flock at Bodhinagala was ssp. nigrifrons, others not identified at the subspecies level.

Yellow-eyed Babbler Chrysomma sinense nasale
Bib (1+), Bib-Go (1+), Go (singing), Yal-Tis (flock).

Orange-billed Babbler Turdoides rufescens ^E
Kit (7 flocks of about 10), Sin (12 flocks inside the park, one outside).

Yellow-billed Babbler Turdoides affinis taprobanus
Common. Flocks at: Kit, Kit-NE, Bib, Go-Yal, Yal, Tis, Tis-Bu, Bu, Sin-Bo, Bo, Itt, Co.

Jerdon’s (Rufous-winged) Bushlark Mirafra (affinis) affinis
Yal (several singles), Ud (1, 1).

Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark Eremopterix grisea
Bu (up to c30).

Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula
HP (a few on 22^nd Jan.).

Pale-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum erythrorynchos ceylonense
HP (2), Ud, Sin (1, 1, 1).

Thick-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum agile zeylonicum
Bib (1 on 23^rd Jan.).

Legge’s Flowerpecker Dicaeum vincens ^E
Kit (1 on 20^th Jan.), Sin (one on 31^st Jan. from Martin’s veranda, more would be seen if time was spent here in the morning.).

Purple-rumped Sunbird Nectarinia zeylonica zeylonica
Kit, Yal, Kal (nesting), Sin (nesting).

Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica
Bib, Yal-Tis, Bu, Ud.

Loten’s Sunbird Nectarinia lotenia lotenius
Kit-NE, Yal.

House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Kit, Kit-NE, Yal-Tis.

Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus
Kit (1 on 20^th Jan. behind lodge), Bib-Go, Yal, Co (1 behind hotel on 2^nd Feb.).

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava
Kal (2), Co (2 of ssp. melanogrisea).

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
Kit (1+), VP (1+), HP (1+).

Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus
Kit-NE, VP (3+), HP (6+), Go-Yal, Bu (a few), Kal (3).

Blyth’s Pipit Anthus godlewskii
Bu (1 on 25^th Jan.).

Streaked Weaver Ploceus manyar flaviceps
Go (many nesting), Tis (few building nests), Kal (c.100).

Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus philippinus
Go, Tis (building nests).

White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata striata
Kit (2, flock), ST.

Black-throated (Hill) Munia Lonchura kelaarti kelaarti ^E
Kit (4, 2, 2).

Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata
VP (with nesting material on 21^st Jan.), ST-Bib, ST-Bib, Bib-Go, Bu, Yal, Ud.

Black-headed Munia Lonchura malacca malacca
Go (5+), Tis (common), Kal (with nesting material on 28^th Jan.), Ud.

Asian Elephant
Golden Jackal
Common Palm Civet
Small Indian Civet
Toque Macaque
Grey Langur
Purple-faced Langur
Spotted Deer
Sambar
Ruddy Mongoose
Striped-neck Mongoose
Brown Mongoose
Black-naped Hare
Dusky-striped Squirrel
Layard's Striped Squirrel
Indian Palm Squirrel
Giant Squirrel
Indian Flying Fox

Water Monitor
Indian Land Monitor
Huge spider at Martin’s, which the Sinharaja forest guards identified as a very poisonous Tarantula.
Chameleon species at Sinharaja (green with a spiny back).
Chameleon species at Sinharaja, (smaller than the previous species, cream colour with very long rear legs)
Chameleon seen changing colour outside my hotel room in Colombo, probably the same species as the green spiny ones seen at Sinharaja.
Sinharaja, a thin black snake about 75cm-100cm long with a thick head.