BIRDS and MAMMALS of SRI LANKA 
Tues 3 February - Mon 16 February 2009
Price £2395, Deposit £800, Single supp £275
 
Physically, Sri Lanka is a tear-drop shaped island in the Indian Ocean separated from the Indian peninsula by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. It is about twice the size of Belgium, with fine sandy beaches almost all around the island. This tropical paradise has everything: forests teeming with wildlife, sunshine, cool mountains, ancient stupas and lakes, and above all a friendly, well educated, English conversant people.
On our holiday we visit some of the most outstanding parts of the island, where the jungle belongs to elephants, leopards and other large animals that we seek on safari. Leopards are difficult to see in Asia, but here they are 'Top Cat', often seen having a siesta on the road under the shade of a tree. Yala National Park may have the highest density of Leopard in the world, and together with Asian Elephant this is a key highlight of our visit. We should see around 170 bird species, and will pay particular attention to the 33 endemic birds, mostly restricted to the highly fragmented wet zone forests, a land area of only 750 square kilometers. We will enjoy ticking them off our hit list, and have a good chance of seeing them all!
We are delighted to have secured the services of leading Sri Lanka guide
‘Wicky’ Wickramasekara for this holiday. Wicky is renowned throughout the birding world for his knowledge of Sri Lankan wildlife, and we couldn't be in better hands.
"He was reliable, good fun, patient and knowledgeble. We would have seen far fewer birds without him" - Carol & Tim Inskipp, authors of 'Birds of the Indian Subcontinent'.
Heatherlea Guide Mike Coleman also makes an appearance on this holiday, so if you have enjoyed Mike's tremendous jokes in Scotland, now is your chance to hear them all again....... Mike visited Sri Lanka in 2007, and is very much looking forward to this return trip. A great team!
ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
DAY 01, Tues 3 February We depart London to arrive in Sri Lanka around lunchtime, and transfer to Galle Face Hotel, Colombo for one night. Here we are joined by our Sri Lankan guide, an expert birder and experienced tour leader. In the evening we plan a sunset walk along Talangama wetlands for the common water birds that include Black and Yellow Bittern. Talangama is also fantastic for the critically endangered, western race of the Purple-faced Leaf Monkey.
 
DAY 02 and DAY 03, Wed 4 and Thurs 5 February After breakfast we leave for Blue Magpie Lodge, Sinharaja for two nights. The Sinharaja Rainforest (A UNESCO World Heritage Site) is the largest expanse of lowland rainforest in Sri Lanka, renowned for lowland endemics and mixed-species bird flocks. According to a study continuing since 1981, on average 42 individual species occur in the flocks, which makes this the world's largest mixed species bird flock. Birding highlights include Red-faced Malkoha, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, White-faced Starling Malabar Trogon and Scaly Thrush. Orange-billed Babbler and Crested Drongo attend the flocks, and other birds of note include Layard's Parakeet, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, and Sri Lanka Hill Myna. With luck we'll also see Sri Lanka Frogmouth and owls such as Chestnut-backed Owlet, Bay Owl, and recently discovered Serendib Scops Owl. One late evening we will search for the Red Slender Loris, an exquisite small primate with large, forward-facing eyes. This area is famous for its mixed and varied biodiversity - well worth a full two days of our holiday!
DAY 04, Fri 6 February After breakfast we enjoy a walk around the local forest with our naturalist, identifying birds, butterflies and dragonflies. In the afternoon, we safari at Udawalawe National Park for dry zone birds and Elephants. Birds include Little Green Bee-Eater, Malabar Pied Hornbill & Blue-faced Malkoha. Close to 50-60 Elephants can be seen and the Nursery Herd, which contains many baby Elephants is one of the key attractions. Overnight at Centauria Inn, Embilipitiya for one night.
 
DAY 05, 06 and 07, Sat 7, Sun 8 and Mon 9 February From Embilipitiya we head for the famous Yala National Park, where we stay at Elephant Reach Hotel. This is undoubtedly one of the major highlights of the holiday, as we seek leopards in the area where they are most populous in the whole of Asia - The BBC Natural World 'Leopards of Yala' was filmed here.We take game drives in the early morning and evening to see Leopard - watch out for the giveaway sign of a tail hanging from a tree-branch, although we might be fortunate enough to find one sunning itself in the open. In the afternoon, we take a birding walk along the Tissa wetlands.
There are a series of key wetlands including Yoda Kandiya wetland for Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Little Grebe, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Purple Heron and Cotton Pygmy Goose, and Debarawewa wetland for Baya Weaver, Clamarous Reed Warbler, Black & Yellow Bitterns, Black-crowned Night Heron, Watercock and if lucky White-naped Woodpecker. Finally we proceed to Pannegamuwa wetland to look for Black-capped Kingfisher, Plain Prinia, Ashy Prinia and if lucky Baillon’s Crake.
One morning we visit Bundala National Park in safari jeeps. Bundala is a fascinating wetland home for 150 species of winter migrant and resident birds. Birds include Greater Flamingo, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Painted Stork, Asian Openbill, Black-headed Ibis, Woolly-necked Stork, Pacific Golden Plover, Lesser Sand Plover, Greater Sand Plover, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Great Thick-knee, Pintail Snipe, Small Pratincole, and Red-necked Phalarope. Afternoon, safari at Yala National Park, where research on Leopards has shown one of the highest densities of Leopard in the world - undoubtedly the best place in Asia for this much sought-after 'Big Cat'.
 
Another day spent on safari at Yala National Park will focus on Leopards, birds and other mammals. Spotted Deer, Grey Langur Monkey, Jackal, Sambur, Barking Deer, and Wild Boar are all are common, and we have chances to see Crocodile, Wild Buffalo, Asian Elephant and possibly the elusive Sloth Bear, a large but retiring mammal. Birds should include many which our visitors to India will be familiar with, including Peacock, Sirkeer Malkoha and Crested Hawk Eagle. Sri Lanka Junglefowl and Asian Paradise Flycatchers are also on our 'hit' list!
DAY 08 and DAY 09, Tues 10 and Wed 11 February After breakfast we leave for St.Andrew’s Hotel, Nuwara Eliya for two nights. En route, we visit Hakgala Botanical Gardens. Here we look for the highland races of Purple-faced Leaf Monkey and Toque Macaque. The Toques brim with self-confidence and may approach you! We see birds such as Sri Lanka Bush Warbler and Dull Blue Flycatcher.
Next morning, we visit Horton Plains National Park to see Cloud Forests and rare montane fauna, which include the endemic Rhino-horned Lizard, featured in Charles Darwin's monumental work on evolution. Mammal highlights include Bear Monkey, Giant Squirrel and Sambhur. Bird highlights include the scarce endemic Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush, Sri Lanka Hill White-eye and Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon. Walk though the grasslands and Cloud Forests to a popular viewpoint known as World's End, which is an escarpment with an 870 m drop. In the afternoon, we visit Vistoria Garden for Himalayan migrants Kashmir Flycatcher, Pied Thrush, Indian Pitta and Indian Blue Robin. Other highlights include Yellow-eared Bulbul, Sri Lanka Hill White-eye and Dull Blue Flycatcher. Nearby wetlands might hold Pallas' Grasshopper Warbler, endemic Black-throated Munia, Pied Bush Chat and both Common and Pintail Snipe.
DAY 10, Thurs 12 February After breakfast we visit Victoria Garden again to round-up, perhaps adding the shy Pied Thrush to our list on this visit. In the afternoon, we visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Kandy, which is an object of veneration to Buddhists and the most important sacred relic in the country. Birds here include Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Little Green Bee-Eater and Coppersmith Barbet, and we hope to witness the gathering of over 300 wild Elephants at Minneriya National Park. Overnight Hotel Thilanka, Kandy for one night.
DAY 11, Fri 13 February After breakfast leave for Kithulgala Resthouse, Kithulgala for two nights. In the afternoon we cross the Kelani River in a dugout canoe and reach the Kelani Valley Forest Reserve, which is a lowland tropical rainforest rich in endemic fauna and flora. The Kelani Valley Forest Reserve is ideal for any missed lowland endemics such as Sri Lanka Myna, Green-billed Coucal, Spot-winged Thrush, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Brown-capped Babbler and Red-faced Malkoha.
DAY 12, Sat 14 February Full day birding with our naturalist in the Kelani Valley Forest.
Kithulgala Resthouse overlooks the Kelani River where the Award winning film ‘Bridge of the River Kwai’ was shot in the 50’s. We cross the Kelani River in a dugout canoe to reach the Kelani Valley Forest Reserve, which is a lowland tropical rainforest rich in endemic fauna and flora. This is ideal for any missed endemics such as Sri Lanka Myna, Green-billed Coucal, Spot-winged Thrush, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Brown-capped Babbler and Red-faced Malkoha. Also look for Hill Mynah, Lesser Yellownape, Crested Drongo, Greater and Black-rumped Flamebacks, Black-capped Bulbul, Black Bulbul, Yellow-browed Bulbul, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch and Black Eagle. As the dusk falls look for the sub continental endemic Sri Lanka Frogmouth.
DAY 13, Sun 15 February
After breakfast we leave for Tamarind Tree Hotel, Katunayake for one night. Tamarind Tree is an ideal transit hotel located just ten minutes drive away from the International Airport. At our Grand Gala dinner we will look back over a superb birding holiday.
DAY 14, Mon 16 February Transfer to International Airport and our flight back to London.
Whilst we are definitely not twitchers at Heatherlea, the hunt for the 33 endemic birds of Sri Lanka will be hugely enjoyable. We will tick them off our hit list, and have a good chance of seeing them all! Here are a few notes to whet your appetite, written by our friends and local guides on the island.
1. Sri Lanka Wood pigeon (Columba torringtonii)
This endemic pigeon loves high altitude undisturbed forests above 1650 m where it mostly spends its time in the canopy. A shy species, it occasionally comes down to lower altitudes such as Sinharaja (300 m) and Gampola (625 m).
2. Sri Lanka Whistling-thrush (Myophonus blighi)
This rare crepuscular bird, also known as the Arrenga, occurs in undisturbed forests between 1200-2100 m altitude and has restricted distribution. It prefers streamside habitats.
3. Legge's Flowerpecker (Dicaeum vincens)
This elegant bird is found mainly in the southwestern wet zone forests of Sri Lanka up to 900-m altitude where it prefers tall trees. It feeds on nectar and fruits and is normally found hanging acrobatically on tips of branches trying to reach the flowers. The Dipterocarp rich forests of Sri Lanka especially Sinharaja, Gilimale, Kithulgala and Kanneliya are probably the best places to see it.
 
4. Orange-billed Babbler (Turdoides rufescens)
This forest bird is usually found in small groups of 10-15 in undisturbed forests and peripheral villages where it is often heard before seen. It leads the mixed species bird flock of Sinharaja Forest where it could be seen along with some other endemic birds. It is found in most undisturbed wet zone forests up to 2100-m altitude.
5. Brown-capped Babbler (Pellorneum fuscocapillum)
This bird prefers thick undergrowth and is distributed in both wet and dry zone habitats up to 1600-m altitude. It utters a characteristic call which is often heard in the mornings and evenings. It is found outside forests where suitable scrub vegetation provides the ideal habitat. The reforestation site in Hunas Falls Hotel is one of the easiest places to spot it in the evenings.
6. Ashy-headed Laughingthrush (Garrulax cinereifrons)
This bird is associated with Orange-billed Babblers in the mixed species bird flocks in Sinharaja where it can be easily seen in the undergrowth often making constant chattering. It is recorded up to 1300 m altitude strictly in undisturbed forests of wet zone.
  
7. Sri Lanka Myna. (Gracula ptilogenys)
This fruit loving bird is restricted to the wet forests from 300-1600m altitude and is often found perched on tall trees. Lowland forests of Kithulgala, Gilimale and Sinharaja are some of the locations to catch a glimpse of this rare bird where the loud calls made from the top of the forest canopy are often heard a long distance away.
8. Yellow-eared Bulbul. (Pycnonotus penicillatus)
This montane bird is usually found in forested habitats above 1700 m in the higher hills. Horton Plains is probably the easiest location to see this endemic bird in large numbers. It is also present in higher elevations of Sinharaja and the Knucles range below 1700 m.
9. White-faced Starling. (Sturnus albofrontatus)
This rare bird usually occupies the canopy of the forest and is unmistakable in the mixed species bird flocks in Sinharaja. This strictly arboreal bird can be seen in undisturbed wet forests of from 300-1200 m altitude. It can be seen also in Kithulgala and in the Knucles range.
 
10. Sri Lanka Blue Magpie. (Urocissa ornata)
Undoubtedly one of the most colourful endemics of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Blue Magpie is a rare bird, which prefers undisturbed wet zone forests up to 2100 m altitude. Their loud calls often betray their presence.
11. Sri Lanka White-eye. (Zosterops ceylonensis)
This primarily hill country bird is recorded mainly above 1000 m altitude. It can be seen in pairs in its breeding season and in large flocks outside the breeding season. Horton Plains National Park is probably one of the best locations to see this small endemic bird.
12. Sri Lanka Junglefowl. (Gallus lafayettii)
It's a chicken! This large terrestrial bird is found in both dry and wet zone forests up to 2100 m altitude. It is more often heard than seen in most of its range. Sri Lanka Junglefowl can be seen on roadsides close to the forest in Sinharaja often followed by its harem.
13. Sri Lanka Spurfowl. (Galloperdix bicalcarata)
This shy terrestrial bird is mainly restricted to the undisturbed forests of the wet zone and is more often heard than seen. Can also be seen on roadsides in forested areas. Sinharaja, Kanneliya and Dombagaskanda are some of the locations to see this elusive bird.
14. Red-faced Malkoha. (Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus).
This forest dwelling bird is seen up to 1300 m altitude in undisturbed wet zone forests and along a few of the tall riverine vegetation areas in the dry zone forests. Red-faced Malkoha can be seen in the mixed species bird flock in Sinharaja forest where it is often found in tall trees.
15. Sri Lanka Green-billed Coucal. (Centropus chlororhynchos)
This bird is found in undisturbed wet zone forests up to 800 m altitude, often in places where there is dense bamboo vegetation. One of the best locations to see this elusive endemic bird is Dombagaskanda.
 
16. Dull-blue Flycatcher. (Eumyias sordida)
This confiding bird is not bothered by the close presence of birdwatchers. It is normally found in forested areas between 1600m- 2000m altitudes: Hakgala, Corbett's Gap and Horton Plains are a few of the locations it can be observed with relative ease.
17. Sri Lanka Bush-warbler. (Bradypterus palliseri)
This hill country bird is found mostly above 1500 m in dense undergrowth. Horton Plains is arguably the best location to see this rare endemic bird where it is mostly found around bamboo vegetation along streams.
18. Spot-winged Thrush. (Zoothera spiloptera)
This mostly terrestrial bird is mainly found in the wet zone forests between 300m-1300m altitude and is often heard. Sinharaja, Kithulgala and Dombagaskanda are some of the locations where it can be seen at dawn and dusk especially along forest footpaths.
19. Yellow-fronted Barbet. (Megalaima flavifrons)
One of the commonest endemic birds of Sri Lanka, Yellow-fronted Barbets can be observed in forests as well as peripheral villages. It makes a peculiar call, audible over a distance, and can be observed in the mixed species bird flocks in Sinharaja.
20. Layard's Parakeet. (Psittacula calthropae)
This parakeet is recorded up to 1700m in forested and well-wooded garden habitats, and is easily identified by the flight call. It is also occasionally present in the mixed species bird flock in Sinharaja.
21. Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot. (Loriculus beryllinus)
This small bird is distributed widely in the wet zone where it is quite common, up to the mid hills. In the dry zone it is found in small isolated pockets, often in riverine areas or where intermediate forest is present. It roosts almost like a bat with the body hanging down,: the reason for its name. Makes a sharp repeated call in flight making it easy to notice a passing bird.
22. Chestnut-backed Owlet. (Glaucidium castanonotum)
This rare bird is found up to 2000-m altitude restricted to the undisturbed forests of wet zone where it can often be heard during the day. Sinharaja, Gilimale and Kithulgala are some of the locations it can seen. It is found on tall trees of the forest canopy making it difficult to spot it in the dense foliage.
23. Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill. (Ocyceros gingalensis).
This large bird is mostly seen in pairs and is distributed in the dry and wet zone forested areas alike, ascending to an elevation of 1200 in the central hills. Like most hornbills, the Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill nest in holes in big trees where the female imprisons herself up by building a wall like structure with its droppings covering the opening of the cavity, leaving only a small opening for receiving food brought by the male. When the young matures, the female breaks her way out and rebuilds the wall and joins the male in feeding the young.
24 Black-capped Bulbul (Pycnonotus melanicterus)
This is a fairly common species in forests and nearby gardens in wet lowlands up to the lower hills. It is also found in the dry zone forests of the North Central Province (e.g. Giritale), intermediate forests in the South (e.g. Kekunadura in Matara) and Giritale, tall forests and riverine forests in Udawalawe NP and Yala NP. An easy bird to see as it frequents low trees and bushes in edge habitats. Usually seen in pairs but sometimes in small flocks.
  
25 Ceylon Small Barbet (Megalaima rubricapillus)
A small, beautiful Barbet common throughout the lowlands to the mid hills. The only endemic bird regularly seen in major cities. Easily overlooked due to its small size and colouration. Predominantly green with red forehead, blue lower face, orange throat and "spectacles". These features and uniform green underparts readily distinguish it from the Coppersmith Barbet in areas where both can be found. Lives in pairs but often single birds are seen on tall trees. Flocks may be found on fruiting trees. . The male has two songs, uttered from tall tree tops: a slow repeated 'pop, pop, pop, ...' and a repeated rapid 'popo-popo-popo-pop' with a variable number of syllables.
26 Pompadour Green Pigeon. (Treron pompadora)
The commonest of the Green Pigeons occurring in small flocks throughout the island up to the mid hills. In the dry lowlands large flocks may at times be encountered. Visitors are most likely to see them in the national parks in the south. At times good numbers may be seen and at other times they may be virtually absent due to local migrations. The song is a beautiful, soft, modulated human-like whistle.
27 Serendib Scops Owl (Otus thilohoffmanni)
The Serendib Scops Owl is known only from a few lowland wet zone forests. It seems to require fairly large, undisturbed tracts of forest. This could be the most difficult endemic to track down!
 
28 Crimson-backed Flameback (Chrysocolaptes stricklandi)
Distinguished from the similar Black-rumped Flamedback by its ivory coloured bill and different call. The female has a black crown flecked in white. It is found mainly in wet zone forests ascending all the way to the highlands. It prefers more heavily wooded habitats than the Black-rumped Flameback. Although perceived largely as a wet zone bird, it does occur in suitable habitat in the dry zone as well, sometimes even wandering into coconut groves.
29 Ceylon Swallow (Hirundo hyperythra)
Found throughout the lowlands and ascends the lower hills. It is easily distinguished from the familiar Barn Swallow by the conspicuous red rump and chunkier build. It wanders about a great deal and is equally at home hawking over lightly forested valleys or over paddy fields. Although it flocks, solitary individuals are just as likely to be seen.
30 Ceylon Woodshrike (Tephrodornis affinis)
A rather small grey coloured bird fairly common in the dry zone. Female is a little duller and browner than the male. Both have a blackish stripe across the eye like that in the true shrikes. Lives in pairs. The calls are a five-to-seven syllabled 'chee-chee-...-chee' with the first syllables hurried and the rest descending and a loud 'twee' sound often in the same pattern. Scarce and scattered in the wet zone and ascends up to about the mid hills in dryer parts.
31 Ceylon Scaly Thrush (Zoothera imbricata)
A secretive and fairly big ground thrush with an attractive colour pattern. Its golden-buff scaly pattern and stocky shape distinguish it from other thrushes. It spends the daytime in the undergrowth of thick wet forests andt appears in adjoining open patches in the early morning. An uncommon bird confined to the forests in the lower hills and the wet zone. It has a rather soft plain whistle repeated several times, only at dawn. It also has a short high-pitched alarm call which may be uttered any time of the day.
32 Ceylon Scimitar-Babbler (Pomatorhinus [schisticeps] melanurus)
What better way to wake up in the hills than to the mellow, bubbling calls of the Scimitar Babbler, full of exuberance! It has a variety of calls. In one of its duets, the male sings 'woop-oop-oopoop', and in another 'yok, ko-ko', and both are answered by the trilling sound of the female. It is found throughout the Island ascending to the higher hills. It can be found in village gardens but is unlikely to be found in areas where good patches of forest are not nearby. The decurved bill and striped head make it distinctive.
33 Ceylon Crested Drongo (Dicrurus lophorinus)
Formerly regarded as a race of the Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, the Ceylon Crested Drongo has a smaller, brush-like frontal crest and a deeply forked tail, without rackets. In some birds, the crest can be as pronounced as in the Racket-tailed Drongo, leading to disparities in published literature. A highly vocal bird, easily located as a result. Common in feeding flocks. It has a variety of loud, bell-like calls and chatter, which enliven the forest. It also has harsh calls, and mimics a variety of birds and a few animals.
  
Leader: Experienced Heatherlea guide Mike Coleman together with top local leader 'Wicky' Wickramasekaras. Maximum group size 14.
Price includes: Return flight from London to Sri Lanka, comfortable en-suite accommodation, all meals including packed lunches, transport throughout the tour and services of the leaders.
Not included: Insurance, drinks, optional tips for our local guide and items of a personal nature.
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Please note: all itineraries are given as a guide only. Actual
holiday content may vary according to the judgement of your guide, and
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