Visit your favourite destinations
Western Europe
North America
Caribbean
Africa
Asia
Eastern Europe
South America
Australasia
Middle East
East Indies

A Report from birdtours.co.uk

Sri Lanka Bird List: 28 March - 14 April 2000,

Chris Cook

Itinerary: Direct flight on Sri Lankan Airlines from London Heathrow to Colombo's Bandaranike International Airport (approx. 10 hours). Met at airport by driver from Quickshaws.

Day 1   --  Colombo - Sinharaja.                                                                   

Day 2   --  Sinharaja                                                                                                      

Day 3   --  Sinharaja                                                                                                      

Day 4   --  Sinharaja - Ratnapura                                                                                 

Day 5   --  Ratnapura (Gilimale forest/Carney Estate)                                                  

Day 6   --  Ratnapura - Adam's Peak - Nuwara Eliya

Day 7   --  Nuwara Eliya (Horton Plains/Victoria Gardens)

Day 8   --  Nuwara Eliya - Colombo - Kandy

Day 9   --  Kandy

Day 10 --  Kandy - Peradeniya

Day 11 --  Kandy - Sigiriya

Day 12 --  Kandy - Hambantota

Day 13 --  Hambantota

Day 14 --  Hambantota

Day 15 --  Hambantota

Day 16 --  Hambantota

Day 17 --  Hambantota

Day 18 --  Hambantota - Colombo  (Departure on Sri Lankan Airlines for Tokyo, direct flight, 8 hours).

Notes:

1) Entries follow that of A Field Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka by John Harrison [Oxford University Press] 1999

2) (end) = endemic species

Birds:

Spot-billed Pelican -- Two birds at Kandy Lake on April 5, and three birds there on April 6. At Hambantota, max. count of 83 birds on a pond at Mayurapura, east of the town, on April 11, and 19 birds recorded the following day. In Colombo, two birds seen on Beira Lake on April 14.

Little Cormorant -- Despite being a described as a "common" bird by some birders,  I saw only a handful during almost three weeks -- up to three birds in a tree beside Kandy Lake on April 6, and a couple at Hambantota between April 9-14.

Indian Cormorant -- Large flocks of cormorants (totalling several thousand birds) seen flying east near Hambantota early in the morning of  April 9 were thought to be of  this species, as on the following day a large flock of about 200 birds was found feeding on one of the pools next to  the salt ponds, and on April 11 another large flock was seen on a pond near the 243 km marker post east of Hambantota.

Greater Flamingo -- Two records: A flock of 8 birds flying west high over the salt ponds at Hambantota on April 9, and a group  of about 25 birds (presumed to be of this species) seen feeding in the distance during the late afternoon at the west end of Karagan Lewaya on April 11.

Purple Heron -- A single flying east over the salt ponds at Hambantota on April 10 was the only record, although a  probable was seen near Sigiriya on April 7.

Grey Heron -- A few birds seen around Hambantota between April 9-12, max. 4 on April 11.

Intermediate Egret -- Several birds feeding with Little and Cattle Egrets in paddy fields southeast of Ratnapura on April 1.

Great Egret -- Recorded from around Hambantota between April 9-13, and also seen from the bus between  Hambantota and Ambalantota on April 14.

Little Egret -- Quite common, seen at many localities, with highest concentrations around Hambantota.

Cattle Egret -- Common, with the highest count being over 200 feeding in freshly prepared paddy fields southeast of Ratnapura on April 1.

Indian Pond Heron -- Common, and seen virtually daily and around lakes, ponds or rice paddies. No counts made. One bird seen struggling to eat a large frog which it had caught in a pond near Hambantota on April 12.

Striated Heron -- A bird flushed from a pond north of Hambantota town on April 11.

Black-crowned Night Heron -- Up to 20 birds roosting on a small island in Kandy Lake on April 6-7, and also recorded in small numbers around Hambantota, max. 4 on April 12.

Yellow Bittern -- A single bird seen on a pond just outside Hambantota town on April 11, and presumably the same bird at the same locality on April 13.

Painted Stork -- Up to 30 birds seen on most days on ponds east of Hambantota town between April 9-12, but 42 noted on April 11 at Mayurapura, just east of Hambantota.

Asian Openbill -- Seen at two localities: half a dozen birds on a rice paddy near Kegalle on April 4, and about 15 birds near Ambalantota while travelling to/returning from Hambantota on  April 8 and 14.

Black-headed Ibis -- A few seen flying over Hambantota/Tissa road east of Hambantota between April 9-13, and 4 in paddy fields near Ambalantota on April 14.

Eurasian Spoonbill -- At Hambantota up to 20 birds feeding with pelicans and egrets on a pool east of the town on April 10.

Little Grebe -- Common on open areas of water and on one pool alone next to the salt ponds at Hambantota about 50 birds noted on April 12.

Lesser Whistling Duck -- Recorded only from Hambantota where a pair with 13 ducklings were seen on April 10 and up to 12 adults on the salt ponds between April 9-12.

Garganey -- Up to 35 on a pool at the salt ponds at Hambantota between April 9-12. A flock of 24 males recorded there on April 11.

Oriental Honey Buzzard -- One record, of a bird flying across a forest road at Gilimale forest reserve on April 1.

Brahminy Kite -- A single a few km south of Bandaranike Airport, north of  Colombo, on March 28 and single birds seen around the salt ponds at Hambantota on April 9 and 11.

Rufous-bellied Eagle -- A single soaring high over Sinharaja reserve on March 29, and another bird at Adam's Peak on April 2.

Besra -- A single bird seen in the forest at Sinharaja on March 30.

Shikra -- One seen in a village between Ratnapura and the Carney Estate on April 1.

Black-winged Kite -- One bird seen perched in a tree near the village of Ambawele (on the way to Horton Plains) on April 3, the only record.

Crested Serpent Eagle - At Sinharaja, one seen and a second bird heard on March 29. Two birds circling high over the ranger's office at Horton Plains National Park on April 3.

Black Eagle -- One near Ratnapura on March 28, an immature near the Forestry Department buildings at Sinharaja on March 31 and a single at Adam's Peak (soaring with a Rufous-bellied Eagle) on April 2.

White-bellied Fish Eagle -- Two separate sightings within the space of about 30 minutes of single birds soaring over the lake at Kandy on April 6 possibly involved two birds.

Peregrine Falcon -- At Hambantota, a single bird at the salt ponds on April 12 was probably referable to the race Falco peregrinus calidus.

Sri Lanka Spurfowl -- (end) Heard at Sinharaja reserve on March 29.

Sri Lanka Junglefowl --  (end) One heard at Gilimale forest on April 1, and several birds heard near Hambantota and at the western edge of Bundala National Park between April 9-13.

Indian Peafowl -- At Hambantota a single female seen on April 9. On April 10, two females and a male seen preening themselves in the top of a tree at Bundala National Park, and a female and 4 well grown chicks and a single male also seen.

White-breasted Waterhen --  A single at Sinharaja on March 29 and a pair with two chicks on March 30 in the same area. Around Hambantota a few singles noted between April 9-12.

Common Moorhen -- Only seen at Hambantota. One on a small pond east of the town on April 10, and two birds there on April 11, and another single at a small lake west of Hambantota on April 11.

Purple Swamphen -- Seen only on one pond on the outskirts of Hambantota between April 9-12. Up to 8 birds seen on most days.

Pheasant-tailed Jacana -- Seen only at two localities, both in Hambantota: several birds (up to 10) seen daily at a pond on the northeast outskirts of the town, and a single bird seen on April 11 on a lily-covered pond on the Ambalantota road just west of the town.

Black-winged Stilt -- Relatively common on the salt ponds and pools around Hambantota, and birds seen on freshly-prepared rice paddies between Ambalantota and Hambantota on April 9.

Stone Curlew -- A single bird seen on a small pond about 0.5 km west of the 243 km marker post east of Hambantota on April 12, and presumably the same bird at the same spot the following day. Additionally, one at the salt ponds on April 13.

Great Thick-knee -- Three birds seen on April 11. A single bird seen on a sandbar at a pond at the 243 km marker post 7 km east of Hambantota during the morning, and two birds associating with a flock of 105 Whimbrel at the west end of Karagan Lewaya (next to the Ambalantota-Hambantota road) duing the late afternoon. Another single (probably the same bird as seen on the morning of April 11) close to the 243 km marker post on April 12.

Yellow-wattled Lapwing -- Two birds seen at the mouth of a small river at the western boundary of Bundala National Park on  April 10.

Red-wattled Lapwing -- At Ratnapura, two birds on freshly prepared rice paddies on April 1. Three birds at Sigiriya on April 7, and seen daily in small numbers around Hambantota between April 8-13.

Pacific Golden Plover -- Up to 10 birds at the salt ponds at Hambantota between April 10-13.

Grey Plover -- Up to three birds at Hambantota salt ponds between April 9-13.

Kentish Plover -- Several bird at the salt ponds close to Hambantota between April 9-13, including some summer plumaged birds.

Whimbrel -- A single heard over the salt ponds at Hambantota on April 10 and 105 birds at the west end of  Karagan Lewaya (next to the Ambalantota-Hambantota road) the following day.

Common Redshank -- Several birds around the Hambantota area between April 9-13, and also seen at Bundala National Park on April 10. At the salt ponds at Hambantota, 45 birds noted on April 8 and 60+ birds present on April 12.

Marsh Sandpiper -- A single bird seen briefly at the salt ponds on April 12.

Common Greenshank -- At Hambantota, up to 4 birds present around the salt ponds between April 9-13.

Common Sandpiper -- One at Victoria Gardens in Nuwara Eliya on April 3. At Hambantota, several birds present between April 9-13, and also noted at Udawala, east of Hambantota, on April 10.

Ruddy Turnstone -- Up to three birds at the salt ponds at Hambantota between April 9-13.

Brown-headed Gull -- Only seen around Hambantota with max. of 42 birds at the salt ponds on April 10.  Several birds seen flying over Karagan Lewaya during the evening of April 11, probably birds moving from the salt ponds at Hambantota to a roost on the north side of  the lake.

Caspian Tern -- One bird flew in and settled with a group of Brown-headed Gulls during the late afternoon of April 12 at the salt ponds.

Lesser Crested Tern -- Only one record, of a single bird at the salt ponds at Hambantota on April 10.

Greater Crested Tern -- Seen daily at the salt ponds or fishing in the bay off Hambantota, with a max. count of 19 on April 11.

Gull-billed Tern -- At Hambantota, a few birds present at the salt ponds or in the bay between April 9-13.

Whiskered Tern -- A few individuals present daily around the salt ponds at Hambantota between April 8-13. At Mayurapura, a few km east of Hambantota, a large flock (at least 50 birds) noted feeding at a pond in the early morning of April 11. The following day at the same location, fewer birds recorded.

White-winged Black Tern -- Seen only during the late afternoon at Hambantota salt ponds when flocks of birds passed over en route to their roost (possibly at Karagan Lewaya), e.g. c50 birds on April 8 and 30 birds on April 9.

Little Tern  (the possibility of  Saunders' Tern cannot be ruled out) -- A few birds daily at Hambantota salt ponds, with max. of 6 birds on April 12, and also recorded off the headland south of the town.

Sri Lanka Woodpigeon -- (end) At Sinharaja, three birds seen in the forest on March 29 and 30 .

Spotted Dove -- Recorded at most localities, but no counts made.

Emerald Dove -- A very tame bird on the forest track near Martin's lodge at Sinharaja on March 30, and three birds at the base of Adam's Peak (on the Dalhousie side) on April 2. The only other record was of one in the forest at Sigiriya on April 7.

Orange-breasted Green Pigeon -- Only one specifically identified, a female in a tree with four Green Imperial Pigeons near the Forest Department buildings at Sinharaja on March 31.

Green Imperial Pigeon -- At Sinharaja, four birds seen with a female Orange-breasted Green Pigeon on March 31. A single at Gilimale Forest Reserve near Ratnapura on April 1 and a single at Ratnapura Rest House the following day.

Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot -- (end) First recorded at Sinharaja on March 29, and subsequently seen at many places, including Kandy, Palabadula (near Ratnapura) and at Nuwara Eliya.

Alexandrine Parakeet -- Recorded only from Kandy, where at least 50 birds were noted flying high over the lake to a roost on April 6.

Rose-ringed Parakeet -- Near Ratnapura on April 1, several birds noted moving to a roost in the evening. Over 500 counted leaving a roost along Tissa Road in Hambantota on April 13.

Layard's Parakeet -- (end) Seen only at Sinharaja Forest Reserve. Eleven birds seen on March 29 and 2 birds noted the following day.

Red-faced Malkoha -- (end) One bird seen in the tree tops at Sinharaja Forest Reserve on March 30.

Blue-faced Malkoha -- A single bird seen along a track at the western end of Bundala Nature Reserve on April 10.

Asian Koel -- Common, but more frequently seen than heard. Recorded at all localities visited.

Greater Coucal -- Seen at several localities, and birds appeared quite tame around the Hambantota area. No counts made, but only 1-3 seen per day.

Green-billed Coucal -- (end) One was heard in the forest near the research station at Sinharaja on March 30.

Pied Cuckoo -- Three singles seen at Hambantota on April 10, 11 and 12. They were considered different individuals as all were seen at different localities.

Jungle Owlet - A single heard at Sinharaja on March 31 and another heard at Gilimale forest reserve on April 1.
Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill -- (end) Two birds at Sinharaja Forest Reserve on March 30, and another two birds at Gilimale forest, near Ratnapura, on April 1, were the only ones seen.

House Crow -- Common, with large number around most towns and villages. In Kandy, a huge roost every night in the trees around the west end of the lake.

Large-billed Crow -- Recorded at several places but no counts made.

Malabar Trogon -- At Sinharaja, a few individuals seen on March 29 and 30.

Stork-billed Kingfisher -- A single sitting on telegraph wires beside the road at Kegalle on April 4, and another at Kandy Lake on April 6.

White-throated Kingfisher -- Common, and seen wherever I travelled. Birds also heard in central Colombo on April 14. One bird seen entering a nesthole in a sandy bank beside the road just north of Kandy on April 4.

Common Kingfisher -- Two birds seen while driving between Colombo and Sinharaja on March 28, and a single seen on the Hatton side of Adam's Peak on April 2. Around Hambantota several birds seen between April 9-13.

Pied Kingfisher -- Seen daily around the Hambantota area between April 8-13, with up to four birds at  ponds near Mayurapura and a single seen at the mouth of a small river near Udamala on the west side of Bundala National Park on April 10.

Little Green Bee-eater -- Several birds seen around Hambantota between April 9-13.

Blue-tailed Bee-eater -- A single between the Forest Department buildings and Martin's lodge at Sinharaja on  March 31.

Chestnut-headed Bee-eater -- One near the beach about 0.5 km east of Hambantota on April 9 and one at Udamala, east of Hambantota, the following day.

Indian Roller -- At Hambantota, a single flying over the salt ponds on April 12 was presumably the same bird as was seen sitting on telegraph wires along Tissa Road the following day.

Yellow-fronted Woodpecker -- A single between Mayurapura and Hambantota on April 13 was the only definite record, but one very pale headed woodpecker, thought to be this species, seen at in the forest at Bundala National Park on April 10.

Coppersmith Barber -- Three birds seen at Sigiriya on April 7.

Yellow-fronted Barbet - (end)  At Sinharaja forest reserve singles seen on March 29 and 30 and two birds seen on March 31. At Gilimale forest near Ratnapura, one bird noted on April 1 and one seen at Victoria Gardens in Nuwara Eliya on April 2. Noted also at the botanical gardens at Peradeniya, near Kandy, on April 6.
Brown-headed Barbet - A single seen at Gilimale forest reserve on April 1 but heard at several localities.
Forest Wagtail -- A single at Victoria Gardens on Nuwara Eliya on April 3 was followed by two birds at the botanical gardens at Peradeniya, near Kandy, on April 6.

Paddyfield Pipit -- Two birds at the east end of the lake at Nuwara Eliya on  April 3, and several birds at Horton Plains National Park the same day. At Hambantota, birds recorded at the salt ponds (2 pairs), the headland (1 pair) and at the mouth of a small river near Udamala between April 8-13.

Grey-rumped Treeswift -- At Sinharaja, one flying around the Forest Department buildings on March 29. A few noted near the Tissa Road east of Hambantota between April 9-13.

Asian Palm Swift -- Two birds around the river at Sinharaja on March 29. At Hambantota, up to 6 birds in palm trees along the Tissa Road just east of the town between April 9-13.

Alpine Swift -- At Adam's Peak, 3 birds flying around the temple on the afternoon of April 2.

Little Swift -- A flock of about 25 birds noted between Kandy and Ampitiya on April 4.

Barn Swallow -- At Ratnapura, several thousand birds roosting on telegraph wires at a road junction in the centre of the town on March 31 and April 1.

Hill Swallow -- A pair feeding a fledged youngster on the Ratnapura side of Adam's Peak on April 2 and another two birds nearby were the only records.

Red-rumped Swallow -- First noted at Ratnapura on March 31, and subsequently seen at several sites. Underparts were very deep brick red in colour  (possibly "Striated" Swallow).

Common Woodshrike -- Noted at only one site -- east of Hambantota between April 9-13, with max. 4 birds on April 11.

Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike -- A single seen near the Forest Department buildings at Sinharaja on March 31 and one was noted on the Dalhousie side of Adam's Peak on April 2. Three birds at Sigiriya on April 7 were the only other birds seen.

Flame Minivet -- Four males and two females recorded at Sinharaja on March 31.

Brown Shrike -- Seen at Adam's Peak on April 2 and a few birds around Hambantota between April 9-13. Two birds seen together at Mayurapura, just east of Hambantota, on April 12.

Ashy Woodswallow -- Seen only at Hambantota where up to 4 birds were seen regularly in palm trees along the Tissa Road about 0.5 km east of the town between April 9-13.

Black-headed Yellow Bulbul -- First recorded at  Sinharaja on March 29, and seen also at Ratnapura on April 2.

Red-vented Bulbul -- Widely distributed and seen at several sites. No counts made. One sitting on a nest at the entrance to Quickshaws offices in central Colombo on April 4.

Yellow-eared Bulbul -- (end) Common on Adam's Peak with several groups of 4-6 birds feeding alongside the steps, especially on the Dalhousie side.

White-browed Bulbul -- (end) At Sigiriya, two birds seen on April 7. Quite numerous around Hambantota and several birds seen between April 8-13.

Yellow-browed Bulbul -- Several birds seen at Sinharaja between March 29- 30, with max. 8 birds on March 29.

Black Bulbul -- Several birds seen in or close to Sinharaja forest reserve between March 29-31, and five birds noted at Gilimale forest near Ratnapura on April 1.

Common Iora -- At Sigiriya, 2 birds seen on April 7. Also seen around Udamala/Mayurapura, east of Hambantota, between April 9-13.

Black-naped Oriole --  At Sinharaja, a single seen on March 31, and a single at Palabadulah on April 1.

Indian Blue Robin -- Two singles seen: one at Victoria Gardens in Nuwara Eliya on April 3,  and one in the forest at Sigiriya on April 7.

White-rumped Shama -- Seen only at Sigiriya, where at least four birds were present on April 7.

Oriental Magpie Robin -- Common, and seen at most localities. Young birds seen at Victoria Gardens in Nuwara Eliya on April 3.

Black-backed Robin -- First seen at Sigiriya on April 7, but commonest around Mayurapura/Udamala, east of Hambantota, where several birds were seen between April 8-13.

Pied Thrush -- Recorded at Victoria Gardens in Nuwara Eliya on April 3, where at least 3 males and 3 females were present.

Spot-winged Thrush -- (end) Recorded only at Sinharaja Forest Reserve where several birds were seen. Easier to see in the early morning or late afternoon when birds could be found feeding along forest paths.

Eurasian Blackbird -- First recorded at Adam's Peak, where several birds were seen on the Dalhousie side on April 2, and a single recorded at Ambawele the following day.

Indian Pitta -- Two birds seen in Victoria Gardens in Nuwara Eliya on  April 3.

Indian Scimitar Babbler -- At Sinharaja, several birds seen, and also seen on the ascent at Adam's Peak on April 2. Birds heard calling at Horton Plains National Park on April 3.

Dark-fronted Babbler -- Plentiful around Sinharaja National Forest, and several small groups seen. One pair seen carrying food to a nest close to the forest track.

Tawny-bellied Babbler -- Birds seen around the foot of Sigiriya rock fortress on April 7.

Yellow-eyed Babbler -- At Udamala, at the western boundary of Bundala National Park, a single seen on April 10.

Orange-billed Babbler -- Four birds at Sinharaja Forest Reserve on April 29 and 30.

Yellow-billed Babbler -- Several birds seen at different localities, but not as common as in India.

Ashy-headed Laughingthrush -- (end) At Sinharaja, five birds (one group of 3, one group of 2) seen on March 30.

Blyth's Reed Warbler -- A single at Victoria Gardens in Nuwara Eliya on April 3.

Zitting Cisticola -- A single at the lake on the east side of Nuwara Eliya on April 3, and several birds in a grassy area near the rangers' station at Horton Plains National Park on the same day.

Ashy Prinia -- At Horton Plains, south of Nuwara Eliya, birds seen on April 3. One near the salt ponds at Hambantota on April 13.

Common Tailorbird -- Recorded at several localities, including Sinharaja and around Hambantota.

Black-naped Monarch -- One at Sinharaja on March 30.

Asian Paradise Flycatcher -- At Sinharaja, three females and a white-phase male on March 30, and another white-phase male at Ratnapura rest house on April 2

White-browed Fantail -- A probable seen at Sigiriya on April 7. At Hambantota, a single on April 9 and two at Udamala, east of Hambantota, the following day.

Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher -- Recorded from the Dalhousie side of Adam's Peak on April 2, when four birds were seen. The only other record was of a single feeding with a Dull-blue Flycatcher near Nuwara Eliya on April 3.

Kashmir Flycatcher -- Two records, both on April 3: a single in a grove near Ambawele and a single in Victoria Gardens in Nuwara Eliya. Much less vocal than Red-breasted Flycatcher.

Dull-blue Flycatcher -- (end) At Adam's Peak, a single carrying nesting material seen on the Ratnapura side on April 2, and 2 birds noted on the Dalhousie side on the descent. The only other record was of a single bird (together with a Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher) feeding at a recently cleared patch of land beside the Nuwara Eliya-Hakgala road a few km south of Nuwara Eliya on April 3.

Tickell's Blue Flycatcher -- A male seen singing at the botanical gardens at Peradeniya just outside of Kandy on April 6 was followed by another singing male at Sigiriya the following day.

Great Tit -- At Adam's Peak, 7 birds noted on April 2.

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch -- Recorded only on the Dalhousie side of Adam's Peak, where two birds were seen on April 2.

Purple-rumped Sunbird --  A pair at Gilimale forest reserve on April 1, a male at the botanical gardens in Peradeniya on April 4 and another male at Sigiriya on April 7.  At Mayurapura, east of Hambantota, 2 males seen on April 11.

Long-billed Sunbird -- Recorded at the Carney Estate near Ratnapura on April 1 and one at Adam's Peak the following day. A single at Victoria Gardens in Nuwara Eliya on April 3. Between Kandy and Ampitiya, a single seen on April 6.

Purple Sunbird -- At Hambantota, a male on April 8, and a male and a female seen at Mayurapura on April 11.

White-throated Flowerpecker -- (end) At Sinharaja, seen daily between March 30-April 1.

Sri Lanka White-eye -- (end) Recorded only from Adam's Peak on April 2.

Oriental White-eye -- At Sinharaja, a single noted on March 31.

White-rumped Munia -- Four at Sinharaja on April 29.

Scaly-breasted Munia -- At Mayurapura, east of Hambantota, a single seen on April 12.

Black-headed Munia -- Two adults and 2 juveniles at Udamala, east of Hambantota, on April 10.

House Sparrow -- Two birds noted at Palabadula, south of Adam's Peak, on April 1, and 3 near the rangers' office at Horton Plains National Park on April 3.

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo -- Fairly common in forest areas, e.g. Gilimale and Sinharaja.

White-bellied Drongo --Three birds at Sinharaja on March 31 and another three at Palabadulah/Carney Estate, near Ratnapura, on April 1.

Sri Lanka Magpie -- (end) Two birds at Sinharaja Information Centre on March 30 were the only ones seen.

White-faced Starling -- (end) Seen only at Sinharaja nature reserve where at least three birds were seen on March 30.

Sri Lanka Myna -- (end) At Sinharaja, three birds noted on March 29 and two birds seen the following day, but quite noisy and often heard inside the forest.

Common Myna -- Common in places, especially at Kandy, where a sizeable roost built up every evening in the trees at the west end of  Kandy Lake. Noted at Horton Plains National Park on April 3.

Mammals

Black-faced Langur -- Several groups seen around Hambantota and monkeys, almost certainly of this species, seen in the forest at Sigiriya on April 7.

Purple-faced Leaf Monkey -- (end) Seen only at Sinharaja Nature Reserve.

Toque Monkey -- (end) Two large groups seen at Kandy: one group at the eastern end of the lake, and a large group of about 30 animals at the temple where I was staying.

Ruddy Mongoose -- Two together near the salt ponds at Hambantota on April 9 and a single scent-marking at the A2 road junction northeast of Hambantota on April 11.

Black-naped Hare -- One seen briefly near the salt ponds at Hambantota on April 10 -- tentatively identified as this species.

Giant Squirrel -- At Sinharaja several seen in the forest, and one animal also seen at Sigiriya.

Fruit Bat Spp. -- A colony of several thousand seen at the botanical gardens at Peradeniya on April 5. Also noted in small numbers flying over Kandy at night, and seen roosting  in trees at Kandy Lake. A few seen flying over the bus station in central Colombo on April 14.

Reptiles:

Star Tortoise  -- One on the headland just south of Hambantota on April 10.

Monitor lizard  Spp. -- Two seen at Sinharaja, one at Kandy Lake and one at the salt ponds at Hambantota.

Chris Cook, The Japan Times, 4-5-4 Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0023. Japan.

e-mail - puncknowle2000@hotmail.com or japannaturetours@netscape.net

Why not send us a report, or an update to one of your current reports?