to download Part 2 of the - Jetwing ECO Holidays

12/10/2007
References- 1. Lilia Bernede Msc. in Primate Conservation 2002-2003 Oxford Brookes
University, UK.
2. Robert Davis. An Independent study for a Bsc. Degree 2005. Oxford
Brookes University UK. 3. Saman Gamage Bsc. M.Phil in bio-diversity,
Ruhuna University.
4. Wasantha Liyanage Bsc. M.phil in bio-diversity, Ruhuna University.
ASP Bulletin - June 2004
Compiled and presented by - Sunil Wimalasuriya, owner 'BKE'- above data from a book
to be published titled 'Resurrecting Razed Rainforests'.
‘The Gathering’ of Elephants
By Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne (Published in newspapers in July 2005)
Over the next few days in Sri Lanka, one of the most awesome wildlife spectacles in the
world, will continue to gather pace. Over three hundred wild Asian Elephants converge
for 'The Gathering".
“Sri Lankan wildlife defies conventional wisdom”. Small islands are not supposed to
have large animals. Someone forgot to tell this to the elephants, the largest terrestrial
mammal. Not only is it found in Sri Lanka, the largest concentration of Asian Elephants,
a seasonal gathering, takes place on this island.
Every year, 'The Gathering' takes place on the receding shores of the Minneriya Lake, in
the north central province of Sri Lanka. As the dry season fastens its grip on the dry
lowlands, leaves wither and fall in the dry deciduous forests, waterholes evaporate into
cakes of cracked and parched mud. The elephants must move on in search of food and
water.
The elephants, sometimes numbering over an awe inspiring three hundred, converge onto
the receding shores of Minneriya Tank. Nowhere else in the world will one find such a
high concentration of wild Asian Elephants concentrated into a few square kilometers. A
fact confirmed by Jayantha Jayawardana author of The Elephant in Sri Lanka and a
member of the IUCN/Asian Elephant Specialist Group.
‘The Gathering’ at Minneriya is a wonderful opportunity for wildlife enthusiasts and
casual travellers to observe the social dynamics of elephants. Matriarchs lead their clans
to water, the whole group taking care to safeguard the baby elephants that are always
flanked by adults. The basic unit of family society is a mother and calf. Clans of related
elephants will coalesce into herds when they converge onto Minneriya in search of a
common quest for food, water, cover and mates. The smaller herds group into even larger
herds, sometimes numbering over a hundred elephants. Adult bulls mix freely, using their
trunks to test the air for adult females who are receptive. When a bull elephant attains
maturity, he is expelled from the herd and wanders as a bachelor. At the gathering
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elephants that have not seen each other for a year, renew acquaintances. Bulls tussle for
dominance and calves play with each other.
The Minneriya Tank or reservoir is an ancient man made lake constructed by King
Mahasen in the 3rd century AD. Many centuries ago, these lowlands were farmed for
agriculture by an ancient civilization whose mastery of hydraulics was remarkably
sophisticated. Today, the ancient reservoir fills during the Northeast monsoon and
gradually shrinks as the dry season fasten the lowlands in a torpid grip. As the waters
recede, lush grassland sprouts attracting elephants in search of food from far away as the
jungles of Wasgomuwa and Trincomalee. The lake always retains some water and is
surrounded by scrub jungle, which provides shade during the heat of the day. The Asian
Elephant is a shade-loving animal. It is not endowed with as good an air conditioning
system as its African cousin who has large ears. As evening falls, the elephants emerge
from the scrub, in small herds of tens, coalescing into larger herds, sometimes numbering
over a hundred.
The 'Gathering' is one of the most unforgettable and fantastic events in the international
wildlife calendar”.
Key Facts
When should I visit?
The Gathering peaks during the months of August and September. The locals will know
whether the herds are gathered at Minneriya National Park or whether the nearby
Kaudulla National Park offers better viewing at a particular time. Be guided by local
advice and be flexible as to which of the parks you visit.
Why is it called ‘The Gathering’?
Because that is what it is. It is a seasonal movement of elephants and not quite a
migration in the sense of what biologists mean by a migration.
How should I visit?
Choose a reputable tour operator who can make your arrangements for accommodation,
park entry fees, safari jeep hire, etc. Hotels in the neighbourhood can also make
arrangements for jeep safaris.
What else can I do?
Minneriya, which is the focus of ‘The Gathering’, is at the center of one of the richest
areas for culture and archaeology. The magnificent ancient cities of Anuradhapura and
Polonnaruwa, the rock fortress palace of Kasyappa at Sigiriya, the Golden Rock Temple
of Dambulla, are all within a half day's excursion. Wildlife enthusiasts may like to go
further to Wilpattu National Park or go primate watching or birdwatching in the many
forests patches in the area. Many of the country's finest hotels are also in the area.
Need for an Ecological Index
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By Rohan H. Wickramasinghe, Institute for Tropical Environmental Studies
There is much discussion in recent years (and, in particular, in environmental and
scientific circles) of the ‘biodiversity’ in named regions or localities. For instance, Sri
Lanka has been termed one of the ‘biodiversity hotspots’ of the world. This means that
she has a large variety of indigenous plant and animal species, e.g. orchids, birds and
frogs, within her shores and territorial waters. Many of these are ‘endemic’ or found only
in this country. (n.b. islands frequently have a relatively high proportion of endemic
species but that is another story which we will not discuss now).
One question raised in the course of the deliberations at the recent World Environmental
Education Congress (WEEC) held in Turin (see THE ISLAND of the 7 th November
2005) related to the term ‘biodiversity’. I noted that I felt that, while this concept of
making a tally of indigenous species of plants and animals in a given region or locality is
very valuable for some purposes, the term is a little too technical and perhaps
unsatisfying for educating the general public, including decision makers, on the
importance and urgency of the need for biological conservation. I felt that a sterile
discussion on ‘biodiversity’ would not provide any compelling argument for members of
the general public to support or get involved in biological conservation.
I would like to propose that a sense of the importance and urgency of the need for
biological conservation could be better conveyed by the development of the concept of an
‘Ecological Index’ or ‘EcoIndex’ for each country or region (as necessary). This would in
some ways be similar to a ‘cost-of-living index’ and would be revised annually in order
to provide information and quantify the state of health of the ecology and environment of
the locality under consideration.
Fundamentally, the ‘EcoIndex’ of a given locality would compare the numbers of species
of living organisms in the year in question to those known to have existed in a base or
reference year (say the year 1950, for argument’s sake). Usually, more species of
indigenous plants and animals would have been identified by the year 2005 than were
known in 1950. However, many would have been lost in the locality in question by 2005
or passed into extinction (some types of living organisms, e.g. bacteria, would be
excluded in calculating an EcoIndex due to practical reasons).
The calculation of an EcoIndex would need to be made according to a prescribed
formula, which, ideally, would be standard for all localities to permit comparisons and
detection of trends (however, different formulae may prove to be necessary for, for
example, terrestrial and aquatic environments to avoid the calculation becoming
unwieldy). The elaboration or construction of a formula is not a task which can be
accomplished overnight and will need multidisciplinary inputs.
It is envisaged that the use and annual review of a given locality’s EcoIndex would be
possible without requiring specialist expertise, once the formula is refined and established
(after testing). However, drawing up the formula would need careful thought. For
instance, does one merely add up the numbers of all species of plants and animals in a
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locality or does one factor in increases or decreases in the population of each species (or
marker species)? If the first option is selected, the dwindling of the population of
elephants in Sri Lanka from 3000 to one would not be reflected in her EcoIndex! On the
other hand, however, determining the population numbers of each species of plant and
animal every year could be deemed impracticable. Marker species may need to be
decided upon.
The construction of the formula for an EcoIndex could also incorporate various other
considerations. For instance, industrial pollution in a given locality could be factored in.
WEEC used carbon dioxide emissions as a marker to quantify pollution and this could be
a useful example to follow in view of its relevance to Global Warming. In view of the
disparities between various countries and localities in terms of land area and population
numbers, agreement will need to be arrived at as to whether emissions are to be factored
in per square kilometre of territory or per unit of human population.
Other factors, which may be considered in calculating an Eco Index, include human
activities (e.g. land clearing, deforestation), desertification, salinization of soil, frequency
of natural disasters attributed to human activities (e.g. some landslides) and incidence of
certain health problems, which are related to the state of the environment (e.g. certain
cancers, dengue, certain birth defects). Which factors can and should be incorporated into
the proposed formula will have to be decided after a careful study of all relevant
considerations.
As noted above, the construction of an Eco Index is not a task which can be
accomplished overnight and its operation will also require considerable inputs. However,
once in place, it should prove a valuable educational and administrative tool towards
ecological protection. Even the process of calculating it each year could help to bring to
light developing problems and trends, which may otherwise lie hidden until they are far
advanced.
Any comments on this concept by both specialists and the general public are most
welcome.
The article is reproduced with permission given to the author and SLWN from The Island
ISLAND newspaper (www.island.lk). It was published on Wednesday the 30 th November
2005 in the ‘Midweek Review’.
NEW PUBLICATIONS
With the Dawn by Nihal Fernando & Herbert Keuneman. Published by Studio Times
Ltd.
Based on the Exhibition Wild Life '73, an epic poem in words and photographs which
unfolds the story of life in the jungle. 230 pgs, 200 black & white photographs, 18cm x
19cm (portrait), duotone printing in Korea. Two editions - Standard & Deluxe. Can be
purchased now at prepublication discount. Closing Date for Prepublication Offer: 16th
Dec. 2005.
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Contact: Studio Times Ltd., 16/1 Skelton Road, Colombo 5, + 94 11 2589062, + 94 11
595569. studiot@sltnet.lk. www.studiotimes.net
Birds Sounds of Sri Lanka, Habitat Edition 2005 By Deepal Warakagoda
'This audiotape the Habitat Edition of The Birds Sounds of Sri Lanka was created for
listeners to experience the sounds of birds in 8 major habitat types of Sri Lanka. For the
first time in the series soundscapes featuring birds as well as other sounds of nature are
presented, and one is provided for each of the 8 habitats.
All sounds in this compilation were recorded in the wild and in the relevant habitat types
by Deepal Warakagoda from 1999-2004.
It consists of 105 species of birds with 19 endemics. It is hoped that the work will assist
listeners to identify and appreciate many distinctive bird sounds heard throughout Sri
Lanka and that it will inspire them to respect and conserve the Sri Lanka’s biodiversity.
Side A consists of Birds of Rainforest, Marshes, lagoons & Town gardens. Side B of the
cassette consists of bird sound of Hills, Dry forest, Grassland & Scrubland & Night birds
of the dry zone'.
Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne comments on, the quality of recording as excellent and most
useful for birdwatchers to learn the calls of different bird in their habitats.
Field Guide to the Birds of Southern India
by Richard Grimmett, Tim Inskipp
RRP £24.99 , ISBN 0713651644 , Format Paperback 240 pages. 216x135 mm.
'This guide is a successor to the much acclaimed Birds of the Indian Subcontinent by the
same authors. Covering southern India, the superb plates re accompanied by a succinct
text highlighting identification, voice, habitat, altitudinal range, distribution and status.
The text is on facing pages to the plates, for easy reference.
Like previous guides covering Bhutan, Northern India and Nepal, this guide is a perfect
size for use in the field and will be an essential companion when visiting this region'.
Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide
Vols. 1 and 2
By Pamela C. Rasmussen and John C. Anderton
Illustrated by John Anderton, Ian Lewington, Hilary Burn, Tom Schultz, N. John Schmitt,
Larry B. McQueen, Hans Peeters, Jonathan Alderfer, Albert E. Gilbert, Bill Zetterstrom,
Kristin Williams, Cynthia House
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Smithsonian Institution and Lynx Edicions, 2005
'Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide is a comprehensive, two-volume, up-to-date
work covering the over 2500 known and likely taxa of birds of the spectacularly diverse
Indian subcontinent including, for the first time, Afghanistan and the Chagos
Archipelago. Volume 1 is a Field Guide, bound separately for portability, while Volume
2 (Attributes and Status) contains much more detailed information.
Volume 1 (Field Guide):
- Over 3400 illustrations appear in 180 plates painted especially for this book by expert
artists. These depict virtually all species and most distinctive subspecies and plumages,
some of which appear in no other guide.
- Over 1450 colour maps, based primarily on verified records, represent the ranges of
each regularly occurring species and many distinctive races, and distinguish migratory
routes from winter ranges.
- Maps are annotated as to geographic variation, status, and habitat.
- Concise texts give the information necessary to identify each species .
- To assist in locating groups within the text, illustrated plate keys are provided in the
endpapers.
Vol. 2 (Attributes and Status):
- Contains much new information and many taxonomic treatments.
- Alternative names are listed and taxonomic issues are summarized.
- Specimen measurements specially taken for this book are presented for each species.
- Complete data about identification, status and distribution, and habits are provided for
each species.
- Problematic records are mentioned.
- Vocalizations are described from recordings, and there are over 1000 sonagrams.
- Appendices include the region s first hypothetical species list, a gazetteer, brief
ornithological histories, and lists of taxonomic changes, regional specimen holdings, and
threatened species.
- A comprehensive index allows users to find whatever names are most familiar to them.
- Maps indicate geopolitical names, topography, habitats, and bird species diversity and
endemism'.
Handbook to Indian Wetland Birds and their Conservation
Kumar, A., Sati, JP, Tak, PC & Alfred, JRB (2005) Handbook on Indian Wetland
Birds and their Conservation: xxvi+468 (Published by Director, Zool. Surv. India)
'The Handbook provides extensive information on 310 wetland bird species from India. It
is divided in seven chapters, with eight appendices and Index for scientific and English
names of Indian wetland birds.
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The first chapter of Introduction covers information on Biogeography of India, Wetland
Birds and their Values, Habitats, Heronries, Migration, Major Waterbird Flyways,
Watching Wetland Birds and bird photography.
The second chapter provides a complete Checklist of 310 species of Wetland Birds in a
tabular form with their residential, abundance, conservation and threatened status,
population trend, threshold number, etc. Detail information on diagnostic field characters,
habits, habitats, voice, status and distribution in India, south Asia, as well as in their
biogeographical range has been provided in this chapter. Each species text is furnished
with photograph (s) and a drawing, highlighting the diagnostics in the plate, and a colour
distribution map.
In the third chapter, their residential, abundance and conservation status has been
discussed. For all the Globally Threatened, Near Threatened and Data Deficient species
separate photographic plate are given.
Chapter 4 covers the socio economic values (direct and indirect use values), threats and
the conservation measures in relation to the wetlands and the wetland birds.
Chapter 5 covers the protected area network with information about 19 Ramsar,
Montreux, and World Heritage sites, Important Bird areas (IBAs) and Sacred wetlands in
India. It tabulates state wise information on 99 Waterbird Sanctuaries, National Parks,
and Ramsar Sites with their year of establishment, X & Y co-ordinates, Bio-geographic
unit, and area in km2.
The chapter six of the Handbook deals with the Framework for Conservation covering
various aspects such as, National policies, laws and legislation, International conventions/
Agreements like Ramsar Convention, Convention on Migratory Species (CMS),
Convention on Biodiversity (CBD), CITES, and bilateral Agreements on protection of
migratory birds between India and former USSR and Russia. Co-ordination of Action in
Asia Region under Asia-Pacific Conservation Initiative and the strategy for conservation
of migratory species have been discussed in details. Five major Key habitats for
threatened wetland birds and the species they are supporting have been discussed.
Further, this chapter also briefly touches on,
Mandate of various Government and Non- Governmental Organisations working with the
wetlands and wetland birds at national and International level.
Accession to international conventions and various initiatives under Convention on
Wetlands, and role of Remote Sensing in assessment of waterfowl habitat have been
appended to the Handbook.
As India supports such a large number of migratory species, birds that fly between
countries on an annual basis from the Russian arctic to the Maldives across northern,
Central, South and West Asia, this publication is of great relevance to people throughout
the region.
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We strongly believe that this publication will be a valuable reference to anyone interested
in wetland birds and conservation, including bird watchers, schools, research institutions,
foresters, government agencies and others, many of whom often have limited means to
access many reference and field books. This will be the first step towards being able to
provide them the means and training to identify and conserve waterbirds.
As it not only includes the plates, maps and text to identify and enjoy Wetland birds, but
also provides a wealth of information relevant to their Conservation, many hundred of
bird watchers who participate in Asian Waterfowl census will find the handbook of great
benefit to their efforts.
The handbook is a true example of cooperation by birders internationally and the authors
have also aptly demonstrated the need to co-operate and share our knowledge by
producing a book with contributions from people around the Globe'.
Visit the website below for details about the handbook.
http://www.weblineinfosoft.com/zsi/hbiwb.pdf or contact Arun Kumar, "Nishtha", 14/3
Balbir Road, Dehra Dun 248 001, India. Tel: 91-135-267 1826. Email
drarunk@sancharnet.in
RSPB Children's Guide to Birdwatching by David Chandler, Mike Unwin
ISBN 0713671572 Format, Paperback 128 pages. 207x140 mm. RRP £9.99
'This new RSPB-endorsed book is a practical, exciting and comprehensive introduction to
watching birds, for children aged 8-12 years. Lavishly illustrated throughout with fullcolour
photographs and paintings, it begins by discussing general birding - where to go
and when, what equipment to take with you, tips on attracting birds to your garden, how
to take field notes etc. The second half of the book comprises a field guide to more than a
hundred and thirty of the commonest species of Britain and Ireland, using clear
illustrations backed up by concise, straightforward text describing key identification
points, such as behaviour, voice and habitat.
This informative and lively book will greatly enhance children's enjoyment of
birdwatching, and will help to engender a lifetime of enthusiasm for birds and birding'.
PRESS RELEASES
Hakgala Strict Natural Reserve: A Statement from Environmental
Foundation Ltd (EFL)
Is forest loss drying up our water?
The Environmental Foundation Limited warns the general public of an impending water
crisis, as there seems to be no visible action taken to halt illegal encroachment and
degradation of Sri Lanka’s rapidly decreasing forest cover. Now down to only 20% of the
total land area, it is within these areas, water; the most vital factor for human wellbeing,
is secured and maintained. In view of the inevitable crisis in store for Sri Lanka in the
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near future, the preservation of our forests, especially the Protected Areas, needs to be
done immediately and encroachers removed.
EFL’s Policy Paper, Hakgala Strict Natural Reserve: is forest loss drying up our water?
issued today, is a follow up to the joint Open Forum on the preservation and protection of
the Hakgala Strict Natural Reserve (HSNR) held on July 27, together with the
Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWLC), where stakeholders, including
conservationists, other environmental NGOs, key governmental organisations and
institutions, wildlife enthusiasts as well as members of the press met to discuss a way to
end the destruction of the HSNR. The Open Forum paved way for the establishment of
closer ties with media organisations, through which a large audience could be reached in
the protection and conservation of the natural environment.
Why preserve our forests?
Although the HSNR cover less than 0.02% of Sri Lanka’s total land area and 0.12% of
the Protected Areas estate, its importance in terms of ecological, hydrological and
economic value, far exceeds its proportions. A well conserved forest, acts as a cover for
collecting rainfall, while minimising the loss of water. It also acts as a barrier that helps
stop soil erosion and sedimentation of waterways. Water, as a resource, is vital and
precious as it is finite in supply, with demand for its use growing rapidly. This situation
will not change but the quality and quantity of ground water will continue to decline. In
this light, preservation of the HSNR, an important watershed area that also helps to
safeguard several other goods and services that are indispensable for sustaining human
livelihoods and economic security, must be top priority.
Blatant disregard of the Rule of Law
Disregard for the law of the land continues while our natural resources are used, abused
with little or no regard for its preservation for the future. These Protected Areas were
declared such, as their importance as ecologically sensitive areas were recognised by
policy makers many years ago. However today, the illegal encroachment and rapid
deforestation of the same, will spell eventual developmental and economic doom for the
country.
A Call for Action
EFL calls on the government and people of Sri Lanka to band together to preserve this
miniscule 0.02% of total land area so that the SNRs of the country along with other
Protected Areas will not be cleared and responsible authorities under whose purview,
protection of them fall, succumb to cheap political pressure aimed only at gaining
political mileage.
EFL therefore calls for:
· The urgent eviction of all occupants of SNRs and other Protected Areas, irrespective of
their period of occupation or extent of holding.
· An immediate halt to the encroachment of ecologically sensitive sites.
· A clear demarcation of the physical boundaries of SNRs, and enforcement of these.
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·Stated commitment from all political parties to uphold the laws regarding nature
protection and to disallow squatting in SNRs.
· A concrete pledge by the government and its donors to undertake concrete measures to
strengthen the agencies that are charged with maintaining the country’s precious
biodiversity, especially the Wildlife Department and Forest Department.
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SRI LANKA WILDLIFE NEWS is an ad-hoc e-mail of birding and wildlife events,
sightings and short notes of interest to birders, photographers, conservationists etc. To
receive a copy, please e-mail gehan.slwn@jetwing.lk with "Subscribe Wildlife News" in
the subject header. SLWN values your privacy, to be removed, e-mail with “Unsubscribe
Wildlife News” in the header. Please e-mail your sightings, events etc to
gehan.slwn@jetwing.lk. The media are welcome to extract details, but please attribute the
source and author(s). Past issues are on www.jetwingeco.com
JULY - OCTOBER 2005
SRI LANKA WILDLIFE NEWS (July - October 2005)
- A compilation by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne & Ayanthi Samarajewa
HIGHLIGHTS
[*] Streak-throated Woodpecker in Ohiya, Glossy Ibis on the outskirts of Colombo,
Large Oakleaf in Ratmalana & 3rd record of Red Turtle Dove. See BIRDING &
WILDLIFE NEWS.
[*] ‘The Gathering’ of Elephants & Folklore of Yala See ARTICLES.
[*] Birds Sounds of Sri Lanka, Habitat Edition 2005. New books out include Birds of
South Asia The Ripley Guide, Handbook to Indian Wetland Birds and their Conservation
and the RSPB Children's Guide to Birdwatching. See PUBLICATIONS.
EVENTS SUMMARY
- Saturday 26 November, Lecture series on birds for beginners. 9.30am - 12.00. NBLT,
University of Colombo, Colombo 3. Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL)
Lecture Series. Topic and speaker to be finalised.
BIRDING & WILDLIFE NEWS
Ceylon Bird Club Birding News on 27 October carried the following reports.
26 th October 2005
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- Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne reports near Talangama Tank seven Glossy Ibis, also 10+
Common Greenshanks, 100+ Marsh Sandpipers and c. 50 Asiatic Golden Plover, in the
paddy fields by the causeway on 23 October.
- Deepal Warakagoda reports two Glossy Ibis in the Pillewa marsh on the temple side of
the main road on 24 October.
Ceylon Bird Club Birding News on 18 October carried the following reports.
19 th October 2005
- Uditha Hettige and Chinthaka de Silva report one or probably two Red Turtle Doves at
Shastrawela south of Arugam Bay on 16 October. A male was observed just by the main
road c. ½ km each side of the STF camp signboard at c. 4.55 and 5.05 p.m. The two
previous records of the species in Sri Lanka are by Layard c. 1860 and Phillips in 1951.
- Bandara, Naturalist of Tropical Villa’s Hotel, Beruwala reports from Sinharaja
Forest (Kudawa entrance) on 15 th August 2005.
Around 9.00am I was walking along the main road in to the forest with two English bird
watchers and a tracker. About 400m from the entrance in a distant dead tree there were
19 White-faced Starlings perched and were moving around.
At about 11:10hrs when we were walking back from the giant Nawada tree (Shorea
stripularis) just after a little rain; I heard the call of Sri Lanka Blue Magpie and it seemed
like there were more than one, so we hurried on and were able to spot the flock. In the
flock we observed six individuals who were in the shrubs and just above the shrub layer.
Thereafter we took a break at the research center nearby. Here we heard several different
calls of birds, I then realised that it was a feeding bird flock. The direction they were
moving seemed to be towards the trail to “Sinhagala” and “Gallenyaya”. So we quickly
went towards the trail and stayed just 50m from the research center. As we waited the
birds slowly came out and moved to the other side it was an amazing flock, very rich in
species diversity. There were 12 individuals of Red-faced Malkoha, 6 Sri Lanka Myna, 4
Malabar Trogon, more than 15 Orange-billed Babblers, around 10 Ashy-headed
Laughing Thrush, one Grey Hornbill, around 3 Crested Drongo, White-faced Starling,
Yellow-fronted Barbet, Dark-fronted Babbler, Yellow-browed Bulbul, Indian Scimitar
Babbler, Greater Flameback, Black-naped Monarch, Velvet-fronted Nuthach and we
heard the call of Dusky-striped Jungle Squirrel in the flock.
- Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne and Dilshani Samaraweera from Lanka Business Online
(LBO) visited the Minneriya National Park on Tuesday 8 August. 'The Gathering'
was well in progress. From one location on the banks of the lake, they were able to count
more than a hundred elephants. Two adult bull elephants tussled briefly. Two juveniles
were also seen engaged in testing their strength. One group of about six elephants had a
young baby, perhaps only a few weeks old amongst them.
- Rohan Cooray, former Naturalists of Tropical Villas, Beruwala on tour with Mr & Mrs
Phillips reports the following from Kosgoda beach.
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"On Sunday 17 July 2005, we visited the Kosgoda beach in search of Marine turtles. We
had an early dinner and left the Tropical Villas around 20:45 hours. Kosgoda beach is
about 10 minutes drive from the Tropical Villas Hotel. Mr. David Phillips brought his
digital cannon 400mm and 80mm lenses.
We arrived at the beach around 21:00 hours. I had already informed the local research
project officer about our visit to their Marine turtle research site. We all walked towards
the research hut, which is situated, on the beach. One of the research officers told us that
one of the turtle nest is expected to hatch and we might see the hatchlings crawling to the
sea tonight. We were all thrilled about this unexpected news and hurried with him to the
site. Then he carefully examined the nest and made a small hole, within seconds this hole
was filled with small turtles. As this nest was located on a higher location on the beach
and hatchlings could easily back track with all the lights glittering in the background, one
of the researcher's helped the hatchlings to find the sea. More than 100 Green Turtle
hatchlings were released to the sea under the watchful eyes of the project officers.
Once all the hatchlings had gone to the sea, we walked back to the research hut. Then one
of the beach patrolman pointed at an object on the beach and said' a turtle", but we
suddenly realise it's a wooden log washed by the sea. We all laughed and knew he was
joking. Once again we were told there was a turtle' and this time all of us laughed at him,
but I was bit curious and said to one of the research officers we should look at it. I was
sure that was a turtle crawling towards the hut, because the object reflected the moonlight
by it's smooth surface. They quickly realised that it was a turtle crawling towards their
watch hut. The research officer who asked us to stay back until the Turtle start to dig its
nest stopped us. The time was around 9.30pm. According to a research officer during
these months only one or two turtles come to the beach. However, during the peak
nesting season number of turtles coming to the beach goes up to 20 in one night.
The research officers invited us to sit in their hut until it started laying eggs. We were told
if the turtle is disturbed while its making its nest it possibly will crawl back to the sea and
lay eggs in the sea (which won't survive). Finally we were able to go closer to look at the
turtle. It was a Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas), which was about 4 feet long. We observed
how it was laying eggs. Once the turtle stop laying eggs the researchers took various
measurements. Then the researchers told us that there were more than 150 eggs laid, and
it was a new turtle that visited the research site. They put a tag on its front left flipper for
future identification. Finally after three hours the Green Turtle crawled back to the sea.
- Wicky Wickramasekara (Eco Holidays) on tour with Scott Lyall reports a mating pair
of Streak-throated Woodpecker at 11.00am on the Boralanda Road, Ohiya.
- Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne with Lester Perera (Eco Holidays) visited Bodhingala
on Friday 08 July 2005. They report as follows. "An overcast day with intermittent light
showers. Despite the gloomy conditions, bird life was active. We arrived around 6.30 am.
A pair of Green-billed Coucals called to each other for over an hour as they foraged.
Endemics seen or heard included Legge's Flowerpecker (singing a lot), Ceylon Hanging
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Parrot, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Spot-winged Thrush (h), Ceylon Spurfowl (h), Chestnutbacked
Owlet (h), Ceylon Crested Drongo, Brown-capped Babbler (singing and calling).
A male Trogon was foraging with two females. A Black-backed Dwarf Kingfisher was
perched on the electricity wires. Honey Buzzard was heard. Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill was
not seen or heard".
- Chinthaka de Silva (Eco Holidays) reports a Great Frigatebird near the Mount Lavinia
railway station at around 7.30am on 6 th July 2005. It was about 50 meters above him and
he had identified it as a juvenile. He also reports a Large Oakleaf Butterfly on 7 th July at
around 9.00am at the Rathmalana Rubber Research institute premises.
- Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne reports on Friday 24 June 2005 from 155 Model Farm
Road. "Around 4.10 pm, I observed a mixed species feeding flock in my garden
comprising of Yellow-billed Babblers, a pair of White-bellied Drongo, Red-vented
Bulbuls, a pair of Magpie Robins, Loten's Sunbirds, Purple-rumped Sunbirds and a
Tailorbird and a Palm Squirrel. A total of seven species of bird and one mammal.
Butterflies observed around 4.00 pm included Common Mormon (one was preyed by a
Drongo), Common Mime, Common Palmflies (a pair in a territorial dispute), Psyche,
Lime Butterfly, etc. A Common Mormon female of the form aristolochoides mimicking
the Crimson Rose was observed. A Common Palmfly mimic of a Plain Tiger was also
observed".
- Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne, Wicky Wickremesekera, Ajanthan Shanthiratnam,
Chandrika Maelge (Eco Holidays) and Zainab Ibrahim visited Sinharaja (on Sunday
20 June 2005) where they were joined by Deepal Warakagoda (Eco Holidays) with his
client Christopher Scott and Uditha Hettige and Chinthaka de Silva (Eco Holidays). They
observed a mixed species feeding flock of very good numbers and species in
composition. Three Red-faced Malkohas were in flock with White-faced Starlings and
Ashy-headed Laughingthrushes, which also had several Crested Drongos. Other flock
species present were Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Yellow-naped Woodpecker, Black-naped
Monarch, and Malabar Trogon.
The Red-faced Malkohas were not disturbed by the presence of several observers and
were preening themselves in full view, albeit at a distance in the canopy. They have
become very much easier to photograph in the last few years.
Uditha and Chinthaka had also observed an interaction between what they suspect to be
rival pairs of Green-billed Coucals.
Other endemics seen or heard included Black-headed Bulbul, Layard's Parakeet (h),
Scaly Thrush (h), Ceylon Spurfowl, (h), Blue Magpie (h), Grey Hornbill (h), Legge's
Flowerpecker (h).
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Rajiv Welikala writes "I managed to arrange a trip to Yala during the Poson weekend
(18-21 June). Little did I know that it would be the most rewarding safari ever. Although
I have been going to the jungles from a very young age I was never able to get a
photograph of a leopard. I only saw fleeting glimpses of them crossing the road and on
top of the Patanangala rock, which was too far for a clear shot. I was determined to get a
photo no matter what.
On our first round itself we encountered two leopards, one a cub at Sudhuwelimulla
which bolted at the first sight of us and also an adult female at Moda wala of whom I
couldn’t take a picture because of the "traffic jam". I was utterly frustrated. But to my
luck the next day we managed to spot one at Koma Wewa but even at this occasion it was
on the other side of the tank and way too far for a very good picture. But on my last trip
to my luck we came across a beautiful leopard on the main road. It was in the middle of
relieving itself on the main road itself. And after which it slowly proceeded towards
Rakina wala.
When we reached the waterhole there was already a legion of jeeps looking at another
leopard walking across the bund. We on the other hand conveniently parked ourselves at
the best spot where we predicted the leopard will appear from, and to our luck our
guesses were right. It walked up slowly sat down for a while and them proceeded to the
water had had a drink for without exaggeration for about half an hour. I was speechless
and it was barely ten meters from our jeep. I ended up taking at least 50 shots of the
beautiful creature. After it had drunk its fill it slowly walked back into the bushes. And to
our amazing luck just outside the gate was an enormous tusker. I couldn’t believe our
luck, five leopards in three park trips!!!!!!
ARTICLES/TRIP REPORTS
‘The Gathering’ of Elephants
By Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne (Published in newspapers in July 2005)
Over the next few days in Sri Lanka, one of the most awesome wildlife spectacles in the
world, will continue to gather pace. Over three hundred wild Asian Elephants converge
for 'The Gathering".
“Sri Lankan wildlife defies conventional wisdom”. Small islands are not supposed to
have large animals. Someone forgot to tell this to the elephants, the largest terrestrial
mammal. Not only is it found in Sri Lanka, the largest concentration of Asian Elephants,
a seasonal gathering, takes place on this island.
Every year, 'The Gathering' takes place on the receding shores of the Minneriya Lake, in
the north central province of Sri Lanka. As the dry season fastens its grip on the dry
lowlands, leaves wither and fall in the dry deciduous forests, waterholes evaporate into
cakes of cracked and parched mud. The elephants must move on in search of food and
water.
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The elephants, sometimes numbering over an awe inspiring three hundred, converge onto
the receding shores of Minneriya Tank. Nowhere else in the world will one find such a
high concentration of wild Asian Elephants concentrated into a few square kilometers. A
fact confirmed by Jayantha Jayawardana author of The Elephant in Sri Lanka and a
member of the IUCN/Asian Elephant Specialist Group.
‘The Gathering’ at Minneriya is a wonderful opportunity for wildlife enthusiasts and
casual travellers to observe the social dynamics of elephants. Matriarchs lead their clans
to water, the whole group taking care to safeguard the baby elephants that are always
flanked by adults. The basic unit of family society is a mother and calf. Clans of related
elephants will coalesce into herds when they converge onto Minneriya in search of a
common quest for food, water, cover and mates. The smaller herds group into even larger
herds, sometimes numbering over a hundred elephants. Adult bulls mix freely, using their
trunks to test the air for adult females who are receptive. When a bull elephant attains
maturity, he is expelled from the herd and wanders as a bachelor. At the gathering
elephants that have not seen each other for a year, renew acquaintances. Bulls tussle for
dominance and calves play with each other.
The Minneriya Tank or reservoir is an ancient man made lake constructed by King
Mahasen in the 3rd century AD. Many centuries ago, these lowlands were farmed for
agriculture by an ancient civilization whose mastery of hydraulics was remarkably
sophisticated. Today, the ancient reservoir fills during the Northeast monsoon and
gradually shrinks as the dry season fasten the lowlands in a torpid grip. As the waters
recede, lush grassland sprouts attracting elephants in search of food from far away as the
jungles of Wasgomuwa and Trincomalee. The lake always retains some water and is
surrounded by scrub jungle, which provides shade during the heat of the day. The Asian
Elephant is a shade-loving animal. It is not endowed with as good an air conditioning
system as its African cousin who has large ears. As evening falls, the elephants emerge
from the scrub, in small herds of tens, coalescing into larger herds, sometimes numbering
over a hundred.
The 'Gathering' is one of the most unforgettable and fantastic events in the international
wildlife calendar”.
Key Facts
When should I visit?
The Gathering peaks during the months of August and September. The locals will know
whether the herds are gathered at Minneriya National Park or whether the nearby
Kaudulla National Park offers better viewing at a particular time. Be guided by local
advice and be flexible as to which of the parks you visit.
Why is it called ‘The Gathering’?
Because that is what it is. It is a seasonal movement of elephants and not quite a
migration in the sense of what biologists mean by a migration.
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How should I visit?
Choose a reputable tour operator who can make your arrangements for accommodation,
park entry fees, safari jeep hire, etc. Hotels in the neighbourhood can also make
arrangements for jeep safaris.
What else can I do?
Minneriya, which is the focus of ‘The Gathering’, is at the center of one of the richest
areas for culture and archaeology. The magnificent ancient cities of Anuradhapura and
Polonnaruwa, the rock fortress palace of Kasyappa at Sigiriya, the Golden Rock Temple
of Dambulla, are all within a half day's excursion. Wildlife enthusiasts may like to go
further to Wilpattu National Park or go primate watching or birdwatching in the many
forests patches in the area. Many of the country's finest hotels are also in the area.
Folklore and Wild Life of Yala National Park Sri Lanka
By Suriya Kumara Jayalath
Research Student (MA) – University of Kelaniya
Folk Lore and Wild Life Researcher – Sri Lanka
An introduction in brief to the history of Ruhuna certainly is pivotal prior to the
projection of your mind towards the education of Yala Folklore and its Wild Life. Our
Country was constituted of three ruling states namely, Ruhuna, Maya, and Pihiti in the
past. These three states were also known as the “Three Sinhalaya” it was so found for the
first time in the rock inscriptions originated by Queen Leelawathie. The present history of
Ruhuna has its nucleus emerging from Dambadiva [India].
There were several Ambassadors who were in the retinue of Vijaya, soon after the arrival
did start building settlements in the Country. King Amithodana who happened to be one
of them had a son by the name of Pandushakkya, King Amithodana was a brother of
King Suddhodana the father of Prince Siddhartha. Pandushakkya became a father of
seven sons and one daughter whose name was Bhaddakachchayana. Her mother was
Susima Devi.
Bahaddhakachchayana was sent on board of a ship and floated into the sea proclaiming
that a suitable one would marry her. Eventually Princess Bhaddhakachchayana had been
brought ashore and she disembarked at Gokanna in Lakdiva. Having come to know the
incident, Prince Tissa immediately proceeded to the place and took her in marriage. Out
of the other seven sons, six excluding Gamini, on information came to Lakdiva and
constituted their own Capitals in different places in Lakdiva according to their choices.
The names of those capitals were Rama, Guruwela, Anuradha, Vijitha, Deegayu and
Rohana.
The ruling state which was constituted by the Prince Rohana was later expanded up to
Yala National Park. King Pandukabhaya the son of Ummada Chitra and Deega Gamini
ruled Lakdiva for 37 years; King Mutaseeva for 60 years. After his death King
Devanampiyatissa was crowned. Mahawamsa says that the second brother of
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Devanampiyatissa built a tank near Walaskema. His Queen gave birth to a son in the
close proximity to Yatala Temple, and named the newly born child as Yatalatissa. After
the death of King Yatalatissa his son Gotabhaya became the King. Consequently his son
Kawantissa was crowned. During Kawantissa’s reign the great Magulmahaviharaya and
Sithulpawwa cum Chittalapabbatha Temple were built in the outset of Yala which is in
Block I of Yala. After his passing away, King Dutugemunu brought the country under
one flag. A book that contains the plans and boundaries of Ruhuna, is said to have been
compiled during the Gampola period. It indicates the boundaries f as of Ruhuna as from
the River Kaluganga from Kalutara and River Mahaveli and University of Peradeniya
from Kandy, were the boundaries within which the great extent of land of Ruhuna was.
As per the rock inscriptions of the “Galge” [Rock House] at Boatta which is situated in
between the Kumana National Park and Block II of the Yala National Park, one Prince
that goes on by the name Uthi has been identified as one of the ten brother Kings by Dr.
Paranavithana the archeologist.
Mahanagahula was the second capital of the old Ruhuna. It was divided into two
“Pattus”. The Nagam Pattu was subdivided into “Dolos Rata” and “Atadahas Rata”
which means land of 12,000 and 8,000. Sithulpawwa the forest temple comes under the
“Atadahas Rata” and Tissamaharamaya, the village temple in “Dolosdahas Rata” where
many historical places like Yodha Wewa, Yodha Kandiya, Degundara Wewa, Digan
Wala, Kota Bendi Wewa, Athuru Mithuru Wewa, Buthuwa Wewa, Dharshana Wewa,
Bandu Wewa, Rakina Wala, Wilapala Wewa, Indigolla Wewa, Nimalawa, Gigumdara
Kanda, Kirindi Viharaya and in the place where the most olden art of swan line pattern is
drawn.
Also the Akasa Chaithya, Gonagalla Chaithya, Padikkema, Modaragala, Katagamuwa,
Nandimittra Chaithya, Kanabisaw Galge, Goyamkola Maya Gala, Mandagala, the holy
place which is said to have been the Temple of the great God Kataragama alias the
residence of the God of Siyambalewa. The above shown places would reveal the
historical background. The life sustenance plant, which comes in the traditional medical
prescriptions, is a herbal plant that even a patient in his last breath can be cured. This
plant is found in Block I of the great Yala forest.
There are is folklore to the effect that the origin of the name Patangala was that it was
the place where cargo was loaded into ships.
Yala was proclaimed a forest reserve on 23 rd March, 1900. A Boer prisoner of war by the
name of Engelbrecht was brought to Ceylon in 1907. Subsequently he was appointed as
the first warden of Yala.
Kudumbigala Sanctuary hails in serenity and the fragrance of “Seela” spread over
Kumana with the blessing of the Kudumbigala Temple along with the Skanda Devalaya.
The Chief Incumbent of the Kudumbigala Temple says, that there had been some
Kutumbi families in the Kudumbigala area in the past. Also the place where the Okanda
Devale alias Murugan Devale is treated as the original Holy Land of the deity
Kataragama
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The Folk Life of Yala is filled with a lot of tales, and much literature can be seen both in
past and present. The Kings and the Tenfold skilled Giants had built various religious
centres in the Holy Land. Sithulpawwa, where 12,000 Arahants lived was one of them.
The fisheries wadies at Patanangala and the hunters from Nimalawa Banduwewa, who
are residing in close by Chenas are really a menace to this Holy Land.
Regarding Folklore, Folk Life and Wild Life the dissertations [Project Report] written by
me for my Masters Degree and an Exhibition of photographs of folklore and wild life was
presented at an exhibition which was held in the Harold Peiris Art Gallery of the Lionel
Wendt Theatre on 2 nd , 3 rd , and 4 th September, 2005.
Chance and tolerance are two important things that a Photographer should possess while
in the jungle. I realized it myself when I was engaged in taking the photographs of wild
animals. There are some folk stories in relation to names given to various wild animals
“Dum Bonna” [Indian Roller] which is given to those who came to peck insects that are
attracted to the rising smoke during the burning of Chenas. “Sivuru Hora”, “Diviya”,
“Ulama” too are subjects for such folk stories. Especially the “White Elephant” which I
came across in the Yala jungle, has become a popular subject among the folk stories.
King Wessantara had given in alms a white elephant, Queen Mahamaya Devi too
dreamed of a white elephant, God Saman riding on a white elephant, are some of them
The white elephant that was caught in my photographs was a unique situation,
notwithstanding the fact that the profile seen by anyone from the sea when looking at the
Minihagalkanda the view resembles a man and it has a long history coming down from
Ravana’s period. Those days the area had been thickly populated
I take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to those who assisted me
during the research work namely the members of the Department of Wildlife
Conservation and Forest Conservation, Messrs. Fuji Films (Private) Limited, Jetwing
Hotels and Jetwing Eco Holidays, Toyota Lanka (Private) Limited and to Mr. Ranjith De
Silva of Olga Studio who joined with me in taking photographs, all Incumbents of
Nimalawa and Situlpawwa Viharas, Mr. Gamini Dela Bandara, the head of the
department of the Sinhala Faculty, Kelaniya University, Dr. Chandrasiri Palliyaguru my
Teacher and Supervisor of my research work, Mr. Leonard Mayadunna, Mr. Kumara
Banda and Mr. Ajantha the Forest Warden and all others who helped me in various ways.
NEW PUBLICATIONS
Birds Sounds of Sri Lanka, Habitat Edition 2005 By Deepal Warakagoda
'This audiotape the Habitat Edition of The Birds Sounds of Sri Lanka was created for
listeners to experience the sounds of birds in 8 major habitat types of Sri Lanka. For the
first time in the series soundscapes featuring birds as well as other sounds of nature are
presented, and one is provided for each of the 8 habitats.
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All sounds in this compilation were recorded in the wild and in the relevant habitat types
by Deepal Warakagoda from 1999-2004.
It consists of 105 species of birds with 19 endemics. It is hoped that the work will assist
listeners to identify and appreciate many distinctive bird sounds heard throughout Sri
Lanka and that it will inspire them to respect and conserve the Sri Lanka’s biodiversity.
Side A consists of Birds of Rainforest, Marshes, lagoons & Town gardens. Side B of the
cassette consists of bird sound of Hills, Dry forest, Grassland & Scrubland & Night birds
of the dry zone'.
Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne comments on, the quality of recording as excellent and most
useful for birdwatchers to learn the calls of different bird in their habitats.
Field Guide to the Birds of Southern India
by Richard Grimmett, Tim Inskipp
RRP £24.99 , ISBN 0713651644 , Format Paperback 240 pages. 216x135 mm.
'This guide is a successor to the much acclaimed Birds of the Indian Subcontinent by the
same authors. Covering southern India, the superb plates re accompanied by a succinct
text highlighting identification, voice, habitat, altitudinal range, distribution and status.
The text is on facing pages to the plates, for easy reference.
Like previous guides covering Bhutan, Northern India and Nepal, this guide is a perfect
size for use in the field and will be an essential companion when visiting this region'.
Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide
Vols. 1 and 2
By Pamela C. Rasmussen and John C. Anderton
Illustrated by John Anderton, Ian Lewington, Hilary Burn, Tom Schultz, N. John Schmitt,
Larry B. McQueen, Hans Peeters, Jonathan Alderfer, Albert E. Gilbert, Bill Zetterstrom,
Kristin Williams, Cynthia House
Smithsonian Institution and Lynx Edicions, 2005
'Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide is a comprehensive, two-volume, up-to-date
work covering the over 2500 known and likely taxa of birds of the spectacularly diverse
Indian subcontinent including, for the first time, Afghanistan and the Chagos
Archipelago. Volume 1 is a Field Guide, bound separately for portability, while Volume
2 (Attributes and Status) contains much more detailed information.
Volume 1 (Field Guide):
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- Over 3400 illustrations appear in 180 plates painted especially for this book by expert
artists. These depict virtually all species and most distinctive subspecies and plumages,
some of which appear in no other guide.
- Over 1450 colour maps, based primarily on verified records, represent the ranges of
each regularly occurring species and many distinctive races, and distinguish migratory
routes from winter ranges.
- Maps are annotated as to geographic variation, status, and habitat.
- Concise texts give the information necessary to identify each species .
- To assist in locating groups within the text, illustrated plate keys are provided in the
endpapers.
Vol. 2 (Attributes and Status):
- Contains much new information and many taxonomic treatments.
- Alternative names are listed and taxonomic issues are summarized.
- Specimen measurements specially taken for this book are presented for each species.
- Complete data about identification, status and distribution, and habits are provided for
each species.
- Problematic records are mentioned.
- Vocalizations are described from recordings, and there are over 1000 sonagrams.
- Appendices include the region s first hypothetical species list, a gazetteer, brief
ornithological histories, and lists of taxonomic changes, regional specimen holdings, and
threatened species.
- A comprehensive index allows users to find whatever names are most familiar to them.
- Maps indicate geopolitical names, topography, habitats, and bird species diversity and
endemism'.
Handbook to Indian Wetland Birds and their Conservation
Kumar, A., Sati, JP, Tak, PC & Alfred, JRB (2005) Handbook on Indian Wetland
Birds and their Conservation: xxvi+468 (Published by Director, Zool. Surv. India)
'The Handbook provides extensive information on 310 wetland bird species from India. It
is divided in seven chapters, with eight appendices and Index for scientific and English
names of Indian wetland birds.
The first chapter of Introduction covers information on Biogeography of India, Wetland
Birds and their Values, Habitats, Heronries, Migration, Major Waterbird Flyways,
Watching Wetland Birds and bird photography.
The second chapter provides a complete Checklist of 310 species of Wetland Birds in a
tabular form with their residential, abundance, conservation and threatened status,
population trend, threshold number, etc. Detail information on diagnostic field characters,
habits, habitats, voice, status and distribution in India, south Asia, as well as in their
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biogeographical range has been provided in this chapter. Each species text is furnished
with photograph (s) and a drawing, highlighting the diagnostics in the plate, and a colour
distribution map.
In the third chapter, their residential, abundance and conservation status has been
discussed. For all the Globally Threatened, Near Threatened and Data Deficient species
separate photographic plate are given.
Chapter 4 covers the socio economic values (direct and indirect use values), threats and
the conservation measures in relation to the wetlands and the wetland birds.
Chapter 5 covers the protected area network with information about 19 Ramsar,
Montreux, and World Heritage sites, Important Bird areas (IBAs) and Sacred wetlands in
India. It tabulates state wise information on 99 Waterbird Sanctuaries, National Parks,
and Ramsar Sites with their year of establishment, X & Y co-ordinates, Bio-geographic
unit, and area in km2.
The chapter six of the Handbook deals with the Framework for Conservation covering
various aspects such as, National policies, laws and legislation, International conventions/
Agreements like Ramsar Convention, Convention on Migratory Species (CMS),
Convention on Biodiversity (CBD), CITES, and bilateral Agreements on protection of
migratory birds between India and former USSR and Russia. Co-ordination of Action in
Asia Region under Asia-Pacific Conservation Initiative and the strategy for conservation
of migratory species have been discussed in details. Five major Key habitats for
threatened wetland birds and the species they are supporting have been discussed.
Further, this chapter also briefly touches on,
Mandate of various Government and Non- Governmental Organisations working with the
wetlands and wetland birds at national and International level.
Accession to international conventions and various initiatives under Convention on
Wetlands, and role of Remote Sensing in assessment of waterfowl habitat have been
appended to the Handbook.
As India supports such a large number of migratory species, birds that fly between
countries on an annual basis from the Russian arctic to the Maldives across northern,
Central, South and West Asia, this publication is of great relevance to people throughout
the region.
We strongly believe that this publication will be a valuable reference to anyone interested
in wetland birds and conservation, including bird watchers, schools, research institutions,
foresters, government agencies and others, many of whom often have limited means to
access many reference and field books. This will be the first step towards being able to
provide them the means and training to identify and conserve waterbirds.
As it not only includes the plates, maps and text to identify and enjoy Wetland birds, but
also provides a wealth of information relevant to their Conservation, many hundred of
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bird watchers who participate in Asian Waterfowl census will find the handbook of great
benefit to their efforts.
The handbook is a true example of cooperation by birders internationally and the authors
have also aptly demonstrated the need to co-operate and share our knowledge by
producing a book with contributions from people around the Globe'.
Visit the website below for details about the handbook.
http://www.weblineinfosoft.com/zsi/hbiwb.pdf or contact Arun Kumar, "Nishtha", 14/3
Balbir Road, Dehra Dun 248 001, India. Tel: 91-135-267 1826. Email
drarunk@sancharnet.in
RSPB Children's Guide to Birdwatching by David Chandler, Mike Unwin
ISBN 0713671572 Format, Paperback 128 pages. 207x140 mm. RRP £9.99
'This new RSPB-endorsed book is a practical, exciting and comprehensive introduction to
watching birds, for children aged 8-12 years. Lavishly illustrated throughout with fullcolour
photographs and paintings, it begins by discussing general birding - where to go
and when, what equipment to take with you, tips on attracting birds to your garden, how
to take field notes etc. The second half of the book comprises a field guide to more than a
hundred and thirty of the commonest species of Britain and Ireland, using clear
illustrations backed up by concise, straightforward text describing key identification
points, such as behaviour, voice and habitat.
This informative and lively book will greatly enhance children's enjoyment of
birdwatching, and will help to engender a lifetime of enthusiasm for birds and birding'.
Out soon
With the Dawn by Nihal Fernando & Herbert Keuneman. Published by Studio Times
Ltd.
Based on the Exhibition Wild Life '73, an epic poem in words and photographs which
unfolds the story of life in the jungle. 230 pgs, 200 black & white photographs, 18cm x
19cm (portrait), duotone printing in Korea. Two editions - Standard & Deluxe. Can be
purchased now at prepublication discount. Closing Date for Prepublication Offer: 16th
Dec. 2005.
Contact: Studio Times Ltd., 16/1 Skelton Road, Colombo 5, + 94 11 2589062, + 94 11
595569. studiot@sltnet.lk. www.studiotimes.net
PRESS RELEASES
Hakgala Strict Natural Reserve: A Statement from Environmental Foundation Ltd
(EFL)
Is forest loss drying up our water?
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The Environmental Foundation Limited warns the general public of an impending water
crisis, as there seems to be no visible action taken to halt illegal encroachment and
degradation of Sri Lanka’s rapidly decreasing forest cover. Now down to only 20% of the
total land area, it is within these areas, water; the most vital factor for human wellbeing,
is secured and maintained. In view of the inevitable crisis in store for Sri Lanka in the
near future, the preservation of our forests, especially the Protected Areas, needs to be
done immediately and encroachers removed.
EFL’s Policy Paper, Hakgala Strict Natural Reserve: is forest loss drying up our water?
issued today, is a follow up to the joint Open Forum on the preservation and protection of
the Hakgala Strict Natural Reserve (HSNR) held on July 27, together with the
Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWLC), where stakeholders, including
conservationists, other environmental NGOs, key governmental organisations and
institutions, wildlife enthusiasts as well as members of the press met to discuss a way to
end the destruction of the HSNR. The Open Forum paved way for the establishment of
closer ties with media organisations, through which a large audience could be reached in
the protection and conservation of the natural environment.
Why preserve our forests?
Although the HSNR cover less than 0.02% of Sri Lanka’s total land area and 0.12% of
the Protected Areas estate, its importance in terms of ecological, hydrological and
economic value, far exceeds its proportions. A well conserved forest, acts as a cover for
collecting rainfall, while minimising the loss of water. It also acts as a barrier that helps
stop soil erosion and sedimentation of waterways. Water, as a resource, is vital and
precious as it is finite in supply, with demand for its use growing rapidly. This situation
will not change but the quality and quantity of ground water will continue to decline. In
this light, preservation of the HSNR, an important watershed area that also helps to
safeguard several other goods and services that are indispensable for sustaining human
livelihoods and economic security, must be top priority.
Blatant disregard of the Rule of Law
Disregard for the law of the land continues while our natural resources are used, abused
with little or no regard for its preservation for the future. These Protected Areas were
declared such, as their importance as ecologically sensitive areas were recognised by
policy makers many years ago. However today, the illegal encroachment and rapid
deforestation of the same, will spell eventual developmental and economic doom for the
country.
A Call for Action
EFL calls on the government and people of Sri Lanka to band together to preserve this
miniscule 0.02% of total land area so that the SNRs of the country along with other
Protected Areas will not be cleared and responsible authorities under whose purview,
protection of them fall, succumb to cheap political pressure aimed only at gaining
political mileage.
EFL therefore calls for:
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· The urgent eviction of all occupants of SNRs and other Protected Areas, irrespective of
their period of occupation or extent of holding.
· An immediate halt to the encroachment of ecologically sensitive sites.
· A clear demarcation of the physical boundaries of SNRs, and enforcement of these.
·Stated commitment from all political parties to uphold the laws regarding nature
protection and to disallow squatting in SNRs.
· A concrete pledge by the government and its donors to undertake concrete measures to
strengthen the agencies that are charged with maintaining the country’s precious
biodiversity, especially the Wildlife Department and Forest Department.
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SRI LANKA WILDLIFE NEWS is an ad-hoc e-mail of birding and wildlife events,
sightings and short notes of interest to birders, photographers, conservationists etc. To
receive a copy, please e-mail gehan.slwn@jetwing.lk with "Subscribe Wildlife News" in
the subject header. SLWN values your privacy, to be removed, e-mail with “Unsubscribe
Wildlife News” in the header. Please e-mail your sightings, events etc to
gehan.slwn@jetwing.lk. The media are welcome to extract details, but please attribute the
source and author(s). Past issues are on www.jetwingeco.com
APRIL - JUNE 2005
SRI LANKA WILDLIFE NEWS (April-June 2005)
- A compilation by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne & Ayanthi Samarajewa (June 2005)
HIGHLIGHTS
[*] Flamingos in Bundala, Amphibians and reptiles at Kithulgala. See BIRDING &
WILDLIFE NEWS.
[*] Flowering Trees of Colombo (Sriyanie Miththapala), Sri Lanka Travel Reports by
Lewis Borg Cardona and Mike Hillman See ARTICLES.
[*] New books include Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide By Pamela C. Rasmussen
and John C. Anderton, Handbook to Indian Wetland Birds and their Conservation and
RSPB Children's Guide to Birdwatching. See NEW BOOKS.
EVENTS SUMMARY
- Thursday 07 July, WNPS Lecture by Srilal Miththapala. 6.00 pm at the SLAAS
Auditorium (Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science). Vidya Mawatha.
Colombo 07. Topic: ‘Elephants of Udawalawe’
- Saturday 25 June, Lecture series on birds for beginners. 9.30am - 12.00. NBLT,
University of Colombo, Colombo 3. Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL)
Lecture Series. Topic and speaker to be finalised.
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BIRDING & WILDLIFE NEWS
On 1 st June 2005 Wicky Wickremesekera (Eco Holidays) was pleasantly surprised to
hear the call of a White-naped Woodpecker (Black-backed Golden Woodpecker) at
Mathammana Village, in between Minuwangoda and Udu Gamplola in the Western
Province (Gampaha District). He investigated and had a clear look at a pair of Whitenaped
Woodpeckers.
There had been some other records of the White-naped Woodpecker as well. On 12 April,
Wicky also observed a pair of White-naped Woodpeckers at Maha Wewa, on the Chilaw
Road, approximately 65 km from Colombo. On another occasion on 19 March 2005 Eco
Holidays Chauffeur Guide Hetti also observed a White-naped Woodpecker at Doona
Gaha near Negombo.
Sarinda Unamboowe reports 320+ Greater Flamingos from Bundala on 1 st June 2005.
On Saturday 14 May 2005 Gehan and Nirma de Silva Wijeyeratne with Jayaindra &
Tivanshi Fernando visited Kankanemulla Forest near Yakwila, about an hour's drive
from Negombo. The forest has excellent stands of forest with a numerous lianas.
Endemic bird species they heard or saw included Layard's Parakeets and Grey Hornbill.
In the forest they also heard White-rumped Shama and Black-naped Monarch. In the
adjoining coconut estate they had Ceylon Woodshrike and Ceylon Swallow.
Hiran & Dharshini Cooray with Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne visited Sandaraja Wana
Arana on Tuesday 10th May 2005. They send in the following report.
"Sanda Raja Wana Arana is an area of 120 acres of land, on a hill crest, with secondary
forest owned by Susith Karunaratna. As the crow flies, it is approximately 15 - 20 km
south of Kithulgala. We reached it via Aranayaka as the road from Bulathkohupitiya is in
bad shape.
A feeding flock encountered around 10.45 had a pair of White-faced Starlings. No other
birds restricted to good quality or large forest reserves were noted. As Starlings are
powerful fliers dispersing rapidly, they may have come from the Kithulgala Forest
Reserve.
With the flock were Yellow-browed Bulbuls, Scimitar Babblers and a pair of Layard's
Squirrels. The Yellow-browed Bulbuls had 2 or 3 birds calling from different locations
and being very vocal.
Both the Sri Lankan Myna and the Southern Hill Myna were observed together with
Black Bulbuls, Tickell's Blue Flycatcher, etc.
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Nadeera Weerasinghe (Naturalists) on 11 May 2005, reports a Marsh Crocodile at Vil
Uyana. Vila Uyana is an artificial wetland being constructed near Sigiriya. An increasing
number of species are being recorded in what was previously abandoned land, now being
converted to a wetland with the construction of two lakes.
Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne, Chandrika Maelge, Aruni Hewage & Sunela
Jayawardene, on Saturday 7 May 2005 at Dunvila Cottage, near Wasgamuwa National
Park, observed a newly fledged Pied Cuckoo mimicking a Yellow-billed Babbler's call.
Ceylon Bird Club Birding News (6 May 2005) carried the following report.
Lester Perera reports from Mannar, "By the Causeway, a light-grey morph Little Egret,
with two Indian Reef Heron and several Little Egret nearby for comparison, and c.500
Greater Flamingo, among many migrant shorebirds, on 30 April and at Adam's Bridge, at
least two Saunders's Tern nesting, looking clearly different from Little Tern, being in BP,
and c.65 Bridled Tern showing possible signs of commencing to nest, on 1 May".
Ceylon Bird Club Birding News (24 Apr 2005) carried the following report. "Amila
Salgado reports at the Mannar Causeway, on 20-21 April, c.65 Broad-billed Sandpipers,
some in BP, 10 Terek Sandpipers, c.20 Curlew Sandpipers in BP, an Indian Reef Heron
and c.700 Greater Flamingo".
Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne With Asantha Sirimane and Ayanthi Samarajewa send in
the following report.
"On Friday 22 April 2005, we arrived around 11.00 am in Gilimale. We continued later
(circa 15.30 to Palabaddala (Siripa Gama)) where sub-montane forest begins. But (prior
to rain), most of our time was spent walking on the jeep track leading downhill after the
concrete bridge on the B265.
To reach Gilimale, we took the road leading to Siripa Gama (B 391). After a few
kilometers there was a Y fork and we took the left fork, the B265 leading to Siripagama
and Palabaddala.
Butterflies seen included Commander, Blue Mormon (several), Chestnut-streaked Sailor.
Birds seen or heard included Crested Drongo (h), Sri Lanka Myna, Yellow-fronted
Barbet, Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Black-naped Monarch, Black-capped Bulbul, Black Eagel
etc. Dragonflies included Long-winged Skimmer (Lathrecista asiatica asiatica) and a
pair of mating Cratilla lineata calverti.
Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne reports the following from Talangama. "On Sunday 17
April 2005, I observed a Little Green Heron (Striated Heron) for the first time in
Talangama in the mangrove thicket in the water between Villa Talangama and Amanda
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Abeyweera's house. I observed it from around 8.00 to 8.30. Its mode of fishing was to
perch on a branch over the edge of the water, in a fashion similar to that employed by
Yellow Bitters. On one occasion it picked something that swam by. On two occasions it
actually plunged into the water. A Little Cormorant, which was swimming by, lunged out
of the water towards the heron. I was surprised at this inter-specific aggression.
Dragonflies observed included Asian Pintail, Spine-legged Reedling, Asian Pintail,
Yellow Damselfly, Variable Glider, etc".
On Sunday 17 April 2005 Gehan de Wijeyeratne, Ayanthi Samarajewa and Pradeesh
Wanniarachchi of the Eco Holidays team visited Bodhinagala. They send the following
report;
"We arrived around 12.00 and left around 17.00. It began to rain around 16.15. The
highlight was Three-toed Kingfisher (Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher) near the hermitage. Is
seems habituated to people and stayed on a perch, between 10 to fifteen feet away from
us.
A troop of Purple-faced Leaf Monkeys numbering around 8 came up and devoured Jack
fruit from a very tall tree. They stayed in the canopy, well over fifty feet from the ground.
The juveniles had a contrasting pale rump area. In the adults, the dorsal surface showed
no pronounced contrast. Tail graded into white, but no pronounced tuft at the end.
Endemics heard included Chestnut-backed Owlet, Spot-winged Thrush, Green-billed
Coucal, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Ceylon Crested Drongo, etc. Of a pair of Grey Hornbills,
one caught a large caterpillar in the canopy. No reptiles were seen. Butterflies included
several Blue Mormons on the wing and a Commander. The forest floor was fairly dry,
despite what, must be regular evening showers. Several trees seem to be in fruit or flower
including Kekiriwara (Schumachereia castaneifolia).
Rex I. De Silva communicates that the following information was given to him by Prof.
S.W. Kotagama and Chinthaka Kalutota of the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka
(FOGSL).
"On 1st April Mrs. Maria Grazia Bellio a former resident of Australia reported 2 mature
and 2 juvenile Australian Stilts at Bundala Kalapuwa in the area near the "Moya". She
showed the birds to Professor Kotagama, five Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka
(FOGSL) members and 16 staff members of the Dept. of Wildlife Conservation,
including the Park Warden and Assistant Warden who subsequently saw 6 more adults.
She is very familiar with the species from her experience in Australia and states that her
identification is "positive". The birds were seen in the same area until 4th April.
A biographical note on Mrs. Bellieo: Graduate in Biol. Science from University of
Trieste (Italy), Graduate Cert. in Ornithology from Charles Sturt University (Australia)
and "A" class ringer's licence. She has over 17 years ringing experience".
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Tharindra de Silva sends in the following report. "I'm an amateur birder who joined the
FOGSL a few weeks ago and joined them on a bird ringing programme held at Buttala
during May 2005. This workshop included a day of bird netting and ringing which was an
amazing experience. On a field tour to Maligawila (23rd May), which was a part of the
workshop, I spotted the Three-toed Kingfisher for the very first time. The tiny little bird
with its brilliant colours is a treat to a birder. Maligawila forest cover surrounding the
famous Buddha Statue is a fabulous location to spot birds like the Tickell's Blue
Flycatcher, White-rumped Shama and the Jungle Owlet, which are found in numbers".
Ruchira Somaweera sends in the following report on Amphibians and Reptiles of
Kelani Valley Forest Reserve (Kithulgala).
"I was in a herping excursion with some members of the Zoologists’ Association of
University of Peradeniya at Maakandawa section of the Kelani Valley Reserve at
Kithulgala on the 11th & 12th of May 2005 and had a very successful time recording as
many as 19 species of amphibians and 21 species of reptiles just in a one-night stay. Thus
our total herp sightings at Kithulgala rose to 38 species of amphibians and 41 species of
reptiles despite the small size of the reserve, which is just 195.0 ha.
The highlight of the amphibians includes the recording of all stages of the relict Sri
Lanka Rock Frog (Nannophrys ceylonensis ) which were found in the moist rock surfaces
adjoining the streams. Other common stream dwellers included the Common Wood-frog
(Rana temporalis), Corrugated Water Frog (Limnonectes corrugatus), Skipper Frog
(Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis) and the Common Paddyfield Frog (Fejervarya limnocharis).
As usual, juveniles of the endemic Kelaart’s Smooth-finger Toad (Adenomus kelaartii)
was found near water but not in water. A night survey for amphibians exposed 11 species
of Rhacophorids out of which only the Common Hourglass Tree-frog (Polypedates
cruciger), Striped Pygmy Tree-frog (Philautus leucorhinus) and the Tubercle Oriental
Shrub-frog (Kirtixalus carvirostris) could be identified using the available keys. The only
Microhylid to be recorded was the Grey-brown Pug-snout Frog (Ramanella obscura) and
it was their breeding season where most of the tree holes and stagnant pools were present
with eggs.
As for the lizards it was the ideal time and our records included three Calotes species
including the Whistling Lizard (Calotes liolepis), the Sri Lanka Kangaroo Lizard
(Otocryptis wiegmanni) and the relict Hump-nosed Lizard (Lyriocephalus scutatus).
Although one previous study recorded the Rough-horn Lizard (Ceratophora aspera) from
the reserve, this time we were out of luck. Six species of geckos including the Great
Forest Gecko (Cyrtodactylus fraenatus) and Spotted Bowfinger Gecko (Geckoella
triedra) and five species of skinks showed up, including is a male Catenated Litter Skink
(Sphenomorphus dorsicatenatus) in breeding colours were among some of the other
tetrapod reptiles recorded. As for the snakes we could only come across with four species
this time, but the strange thing was that the four represented the four venom categories
i.e. The Sri Lankan Krait (Bungarus ceylonicus) a highly venomous species; Merrem's
Hump-nosed Viper (Hypnale hypnale) a moderately venomous species; Green vine snake
(Ahaetulla nasutus) a mildly venomous species and Trevelyan's Earth Snake (Rhinophis
trevelyanus) a non-venomous species.
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Snorkelling in the main river and the tributaries revealed a total of 12 freshwater fishes
including the point endemic Asoka Barb (Puntius asoka) and seven other endemics.
Highlights of 38 species of birds observed include Crested Drongo, Malabar Trogon and
Green-billed Coucal and several other endemics. The only mammal of interest was a
Giant Squirrel (Ratufa macroura). We also had the chance of observing the strange
Jumping Spider (Myrmarachine plalaleoides) which mimics the Weaver Ant (Oecophylla
samaragdina) for its own protection.
On Tuesday 10th May 2005, Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne, Hiran & Dharshini Cooray
also visited Bible Rock. Gehan reports the following.
A Shahin Falcon hurtled past as I was nearing the summit. The best route from Colombo
would be to Mawanella, then south a few kilometers into Gevilipitiya. From there head
east towards Morathenna on the B 136 which starts at Gevilipitiya. A turn off to Bible
Road is to the right (northwards) between the 2 and 3 km posts. From the turn off, it is
2.5 km to the rock, on a cart track. The last 20 minutes is a steep ascent.
Nalin, Sharmini, Sharuka, Avishka Wikramanayake, Chris, Enoka, Shenuka and
Shalini Corea went to Ekgal Aru in Gal Oya over the New Year holidays. They say "The
bungalow garden was alive with birdlife including frequent visits by Green Imperial
Pigeons and Pompadour Green Pigeons. The best sighting was a Jungle Owlet. Alert to
an unfamiliar call and alarm calls of squirrels Nalin stalked and sighted a Jungle Owlet
calling at about 9.00 a.m. However, the call was not exactly the one described by Henry
(quoting Legge) and closer to the one described by Salim Ali. Another exciting first for
us was a Grey Hornbill nest sealed up by droppings with a small slit through which the
male regularly fed the female red berries, coughing them up one at a time and delicately
bringing it to the tip of his beak before feeding her. Other good sightings were a pair of
Racket-tailed Drongos, silhouetted at dusk soaring out of a tall tree in a feeding frenzy
being copied by an unidentified Kingfisher, Thick-billed Flowerpecker and nest of
Ceylon White-eye with eggs".
ARTICLES/TRIP REPORTS
Sri Lanka Trip Report (April 2005)
By Lewis Borg Cardona
My fourth visit to Sri Lanka, expressly to update Serendipity, the audio programme I’ve
produced since 2001. Broadcast aboard all Sri Lankan airlines flights to and from the
country, the travelogue aims to give passengers a two-hour audio tour of this fascinating
“land like no other”.
Having met and interviewed Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne two years previously at the
Talangama Wetland on the outskirts of Colombo, I was well aware of his expertise and
enthusiasm, so had no hesitation in placing my ten-day itinerary (30th March to 8th
April) in the hands of Jetwing Eco Holidays.
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This time the programme focus was on a family holiday and with wife Vivian and eight
year old daughter Mei enjoying their first visit, we were accompanied throughout the trip
by Jetwing Master Naturalist and noted wildlife artist Lester Perera.
As well as visits to Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Horton Plains with
Lester, Gehan joined us for two days at Bundala and Yala West National Parks.
After a first day of interviews in Colombo – while the girls enjoyed a pachyderm fest at
the Pinnewala elephant orphanage. Day two saw us drive to the wonderful Lighthouse
Hotel and Spa near Galle, via Bentota and the exotic Brief Gardens, creation of Bevis
Bawa, elder brother of celebrated architect Geoffrey Bawa. Driving away from Brief we
had our first encounter with Sri Lankan wildlife, as a large land monitor hogged the road
and refused to be hurried out of its stride by our vehicle. For Mei her first ‘dinosaur’ was
quite an eye opener.
Day three and a drive to Yala for lunch, then late afternoon spent at Bundala, with Gehan
in attendance for a masterclass in Sri Lankan birding. But not just birds, because first we
were treated to large trooes of Langurs and Toque Macaques, both groups disturbing
numerous Spot-billed Pelicans from their perches. Seems the monkeys aren’t aware of
the pelicans’ endangered status. Then, as we moved off to a waterhole teeming with birds
such as Red-Wattled Lapwings, Indian Cormorants and Black-headed Ibis, a group of
elegant Painted Storks looking uncannily like members of an exclusive gentleman’s club
suddenly took fright; a clue that the log floating nearby was actually a marsh crocodile.
Once again Mei experienced an exciting real life alternative to the televised exploits of
Steve ‘cocodile hunter’ Irwin! As dusk fell both Lester and Gehan were surprised - a rare
event in itself - by a small group of Flamingos; the first spotted for some time, and the
welcome return of a once common sight to Bundala.
The next day dawned early for all concerned, with a 5.45am start for a game drive in
Yala West. Bumping into Yorkshireman and dedicated birder Alf King before the off I
realised how he would have benefited from the accumulated expertise we had riding in
our jeep and how wasted it was on three novices whose twitching prowess extended to
the use of the Collins Complete Guide to British Wildlife to spot a Jay in our London
garden! Not that we were complaining, especially as the morning flashed by in a plethora
of spots; Wild Boar, Marsh Crocodile, Spotted Deer, Elephants, Wild Buffaloes,
Peacocks, Jungle Fowl, Mongoose, Terrapin, Civet cats, a Jackal and a wonderful Fishing
Eagle, perched obligingly on a tree in the centre of a water hole as we enjoyed our packed
lunches parked nearby.
Watching Gehan at work as he photographed a pair of little green bee-eaters was an
education in itself, but as the morning wore on even he was nodding drowsily in the back
of the jeep as the early start caught up with us all. Not so the ever observant Lester.
[The full text of this article, is available on http://www.jetwingeco.com/ ]
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Flowering Trees of Colombo
By Dr Sriyanie Miththapala
Amidst the traffic, the garbage and the chaos, Colombo's trees make it special among
Asian cities
When I think of a garden city, I picture a carefully planned, manicured city with designed
borders of well-matched flowers. I think of pristine avenues lined with carefully trimmed
trees and parks.
I don't picture chaotic traffic, buses belching carbon monoxide, cars blaring horns and
trishaws weaving perilously through long queues of crawling cars. I don't picture
pedestrians scuttling across roads despite 'don't walk signs', nor vehicles navigating a
maze of streets stubbornly referred to by their old names and following overhead street
signs that are so badly designed that you would end up in a canal if you followed them.
Yet in this hub of noise and dust and crowds and chaos that is Colombo, there are trees:
verdant, majestic giants with branches spreading untidily across roads, trees that stay
intractably green even during the driest months of the year.
The trees of Colombo make it special among the cities of Asia, more special than neatly
planned and flower-edged roads. Each time I return from overseas when I drive back
from the airport, the first impression that assaults my eyes just as the noise assails my
ears, is the quantity of green that I see. Everywhere I look there are trees.
Most of the common trees of Colombo are imports from across the seas, some from the
Americas, others from Africa, others from neighbouring India. When roads were built
during the British colonial era, many ornamental species were introduced and planted for
shade along roadsides. While some are used for timber and others for medicinal purposes,
many flower spectacularly and serve to beautify the roadsides.
Most of them flower from February to May each year, leaving roadsides carpeted with
scarlet, pink, purple and yellow flowers.
These flowering trees are extremely important in urban settings for they not only provide
desperately needed shade, but also serve to function as sponges to soak up carbon dioxide
from the air and stop water run off from the rain. There is evidence that their leaves also
adsorb dust. In addition, they provide shelter and food for urban wildlife, and beauty for
our eyes to feast upon as we travel round the city.
Take a moment to look around you and value the flowering trees of Colombo.
Colour of Flowers Trees
Yellow Yellow Flame, Ehela, Wal Ehela, Temple Tree,
Asoka, Ranawara, Yellow Silk Cotton
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Orange Asoka
Red/ Scarlet Flamboyant, Erabadu, Temple Tree
Pink Tabebuia, Temple Flower, Rain Tree, Pink Cassia,
Sal
Mauve/purple Queen's Flower, Jacaranda, Nika
White Temple Tree, Na,
1. Flamboyant (Delonix regia) (Sinhala Mai mara, Tamil Mayaram)
Unmistakable because of its spectacular scarlet flowers, which seem to swamp the also
easily recognisable flat canopy of this tree. This was introduced in the 1800s from
Madagascar. The bark and branches of this tree are light grey, smooth and
characteristically sinewy, while the foliage is feathery.
2. Tabebuia (Tabebuia rosea)
This species, which was introduced from Mexico, is easily recognised by its pale pinkmauve
flowers that densely pack the branches and carpet the roads for a brief period.
These trees are found lining Sir Ernest de Silva Mawatha, formerly called Flower Road
because of the many trees of this species that used to line this road. This is a tall tree
whose branches characteristically extend vertically upwards.
[The full text of this article, which has been published in the local newspapers, is
available on http://www.jetwingeco.com/ ]
The Eyrie
By Elmo Alles
Kadugannawa, the last bastion of the Kandyan Kingdom, includes the Balana Pass and
Bible Rock. It is reported that the defenders of Kandy poured boiling oil on the invading
British forces, and rolled down rocks to block the Kadugannawa Pass.
The defenders announced their successful blockade with one big "Hoo"!
In December 2003, when visiting the construction site of a cottage on the Balana slopes,
a Crested Hawk Eagle was seen flying frequently to a tree and roosting.
Further examination of this tree revealed that there was an eyrie - eagle's nest - well
concealed on the top of the branches. Regular observation of this nest was undertaken by
the writer of this account.
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On the 5th February 2004 an eaglet was sighted in the eyrie. The female eagle proved to
be an excellent mother, regularly feeding the baby with bits of meat and providing shelter
from the sun and rain with her wings.
The father eagle showed up occasionally to protect the baby during the mother's absence.
But this interest was mainly to check -up whether his mate was ready to make love. The
couple were observed copulating in mid-air, a raucous affair with feathers flying. This
species of eagle breeds once a year and raises only one youngster.
The eaglet was covered with white down, always chirping for more food and growing
fast. After ten days it was hopping around inside the nest and defecating outside the rim
of the nest-eagle sanitation.
After the second week the eaglet started sprouting dark feathers. By the 1st May he had
grown dark wing feathers - a brown head crest tips and the soft yellow down feathers of
the throat had dropped.
On the 2nd of May, he hopped on the rim of the nest. After the 7th May, the eaglet,
feeding on the rim of the nest, assisted by the mother. June saw the maiden flight of the
eaglet, coaxed and supervised by the mother.
During July the eaglet starts to hunt by itself in the vicinity of the eyrie but occasionally
alights on the nest and calls for his mother.
The parent birds have not been sighted but it is presumed that they are awaiting the
departure of the youngster, to refurbish the nest for the next breeding cycle.
There are four contenders for the title of "Ullema" or the fearsome devil bird of Sri
Lanka, two of which are the Mountain Hawk Eagle and the Crested Hawk eagle. The
"Ullema" had regularly screamed at night from the vicinity of the eyrie. The night before
the death of a village elder it is reported to have screamed "Magay Putho", for the last
time.
The next time it screamed was after the eaglet left the nest. The writer was privileged to
hear it.
Using the power of Foreign Television Crews to promote post Tsunami Sri Lanka
- Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne
Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne proposes a few simple changes for a more enlightened media
policy to harness the power of foreign television crews to promote Sri Lanka
During the Tsunami over a hundred television crews were in Sri Lanka. They created an
image of a country devastated by the Tsunami, an island where the sea had swept in from
the East coast and flowed over the West. Sri Lanka failed to use the world's biggest
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media event to show a positive aspect of herself. We did not harness the foreign media
show our magnificent cultural sites and our parks and reserves teeming with wildlife and
to demonstrate that they were all intact. Ideally, the hotels, where many of these crews
were staying should have organised or suggested a filming visit, to important cultural
sites such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa or Kandy. But spontaneous filming visits are
not possible as permits have to be arranged in advance from the Central Cultural Fund
(CCF). Likewise, spontaneous foreign film crew visits to a rainforest like Sinharaja or a
national park like Uda Walawe or Yala, was not possible. They require permits in
advance from the Forest Department (FD) or the Department of Wildlife Conservation
(DWLC). Unfortunately, these permits can take anything from a few days to a few weeks
to organise.
Our failure continues with us by not being able, even several months later, to effectively
communicate the message that much of the island is un-touched and ready for tourism. In
the last week of April 2005, I had a conversation with Nicola Denbigh, a Senior Product
Manager of Manos, one of the larger tour operators in the UK. She told me that one
reason why Sri Lankan tourism failed to recover as rapidly as the Maldives was because
they only see negative footage of Sri Lanka. I suspect this is because we unwittingly
place more obstructions for filming positive footage.
[The full text of this article, which has been published in the local newspapers, is
available on http://www.jetwingeco.com/ ]
A Wildlife and Birding Tour in Sri Lanka after the Tsunami, 5th- 26th February
2005 By Mike Hillman
With Eco Holidays (Jetwing) we had been planning our trip to Sri Lanka since early last
year and it all came to fruition when we touched down at Colombo Airport on 5 th
February. We were greeted by our Naturalist Guide, Uditha Hettige, and our driver,
Kallan, both of whom would be with us throughout our three week stay.
Chandrika Maelge, of Jetwing Eco Holidays (www.jetwingeco.com) had produced a
detailed itinerary for us, which included several of the National Parks, all the major
habitat zones and important cultural sites.
Our first stopover was at the Villa Talangama situated on the banks of the Talangama
Tank. On our exit from the bus we were greeted by the heady sights and smells of lush
vegetation on the lake and the 30 degree heat. Here we had our first sightings of various
species of water birds including, amongst others, Black & Yellow Bitterns, Open-billed
Storks, various Egrets and the Purple Heron
Sinharaja Rain Forest and Martins Simple Lodge was our next destination for two nights.
En-route we stopped at the Bodhinagala Forest Reserve where Uditha tried for the
Endemic Chestnut-backed Owlet, this bird proved to be one of the only two endemics
that we did not see, despite many tries at various other locations. We did however see the
Brown Hawk Owl and the endemic Brown-capped Babbler. There is a Buddhist
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monastery within the reserve and here we saw the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher and also
visited a small cave inhabited by Horseshoe Bats.
Upon arrival at Sinharaja we were transported by jeep to Martins Lodge which is situated
just outside the boundary of the controlled area of the Reserve. The setting is idyllic with
the dining area overlooking the forest.
We took several walks into the Reserve during our two days and saw many birds,
including the endemics; Red-faced Malkoha, Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl, SL Spurfowl,
Layards Parakeet, SL Hanging Parrot, Spot-winged Thrush, Ashy Headed Laughing
Thrush, Legge’s Flowerpecker, Yellow Fronted Barbet, White Faced Starling, SL Blue
Magpie, SL Grey Hornbill, Black Capped Bulbul, and the Orange Billed Babbler. There
were others but too many to detail. During the daytime walks we also saw the Purple
Faced Leaf Monkey and several Green Lizards.
Our night walks, in absolute darkness, were enhanced by the dancing Fire Flies and a
magnificent night sky. The surround sounds of the Frogs and Cicadas were deafening, but
the highlight, besides a Barking Deer, was the endemic Sri Lanka Frogmouth which
Uditha managed to call to a tree just above our heads.
En-route to our next destination, Embilipitiya, we stopped near Suriyakanda to observe
and photograph a Fruit Bat roost (Common Flying Fox), there were hundreds of bats
hanging from branches, flying around the tree tops, and calling loudly; a very impressive
sight. Our objectives whilst staying in Embilipitiya for the next two nights were to visit
the Uda Walawe National Park and the bat caves at Wawulpane.
The bat caves were spectacular, the main cave, with the river flowing into it, is at the
bottom of a steep sided rock-faced gorge. We watched in wonder as literally millions of
bats emerged and flew past us. The spectacle started at 6.30pm and was still in full flow
when we reluctantly had to leave at 8.30pm. Two species were identified as Horseshoe
and Fruit Bats but there were others. John suspects he has recorded the sounds of six
species on his bat detection equipment and hopes to be able to identify more.
We did morning and afternoon jeep safari’s in Uda Walawe and again saw many birds,
including the Blue Faced Malkoha. However, from Uditha’s perspective the undoubted
highlight for him was the first time sighting for him of a Black Headed Bunting posing on
the track alongside a Red Headed Bunting. This speciality was quickly relayed by phone
to Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne who arrived shortly afterwards to photograph the bird.
[The full text of this article, which has been published in the local newspapers, click
http://www.jetwingeco.com/web_pages/30-jan/articles/Other_Articles/Other%20Articles_mike.htm]
PRESS RELEASES
HSBC: LEADING THE WAY TOWARDS THE PRESERVATION OF OUR
CULTURAL HERITAGE
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The launch of the revamped Polonnaruwa gallery at the Colombo National Museum on
26 April 2005, marks yet another significant milestone in the enrichment of this historical
period, as well as the completion of a collaborative journey undertaken by the Colombo
National Museum and HSBC.
In August 2004 the bank undertook an ambitious new two-phased project for Rs6 million,
in collaboration with the Colombo National Museum, to completely revamp the
Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa galleries. The first phase of the project was completed
with the opening of the Anuradhapura gallery in January 2005. The launch of the
Polonnaruwa gallery marks the completion of the second and final phase of this particular
project.
The Polonnaruwa kingdom is a chapter in the history of Sri Lanka particularly
remembered for the exceptionally well-engineered irrigation systems of king
Parakramabahu the great. Polonnaruwa is also famed for the beauty of the Gal Vihara and
the Kiri Vehera among the many other beautiful temples and buildings located in the
ancient city.
The revamped Polonnaruwa Gallery contains trilingual information panels, neatly
arranged artefacts, new displays and a state-of-the-art lighting system to ensure visitors to
the museum are able to better understand the glory of this era. The gallery also contains a
working model of the Bisokotuwa that is sure to delight all visitors to the Museum.
more
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Sarath Piyaratna, Deputy Chief Executive Officer,
HSBC Sri Lanka said, “When HSBC decided to sponsor the refurbishment of the
Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa galleries, we hoped that in doing so, we would
contribute to the appreciation of the beauty and complexity of our history by all visitors
to the museum. These changes were also designed to make a difference to the way we
market Sri Lanka and its glorious past to the rest of the world. We simply wanted to make
a difference and based on the enthusiastic response we have received we realise that we
have surpassed our goal.”
Dr Nanda Wickremasinghe, Director National Museums said, “I congratulate HSBC for
the unparalleled efforts in recreating the glorious history of the golden eras of the
Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa kingdoms, without allowing it to fade into the mist of
legend.”
HSBC has made this initial contribution to preserve Sri Lanka’s history in the hope that
this move will encourage other members of the corporate community to do likewise. As
such the Colombo National Museum and HSBC invite everyone to visit the refurbished
galleries to view the splendid past of this beautiful country.
NEW BOOKS
206

12/10/2007
Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide
Vols. 1 and 2
By Pamela C. Rasmussen and John C. Anderton
Illustrated by John Anderton, Ian Lewington, Hilary Burn, Tom Schultz, N. John Schmitt,
Larry B. McQueen, Hans Peeters, Jonathan Alderfer, Albert E. Gilbert, Bill Zetterstrom,
Kristin Williams, Cynthia House
Smithsonian Institution and Lynx Edicions, 2005
Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide is a comprehensive, two-volume, up-to-date
work covering the over 2500 known and likely taxa of birds of the spectacularly diverse
Indian subcontinent including, for the first time, Afghanistan and the Chagos
Archipelago. Volume 1 is a Field Guide, bound separately for portability, while Volume
2 (Attributes and Status) contains much more detailed information.
Volume 1 (Field Guide):
- Over 3400 illustrations appear in 180 plates painted especially for this book by
expert artists. These depict virtually all species and most distinctive subspecies and
plumages, some of which appear in no other guide.
- Over 1450 colour maps, based primarily on verified records, represent the ranges of
each regularly occurring species and many distinctive races, and distinguish migratory
routes from winter ranges.
- Maps are annotated as to geographic variation, status, and habitat.
- Concise texts give the information necessary to identify each species .
- To assist in locating groups within the text, illustrated plate keys are provided in the
endpapers.
Vol. 2 (Attributes and Status):
- Contains much new information and many taxonomic treatments.
- Alternative names are listed and taxonomic issues are summarized.
- Specimen measurements specially taken for this book are presented for each
species.
- Complete data about identification, status and distribution, and habits are provided
for each species.
- Problematic records are mentioned.
- Vocalizations are described from recordings, and there are over 1000 sonagrams.
- Appendices include the region s first hypothetical species list, a gazetteer, brief
ornithological histories, and lists of taxonomic changes, regional specimen holdings, and
threatened species.
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- A comprehensive index allows users to find whatever names are most familiar to
them.
- Maps indicate geopolitical names, topography, habitats, and bird species diversity
and endemism.
Handbook to Indian Wetland Birds and their Conservation
Kumar, A., Sati, JP, Tak, PC & Alfred, JRB (2005) Handbook on Indian Wetland
Birds and their Conservation: xxvi+468 (Published by Director, Zool. Surv. India)
The Handbook provides extensive information on 310 wetland bird species from India. It
is divided in seven chapters, with eight appendices and Index for scientific and English
names of Indian wetland birds.
The first chapter of Introduction covers information on Biogeography of India, Wetland
Birds and their Values, Habitats, Heronries, Migration, Major Waterbird Flyways,
Watching Wetland Birds and bird photography.
The second chapter provides a complete Checklist of 310 species of Wetland Birds in a
tabular form with their residential, abundance, conservation and threatened status,
population trend, threshold number, etc. Detail information on diagnostic field characters,
habits, habitats, voice, status and distribution in India, south Asia, as well as in their
biogeographical range has been provided in this chapter. Each species text is furnished
with photograph (s) and a drawing, highlighting the diagnostics in the plate, and a colour
distribution map.
In the third chapter, their residential, abundance and conservation status has been
discussed. For all the Globally Threatened, Near Threatened and Data Deficient species
separate photographic plate are given.
Chapter 4 covers the socio economic values (direct and indirect use values), threats and
the conservation measures in relation to the wetlands and the wetland birds.
Chapter 5 covers the protected area network with information about 19 Ramsar,
Montreux, and World Heritage sites, Important Bird areas (IBAs) and Sacred wetlands in
India. It tabulates state wise information on 99 Waterbird Sanctuaries, National Parks,
and Ramsar Sites with their year of establishment, X & Y co-ordinates, Bio-geographic
unit, and area in km2.
The chapter six of the Handbook deals with the Framework for Conservation covering
various aspects such as, National policies, laws and legislation, International conventions/
Agreements like Ramsar Convention, Convention on Migratory Species (CMS),
Convention on Biodiversity (CBD), CITES, and bilateral Agreements on protection of
migratory birds between India and former USSR and Russia. Co-ordination of Action in
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Asia Region under Asia-Pacific Conservation Initiative and the strategy for conservation
of migratory species have been discussed in details. Five major Key habitats for
threatened wetland birds and the species they are supporting have been discussed.
Further, this chapter also briefly touches on,
Mandate of various Government and Non- Governmental Organisations working with the
wetlands and wetland birds at national and International level.
Accession to international conventions and various initiatives under Convention on
Wetlands, and role of Remote Sensing in assessment of waterfowl habitat have been
appended to the Handbook.
As India supports such a large number of migratory species, birds that fly between
countries on an annual basis from the Russian arctic to the Maldives across northern,
Central, South and West Asia, this publication is of great relevance to people throughout
the region.
We strongly believe that this publication will be a valuable reference to anyone interested
in wetland birds and conservation, including bird watchers, schools, research institutions,
foresters, government agencies and others, many of whom often have limited means to
access many reference and field books. This will be the first step towards being able to
provide them the means and training to identify and conserve waterbirds.
As it not only includes the plates, maps and text to identify and enjoy Wetland birds, but
also provides a wealth of information relevant to their Conservation, many hundred of
bird watchers who participate in Asian Waterfowl census will find the handbook of great
benefit to their efforts.
The handbook is a true example of cooperation by birders internationally and the authors
have also aptly demonstrated the need to co-operate and share our knowledge by
producing a book with contributions from people around the Globe.
Visit the website below for details about the handbook.
http://www.weblineinfosoft.com/zsi/hbiwb.pdf or contact Arun Kumar, "Nishtha", 14/3
Balbir Road, Dehra Dun 248 001, India. Tel: 91-135-267 1826. Email
drarunk@sancharnet.in
RSPB Children's Guide to Birdwatching by David Chandler,Mike Unwin ISBN
0713671572 Format, Paperback 128 pages. 207x140 mm. RRP £9.99
This new RSPB-endorsed book is a practical, exciting and comprehensive introduction to
watching birds, for children aged 8-12 years. Lavishly illustrated throughout with fullcolour
photographs and paintings, it begins by discussing general birding - where to go
and when, what equipment to take with you, tips on attracting birds to your garden, how
to take field notes etc. The second half of the book comprises a field guide to more than a
hundred and thirty of the commonest species of Britain and Ireland, using clear
illustrations backed up by concise, straightforward text describing key identification
points, such as behaviour, voice and habitat.
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12/10/2007
This informative and lively book will greatly enhance children's enjoyment of
birdwatching, and will help to engender a lifetime of enthusiasm for birds and birding.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SRI LANKA WILDLIFE NEWS is a monthly e-mail of birding and wildlife events,
sightings and short notes of interest to birders, photographers, conservationists etc. To
receive a copy, please e-mail gehan.slwn@jetwing.lk with "Subscribe Wildlife News" in
the subject header. SLWN values your privacy, to be removed, e-mail with “Unsubscribe
Wildlife News” in the header. Please e-mail your sightings, events etc to
gehan.slwn@jetwing.lk. The media are welcome to extract details, but please attribute the
source. Past issues are on www.jetwingeco.com
NOV, DEC 2004, JAN, FEB, MARCH
2005
SRI LANKA WILDLIFE NEWS (December 2004/March 2005)
- A compilation by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne & Ayanthi Samarajewa (March 2005)
HIGHLIGHTS
[*] Elephants and wildlife escape tsunami. See ARTICLES.
[*] Sooty Tern at Adams Bridge, Mannar. See BIRDING & WILDLIFE NEWS.
[*]Behavior of Funambulus Palm Squirrels in India and Sri Lanka by Rajith Dissanayake.
See ARTICLES.
[*] Re-building Sri Lanka - tourists are coming back. See ARTICLES.
EVENTS SUMMARY
- Thursday 28 April, IUCN, WNPS and SLNHS Lecture by Michael van der Poorten.
6.00 pm SLAAS Auditorium (Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science).
Vidya Mawatha. Colombo 07. ‘Butterflies of Sri Lanka’
- Saturday 30 April, Lecture series on birds for beginners. 9.30am - 12.00. NBLT,
University of Colombo, Colombo 3. Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL)
Lecture Series. Topic and speaker to be finalised.
BIRDING & WILDLIFE NEWS
Ceylon Bird Club Birding News (31 March 2005)
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- Chandima Kahandawala reports from Mannar, on 25-26 March, 170-175 Avocets (the
most recorded in Sri Lanka) in Periya Kalapuwa near Talladi, c.800 Greater Flamingo in
the sea by the causeway, and several thousands of terns and gulls at Adam's Bridge.
- Pathmanath Samaraweera reports in the grassland by the soccer complex at
Kotte, on 27 March, several birds in BP among: c.100 Lesser Sand Plover,
c.60 Asiatic Golden Plover, four Little Ringed Plover, five Wood Sandpipers
and eight Pintail Snipe.
Namal Kamalgoda reports on 20 th March 2004 from Wilpattu National Park There have
been evening showers for a few days. All the willus are full and some roads are under
water. Park is looking brilliant. Looks’ very promising once the park dries out a bit. Some
migrants are still present.
On a tip off from Deepal Warakagoda (Eco Holidays) on tour with Brian Sykes from
Oriental Bird Club, the Jetwing Eco Holidays team visit the Palatupana Salterns on 19 th
March 2005 and were able to observe at close proximity a Broad-billed Sandpiper.
Subsequently on the same day, Uditha Hettige (Eco Holidays) on tour with KIWI
Wildlife observed 3 Broad-billed Sandpipers in Palatupana.
Wicky Wickramasekara (Eco Holidays) on tour with Mark & Marina Latham reports 5
Glossy Ibis in Bundala National Park on 27 th Feb 2005. They also report Slatty-legged
Crake at Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya on 1 st March 2005.
Ceylon Bird Club Birding News (22 February 2005)
- Chinthaka de Silva reports a Black-capped Kingfisher at Parana Totupola, Yala, on 18
February.
- Sarath Seneviratne and others report c. 15,000 Garganey and 5,000 Pintail at Embilikala
Kalpuwa, Bundala, and 25,000 Pintail and 20,000 unidentified ducks at Karagan Lewaya,
Hambantota, on 20-21 February.
Ceylon Bird Club Birding News (13 February 2005)
- Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne and others report a Citrine Wagtail at Uda
Walawe by and north of the causeway between the dam and the WNPS
bungalow on 9 and 10 February.
Uditha Hettige (Eco Holidays) on tour with Mike Hillman & party reports the following;
“At around 12.30 pm on 10 th Feb 2005 I saw a gull flying over The Oasis hotel –
Hambanthota. At first I thought it was a Great-crested Tern because it had a tern like
head shape. But it did not have any black on the head. Later I observed it with my
binoculars and with the telescope. I realized that it was not a Great-crested Tern and it is
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a Gull. After some careful observations and after referred the guidebooks and I confirm
and identified it as Slender-billed Gull. According to my knowledge this is the second
record for the country.”
Ceylon Bird Club Birding News (7 February 2005)
- Deepal Warakagoda reports from Uda Walawe NP two new species for Sri Lanka, Redheaded
Bunting and Black-headed Bunting, two males feeding together on grass seeds on
the ground around the Hulankapolla junction, on 7 February, at 7 - 8 a.m, which he
suggests as a good time for seeing them. He also reports an Osprey near Gonaviddagala,
and Indian Red-rumped Swallows there and near the Park entrance.
Ceylon Bird Club Birding News (28 January 2005)
- Namal Kamalgoda and others report that at Mannar on 22 January there were c. 1,500
Greater Flamingo in the sea by the causeway and on 23 January c. 100,000 Pintail by the
Talladi - Vankalai road.
Ceylon Bird Club Birding News (15 January 2005)
- Palitha Antony reports a Black-capped Kingfisher seen from the Talpitiya canal bridge
on Galle Road just south of Panadura near km post 31.
-Lester Perera reports two White Wagtails at Uda Walawe in the marsh alongside and
north of the causeway between the security post and the WNPS bungalow.
Wicky Wickramsekara (Eco Holidays) on tour with Mr & Mrs Nigel Scott saw the
White Wagtail in Udawalawa on 12 th January 2005 (first reported by Lester Perera). This
was seen near the main Udawalawe-Thanamanwila road on the causeway after the dam.
It was diagnosed as the Southern race. Also, near the Weheramankada beat office in the
Udawalawe National Park they spotted an Orange headed ground Thrush and a Jungle
Owlet.
Lester Perera (Eco Holidays) on tour with birding group Alula from Finland, reports
what may be the first ever sighting of Asian House Martin (Delichon dasypus) in Sri
Lanka at Hunas Falls Hotel, Elkaduwa on 5 th January 2005. A detailed record of the
sighting will be submitted to the Ceylon Bird Club rarities committee for approval. For
those interested in the diagnosis, given below are details from A Pocket Guide to the
Birds of the Indian Subcontinent by Grimmett R., Carol Inskipp, and Tim Inskipp (1998).
“Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus 12 cm
Resident. Himalayas. Adult told from northern by dusky underparts, shallower fork to
shorter tail, darker underwing, and (not always) dusky centers to under-tail-coverts; rump
patch often looks smaller and dirty white. Juvenile has browner upperparts and stronger
dusky wash to underparts. Grassy slopes with cliffs, and forest around mountain
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villages.”
Dr Athula Dissanayake reports a past sighting of Sooty Tern at the Adams Bridge,
Mannar in June of last year. Several birds were seen at very close range, at the 3rd sand
bank of the chain, as they circled low over us for over 15 minutes. The only similar
species in the Sri Lanka list being the Bridled tern I took care to identify it as the former
and not the later. Being an uncommon bird I think this will be a useful sighting.
Elaborating on how to separating the two Terns; The Bridled and Sooty Terns can at once
be distinguished by the other terns by their contrasting dark upper parts and whitish under
parts of the plumage, together with the deeply forked tails. The sooty is larger and has
very dark- sooty brown or almost black upper parts as against the dark brown of the
bridled. The under wing and the body is whiter in the sooty than the greyish of the
bridled. The whitish wing lining contrasts markedly with the black flight feathers of the
sooty tern. The white eye-brow stops at the eye in the sooty and continues behind the eye
in the bridled. Provided one sees them in good light and at fairly close range these
features can be readily made out in the field.
Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne, Pradeesh Wanniarachchi and Hasitha Kumaradasa
with Martin Petrich (German Travel Guide writer) visited Kithulgala in December
2004 and give the following report.
"A flock of Orange-billed Babblers near the village offered good opportunities for
photography. In the forest around 3.30 pm, a pair of Malabar Trogon drew attention with
their vocalizations. A series of churring calls very different to the whistled song. A
Crested Drongo caught a big caterpillar and took several minutes before it swallowed it.
A Layard's Flycatcher was singing, very softly as usual. It lends the impression of being
far away when it is only a few feet away. Dragonflies included Black-tipped Demoiselle,
besides a forest trail, away from water. In the paddy fields, Potamarcha congener was
photographed. Black Velvet-wing, Asian Pintail and other common species were
present".
Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne with Kosala Sandaruwan visited Yala from Saturday 11 -
Sunday 12 December 2004. They report "We had 6 or 7 sightings of Green Sandpipers in
ephemeral freshwater pools created by the rains. Some birds were faithful over the two
days to specific puddles on the middle of the road. Snipe were also seen besides the jeep
tracks. Many wader species were in the park including Greenshank, Redshank, Common
Sandpiper, etc. Blue-tailed Bee-eaters were occupying favourite perches during the two
days. One Sirkeer Malkoha. At Rukvila, 30 plus Malabar Pied Hornbills were seen.
Possibly the largest congregation we have seen. Brown Shrikes and Indian Pitta are all
over the park. Due to heavy rains, the park was flooded. The road from Kirinda to the
park office was flooded in one section with the result that cars had to be towed across.
We arrived on Saturday around 1.00 am and had 4 sightings of Civet Cat and one Toddy
Cat. We also saw what may have been a Jungle Cat. On Saturday morning on
Handunoruwa Meda Para we had a brief but good sighting of the Handunoruwa Cubs/
The female is very shy and slinked across the road. The male crossed over confidently".
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Ceylon Bird Club Birding News (2 December 2004)
- Namal Kamalgoda and others report 20 - 30 Glossy Ibis at the Pillewa fields (a few 100
metres from Boralesgamuwa towards Colombo on the main road) usually in the Paddy
fields across the main road from the Pillewa temple in the mornings until about 10 a.m.
- Palitha Antony reports six Red-necked Phalarope at the Bundala saltpans.
- Upali Ekanayake reports a Highland Nightjar at the Peradeniya Gardens.
Chanaka Ellawala was in Yala during the last week of November. He reports "Had a
couple of nice sightings. Leopard cub on a Palu tree on Thalgasmankada Road near
Handunoruwa, must be one of the Handunoruwa Cubs. Also a couple of bears (sub-adults
perhaps) near Rukwila. Fortunately, the weather was in our favour despite some
intermittent rain".
Lester Perera (Eco Holidays) travelling with Tim and Kim McCroft observed an Ashy
Drongo at Siymbalagaswala, Yala on 25th November. During 3 days in Yala they had 3
Bear sighting of four Bears and a sighting of two Leopard cubs.
Wicky Wickremesekara (Eco Holidays) with David and Diane Wright observed a Spotbellied
Eagle Owl near Akasa Chaitya in Yala on 23 November 2004. They also received
a tip off of a Long-legged Buzzard from Rukshan Jayawardene and saw the bird on 24 th
November on the Handunoruwa- Koma Wewa stretch.
Deepal Warakagoda (Eco Holidays) travelling with Martin Rowden recorded a Rufousnecked
Stint at the Bundala Salterns on 17 November 2004. It has been recorded so far
only on a few occasions. They also had an Orange-headed Thrush and a Small Cuckoo in
Bundala.
Wicky Wickremesekera (Eco Holidays) with Mr and Mrs Tragett recorded a pair of
Painted-lipped Lizard (Calotes ceylonensis) at Akasa Chaitya (Ruhuna National Park) on
8th November, around 9.00 am. It has also been recorded on the nature walk around the
Goda Kalapuwa.
Wicky Wickremesekera (Eco Holidays) visited Kithulgala on 3 November with Simon
Rey from Norway. They observed a flock of Ceylon Crested Drongo and Scimitar
Babblers. There were around 8-10 Crested Drongos, an unusually high number.
Udaya and Neminda Karunaratne spent 3 days camping at the Pilimaddara camp-site
at Udawalawe National Park from the 27th to the 29th October. They say "We sighted a
number of Blue-faced Malkohas but also were unable to get any images. On the early
morning of 29th we spotted a magnificent Brown Wood Owl high up on a tree a distance
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away from a culvert and photographed it even though the available light was very poor.
Much later in the afternoon we passed the same way and found the Owl in the exact same
position. Truly a beautiful sight. Magnificent specimen.
The park was stunningly green due to the rains and I have high praise for the park
officials who have begun the painstaking task of removing the shrub Lantana (Lantana
camara). Sizeable areas have been cleaned of this menace and the indigenous foliage has
slowly made a comeback. In addition, fauna can be more easily spotted as they graze or
otherwise move about in the undergrowth and it was a treat to watch herds of Spotted
Deer moving about the undergrowth with the odd flash of antlers. 4 individual Whitenecked
Stork were seen too as well 3 Lesser Adjutants plus the usual Painted Stork and
other water birds. We saw plenty of Elephant and a lone Bull in musth gave us some
superb photo opportunities. Since we were in the park during weekdays we encountered
less than 10 vehicles in all the 3 days! We literally had the park to ourselves.
The park roads were literally crawling with Land Monitors (Varanus bengalensis
bengalensis) that were feasting on the swarming termites all day and more than one
occasion we had to alight from the vehicle and gently persuade the bloated lizards to
move out of the way! One another occasion when I was driving inside the park I had to
step on the brakes to avoid running over a tiny Star Tortoise (Geochelone elegans) no
larger than 5 cm in carapace diameter! After taking many photographs we sent it on it’s
way wishing it well. It was with dismay that we saw close to the camp site two piles of
sand and metal which we were told by our guide was for the construction of toilets at the
camp-site. While the construction of toilets may be seen as a good thing by some, I
personally feel that a camp site should remain just that; a camping site with all that goes
with it. An ungainly building will only be an eye-sore in what is an otherwise perfect
campsite. Pity…"
ARTICLES/TRIP REPORTS
Funambulus Palm Squirrels in India and Sri Lanka
By Rajith Dissanayake
I am a student studying Funambulus Palm Squirrels in India and Sri Lanka. These
wonderful squirrels of which there are five recognised species, have based on my
research, been revised morphologically to at least 6 new species with 7 a possibility
(unpublished). You cannot miss these stripy squirrels in Sri Lanka but the rare ones -
layardi and sublineatus are not readily seen. Funambulus layardi has recently been
declared endemic to Sri Lanka, something I long suspected. It should be treated with the
same reverence as any endemic bird. I suspect that there is an extra unnamed
Funambulus species in Sri Lanka though it's relationships to any of the others is unclear.
It is likely to be allied to F. tristriatus in India though resembles palmarum. If there are
any in Sri Lanka who have made observations of these squirrels, especially the rarer ones
please contact me. Collaboration is welcome. rajith@clara.co.uk. Rajith Dissanayake,
23 Ranmoor Gardens, Harrow HA1 1UQ, UK.
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NEW BOOKS
Some of the following details are from the publisher's press releases.
‘Encounters: A journey Through The Wild” is the work of four friends, united in their
love for the wild places of Sri-Lanka. This book contains a selection of over 170
photographs that inspired the authors for reason of color, composition, rarity of species,
moods and action. The diversity of Sri-Lanka’s wildlife, both in subject and location, is
amply demonstrated in this book. The book has also published for the first time
photographs from Mannar and Wilpattu after the cease-fire. None of the images in this
book have been digitally or otherwise, altered or modified. The book is the work of
Gehan Rajapakse, Namal Kamalgoda, Palitha Antony and Sarinda Unamboowe
This book created history by pre-selling the first 1000 copies, makingit one of the most
sought after wildlife books printed in recent times. The book is now available at all
leading bookshops and on the web at www.nhbs.com
The authors have set aside 25% of the proceeds from this book for conservation work.
For more information visit their website www.zero3images.com or email them on
zero3images@yahoo.com
ELEPHANTS AND WILDLIFE ESCAPE TSUNAMI
By Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne
The scale of the human tragedy is so vast, the impact on the wildlife, almost does not
warrant concern. Certainly it seems of almost little consequence in a tragedy which saw
so many lives lost. A little comfort in the tragedy is that the Yala National Park and its
animals have survived the Tsunami almost unscathed. There was some confusion in the
minds of the public that there was heavy damage to the park because there was a terrible
death toll of humans. However, during the four days (26 - 29 December) I spent looking
for survivors and the dead, I did not see any dead animals, except for a dead fish. The
park officials I spoke to also confirmed the absence of dead animals. Why this maybe so,
I will answer later.
Within the park, tragedy struck at Patanangala, a bowl shaped depression where the
Patanangala ridge, slopes down into the sea. This is a popular picnic site where people
come to stretch their legs after a morning game drive. From around 8.30 am, people who
have finished their morning game drive start to arrive at Patanangala, to enjoy the beach.
Patanangala and another site besides the Menik River are two designated places where
people are allowed to alight from vehicles in Block 1 of Yala National Park.
[The full text of this article, which has been published in the local newspapers, is
available on http://www.jetwingeco.com/ ]
TSUNAMI REQUEST
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Request by Lalith Seneviratne, on behalf of M.R. Mohamed, Warden, Yala East
A group of well-wishers have decided to focus on rehabilitating (physically) the Malay
community of between 200 - 250 families in the Hambantota / Kirinde area. Information
on 200 families have so far been collected and it is believed that there are about 30 - 50
more who have been directly affected by the Tsunami.
The 200 families listed so far have had 1028 people of which 798 are either dead or
missing. Every family has - at the very least - lost their house and possessions. Many
have lost their livelihoods as well (shops, fishing boats, nets etc.) The kids have lost their
schools. Some need counselling. What we are hoping to do is to help them turn this
tragedy into a strength, by giving them a common focus on which to rebuild their lives
and spirit - the will to better themselves and a vehicle with which to do it.
This particular community is descended from a regiment of malay troops which was
stationed in Hambantota during the first world war, who remained in the area after the
war and married into the local community. They have traditionally been trackers,
govt.servants (lower levels), teachers, small scale traders and fishermen. Our contact to
the community has been through M.R. Mohamed - Warden, Yala East N.P. one of the
most dedicated and enthusiastic wildlife officers. He has a wife, Rizviya, and three
children - Rahuman (Boy 10), Raheema (girl 7) and Ahmed (boy 4). Miraculously, the
five of them survived intact - one of the very few (perhaps only?) nuclear family intact in
that community. However their house and everything in it was flattened. The only item
they recovered was little Raheema's scooter. Other than that, they were left with the
clothes they were wearing. The other members of their family were not so lucky. Six
people in their immediate extended family (i.e. brothers, sisters, uncles aunts) are missing
with only 2 bodies recovered. His uncle's entire family is gone except for a fourteen year
old boy who is now an orphan.
Being a government servant of some experience Mohamed has taken the coordinator role
for their community. They will form a rehabilitation society within their community
which will function as the clearing house and coordinator of all rehabilitation work and
assistance for the community. Mohamed's Uncle who is a respected senior member of the
community will probably be the president, with Mohamed being the secretary.
Meanwhile some members of the community who jointly own slightly over 18 acres of
scrub land in the area have offered to gift it as a site for a new township for the
community.
Anyone willing to help Mohamed personally or the community as a whole can do so by
contacting him at 077 691 4334 or 011 286 2464. Thank you.
Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society has a web site, which has information on post
tsunami developments. It has details on a tsunami damage mapping project done on the
behest of the DWLC. For more information visit www.SLWCS.org. You can also listen
to the 2 radio programs about this on www.npr.com
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PRESS RELEASES
RE-BUILDING SRI LANKA - TOURISTS ARE COMING BACK by Gehan de
Silva Wijeyeratne
On the 26th of December, I travelled with senior colleagues to join rescue teams who
were searching for survivors and the dead. By the fourth day (30th December), many of
the dead had been buried and the thoughts of the local communities turned to their future.
They don't want to live off relief aid. Many people from park staff to jeep drivers to
wayside kiosk owners asked me to re-start business as soon as possible. They repeatedly
said that the best way we can help is to bring tourists back and re-start the local economy.
Many tour operator and embassies did ask tourists in the affected coastal areas to
evacuate the island. However some tourists did stay on as they were not hindering relief
efforts and knew that by staying on, they were bringing in much needed money to the
economy. The media, especially television coverage may lend the impression that the
entire island is devastated or at least that all of coastal tourism is destroyed. This is
clearly not so. Certainly some hotels on the coast have been badly damaged or destroyed.
But many are fully operational.
[The full text of this article, which has been published in the local newspapers, is
available on http://www.jetwingeco.com/]
Post tsunami Ecotourist see New Birds in Sri Lanka (Uda Walawe)
- Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne
Eco-tourists and birdwatchers who have heeded calls to travel to Tsunami struck Sri
Lanka, to resurrect tourism, are being rewarded with sightings of rare migrants. Redheaded
Bunting, Black-headed Bunting two migrant species of birds, not recorded before
in Sri Lanka have been observed at Uda Walawe National Park. Uda Walawe better
known for elephants, has suddenly become a birding hot spot for rare migrants. Adding to
the list of rarities are Citrine Wagtail and White Wagtail recorded at the Uda Walawe
Causeway, a few meters from the end of the embankment en route to the park office.
Inside the national park, the scarce but regular migrants Blyth's Pipit and Indian Redrumped
Swallows have also been observed.
The story of the Buntings began with Deepal Warakagoda (Eco Holidays Master
Naturalist) who was on tour with clients from KingBird Tours. The discoverer of the
Serendib Scops Owl, had been having a successful tour with sightings of both the
Serendib Scops Owl and the Ceylon Bay Owl. The latter had been observed less than
handful of times in the wild. This was the first time that it has been seen on a birding
tour. At Wirawila, Deepal met Susantha Weerappulige, a tracker from Uda Walawe
National Park. Susantha drew Deepal's attention to an unidentified sparrow like bird he
had seen. Deepal made note of the presence of the bird's location at the Hulankapolla
Junction. When he arrived at Uda Walawe National Park, for a morning game drive with
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his clients, he searched the area around Hulankapolla Junction. To his delight, he found a
Red-headed Bunting, a species not recorded from Sri Lanka before. The Red-headed
Bunting flew away and joined another bird. To his astonishment, Deepal found that the
other bird was a Black-headed Bunting, yet another species which had no been recorded
from Sri Lanka.
[The full text of this article, which has been published in the local newspapers, is
available on http://www.jetwingeco.com/]
Nature Photographer Competition not to be held in 2005
The Nature Photographer Competition sponsored by FujiFilm, Jetwing and HSBC will
not be held this year.
During its four years, the Nature Photographer Competition has been very successful in
raising the standards of photography and giving the media access to high quality
photographic images to showcase the country's bio-diversity.
The organizers wish to thank all the participants and the media who helped to make this
event a success in the last four years.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SRI LANKA WILDLIFE NEWS is a monthly e-mail of birding and wildlife events,
sightings and short notes of interest to birders, photographers, conservationists etc. To
receive a copy, please e-mail gehan@jetwing.lk with "Subscribe Wildlife News" in the
subject header. SLWN values your privacy, to be removed, e-mail with “Unsubscribe
Wildlife News” in the header. Please e-mail your sightings, events etc to
gehan@jetwing.lk. The media are welcome to extract details, but please attribute the
source. Past issues are on www.jetwingeco.com
SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2004
Dear all feel free to circulate. To contribute or to un-subscribe, please see below.
Regards Gehan
SRI LANKA WILDLIFE NEWS (September & October 2004)
- A compilation by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne (1 November 2004)
(assisted by Ayanthi Samarajewa)
HIGHLIGHTS
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[*] New publications include Yala, Leopards & Other Wildlife, Shorebirds an artist
in the field, Mammals in Sri Lanka, Wilds of Lanka, Jungle Journeys in Sri Lanka
and Ecology of Sinharaja Rain Forest and the Forest Dynamics Plot (See NEW
BOOKS).
[*] Reasons against possible translocation of leopards by Andrew Kittle and Anjali
Watson and Natural History Report from Yala (See REPORTS/ARTICLES)
[*] Siraj Kottegoda writes on a journey in Sri Lanka encountering rainforests and
leopards
EVENTS SUMMARY
Thursday 4 November at 6 p.m., The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri
Lanka (WNPS) will host a talk by Dr Rohan Pethiyagoda on "Hanuman's Bridge and
Sri Lanka's Endemic Species" - an illustrated talk about our endemic species, how they
evolved and how many we have left. This will be held at the Sri Lanka Association for
the Advancement of Science (SLAAS), Vidya Mawatha, Colombo 7.
Wednesday 17 November at 6.30 pm. How sightings turn into Photographs -
Immortalising memorable moments in the wild by Rukshan Jayewardena. SLNHS-
Jetwing - Barefoot Lecture Series, Barefoot Gallery, 704, Galle Road, Colombo 3.
.
BIRDING & WILDLIFE NEWS
Most migrant birds have arrived by now in October. Blue-tailed Bee-eaters, Brown
Shrikes, Indian Pittas and Brown Flycatchers have now established themselves in suitable
areas even in busy cities such as Colombo.
Heavy rains were experienced in mid September in areas around Sinharaja. The roads
near Badureliya was flooded and access to Sinharaja from the Matugama side was not
possible on a few days as a result.
Dr Chong-Yee Khoo reports from Huns Falls "My wife and I stayed at Hunas Falls
Hotel during the last week of September and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves there. We had
a walk on Simpson's trail with Prasantha, and although I'm not a bird watcher (my
interest is in orchids), had lots of fun with the spotting scope. We even saw the Sri Lanka
Frogmouth and took some pictures!
I think it's a great idea to have a resident naturalist, and it was particularly nice to share in
the enthusiasm of Prasantha. His keen eye and fount of knowledge meant that we saw
much more than we would have otherwise".
Chanaka Ellawala, Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne and their families visited the Kala
Wewa from the Kaladiya Bungalow on 24 September. They observed two tuskers
amongst a herd of ten elephants.
Jungle Owlets and Scops Owls at Arugambay - Vernon Tissera
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Together with with Sunela Jayawardene, Karu and her two daughters, we had the fortune
of seeing a family of Jungle Owlets and Little Scops Owl at “Hideaway” in Arugam Bay
in the last week of September. The young Jungle Owlet did not have the lateral markings
on its body as did its parents, which helped us to identify it as a young. It was a bit
smaller than the parents. All three was very wary of us and kept flying on to another tree
if we got too close.
Common Indian Palm Civet eating a Forsten's Cat Snake
Nadeera Weerasinghe, Naturalist of Yala Safari Game Lodge reports that, “on 11 th
September 2004 around 8.30 pm, in the vicinity of the restaurant he had seen a part of a
snake under a Palu tree. This part of the body about 6 inches in length had the head intact,
but was badly beaten and there were signs of canine punctures on the head. However,
Nadeera had been able to identify the snake as a Forsten's Cat Snake (Bioga forsteni).
His attention had been drawn to the upper branches of the tree and had seen a fullygrown
Common Indian Palm Civet (Pardoxurus hermaphroditus hermaphorditus)
munching the rest of the Cat Snake's body. He and the others who had gathered had
witnessed this incident, for nearly 40 minutes and had managed to take photographs
without disturbing the Indian Palm Civet feasting on the dead body. Nadeera has
estimated, the length of the Cat Snake, to be around 4 feet.
REPORTS/ARTICLES
Reasons against possible translocation of leopards (Panthera pardus
kotiya)
- Andrew Kittle and Anjali Watson
The Leopard Project, The Wilderness & Wildlife Conservation Trust
This article is concerned with leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) populations adjacent to or
in the vicinity of Municipal areas and towns. During our ongoing leopard survey within
the island we have been monitoring populations of leopard that coexist in areas close to
human populated zones. The Dunumadalawa forest reserve (Wakara watte) located
within the Municipal limits of the town of Kandy, Central Province, Sri Lanka is one
such area. We conducted leopard research within this reserve from October 2003 until
May 2004. There are many other areas in varying habitat zones that fall under similar
categorizations as Dunumadalawa and encounter the same issues addressed in this article.
We are aware of the low-level human-leopard conflict that is occurring on the periphery
of many reserve lands. This conflict is essentially in the form of some border-area
residents complaining that the leopards within the reserve are periodically killing both
livestock and pet dogs. Over the course of the eight months that we conducted our study
in the Dunumadalawa area we have seen evidence of this conflict and had conversations
with many area residents regarding this problem. It has been brought to our attention that
some residents have called on the DWLC to do something about this perceived conflict
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and that the possibility of translocating one or more leopards from this reserve has been
discussed.
We believe that the translocation of a leopard or leopards from this watershed reserve or
any other area is not a worthwhile option. The reasons for our objections to this have
largely come about as a result of our field research in the reserve, as well as our four
years of ongoing leopard research in the country and many years of prior work in the
field of rehabilitation and reintroduction of other species. In addition to this a literature
review and communications with other international scientists regarding translocations
has also turned up a strong case against translocation. A study concentrating on
monitoring man-leopard conflict and follow up of tranlsocated leopards, just released by
one of our colleagues in India (Athreya et al. 2004
http://www.ncra.tifr.res.in/~rathreya/JunnarLeopards/) is also strongly recommending
against this option. Another excellent reference regarding this issue comes from P.H.
Hamilton’s 1981 report entitled “The leopard (Panthera pardus) and cheetah (Acinonyx
jubatus) in Kenya: Ecology, Status, Conservation, Management”.
The reason we bring this topic into the public forum at all is to make it known that
translocations as a possible solution should it be considered in any case is not a viable
option, especially in a country where fortunately such conflict is low. We also set out
recommendations that must be seriously considered in this time of ‘development’ in Sri
Lanka if conflict is to be kept at a low and any escalation prevented.
Reasons against translocations:
1. Translocating wildlife, especially top predators such as the leopard, should only
be used as a last resort.
a. Wild animals gain a great deal of knowledge about all aspects of survival from
their nurturing in the wild. This is particularly true of higher order mammals such as the
leopard. Transferring an animal from one habitat type into a different, alien habitat
usually results in the inability of the animal to adapt to its new surroundings. A new prey
base, new competitors and the potential of a new climate can have tremendously adverse
effects on the survival potential of the animal in question. Moving a leopard from the
hills to Yala, Knuckles or even to Horton Plains for instance would be essentially
equivalent to shooting the leopard in the first place.
b. Drugs required to affect a translocation in the wild are notoriously difficult to
administer in appropriate doses. This situation is escalated when no prior monitoring of
the animal is conducted as is the case in most translocations.
2. Sri Lanka does not appear to have open areas in which to introduce new animals.
Moving a leopard from one are (e.g. Dunumadalawa) into another area is a disturbance to
the new area. Even if the problems with habitat adjustment described above are ignored,
the translocated leopard would be unlikely to survive because he/she would be placed
into an environment already inhabited by an existing leopard population. Leopards are
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territorial and unlike some other species, do not simply move over to accommodate new
arrivals; instead it is likely that the new arrival would be constantly harried by the
existing population. In all likelihood it would be killed or constantly moved from one
location to another with no ability to establish itself in the new environment. If a
translocated animal did manage to establish itself in the new environment it would be at
the expense of an already existing member of the population. In either event the net
effect on the Sri Lankan population would be to lose one leopard. While in extreme
cases the zoo might appear to be an option, the Colombo Zoo is already badly
overburdened with captive leopards.
3. There is more than one leopard living in these forest areas/reserves. We have
detected a minimum of three leopards (2 adult) that live (resident) within the
Dunumadalawa reserve and it is very possible that at least one more utilizes the reserve
as part of its home-range. There is one female and her presently one to one and a half
year old cub who are resident in the reserve and one adult male whose home range
includes the reserve. Furthermore it is likely that another female utilizes certain segments
of the reserve as well as the occasional inhabitation by young animals, possibly prior
litters of the females. Therefore it would take a considerable effort to remove all of the
leopards from the reserve. It is a distinct possibility that the reason for the increase in the
perceived conflict over the course of the last few months (end 2003-begining 2004) is
because of the existence of the mother and cub. Female leopards need to kill more
frequently when they have young and often they rely on easier prey to minimize energy
expenditure. This appears to be consistent with the oscillating trend of dog deaths which
seems to peak periodically and then decline again approximately every two years (time
span between cubs). This scenario that is occurring at Dunumadalawa is reflective of
other populations living adjacent to and in reserves and forested areas close to human
habitation. Our surveys show similar trends in village areas in Bogawantalawa,
Agarapatana, Wilgamuwa, Galgadawela, Kaikawala, Meemure and areas around
Haycock mountain (S. personal communication).
4. These leopard populations do not exist in isolation. They are dynamic
populations that are connected to other forest reserves via tea, rubber estates and pine
plantations. For example patchy connected areas appear to extend from Dunumadalawa
at the northern terminus, south through Heeressagala, Hantane, Galaha and beyond to the
Pidruatalagala protected area and on to Horton Plains and Peak Wilderness. Therefore
the removal of one leopard would simply be counteracted by the arrival of a new leopard.
Already the survival rate of cubs to adulthood in most leopard populations is less than
50%. This is because leopards are territorial and their structure makes it difficult for new
recruits to establish themselves. Taking one leopard from a population would have
almost no effect if that population is connected in such a way as to allow the influx of
new animals. Therefore the best that can be hoped for by removing one leopard is a
temporary respite from any human-leopard conflict until a new animal moves into the
vacated area. In fact a form of translocation has already been affected in many areas with
the poaching of leopards. Dunumadalawa forest reserve has had two male leopards and
one other (probably a female) removed by poachers over the course of the past 2 years.
This appears to have had no effect on the low-level preying on domestic animals.
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5. The leopard is not the only predator that is interacting with livestock and pets. A
number of the reports that we have investigated of dogs being taken by leopards have
turned out not to be leopards at all, but fishing cats (Felis viverrinus). Therefore the lowlevel
conflict would not be solved even were all of the leopards in and around the
reserves/areas translocated. While we do not know the exact number of fishing cats
within these areas they are not uncommon.
6. Most of the dogs and livestock killed by leopards are killed inside the reserves.
Many dogs that live on the periphery actively enter the forested areas for a variety of
reasons including chasing deer. In this way it is not entirely unnatural for a leopard to
prey upon a dog within the forest. There are some incidents where a leopard has entered
a compound to take a dog but this is very much the exception to the rule- with the said
compound being on the very edge of the forest.
7. The degree of human-leopard conflict is at a low level and has been so for many
years. Many of the old, long-established residents of the areas bordering the forest
reserves are well aware of the complications inherent with living on the border of a
healthy forest and, while upsetting, do not begrudge the leopards their occasional
interactions with pets. Some of the forests have matured over the last few decades and as
such are now permanent homes to the wildlife. It is mostly the newer residents, most of
whom are unaware of the existence or extent of the forest adjacent to them, that are
particularly upset by the incidents of conflict.
We believe that the above-stated reasons are sufficient to explain why the option of
translocation of leopards is a poor one. However we also recognize that there is a
problem perceived in some areas with regards to the conflict between the leopards of the
forest reserve and the pets/livestock belonging to people on the peripheries of that
reserve.
We suggest a number of steps be taken far in advance of any consideration of
translocation of individuals. We have through our project already initiated such
procedures.
1. An awareness campaign. It is imperative that people living in the immediate
vicinity of forest areas are aware that the forest is a large and healthy one that connects to
other forest habitats and that it contains in most instances wild boar, barking/axis deer,
pythons, cobras, fishing cats and leopards. Only people that are willing to live in the
vicinity of such a forest would then become new residents.
2. An education campaign. People need to know how to live in the proximity of
such forests. It is important that they understand what they can do to minimize the
likelihood of conflict with wildlife. Already we have encouraged home-owners on the
periphery of these forests to fence in their gardens. This not only discourages leopards
but also the wild boar that continually enter the properties to root in the gardens. In
addition it is important that people take precautionary steps to ensure the safety of their
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dogs. This can be by putting up a dog-house or keeping the dog inside at night or simply
not letting the dog enter the forest especially at dawn, dusk and at night.
3. Increased protection within the reserve and in adjacent areas. One possible reason
for any potential increase in the human-leopard conflict is the reduction in the leopard’s
natural prey base. While relevant departmental staff, based at the forest reserves, does
their best to protect the immediate forest area and poaching does not seem to be a major
issue in some areas, it is necessary that this level of protection be extended to the
connecting zones as well. When numbers of natural prey are reduced the leopard will
immediately begin to incorporate “other” prey sources into its diet (i.e. domestic).
4. Vigilance. With the increase in awareness regarding the existence of leopards in
these areas, it is possible that there will be a corresponding increase in the threats to the
leopard. Therefore a monitoring system would be very useful to keep up to date on the
leopards within these reserves (We have trained relevant staff in certain areas and will be
continuing such monitoring under our Leopard Project).
5. The leopard is a CITES Appendix I endangered species across its Asian range.
This means that there is a ban on all trade in leopard parts or products. Furthermore the
Sri Lankan sub-specie (P.p.kotiya) is unique thus heightening its endangered status.
We are very thankful for the continued support of the Department of Wildlife
Conservation and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Biodiversity
Unit). Our goals, like those of the DWLC & MENR, and we hope the general public
include the conservation of the Sri Lankan leopard in all areas as well as the
minimization of conflict between the human population and this islands only large cat
and top carnivore.
Natural History Report from Yala Safari Game Lodge for the month of
August 2004
Large mammals
Leopards
27 encounters involving 31 leopards in 14 days have been recorded. Most of the sightings
were recorded in the central area of the Park.
Bears
18 encounters involving 19 bears in 12 days have been recorded.
Tuskers
10 encounters involving 10 tuskers in 09 days have been recorded.
Birds
23 migratory wader species were observed in in the area in few numbers. In the last week
of the month we have observed these migratory bird species and numbers are increasing.
During this month on several occasions we were able to observe two Black-capped
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Bulbuls (Pycnonotus melanicterus) around the Game Lodge premises.
Snakes
During this period 02 Python sightings have been recorded whilst on game drives.
Trip to Sri Lanka (July & August 2004)
- Siraj Kottegoda
We were in Sri Lanka in July and August. On our first trip out of Colombo we went
south, hugging the coast the whole way. This took us to Galle for Breakfast (at the
Lighthouse – very nice and friendly staff, especially the management) and on past
Tangalle to Darwins. On the way we passed the islet of Taprobane at Weligama (very
tranquil, but as the tide was in could not wade across), the lighthouse at Dondra Head -
the most southerly point in SL (numerous chatty smiling school children visiting it) and
the coastal village of Kottegoda which was a bit of a non event (no name boards to take a
picture of and somewhat non-descript).
We arrived in the late afternoon at Darwins, located near Rekawa which was pleasing (if
a little in need of a makeover) and run by a single German lady, Ursula, We stayed two
nights. In the early evening I went for a canoe ride on the Rekawa lagoon behind the
hotel which was extremely tranquil with not a soul around. But as the canoe had a small
leak we could not venture very far. Afterwards, we went for a sea bath which is not for
the faint of heart. It’s off season on the west and south coast but as long as you kept to
where the waves were breaking these would counter the strong current and bring you
back to shore. The only problem was the waves were often above one’s head, hence the
need for brevity (or was it madness!). But the children thoroughly enjoyed it, my seven
year old, Kiara, probably like most seven year olds being fearless.
After dinner we went to watch the event that this area is most famous for, Green Turtles
coming ashore to lay their eggs. This takes a certain amount of determination. After a
drive to the drop off point and hatcheries it involved about a mile and half walk and then
sitting around for a couple of hours and by the time we got home it was after 1.00 am.
The first of our sighting was a little too brief and incomplete. After hauling herself up the
beach the turtle was either too stressed or could not find the right spot and went back in
the sea. Those of us who were by now wavering in our enthusiasm (tired, loosing
patience and cold) were reminded to think about the plight of the turtle who, exhausted,
after having travelled hundreds if not thousands of miles had to haul themselves uphill on
the beach and then push out their eggs. However, we were rewarded for our patience as
the second turtle came ashore a few hundred yards away and did the job. The trackers
(former poachers turned a new leaf, I understand) were very informative, patient and
protective of the turtles. We saw the eggs coming out one by one and there must have
been 50 or 60
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The next day we went to Uda Walawe. The Footprint Guide to SL (the most informative
and well written that I have come across) recommended a guide, Sanath Hewage, who we
managed to engage. He was very friendly, knowledgeable and low key. He took delight
in seeing his name in the book. Although it being early afternoon we saw several
families of elephant; a few we could drive right up to - one resting under a Ceylon Oak
and another group with four calves each less than four months old. This was seen at
fairly close proximity. We also saw a White-bellied Sea Eagle that initially made a brief
appearance at Hullang Kapolla but later returned for a final swansong providing us with a
long and graceful serenade. We also saw a Brown Fish Owl in the forest. At one look out
point (at Gonaviddagala) we saw two herds of elephant, a herd of wild buffalo and a herd
of deer.
This was followed by a refreshing (and by now requisite) early evening sea bath back at
the hotel. After dinner we witnessed one of the turtle hatchlings (there is a small
hatchery just outside the hotel grounds) freed and make its way to the ocean. This tiny
defenceless baby taking on the deep blue sea without any hesitation or a glance back was
a memorable and rewarding sight.
The next morning I went for a long walk along the beach and did not come across a soul
(no tourists) until I came upon some fishermen who were dragging their boat up the
beach, but had caught no fish and did not seem perturbed at this. After breakfast we went
to Mulgirigala, the rock temple situated on four levels and somewhat reminiscent of
Dambulla, but with its climb, also Sigiriya. We got there fairly early and had the place to
ourselves. The place was quiet and secluded but somewhat rundown and neglected. The
quality of the wall paintings and the figurines did not match those in Dambulla but
nevertheless were fascinating and of enormous interest even to our youngest.
We immediately left for Yala wolfing down a picnic lunch along the way. We arrived in
the late afternoon at the Yala Safari Game Lodge and was met by Viraj the front office
manager. We went on a late afternoon safari. I had never seen Yala so busy with so
many jeeps and tourists. There were not enough guides to go around and we shared ours
(in our jeep) with another party. On the whole, the safari was somewhat disappointing.
However, we did see a leopard in the thick bush but the best vantage point of about the
length of half a jeep was over-run with over a half a dozen jeeps. With all this traffic the
place was extremely dusty.
The following morning I went on the 6.00 am safari, alone. This was a totally different
experience. There was hardly any traffic and much more animals. A bull elephant
walked right towards the jeep and (thank god!) right past it as if we didn’t exist. I made it
clear to the driver and tracker that the prize was a leopard. We drove around for about
two and half hours seeing a bear, elephant, numerous groups of spotted deer, some
beautifully located on the sides of lakes (with delightful reflections in the early morning
light), sambar, wild fowl, pelicans, several jackals and a number of crocodile (one well
within eating distance of a carefree (maybe careless) hare!, but no leopard. I was about to
ask to turn back when on top of a rock on the Gonagala-Heen Wewa road (with just one
other jeep of locals in the vicinity) was the elusive leopard who was giving itself a bath.
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This truly is a magnificent animal and its most beautiful part is its tail. It kept watching
us and I wasn’t sure who was more interested in whom. It obviously was enjoying being
the centre of attraction. After about 15 minutes it got up and jumped with one effortless
skip from one rock to another climbed down and disappeared into the jungle. For the rest
of the morning I could not stop smiling from ear to ear thinking back to this breathtaking
site.
Upon returning to the hotel I saw the resident wild boar returning with its entire family of
around 10 little ones. After breakfast we left for Bogawantalawa via Wellawaya. This
was a drive from hell and took about 7 hours the majority traversing tea estates and hair
pin bends. We did pass a beautiful waterfall at Diyaluma and catching the late afternoon
light, some beautiful emerald coloured paddy fields.
Bogawantalawa was tranquil, with amiable people, cool air, clear light, deep valleys,
gushing rivers and distant views of Adams Peak. We stayed two days and returned to
Colombo much rested. A couple of days later (happy to leave the bustle and pollution of
Colombo) we left for the short journey to Wadduwa and the Blue Water Hotel for one
night proceeding (alone again) onto Sinharaja forest for one night.
After dropping my bags off at the Boulder Garden Hotel (my abode for the night) I
proceeded to Sinharaja forest. This was as vast, dense and magnificent as I imagined.
Despite wearing leech socks which made a significant difference I had many encounters
with the ubiquitous leeches. This was my first visit to the forest and I decided to spend
the time mostly exploring. I chose the Moulawella trail and walked to the top of
Moulawella Peak which frankly, for me at least, required some resilience. It was all up
hill for about 6 or 7 kilometres and is not for everyone. Having said that we were
rewarded at the top with magnificent views of the surrounding forest canopy and hills
covered in mist, including views of Adams Peak and although cold because of the strong
winds and distant rain was such a welcoming change compared to the humid forest that I
would have happily spent hours there. Along the way, the downpours although relatively
brief were intense and an umbrella was a must. At times I had upwards of 10 leeches
crawling up my socks. I saw an insect eating plant, giant trees with unusual fortified
angular bases to make themselves sturdy, numerous frogs and giant spiders, tropical fish
and several groups of purple faced leaf monkeys and a wild fowl.
I made it a point to visit Martins. When we got there it was in the middle of the
afternoon and Martin was sitting at a communal table writing, and barely looked up upon
our entering. I requested two cups of tea for my guide and this was met with a soft grunt.
However, upon bringing the tea he asked my name and upon giving it, he asked if I was
related to Dr. S.R. Kottegoda. My answer to the affirmative completely changed his
mood and he broke out into a broad smile. We chatted away and he told us about his bird
mad guests, relating a story of the current guest as a typical example. He had arrived late
the day before straight from the airport, awoke at the crack of dawn refused any
breakfast, making instead a bee line to the lookout at the edge of the dining area. But in
the next six or seven hours he had spotted more varieties of birds than in a week of being
in the area with some rare sightings. I inquired of all the nationalities visiting, who
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seemed the most obsessed (I mean avid birders!) and without hesitation he said the
English followed by the Americans. I being a national of both found this amusing and
readily convincing. He refused any payment (for the tea) saying we were friends which
was touching.
My driver had gone back to Colombo so I hitched a ride from the local bus to Kalawana
back to the hotel about 10 kilometres away. The experience - of the ride in a bus with its
over the hill gearbox, groaning engine, and heart stopping driving and being in the
company of locals who entirely oblivious of me and obviously knowing each other well
in this small community, chattered away as if sitting in their living room - was enjoyable
and authentic. Then I had a kilometre walk to the hotel through paddy fields.
Despite my aching bones and muscles I felt compelled to go on the tour of the
surrounding rocks and caves which was truly beguiling. There are several dark caves
formed by giant boulders laying on top of and along side each other. To give one
example, the roof of the hotel restaurant was one giant horizontal and flattish rock
exposed on three sides. So when there were down pours (which were fairly frequent) the
feeling of tranquillity and being at one with nature (and contemporaneously indulging in
some nice red wine) was amazing.
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
Elephants
Jayantha Jayewardene, Managing Trustee of the Biodiversity & Elephant Conservation
Trust, is interested in receiving and disseminating news and articles pertaining to the
Asian Elephant. Please contact him on his e-mail romalijj@eureka.lk
The Natural Guide to Sri Lanka
The Natural Guide Foundation (www.naturalguide,org) is a non-profit group established
in 2002 that promotes tourism initiatives based on appreciation and respect of local
people, culture and environment. Its first publication, The Natural Guide to Bali, is in
press and will be on sale in December 2004.
The Natural Guide to Sri Lanka project is being launched. It will be edited from Sri
Lanka by Dr. Jim Jarvie (jkjarvie@aol.com). Over the next months the project intends to
review ethical tourism operators, defined as traveller-friendly, environmentally and
socially responsible. As wide a range of operations as possible will be looked at including
hotels and home-stays; eco-and cultural tour operators; culturally related courses like
dance, yoga and cooking. The book audience will be independent-minded, national and
international, travellers wanting to maximise experiences and time by using good service
providers that contribute to nature and culture.
A central theme of the book will be highlighting community-based initiatives maintaining
and enhancing environmental and social values. Projects or groups that help the
environment in ways including protecting reefs, rehabilitating forest, strengthening smallscale
ventures that use environmental resources sustainably, will be included.
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12/10/2007
The Natural Guide seeks as much input as possible from local writers and photographers.
If anyone has a passion for cycling, kayaking, birding or anything ‘natural†that
they would like to write about, send a submission!
Just as important, if there is a home-stay, guide, activity, project or place off the beaten
track that has been overlooked once too often that should be talked about, send a message
to Jim at jkjarvie@aol.com.
NEW BOOKS
Yala, Leopards & Other Wildlife. 2004. Compiled & Edited by Gehan de Silva
Wijeyeratne. Photography by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne. Design by Chandrika Maelge
232 pages. ISBN 955 - 1079 - 00 - 0. Rs 3,500
This book combines the design element and strong visual focus of a coffee table book
with authoritative text from some of Sri Lanka's leading wildlife writers. The thirteen
contributors cover a variety of topics from Leopards, Elephants, smaller mammals, birds,
butterflies and dragonflies to plant life and conservation. The book will be a useful
introduction not only to Yala but also to the wildlife of the other parks and reserves in Sri
Lanka's dry lowlands.
Available from Jetwing Eco Holidays, Jetwing House, 46/26 Navam Mawatha, Colombo
2 and bookshops including Barefoot, Lake House Bookshop Hyde Park Corner, Marks
(Kandy) and ODEL.
Shorebirds, an artist in the field. 2004. Text by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne. Art by
Lester Perera. Design by Chandrika Maelge and layout by Copyline. 48 pages. ISBN
955 - 1079 - 03 - 5 Rs 1,500.
The book, is probably the first in the "Wildlife Art Book" genre, by a Sri Lankan
publisher. The book showcases the work of Lester Perera, arguably the best known
resident Sri Lankan wildlife artist. The art, reflects Lester's style of underpinning his
paintings on field sketches and rarely relying on photographs or museum specimens. His
art also captures the spirit of the place, whilst preserving an authenticity of the identity of
the birds. Over the years, Lester has developed a more relaxed style towards the
backgrounds of the subjects and has developed a more painterly attitude, freeing himself
from the pre-occupation to detail which marked his early years. The book is
complemented with a series of articles by wildlife populariser Gehan de Silva
Wijeyeratne.
Available from Jetwing Eco Holidays, Jetwing House, 46/26 Navam Mawatha, Colombo
2 and bookshops including Barefoot, Lake House Bookshop Hyde Park Corner, Marks
(Kandy) and ODEL.
Pictorial Pocket Guide 3 - Mammals in Sri Lanka by Sarath Kotagama. 2004.
Published by the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL). 80 pages. ISBN 955 -
8576-14-X
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Extracts from a review by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne in Serendipity
"As is typical of much of his work through FOGSL, it comes at an affordable price. At Rs
250, it is affordable to a significant proportion of Sri Lankans.
The book is literally pocket sized measuring 16 cm tall and 8 cm wide. It has an attractive
colour cover showing a tusked elephant photographed by Rahula Perera. The book is 80
pages long with the first 20 taken by introductory sections including a very useful
overview of the mammalian fauna of Sri Lanka and their distribution in the various
climatic zones.
A very useful feature of the book is the coining of a binomial nomenclature in Sinhala.
This is essential if the study of mammals is to be popularized amongst the majority. The
meat of the book is 23 colour plates of hand drawn illustrations with brief commentaries
on the opposite pages. To achieve its objective of being an affordable pocket guide, the
text has been kept necessarily brief and include the English, Latin and Sinhala names, key
measurements and a brief description of key identifying features. The Sinhala name is in
the local alphabet and therefore the book will be somewhat useful even to an audience
which only reads Sinhala".
Copies are available from the FOGSL Office, c/o Professor Sarath Kotagama, Zoology
Department, University of Colombo.
Ecology of Sinharaja Rain Forest and the Forest Dynamics Plot by C.V.S.
Gunatilake, I.A.U.N Gunatilake, A.U.K. Ethulgala and S. Esufali. (2004). WHT
Publications (Pvt) Ltd. Colombo. 222 pages. ISBN 955-9114-431-6
This book is the result of a decade-long study of the vegetation structure and composition
of a 25 ha plot of undisturbed lowland rain forest in Sinharaja. Initiated in 1993 as part of
a pan-tropical research network launched by the Center for Tropical Forest Science of the
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, it is the first study in Sri Lanka to describe the
distribution of tree species at both the micro (5×5 m) and macro (500×500 m) levels. All
the tree species in the plot are identified, inventoried and mapped. A total of 144 species
are mapped in detail, together with data on endemicity, spatial density, altitudinal
distribution, size classes and ecological range within the island. A series of colour plots
illustrates some of the more interesting spatial distribution patterns, together with habitat,
gradient and elevation data.
The book also includes a concise introduction to Sinharaja and an overview of research
(both published and unpublished) conducted in this unique forest, with comprehensive
and up to date references to literature.
Ecology of Sinharaja…. provides essential information for future work on community
and restoration ecology, plant-animal interactions, genetic diversity and the carbon
sequestration potential of lowland rain forests. It is an indispensable sourcebook for
future research on Sinharaja- the jewel in the crown of Sri Lanka’s biodiversity.
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ENCOUNTERS; a journey through the wild
Four photographers with vastly different experiences drawn together by one passion- the
wild places of Sri-Lanka, have combined their efforts to bring you one book,
ENCOUNTERS; a journey through the wild. This book is a collection of over 170
photographic encounters covering the our country's rich wilderness. The book spans the
entire country from Mannar to Kumana, Horton Plains to Sinharaja, from Wilpattu to
Colombo. As diverse as the locations, so are the subjects from Elephants to damselflies,
leopards to lizards, monkeys to frogs. You will also encounters unique moments with the
leopards of Wilpattu, after its re-opening. This hard cover book with dust jacket is
available at a pre publication price of Rs. 2300. This offer is valid until 21st of
November. For information Contact Namal on 07222 80270 or zero3images@yahoo.com
Wilds of Lanka - A Visual Treat Of Yala National Park by Ravi Samarasinha, and
Chitral Jayatilake. 140 Pages, 110 pictures, 11 x 9 inches, Hard cover
To be published December 2004
Jungle Journeys in Sri Lanka, Experiences and Encounters
Edited by C.G. Uragoda. 300 pages, hard cover.
A review by Lankika de Livera.
The book includes 15 contributions from C.G. Uragoda, Walter R. Gooneratne, Nimal
Jayawardena, Rex I. De Silva, Anslem de Silva, Somasiri Devendra, Fredrick Medis,
Ravi Samarasinha, Lyn de Alwis, H.I.E. Katugaha, Dianthi S.U. Wijeratne, Lal Anthonis,
Athula Dissanayake, Jayantha Jayawardene and Dishana Uragoda.
This is Jungle lore narrated through lucid easy-to-read language. Fascinating real-lfe
experiences of the jungles of Sri Lanka over fifty years ago and now. What it was and
what it is. Some of the writers narrate their real-life dramas in a by-gone era which keeps
present-day adventurers spell-bound. But also a little remorseful that all those landscapes
have so dramatically changed over the years.
The writers talk of the hospitality and the eager-to-please nature of the natives in the
village areas which made it easy for town-dwellers to venture into unknown jungles. Dr.
Uragoda becomes very nostalgic about the easier, more laid back life fifty years ago.
When the jungles were more dense and the venturing more of a challenge. Coupled with
the fact that there were less “gadgets” than now to overcome obstacles in the wild that
challenge humans.
The book is light reading and has pleasure coupled with tense adventure, fun and laughter
all woven together in it. It is educative and informative and will be good reading for all.
Allthough Wild Life and Nature Lovers will favour it and savour it much more than
others. Stories are based in Yala Strict Natural Reserve, Kumana, Laggala, Knuckles
Range, Lahugala, Wilpattu and the Pearl Banks of Mullikulam. There are Bird Watching,
Trekking, Camping and Safari experiences and even Deep Sea Diving experiences. A
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smattering of hunting of the by-gone-era and of fishing also revs up the momentum in the
book and gives the present-day young readers an idea of what it was then.
The dust flap of this hard cover book depicts a photograph of a four-wheel-drive double
cab negotiating the Waters of the Kumbukkan Oya to reach Kumana from Yala. The
book contains 20 colour photographs and eight black and white photographs.
It is priced Rupees 1600/= and available at “Eco Rhythm”, No. 5A Perahera Mawatha,
Colombo 2. Tel. 2439883.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SRI LANKA WILDLIFE NEWS is a monthly e-mail of birding and wildlife events,
sightings and short notes of interest to birders, photographers, conservationists etc. To
receive a copy, please e-mail gehan@jetwing.lk with "Subscribe Wildlife News" in the
subject header. SLWN values your privacy, to be removed, e-mail with “Unsubscribe
Wildlife News” in the header. Please e-mail your sightings, events etc to
gehan@jetwing.lk. The media are welcome to extract details, but please attribute the
source. Past issues are on www.jetwingeco.com
AUGUST 2004
Dear all feel free to circulate. To contribute or to un-subscribe, please see below.
Regards Gehan
SRI LANKA WILDLIFE NEWS (August 2004)
- A compilation by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne
(Assisted by Ayanthi Samarajewa, 09 September 2004)
HIGHLIGHTS
[*] New publications include Shorebirds, an artist in the field and Leopards and other
Wildlife of Yala (See NEW BOOKS).
[*] Talk on Serendib Scops Owl on 9th September
[*] Andrew Kittle & Anjali Watson on Leopard poaching in Sri Lanka and Karen
Coniff on Dragonflies at Talangama Tank (See ARTICLES)
[*] Reports from Yala and Kumana (See REPORTS)
EVENTS SUMMARY
- Thursday 9 September, "The Serendib Scops Owl - The Whole Story" by Deepal
Warakagoda. 6.00 pm SLAAS Auditorium (Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement
of Science) . Vidya Mawatha. WNPS Lecture Series.
- Saturday 25 September, Lecture series on birds for beginners. 9.30 am - 12.00.
NBLT, University of Colombo, Colombo 3. Field Ornithology Group of Sri
Lanka (FOGSL) Lecture Series. Topic and speaker to be finalised.
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BIRDING & WILDLIFE NEWS
TOP STORY Jetwing has taken the publishing world by storm with the publication of
Yala, Leopards and other Wildlife of Yala. The book combines strong imagery and design
with authoritative but readable text aimed at a lay audience. The 242 page, vertical format
book, square in shape, is printed on matt art paper with a hard cover and dust jacket. It is
arguably one of the best designed and presented coffee table books on Sri Lankan
wildlife whilst at the same time containing one of the best selections of articles on the
wildlife of the dry lowlands of Sri Lanka. See NEW BOOKS below.
Chithral Jayathilaka reports from Yala National Park. "Three days spent at
Thalgasmankada from the 19th - to the 21st of July was hard work with the park
completely dry with the mid year drought taking full effect by this time of the year. The
stay at Thalgasmankada is never the same with the Menik Ganga gone totally dry and the
heat zooming up to 40 degrees by noon. The elephants were congregated towards the
Thalgas end of the park often coming to water twice a day at "Kotabendi wewa" and
"Koma Wewa", Handunoruwa was also quite busy with many elephants during mid day.
One Bear was seen around Wilapalawewa and one of the Thalgasmankada Cubs was seen
stalking a rabbit late Tuesday evening. A second Leopard cub was on a Kohomba tree on
the Meda para on Wednesday morning for a brief period. Two Tuskers were observed
namely "Thilak" at "Kotabendiwewa" and "Kublai Khan" at "Koma wewa". Many pug
marks were observed each morning towards the "Dharshana wewa" area with not much
luck of a decent sighting or a photographic opportunity".
Chandra Jayawardene, Naturalist, Seashells Hotel reports, "whilst on a boat safari
accompanying a group of Kuoni guests, along the Dutch canal connecting the
Mahaganga, on 06.09.2004, between 9.00am and 9.30am, observed three Oriental Scops
Owls resting on the same branch and a Brown Hawk Owl in the same area, in a thick
vegetation of mangroves bordering the banks of the Dutch canal. The Oriental Scops Owl
was readily identified by it's smaller size, prominent ear tufts and the yellow iridise. It
appeared to be the greyish-brown form. The Brown Hawk Owl again by it's smaller size,
large round eyes with yellow iridise (eye rings) and the dark markings on a white breast.
Among the other birds seen in the area were the Pied, Common, White- throated and the
Stork-billed Kingfishers".
Fr. Vimal Tirimanna reports from a visit to Wasgomuwa National Park between 19th
and 21st July. "We put ourselves up at Wavulabe bungalow. Besides the usual sightings,
we missed by minutes (at least two or three times) seeing bears. However, we were lucky
to see elephants on both 19th and 20th. But on 20th, we were surrounded by nearly 100+
elephants (many females with young); a notorious young bull was very aggressive. We
were told by our guide, one Ranasinghe, that this bull was the off-spring of "nondiathinni"
(a lame female elephant). We enjoyed their presence until a female became quite
aggressive; then, we decided to reverse and take another route. This is the first time that I
have seen so many elephants at Wasgomuwa.
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During our stay, I was lucky to see some 50+ species of birds. Besides the usual common
ones in a dry zone national park, there was one strange sighting, the sighting of a Malay
Bittern (juvenile). This single bird was seen in the mornings on both 20th and 21st at the
Marsh (now dried up) in front of the Wavulabbey bungalow. It was seen between 6.30
and 8.30 am on both days. Between 6.30 and 7.15 am it would be slowly but very warily
strutting about always close to the clump of reeds. Thereafter, it would enter the reeds
and remain there motionless, while we could see it with the help of our binoculars, all the
time! The slightest noise or movement would make it disappear into the clump of reeds.
Overall, it was speckled with white spots on a greyish-brown background; a few crest
feathers seen ruffled, somewhat erect. Yellow irides with black eyes. Bill long and
pointed; it was overall blackish with a sort of a yellow middle-line running along till the
tip. Breast buff-creamy, with a pinkish tinge. It resembled very much the immature bird
in T.S.U. de Zylva's photograph in the Photographic Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka
published by New Holland. I just do not understand how a Malay Bittern can be found in
this non-winter season, and that too, an immature one! But, I am certain that I did identify
it positively".
ARTICLES
Leopard Poaching in Sri Lanka
By Andrew Kittle* & Anjali Watson*
* The Leopard Project, Wilderness & Wildlife Conservation Trust. Sri Lanka.
Recent genetic studies show that the Sri Lankan leopard is distinct sub-specie of the
mainland leopard. Being the sole large carnivore in Sri Lanka, significantly increases its
role as a keystone species, helping to determine the population density and health of prey
species such as Spotted Deer (Axis axis), Sambar (Cervus unicolor) and Wild Pig (Sus
scrofa). Another important role of the leopard is as an environmental bell weatherindicator-species.
The status of the leopard gives a good indication of the status of prey
and habitat conditions. Even though the leopard in Sri Lanka occupies the role of an apex
predator, its population number, home range, behavior and conservation status is not very
well known. The Leopard Project is addressing these issues and our ongoing research in
selected habitats of the country is filling the gap in the dearth of information.
In Sri Lanka, the current population of leopards in the island is unknown. What is known,
however is the numbers of these elusive animals have decreased substantially over the
last century. This was originally due to game hunting during colonial times and later
because of poaching for its skin and meat. Although the Fauna & Flora Ordinance of
1938 gave the leopard legal protection, the poaching of leopards outside and inside
protected areas has continued unabated. Poaching is still one of biggest threats to the
leopard. From January 2001 to the present there have been at least 35 leopards killed by
poachers. Fourteen (14) leopards were killed in the Wasgomuwa area in the Central
Province. Five (5) leopards were killed in and around the Yala National Park and another
five (5) were killed at Uda Walawe with at least two leopards killed in the Nuwara Eliya
region. Four (4) skins were confiscated in the Chilaw area, presumably poached from the
vicinity of Wilpattu National Park.
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The plight of the leopard is further exacerbated by the burgeoning human population and
their need for land. Habitat loss and fragmentation has contributed to the marginalization
of the leopard bringing it into conflict with humans as evident from our ongoing study at
the Dunumadallawa forest reserve on the outskirts of Kandy in the Hantana region.
These leopards will prey on domestic dogs and these incidents are likely to increase. The
encroachment by housing estates has reduced their habitat and may have depleted their
natural prey base. Increased trapping for other animals has also increased the incidence
of leopards being caught and killed in poachers traps in this area with another four (4)
poached leopards being detected since 2002.
The Leopard Project, through our human-leopard conflict and awareness programme (via
a soon to be released anti poaching poster campaign) and in collaboration with the
Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWLC) and the Biodiversity Unit of the Ministry
of Environment and Natural Resources is trying to keep an accurate record of the total
number of leopards poached/trapped within the island and the reasons for their loss.
Although the problem of poaching in Sri Lanka is not as serious as the situation in some
African countries we feel it is on the rise and as such must be addressed before the
situation escalates.
The Sri Lankan Leopard population due to its isolation from the mainland cannot have
new immigrants flowing into the population; the only migration that can occur is between
the small populations dispersed through the varied habitats on the island. Therefore, any
leopard killed at population level could be a vital loss to the meta population gene pool
and to the species as a whole.
Dragonflies at Talangama Tank
- Karen Coniff
Talangama tank is a wonderful bird and dragonfly watching area just outside Colombo in
the Battaramulla area. Over the past 8 years, I have regularly visited the tank watching as
it rapidly developed from a rural farm community to upscale modern homes and
presently even a large apartment block is scheduled for construction. The growing
population pressures on this small sanctuary may affect the unique bird and dragonfly
habitats. Still there are many birds, dragonflies, damselflies and interesting behaviours
that can be observed despite the surging population in the area.
Most of the dragonflies and damselflies are found around the weedy edges of the tank,
canals, and the surrounding paddy fields. On my weekly visits, I try to note the numbers
and types of dragonflies that I spot as I walk the area around the lake. The best time to
visit the tank is on weekdays or very early on weekend mornings. Talangama tank is a
very busy place on the weekends, especially in the afternoon.
The most interesting and rarest dragonfly I found there was in my home when I lived
close to the tank. Occasionally, in October and November, I would find night-flying
Gynacantha subinterrupta in my home attracted to the lights. This large sized species is
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about 7 cm long from the eyes to the tip of the abdomen. It does not have a common
name in Sri Lanka except for Big Eye. More common species such as Orange Winged
Groundling (Brachythemis contaminata), Black Velvet Wing (Neurothemis tulia),
Variable Glider (Rhyothemis variegata) and Sombre Skimmer (Orthetrum sabina) are
found along the edges the tank itself almost all year. You can use your binoculars to try
and observe the larger species Asian Tiger (Ictinogomphus rapax); it is difficult focus on
because it zooms around and rarely lands but if you find its perch you might get in the
binoculars. When it is very hot and humid it is best sit quietly beside the edge of the
water on the small canals to watch the more delicate damselflies, Bi-coloured damselfly
(Ceriagrion cerinorubellum), Yellow Damselfly (Ceriagrion coromandelianum), and the
Malay Blue Damselfly (Cercion malayanum).
There is a lot of behavioural activity among such a large numbers of dragonflies; catching
and eating prey, mating and laying eggs are easy to observe. I have seen the larger
Sombre Skimmer(Orthetrum sabina) catch and eat the smaller Little Blue Darter
(Diplacodes trivialis). Several species of damselflies perform exciting mating battles to
defend their territory while snatching females from the grass lined edges of the canals and
carefully tend to the female while she deposits eggs in soft water plants growing in the
canal. There are many other aspects of dragonflies that can be studied beside the obvious
adults. I have sieved for larvae in the mud and found delicate excuviae hanging on the
grasses lining the tank. For anyone in the Colombo area with a great interest in
dragonflies and damselflies Talangama is the best place to spend the day.
Note: Talangama tank is located at the end of Lake Road approached from either the top
of the Independent Television Network road or off the D.P. Wijeysinghe road in
Pelawatte.
The list given below comes from a 3-year period of collecting and releasing species I
found around the tank.
Scientific Name Common Name
ZYGOPTERA (Damselflies)
Libellago greeni Green’s Asian Jewel
Agricoencmis pygmaea pygmaea Pigmy midget
Cercion malayanum Malay Blue
Ischnura aurora aurora Dawn bluetail
Ceriagrion cerinorubellum Bi-coloured Damselfly
Ceriagrion coromandelianum Yellow Damselfly
Pseudagrion microcephalum Small headed sprite
Pseduagrion rubiceps ceylonicum Orange headed sprite
Prodasineura sita Stripe headed pinfly
ANISOPTERA (Dragonflies)
Family: Gomphidae
Ictinogomphus rapax Asian tiger
Family: Aeshnidae
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Gynacantha subinterrupta ?? Big eye
Family: Libellulidae
Lathrecista asiatica asiatica Long-winged skimmer
Orthetrum luzonicum Luzon Skimmer
Orthetrum pruinosum neglectum Purple Skimmer
Orthetrum sabina sabina Somber Skimmer
Acisoma panorpoides Asian pintail
Brachythemis contaminata Orange winged groundling
Crocothemis servilia Eastern scarlet darter
Diplacodes trivialis Little blue darter
Diplacodes nebulosa Little cloudy darter
Neurothemis tullia tullia Black velvet wing
Rhodothemis rufa Spine legged reedling
Rhyothemis variegata Variable glider
Pantala flavescens Globe skimmer
Trithemis pallidinervis Dancing Dropwing
Urothemis signata signata Variable Basker
Tholymis tillarga The Twister
Zyxomma petiolatum Drab nightflyer
REPORTS
Field Visit to Kumana, Arugambay and Lahugala Via Block 2 of Yala National
Park from 31st August to 2nd September 2004
by Upali Weerasinge, Manger Yala Safari Game Lodge.
Yala National Park is closed from 1st September to 1st October 2004. With the approval
of local and regional Wildlife authorities of the area, I undertook the above visit with
staff of Yala Safari Game Lodge. With me were Viraj Karunaratne, Chaminda
Suraweera, Wasantha Kumara, Charles Fernando, Manjula Dissanayake, Chandra
Jayawardene, Nadeera Weerasinghe, Nayanapriya Wijebandara.Among the others, were
Mr. Kumudu Amarasinghe, a teacher from Kandy, on our invitation, for he being a field
botanist, 04 drivers and 01 Wildlife personnel as the tracker.
On 31st morning we left the Hotel in three Mitsubishi 4WD Jeeps, of which one jeep had
to be used to transport equipment, baggage and water. Our safari through Block 1 was
uneventful other than viewing the general wildlife. But once we crossed the Menikganga
into Block 11 was a memorable journey up to Kubukkan oya, a distance of 22 miles.
Instead of fording the Katupila ara, which is famous for man eating crocodiles (Marsh),
we went upstream and crossed it at a suitable place to Pilinnawa area, where the
Menikganga reaches the sea. The estuary supports a lush vegetation of mangroves and
roosting birds. The Block 11 is intermittently spaced with open areas, dominated by one
species of tree, Maliththan and a series of lagoons. The Pottana camping site was an
interesting site for camping, by the side of the lagoon. One has to carry drinking water.
The Palle Pottana, is located about 4 km east, has 3 wells, although the water was
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brackish, it is useful during the season, for the pilgrims There was a carcass of a land
monitor floating in one of the well. We removed it. There were deer seen in this area and
they appeared to be excited emitting alarm calls, probably due to the presence of a
leopard.
From there we visited the Walaskema, an area regularly frequented by bears, because of
the rock pools, that provides them with water during the dry season. There are 3 such
rock pools on a single rock. A wild buffalo had fallen in to one of the rock pools. It was
in a very weak condition. Our efforts to pull the hapless animal out, using ropes was not
successful and we had to leave it to it’s own fate. However, the information was passed
on to the wildlife personnel at Okanda (Yala East Park HQ). From there to the Kubukkan
oya was a distance of about another 7 miles via Gajabawa and Moirawa lagoons.
Due to the recent Kataragama festival, a large number of pilgrims had passed through the
area. As a result of it there were signs of numerous campfires and the area was full of
polythene. At the Madame thota, we crossed the Kubukkan oya to Kumana. Once an
interesting campsite on the banks of Kubukkan oya, now has been converted to a devale.
We had a bath here, although the flow of the river was low and after having lunch, we left
for the Kumana Villuwa. An unique area supporting a large number of resident water
birds roosting and nesting on the mangrove vegetation. The Kumana village had been
abandoned a while back due to the unrest in the area.
The history behind Kumana is, that during the 1818 riots in Uva, a chieftain and his
servants had come down the Kubukkan oya and established the Kumana settlement. From
Kumana via several lagoons (Ayakala, Ittikala and Andarakala), Bagura an open plain
once a popular camping site, Yodalipa (giants stove) 3 boulders located resembling a
“lipa” and via Kuluwana we reached the Park Head Quarters at Okanda. The roads are
well maintained and the animals seem to be returning to the area. The park head quarters
had been established in a new building with a small but attractive museum. At Okanda
we were accorded a warm welcome by the Park Officials, where we spent the night.
1st of September, dawned with a trek to the near by Okanda devale for a wash ,bath
(from an andiya well) and breakfast from a boutique in the vicinity of the devale. This is
where the actual pilgrimage to Kataragama commences. From there via Kiripokuna we
visited the Bambaragastalawa , where a recumbent Buddha statue is found in a drip
ledged cave. It was heart breaking to see the statue had been destroyed by treasure
hunters. There is a series of Brahmin inscriptions and a plaster on the roof of the cave
made out of a mixture of paddy husk, bees honey and lime (sea shells). It is believed the
area dates back to 1st century BC and had been donated by a commander of King
Dutugemunu (Sumana) to the clergy.From there we trekked back to the Kubukkan oya ,
where in the ancient times the river was forded to obtain water to the area . This place is
known as “Gal Amuna”. But there was hardly any flow of water for bathing.
On the 2nd September at about 8.30 am, we left Okanda and came to the Kutimbigala
Aranya, located with in the precincts of the Kutimbigala sanctuary. This area is also
dotted with drip ledged caves and Brahmin inscriptions, said to be from the 1st century
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BC. A panoramic view of the Helawa lagoon and its environs could be seen from this
monastery. Passing Kunukala and Panakala lagoons we came to the Panama Tank. There
was a large collection of a variety of water birds in the tank. In the entire lagoon areas
there were hardly any migrants yet to be seen, since they have gone totally dry. With the
on set of rains these lagoons could be paradises for a birder to see the waders.
Passing the Panama, the last village in the Eastern Province we came to Arugambay.
There were large crowds enjoying a sea bath. After an enjoyable sea bath and lunch, we
arrived at the Lahugala Magul maha viharaya via Pottuvil. It appears that an important
ceremony (Royal marriage ?) had taken place here. The ruins suggests to this effect.
However according to the Dept. of Archeology the area dates back to the 5th century AD.
The sandakada pahanas (moon stones) in the area, differs from the ones that are in
Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa areas. They lack the bull carvings and there are riders on
elephant backs.
From the ruins we went passing the Lahugala-Kitulana tanks of the Lahugala National
Park. At the Kitulana tank there were 7 elephants feeding on the special type of grass,
The “Beru” found only in Lahugala. We reached the hotel via Siyambalanduwa,
Monaragala, Buttala and Kataragama covering all the important places of interest.
Since this was a great opportunity for us to get a first hand knowledge on the area for our
future programs and obtaining photographs for the same reason. I wish to thank specially
the wildlife personnel at Okanda for their support and Chandra for sharing his vast
knowledge of the areas and places we visited.
240
Natural History Report from Yala Safari Game Lodge (June 2004)
- Chandra Jayawardene & Nadeera Weerasinghe
Large mammals
Leopards
17 encounters involving 18 leopards in 11 days have been recorded. Most of the
sightings were recorded in the central area of the Park. On 14 th June, Nadeera has
observed a fierce fight between two male leopards in the Andunoruwa area. Separate
report on this issue has been submitted.
Bears
16 encounters involving 22 bears in 12 days have been recorded including a fight
between a male and a female bear in Karaugaswala area
Birds
14 migratory wader species were seen in the area in small numbers. In the Paltupana
saltern area a Kentish Plover with two chicks have been observed.
Nadeera Weerasinghe, Naturalist of Yala Safari Game Lodge reports, "on 14 th June 2004
accompanied a Kuoni Travel Collection group in the company of trainee Naturalist
Bandara and the jeep driver Ranga on a game drive to Yala National Park, at about 9.00
AM when watching a large male elephant in “musth” in the Andunoruwa area, our

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attention was drawn towards a feared growl in close proximity to the jeep, about 20
meters away in the bush. At once we saw 02 large leopards suspected to be males
appeared on the main road fighting fiercely. To get a better view the driver reversed the
vehicle only to make the fighting leopards to disappear once again into the surrounding
bush. In the meantime two jackals appeared to see the big commotion and once they
realized it was a fight between two leopards they too disappeared. Then the deer in the
area started giving alarm calls. As this was an interesting episode we decided to get back
to the Diganwala, thinking the two leopards that disappeared on to the left side of the
road may appear in the vicinity of Diganwala. As soon as we reached the Diganwala we
saw one leopard crossing the road from the rear side of the road closer to the
Talgasmankada-Andunoruwa junction. Thereafter when we reached the place of incident
in the vicinity of Andunoruwa we came across some bloodstains and signs of a fierce
fight".
On 16 th June, when on a birding tour to Palatupana salterns we came across two Kentish
Plover chicks, accompanied by their mother. There were hardly any migrants to be seen
in the area.
On 27 th June, at 1630 hrs, we sighted a mating pair of sloth bear at Karawgaswala meda
para near the water hole. The pair got excited upon our arrival and vanished into the
thicket, after offering the group a good view.
Again on the next day (28 th June) morning while we were on the game drive, while
approaching the Walmalkema rock pools at about 0645 hrs we came across the same
bears that we saw the previous day in the vicinity of Karaugasawla meda para. There
were signs to indicate that the female was in oestrous. The male was following her all the
way and guarding her in the meantime, preventing the female leaving the male. They
seemed to be restless moving all the time. After a few minutes suddenly the male started
attacking the female who was rolling on the ground and screaming. This fight went on for
a few minutes and both bears stopped fighting and stretched on the road for few minutes
and then moved on the edge of the jungle and remained lying. As our intention was to see
more game we left the area without disturbing the bears. As we proceeded we saw
another male bear going in the same direction of the two bears, but we are unable to say
what transpired next.
NEW BOOKS
Some of the following details are from the publisher's press releases.
Jetwing Eco Holiday’s publish wildlife art book, Shorebirds, an artist in the field
Shorebirds, an Artist in the Field marks a new step in publishing in Sri Lanka. It is
probably the first in the "Wildlife Art Book" genre, by a Sri Lankan publisher. This type
of 'coffee table' publication is popular amongst European and North American publishers,
but has been largely absent from local publishing. One of the reasons has been the high
cost of producing high quality publications at an affordable price for small print runs.
However with improvements in technology and falling prices, Jetwing Eco Holidays have
been able to work with Copyline to produce this wildlife art book at a reasonable price of
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Rs 1,500. The 48 page book printed on matt art paper is in landscape format with a dust
jacket and hard cover.
The core of the book is the work of wildlife artist Lester Perera. Lester Perera, arguably
the best-known resident Sri Lankan wildlife artist. His most recent exhibition was held at
the Harold Peiris Gallery which coincided with the publication of a book, "Shorebirds, an
artist in the field". The art, reflects Lester's style of basing his paintings on field sketches
and rarely relying on photographs or museum specimens. His art also captures the spirit
of the place, whilst preserving an authenticity of the identity of the birds. Over the years,
Lester has developed a more relaxed style towards the backgrounds of the subjects and
has developed a more painterly attitude, freeing himself from the pre-occupation to detail
which marked his early years.
The artwork is underpinned by a series of articles by wildlife and tourism celebrity Gehan
de Silva Wijeyeratne. The articles range from wader watching in the south to the
wetlands of Jaffna. The articles have been previously published in LMD and Serendipity,
two of the leading publications in business and tourism, respectively.
The book was designed by Chandrika Maelge the Team Leader of Jetwing Eco Holidays
with the production team of Copyline. According to Hiran Cooray MD of Jetwing Hotels,
publications of such high quality underline the determination of Jetwing to be world class
in every aspect of its operations. Lalin de Mel, Director Marketing, Jetwing Hotels, sees
this as a good example of the corporate sector publicizing Sri Lanka's biodiversity whilst
keeping corporate expenditure integrated within business goals. Shorebirds is the first
book to be funded wholly by Jetwing Eco Holidays, one of the most innovative and
highly regarded wildlife travel companies internationally. The company has diversified
its operations from wildlife and birding to luxury travel, the marketing of luxury and
rustic properties and publishing. According to Chandrika Maelge, Jetwing Eco Holidays
wants to set high standards in whatever it does.
The book are on sale at leading bookshops including Barefoot, ODEL and Lake House
Bookshop Hyde Park Corner. The book and other Jetwing Publications can also be
bought from the reservations team, 2nd Floor, Jetwing House, 46/26 Navam Mawatha,
Colombo 2.
Shorebirds, an artist in the field. 2004. Text by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne. Art Lester
Perera. Design Chandrika Maelge, Production & Layout Copyline. Published by Jetwing
Eco Holidays, Colombo. 48 pages. ISBN 955 - 1079 - 03 - 5
Jetwing publish, Leopards and other Wildlife of Yala
Jetwing has taken the publishing world by storm with the publication of Yala, Leopards
and other Wildlife of Yala. The book combines strong imagery and design with
authoritative but readable text aimed at a lay audience. The 242 page, vertical format
book, square in shape, is printed on matt art paper with a hard cover and dust jacket. It is
arguably one of the best designed and presented coffee table books on Sri Lankan
wildlife whilst at the same time containing one of the best selections of articles on the
wildlife of the dry lowlands of Sri Lanka.
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Yala National Park is one of the finest in Asia for viewing wildlife. In this book several
Sri Lankan naturalists have joined hands with writer and photographer Gehan de Silva
Wijeyeratne to do justice to the park. The book is broad in content. The topics, all written
in a style suitable to the lay person, range from conservation and scientific field work to
light magazine style articles. The subject matter covering mammals, birds, butterflies,
dragonflies, plants etc covers a broad spectrum of the fauna and flora of Yala. The text is
complemented by a visually stunning array of images from one of Sri Lanka's most
prolific photographers. The contents of the book will also serve as a basis of information
for many of Sri Lanka's other national parks in the dry lowlands. No enthusiast of Sri
Lankan wildlife will want to be without a copy of this book. Amazingly, the collaborative
effort from the inception of an idea to print materialized in six months with the design
consultancy of the book handled by Chandrika Maelge, Team Leader of Jetwing Eco
Holidays and Copyline handling the layout and production.
The fifteen people who have written articles for the book include some respected names
in wildlife as well as newcomers to wildlife writing in Sri Lanka. The contributors are Lal
Anthonis, Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne, Karen Conniff, Chandra Jayawardana, Andrew
Kittle & Anjali Watson, Namal Kamalgoda, Chandrika Maelge, Sriyanie Miththapala,
Adrian Neville, Shyamala Ratnayeke, Ravi Samarasinha, Charles Santiapillai, Rajnish
Vandercone & S. Wijeyamohan and Nadeera Weerasinghe.
The publishing of the book was handled by Jetwing Eco Holidays and is jointly funded
by Jetwing Eco Holidays and Jetwing Hotels. Jetwing Eco Holidays headed by wildlife
and tourism celebrity Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne has recently diversified into the
marketing of luxury properties as well as into publishing. His strategy of recruiting highly
numerate and intellectually versatile staff, what he bills as the top one percent of
intellectual capital, is paying dividends. His team focuses on the core business of
handling wildlife and luxury travel whilst handling a number of other business areas as
well as promoting education, research and conservation.
According to Hiran Cooray, MD of Jetwing Hotels, publications such as this are part of a
wider mandate of Jetwing to position Sri Lanka at the top end. Lalin de Mel, Director
Marketing of Jetwing Hotels sees the book as an important step in positioning Sri Lanka
as an international Big Game Safari destination.
The book priced around Rs 3,500, will be on sale at leading bookshops including
Barefoot, Mark Book Sellers (Kandy), ODEL and Lake House Bookshop Hyde Park
Corner. This book and other Jetwing Publications can also be bought from the
reservations team, 2nd Floor, Jetwing House, 46/26 Navam Mawatha, Colombo 2.
Photographic Poster on the Butterflies of Sri Lanka
A beautiful, high quality, large format poster will help to create awareness of the
butterflies of Sri Lanka. Measuring a generous 86 cm x 57 cm, it carries photographic
images of 57 species of butterflies. The images are by wildlife populariser Gehan de
Silva Wijeyeratne and published by Jetwing Eco Holidays, a specialist in wildlife and
luxury travel. Hiran Cooray, Managing Director of Jetwing Hotels says that the poster is
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a prime example of how the tourism industry is taking its responsibilities towards the
environment seriously. Lalin de Mel, Director Marketing of Jetwing Hotels says that the
educational initiatives undertaken by the specialist subsidiary, Jetwing Eco Holidays,
creates a strong branding, not just for Jetwing, but for Sri Lankan tourism as a whole as
one which combines commercial interests with a sense of environmental responsibility.
The poster is designed to fill a gap in the natural history literature on Sri Lanka. At
present there is no photographic guide to the butterflies of Sri Lanka showing species
photographed under wild conditions. Chandrika Maelge, Team Leader of Jetwing Eco
Holidays, states that the poster is a stepping-stone. She believes it will at least provide a
means to identify some of the commoner butterflies until the publication of a guide book
which her team is working on, is in print.
The idea for the poster came after Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne visited the Nature Society
of Singapore and received a poster published by them. A keen wildlife photographer, he
immediately saw the potential for creating awareness of the diversity of butterflies in Sri
Lanka through a similar photographic poster. Sri Lanka has 242 species of butterflies
including a group of insects known as the Skippers. A significant number are endemic
although the species considered as endemic vary from one author to another. Posters such
as this will help to create awareness of the island's precious bio-diversity. Jetwing Eco
Holidays have also used the poster as a marketing tool to develop butterfly watching
tours to Sri Lanka. Gehan who has emerged as a wildlife and tourism celebrity in Sri
Lanka is adamant that the best means to ensure the long term success of education
initiatives from the private sector is to underpin them with a business justification. With
all of the big names in wildlife guiding in Sri Lanka working for Jetwing Eco Holidays, it
makes his task easier to link educational initiatives with the company's mainstream
business.
The posters costs Rs 300 and is available from the Cashier, 3rd Floor, Jetwing House,
46/26 Navam Mawatha, Colombo 2. It is also available from leading bookshops.
SRI LANKA WILDLIFE NEWS is a monthly e-mail of birding and wildlife events,
sightings and short notes of interest to birders, photographers, conservationists etc. To
receive a copy, please e-mail gehan@jetwing.lk with "Subscribe Wildlife News" in the
subject header. SLWN values your privacy, to be removed, e-mail with “Unsubscribe
Wildlife News” in the header. Please e-mail your sightings, events etc to
gehan@jetwing.lk. The media are welcome to extract details, but please attribute the
source. Past issues are on www.jetwingeco.com
JUNE & JULY 2004
Dear All, Feel free to circulate. To contribute or to un-subscribe, please see below.
Regards Gehan
244
SRI LANKA WILDLIFE NEWS (June & July 2004)

12/10/2007
HIGHLIGHTS
245
- a compilation by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne (21/July/2004)
[*] Anna Nekaris on a second species of Loris, a primate, in Sri Lanka
[*] Wildlife Artist Lester Perera stages another Exhibition (See Events)
[*] Killer Whales to Corals Can Eco-tourism Contribute to Conservation (See Events
Diary)
[*] New publications include a Poster on the Butterflies of Sri Lanka and a book on
Birds of Western Ghats, Kokan and Malabar (including Birds of Goa).
[*] Top birders Deepal Warakagoda, Uditha Hettige, Lester Perera & Chinthaka de
Silva, fly to Jetwing. See Press Releases.
EVENTS SUMMARY
- Sat 24 & Sun 25 July Shorebirds An exhibition of Bird Art by Lester Perera. Harold
Peiris Gallery, Lionel Wendt, Colombo. Over 50 works of art will be on display by Sri
Lanka's best known bird artist. See Press Releases below for more information.
- Wednesday 28 th July 2004 Killer Whales to Corals: Can Eco-tourism Contribute to
Conservation - by Professor Philip Dearden Barefoot Gallery, 704, Galle Road,
Colombo 3. Time 6 p.m. Barefoot- SLNHS-Jetwing Lecture Series.
Philip Dearden is Professor in Geography at the University of Victoria, Canada. He has
worked in protected areas around the world but has particular specialisation in Canada
and Southeast Asia. He has worked in both terrestrial and marine parks, was a founder of
the University of Victoria Whale Research Laboratory and is currently Director of the
Marine Protected Areas Research Group. He is particularly interested in the interaction of
tourism with conservation and has been an active researcher in this area for over 20 years.
Professor Dearden has authored over 150 scientific articles and 7 books. A member of the
IUCN’s World Commission on Protected Areas, he has acted as Consultant to the ADB,
World Bank, IUCN, UNESCO, UNDP, CIDA and the Royal Thai Govt. among others.
He has worked on various projects in Sri Lanka for the last 5 years and is currently the
Ecotourism Advisor to the DWLC in Sri Lanka.
- Saturday 31 July, Lecture series on birds for beginners. 9.30 am - 12.00. NBLT,
University of Colombo, Colombo 3. Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL)
Lecture Series. Topic and speaker to be finalised.
- August 2004 An Overview of the Plant and Animal Kingdoms
By popular demand, Dr Janaki Galappatti and Dr Sriyanie Miththapala will repeat their
course ‘An Overview of the Plant and Animal Kingdoms.’ This course is designed for
students who are following Biology as a subject either for Local or London A/Ls, or for
SAT II; students who have a keen interest in nature; and especially for students who are
looking for something challenging.

12/10/2007
It will give students a good overview of the evolution and diversity of both plants and
animals and will range from the basics of the five-kingdom classification to the evolution
of humans. It will also include three, half-day/ one-day field trips, hands-on learning and
multimedia presentations and will be conducted in English.
The course will be held initially after school hours on certain days in the week of Monday
August 9th 2004, with the bulk of the sessions starting on Monday August 16th and
ending on Tuesday August 31st from 9 a.m. to 2-4 p.m. with breaks on each Thursday
and Sunday. A limited number of places are available to teachers who could benefit not
only for the content but also from observing the teaching techniques used. Call Dr
Galappatti at 2698696/ Dr Miththapala at 2853484/ or email
sriyaniemiththapala@yahoo.co.uk with ‘student course details’ in the subject header.
BIRDING & WILDLIFE NEWS
Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne send in his observation from Yala between 10 and 12 July.
"The park was very dry and parched. A few minutes of rain was experienced on Monday
12 July. Four Lesser Adjutant at Kota Bendi Wewa on 11 and 12 July. The first time I
have seen as many as four together. There were no obvious differences in plumage to
show whether any of them were immatures, although I did wonder whether these were
sub adults with parents.
On 12 July I visited the resting point besides the Menik Ganga, near the Yala Bungalow.
The river was completely dry. Hawking overhead was a single Brown-throated Spinetail
Swift. Elsewhere I also observed the commoner House Swift (White-rumped Swift). At
one of the waterholes in Karagaswala Meda Par, a pair of sub-adult Sri Lanka
Junglefowls engaged in a fight.
Small Salmon Arab and Orangetip were the only butterflies in evidence. A Sloth Bear,
blind in one eye, walked from the Welmal Kema road to Siyambala Gas Wala. It did not
mind the 6-7 jeeps which tailed it. Several leopard pugs and alarm calls of prey heard, but
no sightings of Leopard. On 10 & 11 evening, a tusker was seen with another big
elephant in the distance on Buttuwa Plains. It had a full tail and may have been Short
Tusks.
At the Menik Ganga a troop of Hanuman Langur was present. The Toque Monkeys had
moved away, apparently due to a decline in visitors because the river was dry. After
about half an hour, a male in prime mating mood appeared. My close approach was
warned off twice with two long yawns displaying the canines".
Lester Perera, Chandrika Maelge and Rasika Amarapathy visited the Ambalangoda
Rocks en route to Galle on 3 July 2004. The seasonal, tern colony had formed comprising
mainly of Large Crested Terns. They estimate between 1,000 - 2,000 birds. As they were
watching, the colony was put up by a White-bellied Sea Eagle.
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Arjun Perera send in this report. "A few friends and I were in Yala from the 2nd to the
4th of July, we had a Sloth Bear sighting around 6.30 am and a Leopard sighting around
7.15 - 7.30 am. on the 3 of July. Given below is a brief description of our sighting.
The Bear sighting was brief, at Welmalkema. As we approached the bear it was digging
up a small tree, a few moments later another vehicle approached us from the opposite
directions which disturbed the bear and it moved in to the thicket.
We were proceeding along the road and about 500 meters past the Patanangala Bungalow
turn off, we heard Spotted Deer alarm on the left hand side of the road, a sure sign that
the a Leopard was on the move. We stopped the vehicle and listened for about 10 to 15
minutes. The alarm calls seemed to ease of and then about 50 meters behind the vehicle
the Leopard emerged out of the thicket and proceeded to walk along the road away from
us, stopping briefly to look back at us she proceeded for a few more meters then turned
and crossed the road and disappeared into the thicket again.
Peter Evans a professional photographer from the UK was on tour with Wicky
Wickremasekara from the 11th to the 23rd of June. They had a total of four Sloth Bear
sightings. Wicky reports that in the eight days (which were spent in Yala) 38 jackals and
4 tuskers were spotted!
Uditha Hettige on tour with Australian journalist Veronica Matheson (9-12 June) in
Yala observed two tuskers. They also had a female leopard on Talgasmankada road. They
visited Sinharaja on 12 June and found it very windy. Several trees had fallen down
because of the strong monsoonal winds. They had two good feeding flocks with Redfaced
Malkoha, Malabar Trogons, White-faced Starlings etc. The flocks were seen during
pauses in the rain.
Ekendra Edrisinghe responds to an article/query raised by Alan Wood in a previous
issues of SLWN, concerning the Wasgamuwa Park.
"I know that many people are unaware where the Wasgamuwa national park is. If one
was to go to Wasgamuwa from Colombo via Dambulla-Naula-Elahera-Laggala-
Handungamuwa, or via Kandy-Hasalaka-Wilgamuwa, the journey would now take
anything from 5 to 7 hours depending on what time one leaves Colombo and how fast
one drives. Many people do not wish to undertake such arduous journeys, unless they are
in that vicinity as explained by Alan. The result is that this lovely park is very rarely
visited. As accessibility to this park is difficult, during the months of July - September,
Minneriya and Kaudulla National parks become popular, but over crowded.
About 3 to 4 years ago, there was a proposal to construct a narrow bridge just opposite
the Kirioya Wildlife Beat Office leading to the Wasgamuwa National Park from the
Western boundary over the Kalu Ganga, about 36 km from Naula. This would cut short
the journey to the Wasgamuwa park via the Handungamuwa route by almost 2 hours.
With Rs. 600 million Japanese aid obtained to construct a new road from Dambulla to
Mahiyanagane, via Kalundewa, Bakamuna to Polathuwadiya on the Laggala-Pallegama
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road, the construction of this bridge at KiriOya over the Kalu Ganga, in effect would
mean that one could easily get to the park in 3 1/2 to 4 hours from Colombo. The distance
to KiriOya from Dambulla would be no more than about 35 km.
I saw a recent letter to the local press by a visitor to Wasgamuwa, who had written that he
had seen poachers openly carrying firearms in the wildlife park during daytime hours.
This is because the park is visited so rarely that poaching, illict logging and gem mining
is a very common occurrence. With more wildlife enthusiasts encouraged to visit
Wasgamuwa, all this will diminish and the people of area too can benefit by selling their
vegetables and fruits to park visitors. Easy accessibility to Wasgamuwa will also result
in less pressure on Yala and Uda-walawe national parks, as well as Minneriya and
Kaudulla parks
Wasgamuwa has a lot to offer - birds specially. There is plenty of elephant, deer, sambur,
bear and leopard too".
Kike Olsder sends in information for those seeking funding.
"The Netherlands Committee for IUCN is running a Biodiversity & Tourism program
and has just started with a small fund for micro grants for tourism projects that contribute
to biodiversity conservation. Local NGOs as well as small local entrepreneurs can apply
for a grant with a maximum of 12,500 euros. Sri Lanka is one of the priority countries for
this fund. Information on the criteria and the procedure can be found on
http://www.nciucn.nl/nederlands/programmas/neth_worldecology/toerisme/smallgrants_f
onds.htm .
The first deadline for proposals is July 31st and applicants are requested to send a preproposal
before they send a project proposal".
PRESS RELEASES
Lester Perera’s Shorebirds on display at Lionel Wendt
Artist Lester Perera holds his 6 th exhibition of Bird Paintings ‘Shorebirds’ from July 24
to 25 at the Lionel Wendt Gallery. The exhibition, open free of charge each day from 9
am to 6 pm, is supported by Jetwing Eco Holidays.
Over 50 works of art will be on display- most of them watercolour paintings though some
acrylic studies are included. The paintings offer rare and vital glimpses in to Sri Lanka’s
wide and varied bird life. Shorebirds in their natural ambience of sea, sand and sky vie
for attention with some studies of his favorite forest birds in their natural habitat.
Concurrently with the exhibition, there will be the release of ‘Shorebirds an artist in the
field’ a book on bird watching in Sri Lanka illustrated by Lester Perera with articles by
his friend Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne. This is the fanatical bird watching duo’s latest
excursion into print. Copies of the 64 page book (with hard cover & dust Jacket) will be
on sale at a special price.
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Lester’s first exhibition of paintings was in Colombo in 1990, received very well by
friends and fans alike. Subsequent exhibitions were held in 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2002,
which also evoked enthusiastic responses. His repertoire has expanded with each
exhibition while his mastery of his subject increased.
The current display is stunningly authentic, the brushstrokes; fluid and sweeping,
combined with meticulous attention to detail brings both bird and habitat to life. A
fantastical bird watcher, Lester Paints directly from field observations, either at the site
itself or based on field sketches made on site. His commitment is to produce authentic
portraits of his favorite avifauna. “For me, this is the most thrilling part of bird watching”
he says. “Some birds are very rare and therefore difficult to spot in the wild…. The
challenge is to commit to sketch book or memory enough details so that I can draw an
authentic painting”.
A self-taught bird watcher and artist, Lester has combined his artistic skill with his
passion for nature and wildlife. He quit his private sector job two years ago to devote
time to his twin passions of bird watching and bird painting. He now works as a Jetwing
Eco Holidays tour guide, for foreign bird watching group who visit Sri Lanka.
Lester has spent time in Thailand, Singapore and India observing bird life. He has toured
India extensively, accompanying birding groups. Lester remarks ‘ In some ways, this is
the most difficult and frustrating form of art. Many bird populations are dwindling owing
to environmental degradation and habitat destruction. Even at the best of times observing
some bird species in the wild requires a great deal of field knowledge, patience and luck.’
‘Giving life to any living creature on paper is indeed a challenge. Its both a gift and a
skill that needs to be sharpened over years’ says the artist whose work has illustrated
specialists and popular books on bird watching as well as magazine covers. Among the
books that he has illustrated is ‘A Bird watcher’s Guide to Sri Lanka’ Published in the
UK by the Oriental Bird Club (OBC). His work has also appeared in journals such as the
‘OBC Bulletins’ and ‘Loris’ published by the Wild Life and Nature Protection Society of
Sri Lanka.
The exhibited work will be available on sale offering collectors an opportunity to acquire
bird paintings, which are truly evocative of both bird and habitat. The book, "Shorebirds
an artist in the field" will be 48 pages, with a dust jacket and hard cover. It will be on sale
at leading bookshops from late August at an estimated price of Rs 1,500. It will also be
available from the Cashier, 3rd Floor, Jetwing House, 46/26 Nawam Mawatha, Colombo
2.
Photographic Poster on the Butterflies of Sri Lanka
A beautiful, high quality, large format poster will help to create awareness of the
butterflies of Sri Lanka. Measuring a generous 86 cm x 57 cm, it carries photographic
images of 57 species of butterflies. The images are by wildlife populariser Gehan de
Silva Wijeyeratne and published by Jetwing Eco Holidays, a specialist in wildlife and
luxury travel. Hiran Cooray, Managing Director of Jetwing Hotels says that the poster is
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a prime example of how the tourism industry is taking its responsibilities towards the
environment seriously. Lalin de Mel, Director Marketing of Jetwing Hotels says that the
educational initiatives undertaken by the specialist subsidiary, Jetwing Eco Holidays,
creates a strong branding, not just for Jetwing, but for Sri Lankan tourism as a whole as
one which combines commercial interests with a sense of environmental responsibility.
The poster is designed to fill a gap in the natural history literature on Sri Lanka. At
present there is no photographic guide to the butterflies of Sri Lanka showing species
photographed under wild conditions. Chandrika Maelge, Team Leader of Jetwing Eco
Holidays, states that the poster is a stepping stone. She believes it will at least provide a
means to identify some of the commoner butterflies until the publication of a guide book
which her team is working on, is in print.
The idea for the poster came after Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne visited the Nature Society
of Singapore and received a poster published by them. A keen wildlife photographer, he
immediately saw the potential for creating awareness of the diversity of butterflies in Sri
Lanka through a similar photographic poster. Sri Lanka has 242 species of butterflies
including a group of insects known as the Skippers. A significant number are endemic
although the species considered as endemic vary from one author to another. Posters such
as this will help to create awareness of the island's precious bio-diversity. Jetwing Eco
Holidays have also used the poster as a marketing tool to develop butterfly watching
tours to Sri Lanka. Gehan who has emerged as a wildlife and tourism celebrity in Sri
Lanka is adamant that the best means to ensure the long term success of education
initiatives from the private sector is to underpin them with a business justification. With
all of the big names in wildlife guiding in Sri Lanka working for Jetwing Eco Holidays, it
makes his task easier to link educational initiatives with the company's mainstream
business.
The posters costs Rs 300 and is available from the Cashier, 3rd Floor, Jetwing House,
46/26 Navam Mawatha, Colombo 2. It will also be available from mid August from
leading bookshops.
Top Birders fly to Jetwing Eco Holidays
Sri Lanka's leading Natural History Tour leaders have decided to work on an exclusive
basis with Jetwing Eco Holidays joining the team of Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne. They
include Deepal Warakagoda who discovered the Serendib Scops Owl, the first new
species of bird to be described from Sri Lanka after a lapse of 132 years. All round
naturalists and top birders Uditha Hettige, Lester Perera, and Chinthaka de Silva are
also in the team which have joined Jetwing Eco Holidays. Lester Perera is also one of the
country's best known wildlife artists.
Meanwhile, Jetwing Hotels have stopped up their campaign to recruit Naturalists for their
hotels. They now have 12 full time naturalists with a target of 15 by the year end. The
Jetwing family of companies now have a depth of skills and a number of naturalists,
naturalist tour leaders and naturalist chauffeur guides which has no rival in Sri Lanka.
Jetwing spend a significant amount of time and money promoting research, conservation
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and education in Sri Lanka. Its high profile matches that of some conservation NGOs.
Chandrika Maelge (Team Leader, Jetwing Eco Holidays) believes that other tour leaders
who wish to make a name in wildlife tourism, will also cross over to Jetwing, within the
next year.
ARTICLES/TRIP REPORTS
Conserving Sri Lanka’s Slender Loris
Anna Nekaris, M.A., Ph.D.
Asia harbours a unique group of tail-less primates, characterised by enormous close-set
eyes, vice-like hands and feet, and a stealthy and graceful climbing locomotion that is the
envy of dancers and martial artists alike. These are the lorises, close kin to monkeys and
apes, and they are amongst the least studied primates in the world. Three general
‘morphs’ – pygmy, slow and slender – occur, and diversity within these groups is only
now being uncovered. I began my research on these unique animals in 1993, with a study
in India, and have now pursued these amazing creatures to Sri Lanka, beginning in 2001.
This is the first systematic study of its kind in Sri Lanka since a 10 day study in 1970!
The research has brought with it surprises, as well as cascading effects for both the
people and the animals living side by side with the lorises.
One slender loris species with four subspecies was thought to be resident in Sri Lanka,
closely allied to two additional races in southern India. Sri Lanka, however, is an island
rich in biodiversity and complex ecoregions. The southwest in particular, where the last
remaining vestiges of rainforest remain (amounting to less than 3%), species richness is
particularly high, resulting in the declaration of this part of the island as one of the
world’s 11 Hyperhot Hotspots. Recent research, delayed due to civil unrest, has revealed
numerous new amphibian species, a new owl, and a new fruit bat. Thus it is not really a
surprise that another type of slender loris, shy, small and nocturnal, should be creeping
around the nocturnal rain forests undetected by science, or at least scientists who could
see how completely different it is!
This new species is called the red slender loris (retaining the name Loris tardigradus, as
opposed to the dry zone form, now known as Loris lydekkerianus), and differs from other
Ceylonese forms in its red coat, and a body size of about 120 g, less than half the size of
other lorises on the island, and 1/3 the size of Indian slender lorises. Perhaps its most
unique feature is its locomotion. Slender lorises have been called sloth-like in their
movements. This tiny red loris has surprised everyone by its speedy running! It also has
a unique call to other forms, suited to life in a dense rainforest.
Paramount in concern, as readers of this newsletter will know, is that these rainforests are
disappearing at an alarming rate. An important component of our research is to
characterise the forest fragments, most of which are exceedingly tiny (generally 500 ha or
less). Even with protection from the Forest Department, a burgeoning human population
must use the forest for subsistence. Chronic human disturbance of the forest for
firewood, rice cultivation and timber is creating ‘top down’ effects, and without
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sophisticated intervention from forward thinking foresters, these forests will not be able
to recover, or will only do so when the endemic species they harbour are locally extinct.
Thus, what we consider to be one of the critical components of our project is
conservation education. The next generation truly holds the future of these forests in
their hands. But like anything that is before one’s eyes every day, they may not realise
the treasure they are charged with. For example, most villagers have never even seen a
loris. Thus, via conservation classes, workshops in the forest, educational materials
including posters, stickers and bags, we have been encouraging young people in these
forest fragments to engage with their wild life. In one target village on a private estate
owned by Mr. Sunil Wimalisuriya, the students have already formed an ‘eco-club,’ and
after only two months of environmental classes, they are enthusiastically monitoring bird,
bat, lizard and fish populations. The loris is a flagship to this project, and the local land
owners are beginning to regenerate their land under an NGO we (including colleagues
from University of Ruhuna) created called L.O.R.I.S. – land owners regenerating
rainforest in Sri Lanka. They hope their children will want to continue this progressive
project. We think there is a strong hope for this, as evidenced by the following
statements of two thirteen year old children who participated in our work shop:
‘I came to know that I am living in a valuable village at the bottom of Heycock Mountain
and I feel it is greater than a town.’
‘Education is very important to prevent the loss of biodiversity in rainforests. We, along
with our friends, will help you with the conservation efforts you would wish to take
place.’
To me, the enthusiasm of these children attests to the success of this project thus far. It is
amazing that the study of the tiniest primate in Sri Lanka could perhaps lead to the
protection of some of its last vestiges of tropical rainforest.
I would like to acknowledge the invaluable contribution of Sri Lankan colleagues to this
project: Prof. Asoka Gunawardene, Saman Gamage, Jayantha Jayewardene, Wasantha
Liyanage, Dr. Vijitha Perera, and Sunil Wimalisuriya, as well as Oxford Brookes
postgraduate students Lilia Bernede and Pamela Troni.
Dr. K.A.I. Nekaris, Ph.D.,Course Leader in Primate Conservation (M.Sc.) , Senior
Lecturer in Biological Anthropology, Oxford Brookes University, Nocturnal Primate
Research Group, School of Social Science and Law, Department of Anthropology,
Oxford OX3 0BP, United Kingdom.
NEW BOOKS
Some of the following details are from the publisher's press releases.
Birds of Western Ghats, Kokan and Malabar (including Birds of Goa). A Book by
Ela Foundation. Authors: Satish Pande, Saleel Tambe, Clement Francis M and Niranjan
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Sant. Oxford University Press/BNHS ISBN 019 566878 2. An all art paper, hard bound;
378 pages; 580 species; 1700 plus color photos; conveniently priced at INR 995.
This book is an excellent updated authentic representation of avifauna of one of the major
bio-diversity hotspots of the world, the Western Ghats, a region that covers 580 species.
JC Daniel in the Foreword says the book is “delightfully innovative”. Prof. Madhav
Gadgil comments “Well designed and magnificently illustrated. The excellent cultural
notes are a bonus”.
Book with contributions from more than 150 photographers with more than 1700 pictures
including pelagic birds, contributions from stamp collectors, coin and currency collectors,
archeologists and four illustrators has made it a thing of beauty!
Hundreds of excellent photos like: Poster like photo of paradise flycatcher on the nest (p
281); shrike with impaled food (p 236,37); plain prinia in wood spider’s death web (p
263); babbler, crow, sunbird, tailor bird feeding various cuckoos; eagles in flight; pictures
of mating of flamingos; partridges in a trap; cock fighting; the list is long…x-rays
showing bird injuries; nictitating membrane of birds, the combed filter like mandible of
the flamingo, the specialized beak of a shikra, colors of eggs, types of feathers, etc.
The superb book is conservation oriented and gives details about various birds accepting
human help and nuisance of bird traps. Illustrated examples of authors’ conservation
efforts at Vengurla Rocks, a remote marine island to save the Edible-nest Swiftlets,
rescue of the stranded Grey Herons, saving and fostering the Bonelli’s Eagle’s orphaned
chick and others such examples make positive reading and should inspire many more bird
lovers towards active conservation.
The habits, habitats, nesting behavior, flight type, food choice and social organization of
each bird are symbolically represented with the aid of specially designed colorful icons
on each page. Conservation status as per the red data book listing is stated. Recent
scientific, standardized English, Marathi and Sanskrit names of birds are indexed.
Ecological notes and interesting cultural notes are given. Wealth of relevant information
about birds is drawn from authentic Sanskrit texts and Sanskrit names for birds are
mentioned with their meaning. The latter is a unique attempt. e.g. some surgical forceps
designed by the ancient Indian surgeon Sushrut were based on his observations of the
beaks of the Ibis and Florican. There are several such interesting references and
anecdotes.
Information and photographs of related species (also from neighboring Sri Lanka) and
their look-likes, goes a long way in increasing birders’ identification skills. A lot of
effort has gone in this unique presentation. At the end, there is comprehensive
information on: History of ornithology in India, anatomy and physiology of birds, avian
archeology, ethno-ornithological notes, Important Bird Area Program, bird behavior,
avian geography, updated list of threatened birds of the region and vegetation of the
Western Ghats, makes the book a useful reference.
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Orchids of Sri Lanka A Conservationists Companion. A Simplified Guide to
Identification. Volume 1. The protected orchids and selected similar species.
Authored by Malik Fernando, Siril Wijesundera and Suranjan Fernando. Published by
IUCN Sri Lanka. 147 pages with colour photographs and illustrations and line drawings.
50 Species are illustrated in and described in a field guide format. ISBN 955 - 8177-23-7
This is a wonderful book BUT copies are not presently available for sale as the Guide
was published primarily to support law enforcement, and the copies have thus been
distributed to the relevant agencies. However those with an interest in the conservation or
the study of orchids may contact IUCN (Charmalie/Dihan on 94 11 + 2682418/2694094)
or refer to a copy in the IUCN library (opening times: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday to Friday)
at 53 Horton Place, Colombo 7. Based on the degree of public interest, there may then be
a case for a reprint.
Field Guide to the Birds of Northern India by Richard Grimmett, Tim Inskipp ISBN
0713651679. 304 pages. 216x135 mm. Illustrations 120 colour plates..
The successor to the much acclaimed Birds of the Indian Subcontinent by the same
authors. Covering just northern India, the superb plates are accompanied by a succinct
text highlighting identification, voice, habitat, altitudinal range, distribution and status.
The text is on facing pages to the plates, for easy reference. As with previous titles
covering Bhutan and Nepal, this guide is a perfect size for use in the field and will be an
essential companion when visiting this region.
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SRI LANKA WILDLIFE NEWS is a monthly e-mail of birding and wildlife events,
sightings and short notes of interest to birders, photographers, conservationists etc. To
receive a copy, please e-mail gehan@jetwing.lk with "Subscribe Wildlife News" in the
subject header. SLWN values your privacy, to be removed, e-mail with “Unsubscribe
Wildlife News” in the header. Please e-mail your sightings, events etc to
gehan@jetwing.lk. The media are welcome to extract details, but please attribute the
source. Past issues are on www.jetwingeco.com
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APRIL & MAY 2004
Dear All, Feel free to circulate. To contribute or to un-subscribe, please see below.
Regards Gehan
255
SRI LANKA WILDLIFE NEWS (April & May 2004)
- a compilation by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne (15/June/2004)
HIGHLIGHTS
[*] TOP STORY Top birders Deepal Warakagoda, Uditha Hettige, Lester Perera &
Chinthaka de Silva, fly to Jetwing. See Press Releases
[*] Uditha Wijesena proposes the Purple-faced Leaf Monkey as the national mammal of
Sri Lanka (see Articles)
[*] Dragonfly Watching in Yala & Tissa with Karen Coniff and Yala Natural History
Report (See Articles)
[*] Nature Photographer 2004 with first prize of Rs 100,000 (approx. USD 1,000)
closes on 15 July. Applications from FujiFilm outlets, HSBC branches and Jetwing
Hotels. See Press Releases.
[*] Info-Travel Sri Lanka is a new reference guide with eighteen new style road maps.
See Book Review.
EVENTS SUMMARY
Saturday 26 June, Lecture series on birds for beginners. 9.30 am - 12.00. NBLT,
University of Colombo, Colombo 3. Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL)
Lecture Series. Topic and speaker to be finalised.
25 - 29 June P.B. Karunaratne Memorial Exhibition & Annual Photographic
Competition at University of Colombo. Applications from the FOGSL office or send a
stamped envelope to FOGSL, University of Colombo, Colombo 3.
31 July 2004 Closing date of Nature Photographer 2004 Competition. Overall first prize
Rs 100,000. Application forms from FujiFilm outlets, HSBC branches and Jetwing
Hotels.
BIRDING & WILDLIFE NEWS
TOP STORY: Sri Lanka's leading Natural History Tour leaders have decided to work on
an exclusive basis with Jetwing Eco Holidays joining the team of Gehan de Silva
Wijeyeratne. They include Deepal Warakagoda who discovered the Serendib Scops
Owl, the first new species of bird to be described from Sri Lanka after a lapse of 132
years. All round naturalists and top birders Uditha Hettige, Lester Perera, and

12/10/2007
Chinthaka de Silva are also in the team which have joined Jetwing Eco Holidays. See
Press Releases below for more details.
Uditha Hettige on tour with Australian journalist Veronica Matheson (9-12 June) in
Yala observed two tuskers. They also had a female leopard on Talgasmankada road. They
visited Sinharaja on 12 June and found it very windy. Several trees had fallen down
because of the strong monsoonal winds. They had two good feeding flocks with Redfaced
Malkoha, Malabar Trogons, White-faced Starlings etc. The flocks were seen during
pauses in the rain.
Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne reports from a visit to Yala 0n 27 - 29 May with Sanath
Weerasuriya (Sunday Times), Uditha Jayasinghe (Daily Mirror), Ifham Nizam
(Island). He reports "We observed 7-8 Brown-throated Spinetails hawking for insects
over Kota Bendi Wewa. Very close views were had of the birds which were watched for
around fifteen minutes. This species has been reported before from Yala, to which it
seems to be an occasional visitor from areas in which it is resident. Two sightings of
Sirkeer Malkoha on the main road as well as on Talgasmankada Road. No passerine
migrants were recorded on this visit.
On Sunday 30 May, a dead, male leopard was collected for veterinary examination by
Warden Tissera. It is believed to have died in an encounter with another Leopard".
On 22 May, Sunela Jayawardene observed a raptor the size of a Changeable Hawk
Eagle in Buller's Road in Colombo 7. There were near cyclonic winds a few days ago,
which may resulted in this unidentified large raptor being blown in.
Nimal Rambukwelle says "On a visit to Wilpattu National Park on the 18th of May,
during the late morning we saw many Jungle Fowl, a pair of Jackals, a Barking Deer, a
Mouse Deer, a pair of crocodiles close to the Villu's and many Serpent Eagles perched at
eye level. We also we saw a pair of Adjutants and Wild Pig at Aram Villu. Although we
did not see any Leopards or Elephants we did see their track marks and Elephant dung in
the open plains.
Lankika de Livera sends these sightings between the 10 & 12th April. "Orangebreasted
Green Pigeon (Male and Female), Malabar Pied Hornbills and Grey Hornbills -
while trekking through the Giritale jungle and village area. A herd of about 90 Elephants
with about 20 babies at the Kaudulla National Park near the environs of the Kaudulla
tank at dusk. Also Grey-headed Fish Eagles and Crested Serpent Eagles in Polonnaruwa".
Nadeera Jayasinghe was in Kumana Yala East) on 4 May 2004 and reports several
sightings of the Brown Fish Owl. Romesh Meegama who was with the group had found
the angling prospects good. He had caught 65 baby Paraw at Komari. All this by
standing on the beach and casting. They were everywhere, but he had stopped at 65
because the nearby villagers were anxious to catch the fish as well.
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Rev. Fr. Vimal Tirimanna on a short visit to Kala Oya reports "On a visit to the Kala
Oya Church, Kala Oya during Easter (8-11April 2004), I was able to see many
commmonly found dry-zone birds in the vicinity of the Church. However what fascinated
me the most were the following two species. Firstly, a female Orange-headed Ground
Thrush. I was taking a walk along the Kala-Oya bank, just next to the Church, around 4
pm. Suddenly, I was attracted by the alarm call of a bird: "Kreeee"; when I turned to my
left, I saw on the ground a babbler-like bird with an upright stance, staying motionless,
but every now and then, giving out the alarm call: "kreeee". It was overall cinnamonbrownish,
with a clear orange head. The wings were olive-brown. A couple of minutes
later, it flew over my head to the other side to hide inside the scrub jungle. I had no
difficulty in identifying it as a female Orange-headed Ground Thrush. Secondly, an
Indian Cuckoo kept moving about in the Church vicinity giving out its most melodious
call. On almost all of the three days, it was seen and heard only in the morning.
Alan Wood who travelled in February 2004 sends in the following comments on
Wasgamuwa. "One way to help Wasgamuwa, Wilpattu and the other 'hidden treasures' of
Sri Lanka is to encourage visitors to go there. Wasgomuwa naturally combines with a
visit to Polonnaruwa as Wilpattu combines with Anuradhapura.
There is a 20% year on year increase in wildlife tourism from UK, and Sri Lanka is
becoming one of the main destinations. Yet no UK company offers Wilpattu, let alone
Wasgomuwa. We went to Wilpattu with Jetwing Eco Holidays and found it to be a
delightful reserve in the early stages of restoration after the ravages of war and poachers
Experienced wildlife travellers prefer to explore new and less popular places so they can
get the best experience possible. However, these places need to be promoted by those
with local knowledge".
PRESS RELEASES
Top Birders fly to Jetwing Eco Holidays
Sri Lanka's leading Natural History Tour leaders have decided to work on an exclusive
basis with Jetwing Eco Holidays joining the team of Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne. They
include Deepal Warakagoda who discovered the Serendib Scops Owl, the first new
species of bird to be described from Sri Lanka after a lapse of 132 years. All round
naturalists and top birders Uditha Hettige, Lester Perera, and Chinthaka de Silva are
also in the team which have joined Jetwing Eco Holidays. Lester Perera is also one of the
country's best known wildlife artists.
Meanwhile, Jetwing Hotels have stopped up their campaign to recruit Naturalists for their
hotels. They now have 12 full time naturalists with a target of 15 by the year end. The
Jetwing family of companies now have a depth of skills and a number of naturalists,
naturalist tour leaders and naturalist chauffeur guides which has no rival in Sri Lanka.
Jetwing spend a significant amount of time and money promoting research, conservation
and education in Sri Lanka. Its high profile matches that of some conservation NGOs.
Chandrika Maelge (Team Leader, Jetwing Eco Holidays) believes that other tour leaders
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who wish to make a name in wildlife tourism, will also cross over to Jetwing, within the
next year.
Nature Photographers chase Rs 100,000 first prize
Time is running out for photographers chasing the coveted Nature Photographer 2004
award, which carries a first prize of Rs 100,000. Entries should be received by 15 July
2004 at Fuji Film Image Service, 501 Union Place, Colombo 10. Entry is by the
submission of prints in each of five categories for Mammals, Birds, Other Animals, Plant
Life and Landscapes. The winning entries will be exhibited in December, at a venue in
Colombo.
The panel of judges includes Lal Anthonis, Sarath Perera, Rukshan Jayawardene,
Panduka de Silva, Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne, Dominic Sansoni, Cecilia McGuire and
Dr. Sriyanie Miththapala. The breadth of the panel of judges, reflect the ambitions of the
lead sponsors Fuji Film, HSBC and Jetwing to develop the reputation of the competition
as an art event, albeit in wildlife photography. According to Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne,
Chairperson of the competition, the judges will be looking for images with visual impact
or images that tell a story.
Media coverage this year has been bolstered by participation from ETV, YATV, Yes FM,
Classic FM Lankadeepa, Serendipity and Explore Sri Lanka.
ARTICLES/TRIP REPORTS
Dragonflies of Yala and Tissamaharama
- Karen Conniff
The rain brings out the best in Yala. On a recent visit in May, and after a few rain
showers, I discovered that the rain kept the dust down, leaves were a brighter green and
overnight it seemed that blossoms appeared on the branches of trees and shrubs. The
fruits that had formed from a previous rain had brought in a multitude of birds and
butterflies. Not quite as obvious as the numbers of birds and butterflies were the
appearance of many dragonflies that moved from one rain recharged pond to the next.
I was on a tour of Yala with Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne and several journalists. We all
hoped to see a leopard, but while searching for leopards our binoculars were also turned
toward other mammals, birds, and crocodiles. I also used mine to discover the variety of
dragonflies that were dipping and darting over the surface of the ponds in Yala. Branches
and sticks that poke up from the surface of the water are ideal perches for dragonflies.
When we stopped by a pond to look at birds or crocodiles I quickly scanned the pond for
stumps and broken sticks hoping to see dragonflies. The challenge of spotting and
identifying dragonflies is as satisfying as adding to my list of birds.
What types of dragonflies can you see at Yala? The dragonfly that was easiest to find was
a noticeable yellow and brown one that kept zooming across the front window screen of
the vehicle. This was the Globe Skimmer (Pantala falavescens). On those sticks in the
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ponds I was able to see Orange-winged Groundlings (Brachythemis contaminata); they
were immediately obvious because of their bright orange wings. A quick list of the
sightings I made include Little Blue Darters (Diplacodes trivialis), Sombre Skimmers
(Orthetrum sabina), the bright red Eastern Scarlet Darters (Crocothemis servilia), and
faded blue Brown-banded Skimmers (Orthetrum glaucum). I saw more but there was not
enough time to stop and determine each type.
It was difficult to view dragonflies from the vehicle. Luckily we stopped briefly for a
quick bite to eat in the park near a river and a small pond. I took a stroll along the edge of
the pond and found a few of the smaller more delicate damselflies (Zygopterans), moving
almost imperceptibly amongst the grass. Along the edge of the pond were Ubiquitous
Bluetails (Ischnura sengalensis) and Orange-headed Sprites (Pseudagrion rubiceps
ceylonicum). On the river in partial shade along the banks we saw the beautiful purplish
pink Dawn Dropwing (Trithemis aurora) and a close relative the Indigo Dropwing
(Trithemis festiva). There are more to discover but it takes more time than just a quick
stop. Once the snack was finished our group was ready to continue our drive because
everyone was still hoping to spot a leopard.
The guides at Yala Safari Game Lodge were eager to learn more about dragonflies so I
was happy to go with them on a special dragonfly mission. We were limited for time, so
early one morning we made a quick trip to Tissamaharama just outside Yala where there
is a lovely tank called Devera Wewa. Here the birds were as fascinating as the
dragonflies and damselflies. Since we purposely went to spot dragonflies we had to
ignore the birds and were able to see a dozen species of dragonflies and damselflies in
less than an hour. That morning the weather was not ideal for dragonfly watching; cloudy
and with a light drizzle, but still there were many to see. The first to be spotted were the
bright yellow slow moving Yellow Damselflies (Ceriagrion coromandelianum) both
males and females were present and many were seen in tandem and copulating. Since the
females have a slightly different coloration finding them in tandem is the best way to
identify both males and females of the species. Ubiquitous Bluetails (Ischnura
senegalensis) were present on the lotus stems in sticking up in the tank.
There were many cut lotus stems on the tank; ideal perches and best for spotting
dragonflies. A short distance from the edge of the tank a Dancing Dropwing (Trithemis
pallidinervis) was perched on a lotus stem beside it on another stem was a bright red
Eastern Scarlet Darter (Crocothemis servilia); both male and female Eastern Scarlet
Darters were present in large numbers. Another numerous species was the Asian Pintail
(Acisoma panorpoides) both the blue males and yellow females were spotted along the
edge of the tank. As we quickly walked the tank edge we saw a Sombre Skimmer
(Orthetrum sabina), Brown-banded Skimmer (Orthetrum glaucum), Black Velvet-wings
(Neurothemis tulia) males, a juvenile male and females, Variable Gliders (Rhyothemis
variegata) males and females, Spine-legged Reedling (Rhodothemis rufa), Orangewinged
Groundling (Brachythemis contaminata), and Little Blue Darters (Diplacodes
trivialis) males and females. That is quite a list for just one hour of observation and it is
definitely not complete since the weather was overcast there are surely many more that
can be identified on a sunny morning. The advantages of the tank over the park are that
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we could get close to the edges to spot damselflies, walk at leisure and take time to
identify both dragonflies and damselflies. I recommend taking a day off from the game
drives and visiting Debera Wewa – it is definitely worthwhile and a good way to begin to
learn about dragonflies.
How do you identify all these dragonflies and damselflies? The best is a pictorial guide
called Dragonflies of Sri Lanka published by Jetwing. It is not a complete pictorial guide
of all that you might see in Sri Lanka but for places like the tank at Tissmaharama and
Yala National Park it is the best you can have for a quick reference. It is easy to carry and
the photographs give enough details to identify the dragonflies and damselflies,
especially if you are careful to consider every detail from the eyes to the tip of the
abdomen. There is another book, for the avid odonotologist (dragonfly specialist), The
Dragonflies of Sri Lanka by Terrence de Fonseka available at many bookstores. The
pictorial guide is found at Jetwing Hotels and in several bookstores in Colombo. Take the
time to zoom in on dragonflies; and discover a new world.
Visit to Sinharaja (17th –18th April)
- Ayanthi Samarajewa.
On the 17th of April, Rohantha Samarajewa, Madhubashini Jayawardena, Yuraji
Karunarathne and myself visited Sinharaja. We reached Sinharaja at about 11.00am. It
was so nice to be here again. The walk up to Martin’s is always so nice, one never feels
the climb. We saw a Brown Shrike on the way up and a group of Yellow-browed
Bulbuls. The areas where landslides had occurred, have now been taken over by the
jungle, and therefore it does not look as bad as it did last August when I went there with
FOGSL.
It had been a busy week for the forest with many visitors during the Sinhala New Year
period. We had some difficulty in finding accommodation, as Martin’s was full. However
we managed to park ourselves in a villager’s house. It was a very bright and sunny day
but we did not see any large flocks. Nevertheless, we had the opportunity of observing
Orange-billed Babblers, Crested Drongo, Black-capped Bulbuls, Green Imperial Pigeons,
Emerald Dove, Dark-fronted Babblers, Sri Lanka Yellow fronted Barbet, Sri Lanka
Hanging Parrots, Layard’s Parakeets, Sri Lankan Jungle Fowl, Sri Lankan Myna and a
single Sri Lanka Blue Magpie for a long time. The Blue Magpie was very close to us and
when we tried to leave, it just kept coming closer to us. It seemed to be looking for food
and was not bothered with our presence.
There was rain throughout the first night and till about 10.30am the next day. Early
morning we saw a Spot-winged Thrush. When we had almost given up hope of seeing a
good flock and were on are way back from the research station to pack up and head back
home, we came across a large feeding flock. We did not hear them till we came very
close.
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It consisted of many Orange-billed Babblers, Ashy-headed Laughing Thrush, Crested
Drongo, Scimitar Babbler, White-bellied Drongos, three Red faced Malkohas (one was
seen sunbathing with all its wings and tail spread out on a branch and another came and
rested on a creeper very close to us giving us a very good view. Even the guide got
excited for that one!), Lesser Yellow-napes, Greater Flameback, Velvet-fronted
Nuthatches, Legge’s Flower peckers, Sri Lanka White-eyes and many Paradise
Flycatchers. A raptor was circling above and last but not least, three White-faced
starlings (first time for me) gave us a clear view of them as they went about feeding.
It was so easy to see these birds so well because they were near a place where a landslide
had occurred. These places give a good view as it exposes the inside of the forest. The
flock was going to cross the road, but for our bad luck, a group of people came by talking
very loudly, complaining about the leeches. We tried to tell them there was a flock of
birds nearby therefore to stay quite, but it did not work, and the flock went back in to the
forest We were so happy to have come across it. We even saw a very beautiful Green Pit
Viper just by the side of the road. We also spotted a Brown Shrike. It had a very gray
head and nape, therefore I am not sure if it was a Philippine Shrike. Even our guide
Ranjith was not sure.
When coming back to Kudawa, we took the long route (the one that vehicles take) and
saw a raptor that we could not identify, a nesting pair of Black Bulbuls and a few
Pompadour Green Pigeons. Just when we were near the bridge in Kudawa near a
mountain on the right, we saw two Black Eagles flying above the trees. They were
holding on to some kind of nesting material with their claws. That was the icing on the
cake as far as our birding trip was concerned.
It was sad to see so many people coming to the forest and not knowing what to look for.
They were wondering aimlessly, constantly complaining that there was nothing to see
and about the leeches. Some even told us that this is not a good place to see birds and
that we should go somewhere else. How unfortunate for them!
Natural History Report from Yala Safari Game Lodge for the Month of April 2004
Naturalists of Yala Safari Game Lodge, Chandra Jayawardena and Nadeera Weerasinghe
have made the following observations during the month of April 2004.
Large mammals
Leopards
19 encounters involving 20 leopards, on 13 days. These sightings were confined to the
Southern and South-eastern sectors and along the main road of the park.
Bears
8 encounters involving 11 bears in 6 days. These sightings were mainly distributed in the
southern quarter of the park.
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Tuskers
13 encounters involving 13 tuskers in 11 days. These sightings were evenly distributed
through out the park
These sighting numbers, include multiple sightings of individual animals, as well.
Birds
The diversity of migratory bird species recorded seemed to have decreased to 35 species,
when compared with the 41 species recorded in March 2004. There was a marked
reduction in numbers than that was observed in March.
Flora
During the month of April, a total number of 59 plant species that were identified of
which, 24 species were observed in flowering, 13 species in fruiting and 22 species in
both flowering and fruiting were observed.
Weather
Generally dry weather prevailed through out the month, but however the area
experienced a few scattered showers.
How many Primates are there in Sri Lanka?
- Uditha Wijesena
Field guides written for birds outnumber those written for Mammals. Sri Lanka lacks a
mammalian guide. The last complete work probably is W W A Phillips Manual of the
Mammals of Sri Lanka in three volumes. But this is not a field guide as such.
Vivek Menon has done a wonderful book A Field Guide to the Indian Mammals. The
book is a bit expensive, but I felt compelled to buy it. Having purchased my copy, the
next task was to mark out those that occur in Sri Lanka. This was no easy task without a
biologist's assistance. India has fifteen (15) primates while Sri Lanka has only four (4).
Of this four, only two occur in India. They are the Slender Loris (Loris tardigradus) and
the Hanuman Langur or Grey Langur (Semnopithecus entellus). The other two are
endemic to Sri Lanka, the Toque Monkey (Macaca sinica) the Rilawa and the Purplefaced
Leaf Monkey (Semnopithecus vetuls) or Elli Wandura.
I'm sure many would not have known that the ordinary Rilawa and the Elli wandura that
exploits the mango and banana trees in their garden are found only in Sri Lanka. Let us
see if we have done justice to them.
The Slender Loris is nocturnal and we know very little about it. The Hanuman Langur is
widely distributed in the dry zone and still could be found in fairly plentiful numbers.
They occur in all dry zone districts where many of our National parks are located. Its
food consists of fruits, flowers, leaves and grain. During the dry parched seasons, one
could find them seated among the men and women in dried up tank beds eating lotus
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seeds while the latter digs for lotus roots and legumes. Men seem to co-exist with this
species in the dry zone unlike its counter part the Toque Monkey.
The Torque Monkey endemic to Sri Lanka and is widely distributed in the whole country
and has a very unique ability to adapt to changing habitat conditions. Being omnivorous
it is said that they predate even birds. Recently, they have turned out to be scavengers in
most temple areas where people have got in the habit of feeding them. A prolific breeder
the numbers have gone to intolerable levels and is now considered an agricultural pest,
resulting it being poisoned by the dry zone peasant. However even with these grave
conditions their numbers don t seem to ring alarm bells to the conservationists.
The Purple faced Leaf Monkey endemic to Sri Lanka is confined to the wet zone with its
sub species the Bear Monkey in the hill country. This is the troubled monkey which
happens to be competing with man for its habitat. Thirty years ago it was a common
occurrence in the sub urban Colombo and in the wet zone villages. It was very common
then to find them raiding home gardens in the fruiting season. Unlike the other monkey
species in Sri Lanka this species is very selective in it s diet. Thus the rapid urbanization
has taken a toll on the numbers of these monkeys. The lower numbers in the troops has
even resulted in the behaviour of the dominant male killing the young males to maintain
harems. It's a pity that we in our social development seem to have pushed this species in
to extinction. It is now found mainly in the remaining rainforests in the wet zone. So next
time you visit Sinharaja, if you hear the Purple-faced Leaf Monkey, look for it, for it may
be the last time you might see it.
That apparently is the number of primates in Sri Lanka. There happens to one more. The
Homo sapiens. Primates are adept at building shelters for the sole purpose of rearing
their young. Do we build them to bringing up the young, or as a status symbol? The
result, the greatest conservation threat HABITAT LOSS. It is time that those who drive
around in their limousines with an Elephant saying Extinct is Forever stick to the back of
their windshield, that the Purple faced Leaf Monkey has been pushed to the brink of
extinction in the name of development.
How strange Sri Lanka has a national flower Nil Manel (Nymphaea stellata) a national
tree Na (Messua ferrea) and a national bird the Sri Lanka Jungle fowl (Gallus lafayetii).
Why not a national mammal endemic to Sri Lanka ? Can I propose the Purple faced Leaf
Monkey as the national mammal endemic to Sri Lanka?
NEW BOOKS
Some of the following details are from the publisher's press releases.
Orchids of Sri Lanka A Conservationists Companion. A Simplified Guide to
Identification. Volume 1. The protected orchids and selected similar species.
Authored by Malik Fernando, Siril Wijesundera and Suranjan Fernando. Published by
IUCN Sri Lanka. 147 pages with colour photographs and illustrations and line drawings.
50 Species are illustrated in and described in a field guide format. ISBN 955 - 8177-23-7
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This is a wonderful book BUT copies are not presently available for sale as the Guide
was published primarily to support law enforcement, and the copies have thus been
distributed to the relevant agencies. However those with an interest in the conservation or
the study of orchids may contact IUCN (Charmalie/Dihan on 94 11 + 2682418/2694094)
or refer to a copy in the IUCN library (opening times: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday to Friday)
at 53 Horton Place, Colombo 7. Based on the degree of public interest, there may then be
a case for a reprint.
Field Guide to the Birds of Northern India by Richard Grimmett, Tim Inskipp ISBN
0713651679. 304 pages. 216x135 mm. Illustrations 120 colour plates..
The successor to the much acclaimed Birds of the Indian Subcontinent by the same
authors. Covering just northern India, the superb plates are accompanied by a succinct
text highlighting identification, voice, habitat, altitudinal range, distribution and status.
The text is on facing pages to the plates, for easy reference. As with previous titles
covering Bhutan and Nepal, this guide is a perfect size for use in the field and will be an
essential companion when visiting this region.
Jetwing Photographic Guides for Dragonflies and Butterflies
These booklets precede work underway on a larger book which will combine birds,
butterflies and dragonflies. The format of the booklets is to depict a selection of species
to facilitate easy reference and identification in the field. The booklet on Dragonflies is
an important publication as it represents the first step, to produce a guide for field work.
It has 88 images representing 65 species. Dragonflies and Damselflies are not easy to
identify in the field and a fuller book will be published in due course which has
accompanying text. The butterfly booklet has 63 images depicting 62 species. They will
be available at leading bookshops with an expected retail price of around Rs 100.
The two booklets are produced by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne who has drawn on the
technical expertise of Michael and Nancy van der Poorten on the butterflies and Matjaz
Bedjanic and Karen Coniff on the Dragonflies. The photography has been undertaken
principally by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne for the butterflies and shared with Matjaz
Bedjanic for the Dragonflies. Bedjanic is a researcher with the Slovenian Institute of
Conservation and the van der Poorten's are resident in Canada.
The Butterfly and the Dragonfly booklet were re-printed in February 2004.
BOOK REVIEW
Info-Travel Sri Lanka - compiled and written by Dinesh Kulatunga with special
contributions from SU Lanka Prasada, Asif Hussein and Tyrone Graham. Published by
Neptune Publications, Colombo. 2004. pages 208, plus maps.
Review by D C Ranatunga
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Sri Lanka was the setting – Mihintale being the site – of the world's first recorded
wildlife and nature preserve, established by King Devanampiyatissa, a convert to
conservationism preceded only by Noah in the annals of mankind: deeply influenced as
he was by the inspirational message of the Buddha imparted to him by Arahat Mahinda.
Further evidence of this deep-rooted concern for wildlife and the commitment to
conservation is found in an inscription engraved on a stone slab at Anuradhapura's
majestic millennia-old Ruwanveli dagoba, attributed to the 12th Century king Kirthi
Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa, forbidding the capture, killing or commercial trafficking
of any animals, birds and fish within a radius of 7 gau from the city. References to royal
protection and preservation of wildlife are extant throughout the Mahavamsa and this
traditional care and concern for creatures of the wild continues to this day.
This is the introductory paragraph on the National Parks in Sri Lanka in the newly
published travel guide Info-Travel Sri Lanka – a Neptune Publication compiled and
written by Dinesh Kulatunga, just released. Glancing through the 200 odd pages, I found
the publication extremely interesting, educating and easy to follow.
With travel becoming popular with every passing day - now that we have peace in the
country, comfortable vehicle options and a better developed network of roads - Info-
Travel Sri Lanka becomes a useful guide to carry since it provides a wealth of
information which is of immense value to the traveller. The Publisher's Note mentions
that Info-Travel was intended as a definitive guide, offering valuable and user-friendly
information. It certainly does. The team which travelled the length and breadth of the
country covering 18,000 km over a period of six months gathering information for the
book, found that apart from a few stretches along Batticaloa-Arugam Bay, Potuvil-
Monaragala and Anuradhapura-Trincomalee roads, the rest of the network of roads to be
in "an acceptable condition." This is indeed heartening news since it was not so long ago
that most of our roadways were a nightmare for motorists.
To give you a sample of what the reader would find in Info-Travel, I get back to the
chapter on National Parks. It lists out 15 parks maintained by the Department of Wild
Life Conservation in alphabetical order – from Bundala to Yala. Having spelt out the
Park Ethics laid down by the Department, a description of each park is given with details
of the location, access, climate, cultural heritage and visitor facilities. The information is
thus quite exhaustive. The directions are easy to follow. For example – the directions to
reach the relatively new Maduru Oya National Park is given thus: The easiest and most
practical route from Colombo (165 miles/265 km) is via Kurunegala, Dambulla,
Habarana, Polonnaruwa and Manampitiya. Main access from the north is from
Manampitiya located on the Polonnaruwa-Batticaloa highway. The park is designed to
protect the immediate catchments of five reservoirs developed under the Accelerated
Mahaweli Development Programme. Their conservation is crucial to the success of the
project. The park area provides refuge for many species of wildlife, particularly
elephants. As to the cultural heritage, ruins at not so well known places like Henanigala,
Kudawila, Gurukumbura, Uluketangoda, Weerapokuna and several others include ancient
Buddhist shrines and hermitages.
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Eco Tourism is of recent origin in Sri Lanka. Info-Travel devotes a few pages to discuss
adventure resorts and eco holidays with details of organizations involved in such
activities.
When we talk of botanical gardens, we naturally remember Peradeniya, Hakgala and
Heneratgoda. Info-Travel take us to another - Jathika Namal Uyana at Ulpothgama,
Madatugama of which many not be aware. Situated 159 km away from Colombo,
archaeological ruins, massive pink quartz deposits and various animal and plant species
are found here. It is described as a unique, extremely rare 238 acre forest planted with
Ironwood trees in the 8th century A.D by King Dappula. It is considered the only dry
zone forest with wet zone vegetation and the oldest man-made forest in Sri Lanka holding
a rich variety of animal, bird and plant life; rare species of lizards and many kinds of
medicinal herbs. (More -Page 44)
The section on Destinations give descriptive narratives and details of accommodation. In
all details of 720 hotels, guest houses and restaurants are listed. These have been
categorized under High range (Rs 4000 & above), Mid range (Rs 1000-3900) and Budget
range (Ra 500-1700). Take your pick! 460 of these are outside Colombo. The team has
visited each one of them and made sure that they are worthy of mention in a travel guide.
Short descriptions of what can be seen in each location are included along with pictures
in colour.
Eighteen road maps from A1 to A35 give every little bit of information that a motorist
would want to know. Each map has a set of symbols for easy reference. These refer to
filling stations, police stations, hotels and resthouses, tyre service & repair joints,
garages, telephone booths, ATM centres, telecommunication points, wine stores,
hospitals, post offices and of course, places to see. With business traveling increasing,
this information is of much benefit to those who get about for business. The maps are
designed to read from the bottom upward in order to meet uniformity, the publishers say.
Distances are marked in kilometres.
I found the page titled 'On your way' quite interesting. It contains guidelines how one can
be 'a pleasant and decent traveller' (Quote - Page 228)
I have only given you a broad outline of what appeared in Info-Travel. There is much
more – both routine information that a traveler should know as well as not so common
topics.
Info-Travel has been done well. When they update the information, there may be the need
to fill a few gaps. A little more historical information about certain places will be useful.
Incidentally, regular updates will be available on the website www.infotravelsrilanka.com
And of course, the publishers should think in terms of a Sinhala edition. Don't forget –
the Sinhala speaking types form the bulk of the traveling public – families who want to
see interesting places, parents and grand parents who want their children to appreciate the
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natural beauty and the rich heritage we possess. A travel guide book in Sinhala is
something that we lack badly. Now that Neptune Publishers have all the necessary data, a
Sinhala version can easily be done. Let's wait for it – sooner than later!
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SRI LANKA WILDLIFE NEWS is a monthly e-mail of birding and wildlife events,
sightings and short notes of interest to birders, photographers, conservationists etc. To
receive a copy, please e-mail gehan@jetwing.lk with "Subscribe Wildlife News" in the
subject header. SLWN values your privacy, to be removed, e-mail with “Unsubscribe
Wildlife News” in the header. Please e-mail your sightings, events etc to
gehan@jetwing.lk. The media are welcome to extract details, but please attribute the
source. Past issues are on www.jetwingeco.com
MARCH 2004
267
SRI LANKA WILDLIFE NEWS (March 2004)
- a monthly compilation by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne (22/04/2004)
HIGHLIGHTS
[*] TOP STORY Pamela Rasmussen on proposed taxonomic changes which will
recognise ten more endemic species of birds, raising the Sri Lankan list to 33 endemic
birds (See Articles)
[*] Marianne Nightingale writes about her visit to Sri Lanka to see her adopted baby
elephant (See Articles)
[*] Fourth record of nest of Ashy-headed Laughing Thrush
[*] Whale sightings off Colombo
[*] Sunela Jayawardene on Wasgomuwa at the mercy of poachers (See Articles)
[*] Oxford Scientific Films film Elephant Release (see Press Releases)
EVENTS SUMMARY
Friday, 23rd April 7:00 pm Slide show and lecture at the Barefoot Gallery given by
Mike Yamashita, "Marco Polo Fever". The slide show will focus on Yamashita's
successful retracing the footsteps of Marco Polo's epic 24 year expedition across Asia-
(for National Geographic, published in 2001). Barefoot Gallery, 704 Galle Road,
Colombo 6.
Saturday 24 April, Lecture series on birds for beginners. 9.30 am - 12.00. NBLT,
University of Colombo, Colombo 3. Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka Lecture
Series. Topic and speaker to be finalised.

12/10/2007
BIRDING & WILDLIFE NEWS
Birding in Sri Lanka will become more exciting with proposed changes by Rasmussen
and Anderton (in press) which will see Sri Lanka having a total of 33 species of
endemic birds. The list could rise higher with more taxonomic work. See Articles below
for an account by Pamela Rasmusse on the proposed changes.
Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne visited Kalametiya on 13 April and reports several
sightings of Watercock and a single Slaty-breasted Crake. Migrants still present
included a Brown Shrike. Many wader species were still present and included Marsh
Sandpiper, Redshank, Turnstone, Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint. These waders could
be loiterers. He and various others joined a Turtle Watching session
Chitral Jayatilake reports on his observation from Yala between 26 - 29 March 2004.
"The four days spent at Yala was interesting with 3 sightings of Leopard, 2 Bears and one
tusker. A courting pair of leopards were seen at Wemalkema with a lot of activity relating
to courtship, but mating was not observed. There was a Bear and cub sighted along the
main road at very close distance. The bears were obliging to the photographers on board.
The Tusker Nalaka was observed at the Kottabendi wewa plains on the 27th evening but
the light faded early. A pair of Tree Swifts were photographed also at Welmalkema.
Roshan Goonewardana sends in a report of a whale sighting. "The Sport Fishing Club
had its annual Trolling Competition on Sunday the 21st March. We left Modera at
around 6.30 am. The fishing was mainly outside the Colombo Harbour area. We were
about 7 kilometers into the sea in front of the Galle Face Green. Suddenly to our surprise
we spotted a Whale which came up for air. We continued to follow maintaining a
distance of about 100 yards. We watched the Whale for about 20 -25 minutes and then
the whale changed course. It was the first experience for the four of us who were on the
boat. As I am not an expert on Whales could not identify which species it belonged to.
The whale was at least 30- 35 feet long".
Chandrika Maelge and her colleagues visited Yala (20-21 March) to join a film crew
from Oxford Scientifc Films. They report "Migratory passerines such as Brown Shrike
and Brahminy Starling are still present. Almost all the common wader species are also
present in the park. Many have assumed summer plumage.
A pair of courting leopards crossed the road about 200 m before Wilpala Wewa. They
were heard growling and snarlling for at least 20 minutes. The next day, a pair of Sloth
Bear grubbed around in the open for at least ten minutes at Palugaswala No 2. Many
visitors and the film crew had an excellent sighting"
Susan Clark found (11 March 04) a Slaty-legged Crake in the Negombo Lagoon
bordering the Taj Airport Graden Hotel.
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Devaka Perera, Nirusha Ranjitkumar and others visited Minneriya National Park on 6
March 2004. The edges of the Minneriya Lake had an enormous concentration of Asian
Openbill, loosely estimated between 2,000 - 3,000 in total.
Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne and Phil Dearden visted the Colombo Golf Course around
6.00 pm on 3 March. They walked around the back where there are stretches of wetland.
The water is very heavily polluted and smells bad. Despite this, they had a clear view of
a Cinnamon Bittern. The upper surface of the wings, which are uniformly coloured were
clearly observed. At least 3 Black Bitterns were also observed.
On 1 March Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne was surprised to see Rosy Starlings in Vorella,
Colombo. He reports "Around 6.30 pm I pulled up to the large round about near the
Kanatta cemetery, where Bauddhaloka Mawatha and Elvitigala Mawatha converge. A
flock of 20 - 30 Rosy Starlings circled around, attempting to land on the trees on the
round about. I had close, naked eye views and could make out that the birds in summer
plumage. They circeld, and then veered away and flew off".
Ashok Jayarathna, Prasanjith Caldera and Eben Goodale have made detailed
observations of the nesting of the Ashy-headed Laughing Thrush, during December 2003
and January 2004. This may well be only the fourth record of a nest.
ARTICLES/TRIP REPORTS
Proposed additions to the endemic birds of Sri Lanka
Pamela C. Rasmussen, Michigan State University Museum, East Lansing, MI 48824-
1045 USA
While preparing a book on birds of South Asia (Rasmussen and Anderton, in press), I
became convinced that numerous species-level changes to the region's avifauna were
required. Many other ornithologists and birders had of course been aware of some of
these taxonomic issues for years. However, formal scientific publication of changes is an
extremely slow process, and there has been negligible recent work on many species
problems. All things considered, I decided therefore that the best strategy would be to
enact well-justified changes in our forthcoming book, accompanied with necessary and
sufficient evidence.
This short note is specifically on the revisions which will impact on the number of
endemic bird species found in Sri Lanka.
Wijesinghe (1994) treated the Black-capped Bulbul (Pycnonotus melanicterus), Ceylon
Small Barbet (Megalaima rubricapillus) and Ceylon Hill Munia (Lonchura kelaarti) as
Sri Lankan endemics. However Grimett et al (1999) did not accept these as full species
because the taxonomic elevations were simply published in a checklist without a rigorous
taxonomic justification. In our book, we recognize the first two as full endemic species to
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Sri Lanka, and provide justification for this treatment. Ceylon Hill Munia was not
accorded endemic full species status as the material available to me, especially of
vocalizations, was inadequate to make a determination at this stage.
The Sri Lankan races of the Common Hawk Cuckoo (Hierococcyx varius ciceliae)
and the Indian Blackbird (Turdus simillima kinnisii) may well also warrant
treatment as full species and would therefore be island endemics. However, they are
not so treated in Rasmussen and Anderton (in press), pending further data and
analyses.
Based on this work, which will be described more fully in the forthcoming book, the
proposed list of thirty three Sri Lankan Endemic Birds, is given below. Species which
have not been treated as endemic to Sri Lanka in Grimmett et al (1999), are shown in
bold face and prefaced by an asterisk (*).
Ceylon Spurfowl Galloperdix bicalcarata
Ceylon Junglefowl Gallus lafayetii
Ceylon Woodpigeon Columba torringtonii
* Pompadour Green Pigeon Treron pompadora
Ceylon Hanging Parrot Loriculus beryllinus
Layard’s Parakeet Psittacula calthropae
Red-faced Malkoha Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus
Green-billed Coucal Centropus chlororhynchos
* Serendib Scops-Owl Otus sp.
Chestnut-backed Owlet Glaucidium castanonotum
Ceylon Grey Hornbill Ocyceros gingalensis
Yellow-fronted Barbet Megalaima flavifrons
* Ceylon Small Barbet Megalaima rubricapillus
* Crimson-backed Flameback Chrysocolaptes stricklandi
* Ceylon Swallow Hirundo hyperythra
* Ceylon Woodshrike Tephrodornis affinis
* Black-capped Bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus
Yellow-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus penicillatus
Ceylon Whistling-Thrush Myophonus blighi
Spot-winged Ground-Thrush Zoothera spiloptera
* Ceylon Scaly Thrush Zoothera imbricata
Sri Lanka Bush-Warbler Elaphrornis palliseri
Dusky-blue Flycatcher Eumyias sordidus
Brown-capped Babbler Pellorneum fuscocapillus
* Ceylon Scimitar-Babbler Pomatorhinus [schisticeps] melanurus
Ceylon Rufous Babbler Turdoides rufescens
Ashy-headed Laughingthrush Garrulax cinereifrons
Legge’s Flowerpecker Dicaeum vincens
Ceylon White-eye Zosterops ceylonensis
* Ceylon Crested Drongo Dicrurus lophorinus
Ceylon Blue Magpie Urocissa ornata
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White-faced Starling Sturnia albofrontata
Ceylon Hill-Myna Gracula ptilogenys
The ten newly recognised endemics, which will doubtless attract renewed interest, are
listed below for convenience.
Pompadour Green Pigeon Treron pompadora
Serendib Scops-Owl Otus sp.
Ceylon Small Barbet Megalaima rubricapillus
Crimson-backed Flameback Chrysocolaptes stricklandi
Ceylon Swallow Hirundo hyperythra
Ceylon Woodshrike Tephrodornis affinis
Black-capped Bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus
Ceylon Scaly Thrush Zoothera imbricata
Ceylon Scimitar-Babbler Pomatorhinus [schisticeps] melanurus
Ceylon Crested Drongo Dicrurus lophorinus
References
Grimmett, R., C. Inskipp, and T. Inskipp. 1999. A guide to the birds of India,
Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Princeton Univ.
Press, Princeton.
Rasmussen, P. C. and J. C. Anderton. In press (expected 2004). Birds of South Asia: the
Ripley guide. 2 vols. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.
Wijesinghe, D.P. (1994) Checklist of the Birds of Sri Lanka. Ceylon Bird Club Notes
Special Publication Series No. 2, Ceylon Bird Club. Colombo. 49 pp.
Wasgomuwa National Park at the mercy of poachers
- Sunela Jayawardene
At the end of the Sinhala New Year weekend, we stirred from our base at Dunvila
Cottage on the border of Wasgomuva National Park, to spend the whole day within the
park. A simple agenda of driving to the Mahaveli river, lunch and drive back out of the
park, exposed us to the sorry state of this stunningly beautiful park. As we got to the river
and parked our vehicles at a designated campsite, we discovered a deep trench. This
turned out to be a Pangolin's burrow, excavated by poachers.
The original tunnel had extended a good 6 meters. The poachers seemed to have smoked
the Pangolin to the end of its tunnel and then spent at least a whole day excavating the
trench to a depth of 3-4 foot in search of its' final resting place. The sharpened stakes
used to dig it out and the pitiful drag mark was evidence of the poachers success. Directly
opposite the campsite is a large path down from the village across the river. This must
surely be an obvious entry point for poachers? In the evening around 5pm, about 5km
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from the Park office, our route took us to an area where the village of Wasgomuva
borders the park. As we rounded a bend, Andre Tissera in the front vehicle, spotted a man
with a gun and ammunition belt standing in the grass, 100meters from the road. So
confident, he had his back to the road and was beckoning to his companions to join him.
When our tracker Wijeratne Banda jumped out and yelled the poacher squatted in the
grass and then took cover behind a tree. We hung around awhile realizing how utterly
helpless we were - as soon as we left the poachers would re-emerge and walk across the
road to shoot the buffalo and whatever else that came their way. Just about a kilometer
from the office we passed a young elephant (6yrs?) standing by the road. It seemed odd
that it was alone and barely moving. We soon realized it was badly injured - it struggled
and turned as though to expose its' injury to us - what appeared to be a bullet wound in its
left shoulder. Obviously heavily infected with fluid running down its' chest. Immobile
long enough for the herd to abandon it and yet no medical treatment. Talking to Park
Warden, Lakshman Peiris, he tells us of the difficulties he faces. The elephant can't be
attended to until a vet is sent up from Colombo - the local vet having gone abroad. He
and the poachers are all aware that he has only 26 men to police over 150,000 acres of
National Park. We tell him of the poachers hides easily visible as we kayak up the
waterways adjoining Dunvila Cottage; of the logging operations inside the park that we
hear to our cottage. Of tractors being driven through the park at night from Pusselyaya
village border.... Now, a track to place an electric fence has been cut within the park.
Logic seems to have deserted everyone who positioned this fence as, ignoring the natural
barrier of water (Minipe Channel and the lakes linked by it), the fence is to be placed
deeper in with an idea of allowing cultivation up to the fence! What is most frustrating is
the apathy of the officials and the policy makers. Wasgomuva National Park, with its
diverse habitats, famous for its Mahaveli elephants but unknown to many, containing
large bear and leopard populations in addition to superb avifauna. Not half as popular as
Yala or Uda Walawe, but far better positioned with its 3 riverine borders, central ridge of
hills and it's proximity to the Knuckles wilderness, this park seems to be forgotten. Who
does one appeal to?
Return to Sri Lanka – the beautiful island
- Marianne Nightingale
We have just returned from our second trip to Sri Lanka as we fell in love with the island,
its flora and fauna and the smiling people we met throughout our travels.
We now have a special link with the island as I have adopted an orphaned baby elephant
at Uda Walawa in the Elephant Transit Home. As an artist passionately determined to
help raise awareness of the plight of some endangered species, finding this tiny orphan,
so pathetically frail and crying for her lost mother pulled at my heart and I had to do all I
could to help her.
On my return to England last March 2003, I contacted the Wildlife Department of Sri
Lanka and made arrangements to adopt this tiny, sad little elephant. As her sole ‘foster
parent’ I am committed to keeping her in elephant formula milk until she is weaned and
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ready to be returned to the wild in about 4 years time. I am also allowed to name her –
she is called ‘Florence’ (Nightingale) after an illustrious ancestor of mine!
We visited the Elephant Transit Home again in February this year and found my
‘daughter’ in very good health, strong and thriving on the milk she is fed every 3 hours.
Dr. Suhadha Jayawardane and his dedicated staff have done a magnificent job not just
with Florence but with all the tiny orphans that are brought in to the Home. I was able to
feed her at various times – gallons per day and she was so desperate to get to the feeding
tube at one feed that she tried to climb the sturdy wooden barrier to get to the milk – a
true survivor!
We always travel independently, but arranged part of our trip through Jetwings Eco
Holidays, as we did last year. Through this organisation we again travelled to Yala and
stayed in Yala Village and Yala Safari Game Lodge – both of which are an absolute
haven after long and dusty safari drives into the Park. We were very fortunate with our
tracker and driver whose sharp eyes spotted many different species of wildlife in the
Park.
The highlights were seeing a superb male leopard, sleek and with fabulous markings, just
strolling across the track and then lying a few yards in front of our jeep, while he washed
and then sunned himself before loping a few feet to lie in the cool, damp mud at the edge
of a pond. His eyes were an almost luminous gold and he was obviously in peak
condition – we watched him for around 30 minutes before he slowly got up and melted
into the jungle again.
On our way back to the Yala Safari Game Lodge at the end of that same day in the Park,
another leopard, more nervous of our presence walked slowly across the track in front of
us, but again just melted into the undergrowth.
Sloth Bears – two in a tree tearing away at the foliage to get at the berries that were in
season and an absolute plus, a young baby Sloth Bear hidden in the undergrowth beneath
the trees. Again around 30 minutes being able to observe these fascinating, but extremely
dangerous animals in their natural habitat.
Surprisingly there were a large number of crocodiles either lying on the banks of the
lakes or pools sunning themselves or lurking moodily under the water waiting for a
passing snack – only the eyes and top of the snout being visible. Our tracker Sunil had a
very dry sense of humour. On seeing one of these primaeval looking creatures
motionless on the bank, he turned to us and said, absolute deadpan “Madam, is imitation,
is made of plastic, is made in Hong Kong!” It wasn’t of course!
It is an absolute bird watchers paradise. A good book is A Photographic Guide to the
Birds of Sri Lanka by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne (of Jetwing), which will give you all
the information you need to identify the birds you see. We saw particularly the Indian
and Ceylon Birds of Paradise Flycatchers, Painted Storks, Openbill Storks, gorgeous little
Bee Eaters like tiny flying jewels and it seemed that most of the birds in the book. The
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most endangered we saw were Black-necked Storks and Blue-faced and Sirkeer
Malkohas but we have counted around 100 species just in Yala National Park alone.
The diverse habitat in Yala makes it a perfect place for all wildlife enthusiasts, elephants,
leopards, sloth bears, deer and many others. There are wetlands, rocky outcrops, lagoons,
beaches, forests, dense scrub and light sandy open areas and there are no great distances
to cover in Sri Lanka, which is about the size of Ireland.
We will return again as soon as we are able, but definitely to return Florence to the wild
in three years time. It is indeed an ‘Island like no other’ and has a special place in our
hearts.
If you would like information on adopting an orphan baby elephant as an individual,
family, friends or corporate please contact The Department of Wildlife Conservation of
Sri Lanka, No. 18 Gregory’s Road, Colombo 07.
PRESS RELEASES
Oxford Scientific Films at Elephant Release in Sri Lanka
A British television crew was in Sri Lanka to capture the adventure and wildlife of the Sri
Lankan jungles. Oxford Scientific Films is one of the most respected and prestigious film
companies in the world. According to Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne, CEO of Jetwing Eco
Holidays, the OSF film will help promote Sri Lanka as a big game safari destination in
Asia. This will add to the success that Jetwing have already achieved by working with
highly respected tour operators such as Kuoni and Abercrombie & Kent and their local
ground agents to feature Big Game itineraries such as Leopard Safaris in Sri Lanka.
Oxford Scientific Films (OSF) plans to produce a Sri Lankan TV documentary program
for “Animal Angels”, a documentary series in Animal Planet which has over 80 million
viewers (households) world wide. The presenter Lyndal Davies, with fashion model good
looks, is a key personality in the production. She together with the productions crew of
Mark Strickson (Director), Colin Budd (Cameraman) and James Petch (Sound Recordist)
will work mainly in National Parks for nearly four weeks, in order to capture the footage
for this 50-minute program.
“Animal Angels” is a series of wildlife programs that OSF are making for Animal Planet,
to be broadcast around the world. In each program they will show one ‘Animal Angel’
and show the valuable contribution made by that person in helping wildlife in his
respective country. In this particular filming assignment, Dr. Suhada Jayawardena will be
portrayed as the "Animal Angel' for his work at the Elephant Transit Home, Uda
Walawe.
The experienced film crew, obtained some wonderful footage on March 15 th at Uda
Walawe, during the release of orphaned elephants from the DWLC managed Elephant
Transit Home. They were joined by Jetwing Eco Holidays staff including Chandrika
Maelge, Devaka Perera and Priyashanie Peiris. Jetwing Eco Holidays were asked to
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handle the ground component of the tour, because of their proven expertise in handling
film crews. According to film crew specialist, Chandrika Maelge, film crews are a very
unique type of client where hands-on expertise is essential for the mutual success of the
film crew and their ground agent. The filming at Uda Walawe which focused on the
release of orphaned elephants in to the wild, was attended by senior personnel of the
Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWLC) including its Director General Chandralal
Herath and former DG Dayananda Kariyawasam and various well known wildlife
personalities. Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne and Mr Herath took the opportunity to discuss
ways of streamlining access for film crews into national parks which will make it easier
to promote Sri Lanka and the good work being done by the DWLC.
The orphaned elephants released included four year old Jetwing Maximus, a baby
elephant sponsored by Jetwing Hotels for three years as well as a number of others
sponsored by corporates. A number of private sponsors were also present and a band of
excited school children from sponsor Museaus College. Winning corporate sponsorship
from the private sector by the DWLC is a commendable move by a state agency says
Hiran Cooray, Managing Director of Jetwing Hotels who sees the private sector having
an important part to play in conservation. Lalin de Mel, Director Marketing of Jetwing
Hotels sees more scope for the tourism industry to support state agencies engaged in
wildlife conservation.
The OSF program intends to highlight the cultural religious importance of the elephant
and the measures that are in place to protect the animals. The crew, will also be looking
at other elephant related subject matter in Sri Lanka. Therefore the crew will be travelling
to Yala, Wasgamuwa, the Pinnawala elephant orphanage, Kithulgala and the Temple of
the Tooth.
OSF will also make a financial donation of USD 10,000 to the Elephant Transit Home.
The monies are to be invested amongst other things on a new tractor for the use of the
Elephant Transit Home. It is hoped that this donation will encourage other institutions
and individuals to follow suit. According to Marc Strickson, OSF fought hard to secure a
budget which would not only ensure a good film, but allowed OSF to make a donation
which would make a difference.
Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne believes we need to streamline access to film crews so that
Sri Lanka Inc makes it easier to promote itself and the conservation work undertaken in
the country. Too much red tape denies Sri Lanka good publicity. A few more foreign film
crews could have been invited for the elephant release and to subsequently film in the
national parks, if it were not for the burden of time consuming procedures. Sri Lanka
tourism laments the lack of financial resources for an effective marketing campaign
overseas. But there are so many things we can do he says which will gives Sri Lanka easy
access to millions of television viewers overseas. But only if we are prepared to take a
take a few simple, intelligent steps. One such step he recommends is to allow film crews
into national parks and reserves as normal paying visitors, if they do not need special
facilities. This will allow Sri Lanka to take advantage of air time overseas which is
presently being lost due to the onerous procedures for film crews.
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The Born Free Foundation have been supporting the work of the Elephant Transit Home
and information on them can be looked up on www.bornfree.org.uk. A photo
documentary of the elephant release can be viewed on www.jetwingeco.com.
NEW BOOKS
Some of the following details are from the publisher's press releases.
Orchids of Sri Lanka A Conservationists Companion. A Simplified Guide to
Identification. Volume 1. The protected orchids and selected similar species.
Authored by Malik Fernando, Siril Wijesundera and Suranjan Fernando. Published by
IUCN Sri Lanka. 147 pages with colour photographs and illustrations and line drawings.
50 Species are illustrated in and described in a field guide format. ISBN 955 - 8177-23-7
This is a wonderful book BUT copies are not presently available for sale as the Guide
was published primarily to support law enforcement, and the copies have thus been
distributed to the relevant agencies. However those with an interest in the conservation or
the study of orchids may contact IUCN (Charmalie/Dihan on 94 11 + 2682418/2694094)
or refer to a copy in the IUCN library (opening times: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday to Friday)
at 53 Horton Place, Colombo 7. Based on the degree of public interest, there may then be
a case for a reprint.
Field Guide to the Birds of Northern India by Richard Grimmett, Tim Inskipp ISBN
0713651679. 304 pages. 216x135 mm. Illustrations 120 colour plates..
The successor to the much acclaimed Birds of the Indian Subcontinent by the same
authors. Covering just northern India, the superb plates are accompanied by a succinct
text highlighting identification, voice, habitat, altitudinal range, distribution and status.
The text is on facing pages to the plates, for easy reference. As with previous titles
covering Bhutan and Nepal, this guide is a perfect size for use in the field and will be an
essential companion when visiting this region.
Jetwing Photographic Guides for Dragonflies and Butterflies
These booklets precede work underway on a larger book which will combine birds,
butterflies and dragonflies. The format of the booklets is to depict a selection of species
to facilitate easy reference and identification in the field. The booklet on Dragonflies is
an important publication as it represents the first step, to produce a guide for field work.
It has 88 images representing 65 species. Dragonflies and Damselflies are not easy to
identify in the field and a fuller book will be published in due course which has
accompanying text. The butterfly booklet has 63 images depicting 62 species. They will
be available at leading bookshops with an expected retail price of around Rs 100.
The two booklets are produced by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne who has drawn on the
technical expertise of Michael and Nancy van der Poorten on the butterflies and Matjaz
Bedjanic and Karen Coniff on the Dragonflies. The photography has been undertaken
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principally by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne for the butterflies and shared with Matjaz
Bedjanic for the Dragonflies. Bedjanic is a researcher with the Slovenian Institute of
Conservation and the van der Poorten's are resident in Canada.
The Butterfly and the Dragonfly booklet were re-printed in February 2004.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SRI LANKA WILDLIFE NEWS is a monthly e-mail of birding and wildlife events,
sightings and short notes of interest to birders, photographers, conservationists etc. To
receive a copy, please e-mail gehan@jetwing.lk with "Subscribe Wildlife News" in the
subject header. SLWN values your privacy, to be removed, e-mail with “Unsubscribe
Wildlife News” in the header. Please e-mail your sightings, events etc to
gehan@jetwing.lk. The media are welcome to extract details, but please attribute the
source. Past issues are on www.jetwingeco.com
JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2004
277
SRI LANKA WILDLIFE NEWS (January & February 2004)
- a monthly (usually!) compilation by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne (24/02/2004)
HIGHLIGHTS
[*] Anoma Wijewardana on a Marine Mammal Safari in Indian Ocean Waters on the
M.V. Isis with Dr Charles Anderson and several hundred cetaceans (See ARTICLES)
[*] Barn Owl at Galle Face Hotel and Brown Bazas (Deepal Warakagoda) nesting at
Pattipola
[*] Ceylon Bird Club waterfowl census team visit the Wetlands of Jaffna
[*] Second records of Emerald Cuckoo by Upali Ekanayke and Nepali Red-rumped
Swallow by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne
[*] IUCN publish a guide to Sri Lankan Orchids (see NEW BOOKS)
EVENTS SUMMARY
Friday 27 February to Tuesday 2 March Voyages An Exhibition of Photographs by
staff of Studio Times. Harold Peris Gallery, Lionel Wndt Art Centre, Colombo. Includes
images by Nihal Fernando, one of Sri Lanka's most respected photographers.

12/10/2007
Saturday 28 February, Lecture series on birds for beginners. 9.30 am - 12.00. NBLT,
University of Colombo, Colombo 3. Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka Lecture
Series. In Sinhala, on Birds & People.
Saturday 27 March, Lecture series on birds for beginners. 9.30 am - 12.00. NBLT,
University of Colombo, Colombo 3. Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka Lecture
Series. In English, on Spot-billed Pelican by Kanchana Weerakoon of Eco Volunteers.
Thursday 15 April 2004 Course on the Plant & Animal Kingdoms (11 Days)
Dr. Janaki Galappatti and Dr. Sriyanie Miththapala will conduct an 11-day course titled
‘An overview of the plant and animal kingdoms’ from Thursday April 15 th 2004 onwards,
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This course is targeted at GCE OL and AL students, and specially
at students who have just finished their GCE Ordinary Level examination, are deeply
interested in biology and are looking for something challenging. Only a limited number
of places are available. Call for details on 2698696.
Saturday 24 April, Lecture series on birds for beginners. 9.30 am - 12.00. NBLT,
University of Colombo, Colombo 3. Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka Lecture
Series. Topic and speaker to be finalised.
BIRDING & WILDLIFE NEWS
Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne with members of his team and members of the Scottish
Ornithological Club were pleasantly surprised when a Barn Owl flew onto a Coconut
Tree on the lawn of the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo. It was around 8.15 pm on 11
February 2004.
Nadana Hewgamage on tour with David Massey (10 Feb 04) observed 3 endemic
Ceylon Hill Munias on the Simpson's Trail near Hunas Falls Hotel.
The Ceylon Bird Club Birding News (17 February 2004) carried the following reports.
Deepal Warakagoda reports a pair of Brown Bazas nesting at Pattipola on 12 Feb, in
the Eucalyptus trees behind the railway station.
He also reports a nest of the White-Necked Stork in Ruhuna National Park Block I at
Kota Bendi Wewa, and that the nest and nesting can be photo- graphed without difficulty.
Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne reports two Common Snipe at Kotte Marshes on 16 Feb,
off Sri Lanka Nippon Mawatha in the pond by the large bare area next to the football
ground.
Members of the Ceylon Bird Club Team who undertook a waterfowl census in Jaffna
have sent in this report. The annual waterbird census in the Jaffna wetlands sector was
carried out from 5 to 8 February 2004, for the Ceylon Bird Club in association with
Wetlands International, by C B Bavinck, Kithsiri Gunawardena, Kiran Kumaranayagam
and U Sirivardana. Amidst many beautiful landscapes in the peninsula, islands and
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mainland, a total of about 76,000 birds was counted. At least four rich sites had to be left
out: Delft, Punkudutivu and Mandaitivu islands and Chundikulam Sanctuary. 27,000
ducks included 8,000 Wigeon, 3,000 Shoveller and 244 of the relatively rare Common
Teal. Two flocks of small shorebirds, mostly or entirely Little Stint and Curlew
Sandpiper were estimated at 10,000 and 25,000, at Uppu Aru and Vadamaracchi Lagoon,
respectively.
By the Punnalai Causeway were 3,240 Black-tailed Godwit. The marsh by Mirusuvil
held 772 Openbill. The lagoon on the east of Kayts Island and the one at Kurukkukadal
on its west each had more than 2,700 Wigeon; the figure is more than 1% of the
population of the species in the Central-South Asia flyway, and if this occurs regularly
would qualify each of these two wetlands for Ramsar Site status. Only eight species of
gulls and terns were recorded this year, and among these were 570 Great Black-headed
Gull at Kurukkukadal. Five Spot-billed Pelican, whose numbers in Sri Lanka form a key
part of its world population, were seen at Uppu Aru. A total of 74 Eurasian Curlew and
25 Whimbrel were counted. 17 Common Coot including seven small young were
observed at Kelankamam Tank near Uduvil.
At Uppulavan Kalappu near Pooneryn was a gathering of 12 Great Stone-Plover. 120
species of birds were recorded in the sector. Rarities included two Osprey, a Booted
Eagle, 35 Broad-billed Sandpiper at Elephant Pass, two Terek Sandpiper at near
Punnalai, three Ruff and six Large Sand Plover. Of several 100 Black-winged Stilt seen
two were observed with black hindnecks, the northernmost records in Sri Lanka of such
birds, who are very probably visitors from India. Two individuals of Black Drongo were
observed to be larger and glossier than the others and with a sturdier tail, indicating the
migrant subspecies. Other raptors included Black Kite, very rare in the south but
common here, Brahminy Kite everywhere, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Marsh and
Montagu's Harriers at Avarankal, a few Kestrel and a Booted Eagle. On the way up
north, by the lonely and lovely Mamaduwa tank NE of Vavuniya two Orange-headed
Ground Thrush, a Brown Wood Owl and many vocal Indian Cuckoo were recorded. The
Ceylon Swallow was seen northwards up to Mankulam.
John Van de Dorl sends in the following notes on possible records of rarities. These
reports have to be confirmed as tentative until submitted to and accepted by the Rarities
Committee of the Ceylon Bird Club.
Steppe Buzzard (Buteo buteo vulpinus)
Considered by some to be a separate species, and by others the eastern race of Common
Buzzard (Buteo buteo). It winters in southern Africa and migrates up through the rift
valley and through Eilat in the 100,000s. This is where we have seen many thousands.
The rufous form is really only confusable with Long-legged Buzzard but structurally they
are very different, the latter being a much longer-winged bird with huge white patches on
the bases of the outer primaries and very large and dark carpel patches. We have
xperience of these in Eilat, Greece, Morocco and Nepal.
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A Steppe Buzzard was seen at Horton Plains on Jan 30 2004. It was a rufous bird,
(probably an adult) with very small carpel patches, black primary tips and trailing edge.
Pale primaries and secondaries. Chestnut underwing coverts and underbody, pale rufous
tail with insignificant sub-terminal tail bar. Upperparts grey-brown. Excellent views
through high powered telescope for a couple of minutes at a reasonably close range. A
very typical Steppe Buzzard.
Seen by our tour group and people with experience of the species like Ian Hodgson, Brian
Short and myself. It was also seen by Amila Salgado.
Possible White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus)
26th Jan 2004 Weerawila Tank
A Pelican looking off-white with very contrasting black primaries and secondaries flew
past very high with a few storks. I scoped it for some time also noting a yellow bill. I
called to the other birders present that I thought I had a White Pelican but nobody took
any notice as they were all busy with all the birds present. When eventually they
managed a look it had gone by and was flying away from us and was by now very
distant.
Due to its rarity in Sri Lanka I am not claiming it as a definite but should another record
occur this winter, then I would say this was a White Pelican. I have seen plenty of White
Pelicans before in both Europe and Africa as well as the American White. In actual fact I
think I have now completed the whole Pelican family, the Spot-billed being the last".
Lal de Silva sends in this information on the fauna and flora around Nuwara Eliya. "In
the upper montane cloud forest the most dominant native tree species Keena
(Calophyllum walkeri), is changing the color of the leaves much more rapidly than the
other tree species. The tree is identified by the thick leafy cabbage like crown, very
distinctive and can be observed in dark red, from a distance. This red flush takes place
before the commencement of the flowering season.
At St Andrews Hotel garden Maharath Mal (Rhododendran aberorum) is in bloom and
the blooms are of dark bright red in colour. This luxuriant native tree species dominating
the rolling mountain grasslands at Horton Plains National park is also blooming and a
very pretty sight to observe during this period of the year.
The newly created wetland reserve at St Andrews Hotel, the Wal Dunkola or Wil
Tobacco (Lobelia nicotianifolia) has begun flowering.The flower is two to three meters
in height from the ground, a dark purple and pinkish mixture colored inflorescence. The
individual flowers are clustered and compacted to form a lonf flowering peduncle. The
endemic Sri Lanka White-eye and bees are regulalry observed drinking the fine nectar
from this flower.
The population of the Cattle Egrets has increased to a greater extent in the wetland areas
of Lake Gregory. The Little Cormorant flocks are busy nesting among the Cypresuss
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papirus growing in the little islands of the lake and the Little Grebe flocks are also busy
collecting water weeds for nesting.
25 Jan 04 -Around 2.45pm, a pair of White-bellied Sea Eagle confronting a Brahminy
Kite was observed above Lake Gregory.
02-Feb-04 Walked on St Andrews Nature Trail with Mr. and Mrs. R.C. Rintoul. Around
4.30 p.m. five to six Sri Lanka Bush Warblers were feeding on the ground in thick
mountain Bamboo (Oclandra bamboosa) patch.
03-Feb-04 At Victoria park most of the under growth plant species are cleared which is
an obstacle to observe most of the rare migrant birds, mostly Indian Blue Robin, Pied
Thrush, Kashmir Flycatcher and Indian Pita, on a small un-cleared habitat at the far end
of the park an Indian Pita and a Kashmir Flycatcher were observed.
04-Feb-04 On our way to Horton Plains around 5.15 a.m., about two kilometers ahead of
Ambewella Livestock Farm a fully-grown Civet Cat crossed the road, glanced at the
vehicle with his sparkling eyes from the grass land and vanished into the forest.
We reached Arrenga Pool at 6.00 a.m. and spent about half an hour listening to Sri Lanka
Whistling Thrush calls. Later our attention was drawn towards calls nearby and a pair of
this endangered bird species was observed with in two to three meters on the grass patch
near the pool. A pair of Sri Lanka Woodpigeon was seen feeding on berries of the Kudu
Dawula tree (Neolitsea fuscata)".
Vernon Tissera sends in this report. "I was at Uda Walawa, 1st Feb -4th morning.
Saw a White Wagtail at the new tank spill (Gal-Amuna). Also quite a few Yellow
Wagtails".
There were quite a few Elephants in musth. One toppled a van,which had to be towed
away while the other pushed a double cab into a drain resulting in the front and rear
wheels of the right hand side being in the air.
Wicky Wickremasinghe (Jetwing Eco) on tour with Mr & Mrs Eric Lott and David
Lilley observed a Western Reef Egret and Ruff at Bundala on 29 January 2004. On 2nd
Feb 2004, at St Andrews Hotel in Nuwara Eliya they had an Indian Blue Robin, Kashmir
Flycatcher and a Blyth's Reed Warbelr in the gardens of the hotel.
Charles Santiapillai I had a very fruitful time in the north doing a survey of the
Thondamanaru Lagoon in the Jaffna peninsula. He writes, " Believe it or not, we came
across crocodiles. They were thought to be locally extinct for several decades, but given
the 18-years of armed conflict and the displacement of a huge segment of the population
from the peninsula, the crocs seem to have made a come-back! I have written about this
discovery to the Crocodile Specialist Group and also sent a popular article to the Sunday
Times. This shows how surveys are still needed. There are extensive mangroves in the
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penninsula, which are rich in bird life. I plan to get back and do a survey of the birds in
Chundikulam Sanctuary".
The Ceylon Bird Club Birding News carried the folowing reports.
"Upali Ekanayake reports
- a Black Drongo at Bundala NP on 10 Jan, near the White-bellied Sea
Eagle nest between the main road and the lagoon.
- a Caspian Plover at Kalametiya Sanctuary on Jan 10, in the water body
on the same side of the road as the DWLC quarters and about ¼ km
beyond it.
- a female Emerald Cuckoo at Sigiriya at 5.30 p.m on 17 Jan, in the fig tree
below the bund of Sigiriya Tank by the path to the Inner Moat, the second
record of the species in Sri Lanka, the first being in 1776.
- two Grey Drongos at Sigiriya on 18 Jan, in a tall tree in an open area by
Sigiriya Tank on its catchment side.
- a first-winter male Blue Rock Thrush at Sigiriya on 18 Jan, by Cobra Hood
Cave (Nai Pena Guhava).
Namal Kamalgoda reports 4,500-5,000 Wigeon at Mannar on 16 to 18 Jan,
in the water body between the main road and the Talladi-Vankalai road.
Permission from the Talladi Army camp is needed to approach it. If in a
vehicle please keep to previous tracks to avoid harm to birds' nests".
Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne had Leopard sightings on 5 successive game drives in Yala
between 15 - 18 January. Numerous sightings were reported from the park during his
visit. The trackers also conveyed reports of sightings in the previous week of four
leopards being seen together.
On 18 Jan he found 3-4 Nepali Red-rumped Swallow sub adults, on the telephone wires
in the Palatupana Salt Pans.This is believed to be the second confirmed record of the
species occcurence in Sri Lanka. The birds are heavily streaked underneath and pale
below.
On 17 Jan, one of the Kota Bendi Wewa cubs was sighted on a Maliththan tree at the
Talgasmanakda - Gonalabbe Meda Para junction. It slept on the tree for two hours and at
one time had an admiring audience of 19 vehicles. The visitors were well behaved and
made no noise to disturb the sleeping Leopard.
ARTICLES
Marine Mammal Safari in Indian Ocean Waters - 8 nights on the M.V.ISIS with Dr
Charles Anderson and several hundred cetaceans
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- Anoma Wijewardana
Flying into the Maldives on a full moon night the islands lie like dark stains on a silver
silk of sea. I am full of apprehension and anticipation as I replay in my mind my cruise of
2001 with Chas and wonder what this repeat trip will hold. The first came about thanks to
Rohan Pethyagoda, who alerted me to the fact that I didn’t have to go as far as Florida to
realise a long held dream.
However, it is soothing to reflect on the many hues of indigo, aqua and turquoise tones of
the ocean, hear and smell the deep sea, feel the salt wind on one's skin and relax into the
rocking of the gentle swell.
Chas spots a silver streak ahead and we change course to pursue it and come upon a
whirling swirling dervish exuberance of Spinner Dolphins leaping several feet, twisting
and turning and splashing and as we approach them they join us to bowride and thrill. I
think they are my favourite as I love their high spinning leaps and pale slim bodies with
the three part colour pattern. After some considerable time in their exhilarating company
we reluctantly head for our anchorage and take the launch for our evening snorkel on the
reef, encountering a Porcupine Fish amongst the many hued Parrot, Trigger and Fusilier
Fish. The colour combinations are a designer’s delight, ranging as they do from
restrained and subtly elegant to neon, bizarre and brilliant. The plankton glow like blue
sapphire drops. We return for yet another swim off the back of the Isis, sunset drinks on
the top deck and the evening slide lecture on Risso's, Bottlenose (Tursiops spp) and
Spinner Dolphins. Crash out exhausted on the top deck after a huge dinner and enjoy the
Milky Way.
Next morning at 7.30 those of us who aren’t jetlagging leap into the launch and head out
to the channel and see Spinners even before we get our masks on, and as we plunge in to
join them we are privileged to watch as close as 8 metres away several pods dive and
regroup and enjoy after a night of feeding. Watching them blow bubble rings which then
rose up and enveloped us was a quite marvellous start to the day which went on to
include still more Spinners bowriding and a Swinhoe's Storm Petrel(Oceanodroma
monorhis), Saunder's Little Tern (Sterna saundersi), and Brown and Lesser Noddies
(Anous stolidus and Anous tenuirostris) which ornithologist Graham Tucker particularly
enjoyed!
Another fascinating lecture on Pan Tropical Spotted (Stenella attenuata),Striped, and
Frazier's Dolphins and the Yellow Fin Tuna. After dinner we witness a massive haul of
around 30 Snapper and Grouper the crew bring in from their evening fishing trip. At
breakfast I discover the Sri Lankan cook making roti's for the crew and beg one and
perhaps a little sambol. It becomes an instant favourite amongst the group, all European
but clearly red hot chilli pepper lovers!
We leave Vaavu Atoll for a long ride crossing the Inter Atoll Sea to Dhoores Atoll
accompanied by pods of bowriding Bottlenose Dolphins, dark, robust and chunky, and
yet one leaps 3 metres into the air right by us. We stop midway to swim off the boat in a
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1,000 feet (300 metres) of deepest azure blue sea with the midday rays slanting into the
clear water. Lazily scanning after lunch we see a large group of 20-30 Short-finned Pilot
Whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) and spend over an hour with them. Despite
several calves being with them and they come close enough to see their single blowholes
and the sleek charcoal of their bodies. We are all silenced and awe-struck by their grace
and majesty, and the soothing whoosh of their blows. I hark back to the previous trip
where they surrounded the boat and were calling and singing like the Sirens of Greek
mythology, or so it seemed to us, and Chas decided that we could slip into the very calm
silky water with them. A memorable and magical moment. No wonder Mark Carwadine
returns yearly. I wish I could.
Snorkelling, sunset drinks and a lecture on Pilot, Melon Headed, False Killer (Pseudorca
crassidens) and Killer Whales before a curry dinner and an impromptu lecture on stars as
we lie on our backs tracing Orion, Sirius and Mars on the top deck replete with good
sightings, food, convivial and very amusing company. Another day brings Risso's
Dolphins gentle and unhurried, keeping their distance with a tiny calf, but one could
clearly pick out their numerous white scars. Later we encounter around 40 Spinners
cartwheeling flashily after our morning visit to the fishing island Rimbudhoo. Lecture on
Bryde's, Sperm, Blue and Humpback Whales given with Chas's usual wit and humour
making this subject accessible to us laymen and non-scientists.
A few mornings some of us manage to do Yoga and Tai Chi on the top deck before
snorkelling and this morning I see a Dorado Fish. Just as well as this turns out to be one
of those days we have all experienced in the jungle where nature seems devoid of any
creature. The wind gusts up and the swell and white caps make it difficult to spot
anything. No blows, no splashes, no logging. As 12 binoculars scan the horizon the
frustration and disappointment builds up till Rene gently reminds us that this is Nature,
not Entertainment. We retrieve the day by enjoying a lovely beach barbecue on the
uninhabited little island of Dhiggaa in Ari Atoll, and just appreciating the healing
qualities of blue and discovering Phosphorescence in the sparkling sea. Stars above, stars
below, we are truly blessed. We lie on the top deck yet again and are treated to the most
enthralling lecture on Atolls and the earth’s movements several million years ago.
To make up for the drought, on the following day we disturb around 30 False Killer
Whales pack hunting a Sailfish who is clearly injured and I am torn between wanting to
save the fish and witness a kill but he recovers enough to drop his ashen sail and show off
his beautiful blue body before diving to safety. Its very exciting indeed to be able to
watch for so long, perhaps an hour and a half, a hunt such as this. Some lively Pantropical
Spotted Dolphins displaying their pale face patch visiting us to bowride and play in the
wake. Later in the day while snorkelling we see a Hawksbill Turtle and Napolean
Wrasse, dash back on board to change and go onshore to Nika Resort for sunset cocktails
and I overindulge with a Golden Volcanoe and a Margharita!
The next morning I discover the best antidote for a hangover - Manta Rays! We are
amazed to swim as close as 2 metres to around 20 of them. I got so close I thought I
would end up, along with the plankton, inside his open jaw and back pedalled furiously
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while clicking away. Over 6' across and moving elegantly and stealthily they are utterly
mesmerising, and we leaped in and out of the launch 5 times in our pursuit of the thrill of
being with them. They seemed to sanction, even enjoy our company! Later on in the day
we have difficulty identifying some Risso's due to uncharacteristically boisterous
behaviour and are reminded that its St Valentines day and so why not an orgy of
Risso's!!!
At teatime we have a surprise - a cake to celebrate Joan's birthday and mine which falls
this month, and there is not a little sadness that we must all go our separate ways. A
lecture on Rough Toothed Dolphins, Dwarf Sperm Whales and the Beaked Whales,
which I remember seeing on the previous trip. Chas treats us to his photographs of the
very rare Longman's Beaked Whale and details of his research. Its our last night and we
have a grand dinner of curry, baked fish and various deserts and dance with the crew on
deck, ending somewhat abruptly with Graham's blood sacrifice drama. Needless to say
the next mornings snorkelling brought both a White Tipped and a Black Tipped Shark,
quite benign in their behaviour. I was far more disturbed by the huge hideous Moray Eel!
On the 2001 trip I had seen 9 different species of cetacean and while this time the total
was only 6 I did enjoy 32 sightings, recorded 18 species of birds, snorkelled with
Spinners and Manta Ray and witnessed the False Killer Whales hunt a Sailfish; and met
some interesting and amusing people.
As we return to Male and our last acrobatic Spinners I reflect on how cleansing, soothing
and energising it has been and how seductive these cetaceans are and how subtly we
seem to absorb their sense of harmony, their exuberance, their sheer unadulterated joy
and serenity. I have to admit however, that I am not adjusting well to being back on dry
land!
Forest Gardens (Home Gardens)
- Dhammithra Samarasinghe
In Sri Lanka forest gardens have been a dominant form of land use for centuries. Agro
forestry systems similar to this form are known throughout the tropics. Home gardens
make a substantial contribution to agricultural production and it is estimated that there are
now a total of around 1.33 million home gardens in Sri Lanka accounting for about
3, 67,800 ha of cultivated land. The mix of crops varies according to the climate, with the
widest range of crops found in the wet and intermediate zones. Fully developed home
gardens afford excellent conservation possibilities similar to those of a natural forest and
are considered as important sites for in-situ conservation of crop germ plasm.
The structure of the home garden is multi-storey. However, the appearance varies in
relation to the practices of individual farmer such as weeding, pruning, fencing and
digging etc. Generally, a canopy (20m) with large fruit and timber producing trees, a subcanopy
(10m) with medium sized fruit and spice trees, and a shrub/herb layer (2m) with
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plantation crops can be clearly identified, although all these layers may not present in
every home garden.
Forest gardens produce a wide variety of agricultural crops, food, fuel wood, timber,
medicinal plants and fruit trees in multi-storey arrangements. Common fruit trees are
Banana, Avocado, Mangosteen, Rambutan and Durian. Teak and Jak are good timber
trees. The main food trees are Jak, Coconut and Breadfruit. Jak fruit is a basic
carbohydrate component of the villager’s diet. Some home gardens are larger farming
systems which may also include rice fields, vegetable fields and plantation crops such as
tea and coffee. Spice gardens are a special form of home gardens where you find shrubs
and trees of varying heights, dominating as a mixed cropping system. This kind is largely
seen in intermediate zone and is mainly composed of perennial spices such as Pepper,
Cloves, Cardamom and Nutmeg. Gliricidia is grown as a host plant to facilitate the
growth of pepper vines and also as a source of soil enrichment. Also villages collect
vegetable crops like Gotukola from the ground cover of the home gardens. Sugar Palm or
Kitthul tree provides honey, Juggery (a crude local sugar) and toddy (an excellent local
brew) made out from the sap of the flower. Households gather 75 -100 percent of their
firewood from their gardens.
Home gardens are important faunal habitats providing animals with feeding and nesting
sites. The high species richness of birds and butterflies in home gardens bares direct
testimony to this.
Today however, only those categorised as forest gardens or the typical home gardens in
the districts of Kandy, Matale, Kegalle and Kurunegala are worthy of being recognised as
such, and even these are now known to be dwindling due to land fragmentation caused by
the rapidly changing socio-economic conditions in these areas.
Sri Lanka’s endemic birds: how many species?
- Ashoka Yapa
I still recall the frisson of excitement that buzzed through me when, as a boy, I peered at a
disturbance atop a grove of tall trees beside Tanamalwila Resthouse. There, I saw a party
of Red-faced Malkohas. There was no mistaking them. Plate 14 of G.M. Henry’s bible
was writ large in front of my eyes! Big, noisy, and ungainly, but beautiful! These were
not the first endemics on my list but, surely, these were the rarest birds I had ever seen or
ever would see. Yes, they were rare even then, in the 1960s.
The number of species of endemic birds in Sri Lanka has long stirred disagreement.
‘Splitters’ and ‘lumpers’ can go hammer and tongs over the subject. Morphological
characters such as colour differences, beak length, feather dimensions, and vocalizations,
amongst other things, have been the traditional criteria for delineating species
distinctness. Some authorities have stated that there are 23 endemic bird species in the
island whereas others have put the number at 26; a definitive answer will be elusive
because of advancing science and constant debate.
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In any event, we will soon have more endemic species gracing Sri Lanka’s fair land. An
article in the latest Bulletin of the Oriental Bird Club (38, Dec. 2003) written by Dr.
Nigel Collar of Cambridge University posits that the number of bird species in South
Asia is significantly underestimated. He compared subspecies numbers of bird families
that occupy similar ecological niches in the Americas and in southern Asia and concluded
that there was an 8 % disparity. This is for sure a “flawed, flimsy” methodology, as the
author himself admits, and certainly unscientific, but the point to be made is that avian
taxonomy in Asia may have suffered from a particularly conservative approach compared
to that in the Americas. As Dr. Collar says, “species limits…may have been established
on relatively weak authority”.
An upcoming book, yes another (and most welcome!) volume on the now-richly
endowed ornithology of South Asia, ‘Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide’ by Pamela
Rasmussen and John Anderton will offer a corrective. The word is that some of Sri
Lanka’s subspecies will be elevated to full species status. This will be based on rigorous
studies by Dr. Rasmussen of the behaviour, voice, geographical isolation, morphology,
and genetic analysis, amongst other criteria, of ‘subspecies’ in the island. I suspect that
related Indian ‘subspecies’ will also be upgraded to species status.
It will be interesting to observe the results of a revision of Sri Lanka’s avian taxonomy.
There will be conservation consequences for sure because we may have new species, not
merely subspecific forms of Indian birds, that occupy small and vulnerable habitats.
Upcountry habitats and the southwestern forests are the most likely areas to contain new
species. Ecotourism will also get a boost as naturalists come to view the ‘new’ species
amongst an enriched avifauna. A friend of mine from Hong Kong has already alluded to
the prospect. For once, the Red-faced Malkohas, those cacophonous comics of the
canopy, may be overshadowed as species-listers from all over the globe eagerly search
for our newly minted species!
Natural History Report from Yala Safari Game Lodge for the Month of December
2003.
- Chandra Jayawardena, Nilantha Kodituwakku and Nadeera Weerasinghe
Leopards
35 encounters involving 43 leopards, in 15 days, these sightings were evenly distributed
through out the park.
Bears
11 encounters involving 12 bears in 08 days, sightings were evenly distributed through
out the park.
Tuskers
10 encounters involving 10 tuskers in 07 days, sightings were evenly distributed through
out the park
(The sightings include multiple sightings of individual animals).
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Birds
The diversity of migratory bird species was high, totaling a number of species at 52,
when compared with the 41 migratory species recorded in November 2003. Among the
interesting sightings the European Bee-eaters were recorded twice in the park and the
Great Knot and the Red-necked Phalarope, single sightings each at the Palatupana. A
guest to the hotel, location unknown, had recorded sighting of a Glossy Ibis. Among the
forest birds the Rosy Starlings appeared to be in fairly large flocks and the Philippine and
Brown Shrikes were sighted in the park and in the environs frequently. Among the local
birds the Malarbar-pied Hornbills were seen frequently in flocks of 8 to 10 birds
Flora
During the month of December, a total number of 69 plant species that were identified
were observed in flowering and fruiting. Of which 35 plant species were in bloom, when
compared with 44 plant species in November, when compared with 11 plant species in
fruiting in November, in December it was 17 plant species and in both months 17 species
were in flowering and fruiting.
Weather
The area did not experience the expected amount of rainfall as in the previous year and as
a result the lagoon did not accumulate enough water to force the sand bar open into the
sea
NEW BOOKS
Some of the following details are from the publisher's press releases.
Orchids of Sri Lanka A Conservationists Companion. A Simplified Guide to
Identification. Volume 1. The protected orchids and selected similar species. Authored by
Malik Fernando, Siril Wijesundera and Suranjan Fernando. Published by IUCN Sri
Lanka. 147 pages with colour photographs and illustrations and line drawings. 50 Species
are illustrated in and described in a field guide format. ISBN 955 - 8177-23-7
This is a wonderful book BUT copies are not presently available for sale as the Guide
was published primarily to support law enforcement, and the copies have thus been
distributed to the relevant agencies. However those with an interest in the conservation or
the study of orchids may contact IUCN (Charmalie/Dihan on 94 11 + 2682418/2694094)
or refer to a copy in the IUCN library (opening times: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday to Friday)
at 53 Horton Place, Colombo 7. Based on the degree of public interest, there may then be
a case for a reprint.
Field Guide to the Birds of Northern India by Richard Grimmett, Tim Inskipp ISBN
0713651679. 304 pages. 216x135 mm. Illustrations 120 colour plates..
The successor to the much acclaimed Birds of the Indian Subcontinent by the same
authors. Covering just northern India, the superb plates are accompanied by a succinct
text highlighting identification, voice, habitat, altitudinal range, distribution and status.
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The text is on facing pages to the plates, for easy reference. As with previous titles
covering Bhutan and Nepal, this guide is a perfect size for use in the field and will be an
essential companion when visiting this region.
Whose Bird? Men and Women Commemorated in the Common Names of Birds by
Bo Beolens, Michael Watkins. ISBN 0713666471. Paperback 400 pages. 216x135 mm.
Illustrations b/w photographs, line drawings. Foreword by Ben Schott
Was Bonaparte’s Gull named after Napoleon? Was Pallas’ Warbler discovered by the
same individual who discovered Pallas’s Sandgrouse, and if so did he discover the two
birds at the same time on the same journey? Whose Bird? answers these questions and
many more by presenting a potted biography of every individual whose name is
commemorated in a species of bird. 2,235 birds and 1,124 individuals are covered. This is
a wonderful and engaging reference, illustrated throughout with portraits of the
individuals concerned.
Birds of Belize by H. Lee Jones. Helm Field Guides ISBN 0713667605 Format
Paperback 484 pages. 282 x 152 mm. Illustrations 56 colour plates, 234 maps, 28 B/W
illustrations.
Central America is a wonderful birding area, supporting a rich and diverse avifauna.
Belize is one of its more accessible and tourist-friendly countries, beginning to rival
Costa Rica as the most popular Central American birding destination of all.
The colour distribution maps indicate the range of breeding and visiting species. This is
the first guide ever published to the birds of Belize, and will be a vital aid to all those
birdwatching in this spectacular country.
Jetwing Photographic Guides for Dragonflies and Butterflies
These booklets precede work underway on a larger book which will combine birds,
butterflies and dragonflies. The format of the booklets is to depict a selection of species
to facilitate easy reference and identification in the field. The booklet on Dragonflies is
an important publication as it represents the first step, to produce a guide for field work.
It has 88 images representing 65 species. Dragonflies and Damselflies are not easy to
identify in the field and a fuller book will be published in due course which has
accompanying text. The butterfly booklet has 63 images depicting 62 species. They will
be available at leading bookshops with an expected retail price of around Rs 100.
The two booklets are produced by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne who has drawn on the
technical expertise of Michael and Nancy van der Poorten on the butterflies and Matjaz
Bedjanic and Karen Coniff on the Dragonflies. The photography has been undertaken
principally by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne for the butterflies and shared with Matjaz
Bedjanic for the Dragonflies. Bedjanic is a researcher with the Slovenian Institute of
Conservation and the van der Poorten's are resident in Canada.
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The Butterfly and the Dragonfly booklet were re-printed in February 2004.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SRI LANKA WILDLIFE NEWS is a monthly e-mail of birding and wildlife events,
sightings and short notes of interest to birders, photographers, conservationists etc. To
receive a copy, please e-mail gehan@jetwing.lk with "Subscribe Wildlife News" in the
subject header. SLWN values your privacy, to be removed, e-mail with “Unsubscribe
Wildlife News” in the header. Please e-mail your sightings, events etc to
gehan@jetwing.lk. The media are welcome to extract details, but please attribute the
source. Past issues are on www.jetwingeco.com
DECEMBER 2003
290
SRI LANKA WILDLIFE NEWS (December 2003)
- a monthly compilation by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne (21/01/2004)
HIGHLIGHTS
[*] Uditha Wijesena visits Meemure in the Knuckles Area. See Trip Reports/Articles.
[*] Hasantha Lokugamage on the Rainforests of Galle
[*] Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne heralds the New Year in Yala. See Trip Reports/Articles.
[*] Hotel Tree of Life, the best chance in Sri Lanka for the Grey Flying Squirrell.
[*] Spoonbill wins Rs.100, 000 (Approx USD 1,000) top prize in Nature Photographer
2003. See Press Releases.
[*] New books from Helm include a Field Guide to the Birds of Northern India.
EVENTS SUMMARY
Sunday 25 January, Lecture series on birds for beginners. 9.30 am - 12.00. NBLT,
University of Colombo, Colombo 3. Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka Lecture
Series.
20 - 22 February 2004 Nature Camp 2004 at the Uda Walawe National Park and the
International Center for the Training of Rural Leaders, Embilipitiya. Organised by the
Institute of Sri Lankan Photographers (ISLP). Rs 4,000 for non ISLP members (Sri
Lankan rate). Lectures, slide shows and 2 game drives for photography. For bookings and
more details phone the ISLP on 011 2580933.
Thursday 15 April 2004 Course on the Plant & Animal Kingdoms (11 Days)
Dr. Janaki Galappatti and Dr. Sriyanie Miththapala will conduct an 11-day course titled
‘An overview of the plant and animal kingdoms’ from Thursday April 15 th 2004 onwards,
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This course is targeted at GCE OL and AL students, and specially

12/10/2007
at students who have just finished their GCE Ordinary Level examination, are deeply
interested in biology and are looking for something challenging.
The course will give students a good overview of the evolution and diversity of both
plants and animals, and will range from the basics of the five-kingdom classification and
the primordial soup, to the evolution of humans. It will include three, day field trips,
hands-on learning and multimedia presentations.
Students who plan to follow Biology as a subject either for Local or London A/Ls or
students who have a keen interest in nature will benefit from this broad-brush overview
of plants and animals. The course will be conducted in English
Only a limited number of places are available. Call now for details. (2698696)
BIRDING & WILDLIFE NEWS
Namal Kamalgoda send in this report after a visit to Mannar (15-17 Jan). "Vankali area
had plenty of ducks, consisting mainly of Wigeon and Pintail. Some Shovellers and
Common Teal made up the numbers. I hope this is not a message to all the Colombo
hunters to pack their bags and head to Mannar. Most of the best viewing is in high
security zones. Three Spot-billed Ducks at Giant Tank, as was Glossy Ibis. Grey
Partridge were evident everywhere. A pair of Avocets where also present. Korakulam
tank was being used as a roost by Greater Black Headed Gulls. This tank is also home to
crocodiles as three individuals where noted sunning themselves. Talimannar beach was
very productive with Heuglins gulls and Caspian Terns, also present were Crab Plover
and Sanderling. An area of concern was the number of stray dogs on the Vankalai plains.
Apparently they form into packs and hunt donkeys and cattle. Judging by the reactions of
the ducks, I believe they predate them too. I fear that the dogs maybe taking a high toll
on the ground nesting birds. Dr. T.S.U. de Zylva, had 20 years ago observed Indian
Courser breeding on the Vankalai plains, sadly they are no ground nesting birds there
except for the occasional Red-wattled Lapwing. The Indian Courser has eluded birders in
Sri-Lanka for several years and none have been reported in recent times".
Wicky Wickremesekara (Jetwing Eco) on tour with Kay and David White observed
European Bee-eaters at Talgasmankada, Yala on 18 Jan. They also had 3 Leopards
together at Talgasmanakada.
Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne had Leopard sightings on 5 successive game drives in Yala
between 15 - 18 January. Numerous sightings were reported from the park during his
visit. The trackers also conveyed reports of sightings in the previous week of four
leopards being seen together.
On 18 Jan he found 3-4 Nepali Red-rumped Swallow sub adults, on the telephone wires
in the Palatupana Salt Pans.
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On 17 Jan, one of the Kota Bendi Wewa cubs was sighted on a Maliththan tree at the
Talgasmanakda - Gonalabbe Meda Para junction. It slept on the tree for two hours and at
one time had an admiring audience of 19 vehicles. The visitors were well behaved and
made no noise to disturb the sleeping Leopard.
Indian Pitta, a migrant visitor from northern India paid a surprise visit to
Damparagahawatta, Piliyandala on 11th January. Chandrika Maelge (Jetwing Eco
Holidays, reports a brief encounter with this brightly coloured bird in her home garden.
Hetti (Jetwing Eco) on tour with Elder Treks clients reports (13 Jan 2004) all 4 species of
parakeets at a roost near Hunas Falls Hotel. He also found a male Blue Rock Thrush in
Sigiriya (9 Jan 2004).
Amila Salgado (Jetwing Eco) visiting Bodhinagala on 7 Jan reports excellent views of
Chestnut-backed Owlet and Green-billed Coucal. On 11 Jan at Talangama Tank he
reports Black and Yellow Bitterns. On 12 at Sinharaja among many things he reports
Red-faced Malkoha, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Spot-winged Thrush & Ashy-headed
Laughing Thrush.
Ajantha Palihawadane from Rainforest Rescue International reports Malabar Trogon,
Spot-winged Thrush, Grey Hornbill, male Sri Lankan Frogmouth and Lorikeet from the
South of Sinharaja on the 10th of December 2003. Ajantha Palihawadana also reports
from Kothmale on the 26st of December, a colony of Java Sparrow (Padda oryzivora).
Johan Tornvall visited Kobonilla, Knuckles on Dec 20-21 and reports "I had several
sightings of Black Eagle as well as one Rufous-bellied Eagle and one Booted Eagle.
Plum-headed Parakeet was common here with several small groups flying around. In
early morning and evening, the call of the Common Hawk Cuckoo was heard from
several places".
He adds "I spent two mornings at the Kalametiya wetland on Dec 28-29. Large numbers
of ducks were present, mainly Garganey and Northern Pintail among them I also found 4
Northern Shoveller. Among the other waterbirds 5 Yellow Bittern, 2 Black Bittern, 2
Glossy Ibis, 6 Ruff and 1 Caspian Plover. Also flying around were several flocks of Rosy
Starlings mixed up with Brahminy Starlings".
Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne visited the Hotel Tree of Life in Kandy with his family
and the families of Chanaka & Ranitha Ellawala and Suren & Deepika Kannagara (21-23
December). Thanks to a tip off by Doctor Wimal Piyathilake, the resident Ayurveda
Physician, they had very good viewing of three Ceylon Large Flying Squirrel or Grey
Flying Squirrel. The squirrels are used to people and emerge at dusk onto Albizia trees
near the visiotr center. Gehan believes that the Hotel Tree of Life is your best chance in
Sri Lanka to see these elsuive animals which have not been seen my many wildlife
enthusiasts.
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Hasantha Lokugamage (Naturalist, Lighthouse Hotel & Spa) send in a series of
observations from the rainforests around Galle.
"From middle of September to end of November I have observed one orchid
species with pink and white coloured small flowers from rock boulders in
Anagimala Ella Waterfall in Kanneliya. I have identified this orchid as a Dendrobium
penduratum with Ajantha Palihawadanas (Rainforest Rescue International) help. It
is an endemic and rare orchid.
The Flora of Ceylon, Vol. II by M.D. Dasanayeke and F.R. Frosberg, has this to say on
its distributon. "It is on branches of trees in the submontane or mid-country
tropical wet evergreen forests extending on to the subtropical montane
forests up to 1,829m alt. Ambagamuwa, Galboda, Hantane, Ramboda, Nuwara
Eliya, Hakgala, Balangoda, etc".
This may be the first record from this area.
On 12th December, I went Kanneliya with Eva Holms (My Travel Sweden) & family.
We started our walk at about 11 am from the Kanneliya Information Centre. On the road
side from information centre to Anagimala Ella, we observed seven gravid females, four
males and sixteen tiny little juveniles of Earless Lizard (Otocryptis wigmanii). This is
may be the breeding season for them. Also we observed the harmless Green Whip Snake
(Ahetulla nasutus) from and the endemic, rare snake called Malkarawala (Balanophis
ceylonensis) near the Anagimala Ella Waterfall.
On 16th December, I bird watched at Hiyare with Dany and Victoria from the
UK. At 8.00am we were at near Hiyare reservoir and started our birding with Green
Imperial Pigeons on the trees close to the entrance gate. We had good views of
Black-capped Bulbul, Hanging Parrot, Brown-headed Barbet, Pale-billed
Flowerpecker and Tickell's Blue Flycatcher. Crimson-fronted Barbet have nests in
one of the trees and we saw them feed their chicks. After a few minutes, two
Alexandrian Parakeets flew away from the forest canopy. We heard Grey Hornbill. Other
birds seen inluded Yellow-fronted Barbet, Scarlet Minivet, Dark-fronted Babbler, Browncapped-Babbler,
Emerald Dove, Red-vented Bulbul, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Greater
Flameback, Yellow-browed Bulbul, Jerdon's Leafbird, Brown Shrike etc.
On 17th December, Dany, Victoria and George went with me to Kanneliya with me for
more birding. At about 9.00am we were at close to the Kanneliya entrance gate and we
spotted a Kingfisher on the top of a Dipterocarpus. But we had a doubt whether it is
White-throated Kingfisher or not. We used Danny's spotting scope and realised it was a
Black-capped Kingfisher.
The mammals we observed included Purple- faced Leaf Monky, Toque Monkey and
Giant Squirrel.
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On 29th December, at about 9.00pm a juvenile Brown Hawk Owl collided into a
window pane at the Lighthouse Hotel. Due to the accident it was concussed. I kept it
covered with a cloth and moved it to a dark place. After 15 minutes, it flew away".
Ceylon Bird Club Birding News (30 December 2003) reported "Kithsiri
Gunawardena, Ravi Samarasinha and Palitha Antony report that at
the Mannar Causeway on both 26 and 27 Dec, 15 - 25 Crab Plovers including
several young could be observed and photographed at very close range from
inside a vehicle between 10 a.m and 2 p.m.
The Ceylon Bird Club Birding News (25 December) carried a report from Namal
Kamalgoda reporting "a Scaly Thrush at Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya at about 5.30 p.m
on 11 Dec and a Lesser Kestrel at Horton Plains on 12 Dec in the large open area beyond
the Dormitory when travelling from the Pattipola side".
Johan Tornvall reports that on a visit to Navadamkulama (6 Dec) he observed just over
200 Common Coot, 30 Garganey and a Yellow Bittern. In Anuradhapura (6 Dec) he
found a Plaintive Cuckoo and a migrant Indian Cuckoo.
Johan visited Mannar on 7 Dec and observed good numbers of waterfowl. He observed
3,000 plus Northern Pintail, 28 Broad-billed Sandpiper and 5 Temminck's Stints. He
observed 2 Spot-billed Duck just west of the A14/B420 junction, 50m from the road".
REQUEST FOR IMAGES
Dr Arun Kumar from the Zoological Survey of India send in the following request for
images of Indian Waterbirds.
I am a senior scientist working with Zoological Survey of India, Ministry of Environment
& Forests, Govt. of India at Dehra Dun, India. I am leading a group of scientists of ZSI
who are regularly working on Indian Waterbirds since last more than a decade. We have
published a few papers on the subject and brought out a Field Guide on “Waterbirds of
Northern India” in 2001, reprinted in 2002 under the auspices of Zoological Survey of
India. I hope you have come across this publication. We have described about 208 forms
of Water and wetland dependant birds in the above handbook, which are illustrated with
color paintings of each taxon for facilitating their identification in field.
Following our recent publication of Checklist of Indian Waterbirds (comprising 309
species, Bueceros, 2003) we are currently working on a “Handbook on Indian
Waterbirds” (covering sea, estuarine & inland wetlands), where our efforts are to provide
diagnostics, paintings and distribution map of each species. Our intention is to further
enhance the field value of this publication by including as many, as possible, photographs
of waterbirds from Indian region. As it is not possible for one person to put together these
photographs I am requesting you to contribute water bird images in the handbook.
Already many birders like Gehan Wijayaratne are helping me in this endeavor.
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Of course these would be duly acknowledged as your contribution along with the address
of your individual website.
I must mention here that the proposed book would a official publication of Zoological
Survey of India, which would be published and printed by ZSI and would be of no
financial profit to the authors since the book would be sold as an official Govt
publication. As a matter of fact to popularize the conservation effort in the country, ZSI
would subsidize the cost of publication and the Handbook would be sold at no profit
basis.
Under the circumstances I would be very thankful for your contribution in making our
efforts on waterbird conservation more useful by contributing your photographs. If you
were willing to contribute your photographs than kindly respond following which I would
mail you the procedure for sending the photographs. Photographs from the websites
cannot be used, as such for printing since they would not give good results due to low
resolution. I would request high resolution TIFF. Files. In case you are interested I would
mail you the checklist of the Indian Waterbirds, which has been published by me recently
(2003).
List of Waterbirds from India whose photographs are requested for Handbook on Indian
waterbirds
Divers - Black-throated Diver, Horned Grebe, Barau’s Petrel, Petrels & Shearwaters,
Bulwer’s Petrel, Jouanin’s Petrel, Wedge-tailed Shearwater, * Audubon’s Shearwater, *
Persian Shearwater, Storm-Petrels, Wilson’s Storm-Petrel, White-faced Storm-Petrel, *
Swinhoe’s Storm Petrel, Tropicbirds, Grey-backed Tropicbird, Red-tailed Tropicbird,
Boobies, Masked Booby, Frigatebirds, Great Frigatebird, Christmas Island Frigatebird,
Herons, Egrets & Bitterns - Goliath Heron, White-bellied Heron, Chinese Pond-
Heron, Malayan Night-Heron, Little Bittern, Great Bittern, Storks - Black Stork,
Flamingos - Lesser Flamingo, Swans, Geese & Ducks - Large Whistling-Duck,
White-headed Duck, * Tundra Swan, Bean Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose,
Red-breasted Goose, Common Shelduck, White-winged Duck, Mandarin Duck,
Falcated Duck, Andaman Teal, Baikal Teal, Ferruginous Pochard, Baer’s Pochard,
Greater Scaup, Long-tailed Duck, Common Goldeneye, Smew, Red-breasted
Merganser , Common Merganser, Rails, Crakes, Moorhens & Coots, Andaman Crake,
Red-legged Crake, Slaty-legged Crake, Blue-breasted Rail, Water Rail, Corn Crake,
Brown Crake, Elwes’s Crake, Little Crake, Baillon’s Crake, Spotted Crake,
Finfoots - Masked Finfoot, Plovers, Dotterels & Lapwings - European Golden Plover,
Black-fronted Dotterel, Northern Lapwing, White-tailed Lapwing, Sandpipers, Stints,
Snipes, Godwits & Curlews - Solitary Snipe, Wood Snipe, Swinhoe’s Snipe, Great
Snipe, Common Snipe, Jack Snipe, Spotted Redshank, Spotted Greenshank, Longbilled
Dowitcher, Asian Dowitcher, Spoonbill Sandpiper, Dunlin, Buff-breasted
Sandpiper, Ibisbill, Avocets & Stilts - Ibisbill, Pied Avocet, Phalaropes, Red
Phalarope, Crab-Plovers - Crab-Plover, Jagers and Skuas, * Brown Skua, * South
Polar Skua, Pomarine Jaeger, Parasitic Jaeger, Gulls, Terns & Noddies - Sooty Gull,
Mew Gull, * Yellow-legged Gull, Slender-billed Gull, Little Gull, River Tern,
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Roseate Tern, Black-naped Tern, Arctic Tern, White-cheeked Tern, Bridled Tern,
Sooty Tern, White-winged Black Tern, Brown Noddy, * Black Noddy, Skimmers -
Indian Skimmer, Wetland Dependent Birds - Hawks, Eagles, Kites & Harriers, Whitebellied
Sea-Eagle, Lesser Grey-headed Fish-Eagle, Greater Grey-headed Fish-Eagle,
Western Marsh-Harrier, Eastern Marsh-Harrier, Greater Spotted Eagle, *Steppe Eagle,
Eastern Imperial Eagle, Osprey, Osprey, Falcons - Peregrine Falcon, Partridges -
Swamp Francolin, Kingfishers - Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, Brown-winged Kingfisher,
Collared Kingfisher, Bee-eaters, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater,,
Swallows & Martins, *Pale Martin, Plain Martin, Common Swallow, Wire-tailed
Swallow, Streak-throated Swallow, Wagtails & Pipits - White Wagtail, Large Pied
Wagtail, Citrine Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Rosy Pipit, *Water Pipit,
*Buff-bellied Pipit, Dippers - White-throated Dipper, Wrens, Winter Wren, Thrushes,
Shortwings, Robins, Forktails, Wheatears, Guldenstadt’s Redstart, White-capped
Redstart, Plumbeous Redstart, Little Forktail, Black-backed Forktail, Slaty-backed
Forktail, Leschenault’s Forktail, Spotted Forktail, White-tailed Stonechat, Babblers,
Marsh Babbler, Jerdon’s Babbler, Parrotbills, Black-breasted Parrotbill, Prinias,
Warblers, Long-tailed Prinia, Rufous-rumped Grass-Warbler, Broad-tailed Grass-
Warbler, Whistlers - Mangrove Whistler.
Dr Arun Kumar, Scientist F, Zoological Survey of India, 218 Kaulagarh Road,
P.O. IPE, Dehra Dun 248 195, India
Email zsisiwal@sancharnet.in, drarunk@sancharnet.in
ADVERTISEMENTS
JOBS
Jetwing Eco Holidays are looking for exceptional individuals to join their team.
Individuals must have a high degree of numerical competency and be fluent in written
and spoken English. An interest in wildlife is an advantage. Prior experience in tourism is
not needed. Bright school leavers are encouraged to apply. If you meet the grade, please
e-mail your CV to eco@jetwing.lk or snail mail to Manager, Jetwing Eco Holidays,
46/26 Navam Mawatha, Colombo 2, Sri Lanka.
REPORTS
Return to Meemure
- Uditha Wijesena
Meemure having come into the limelight in the recent past after the last parliamentary
elections made me revisit the ancient Kandyan village to see what progress it made since
my visit 25 years ago.
I first visited Meemure in my university days. It was only another remote place that I had
visited. The way to Meemure, then as now, has the last motor bus halting place at
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Loolwatte. This is followed by a trek of around 20 kilometres by foot. Presently though
there is no public transport to the village itself. But there are two vans that will take
passengers depending on the need and the road conditions.
The road is being renovated and done up with concrete and other road construction means
with a new bridge across the river. The last 7 kilometres still under construction is
motorable with difficulty, on the way up. The end of the road at the village centre at the
giant ‘Mee’ tree, just the same as 25 years ago. As for changes, a new health centre with
solar powered electricity and a village secretariat building has come up. The other major
change was a massive stone plaque at the base of the old ‘Mee’ tree. To a historian it
would mean that history has been created in Meemure.
The unforgettable scenic ‘Lakegala’ the massive rock outcrop depicting a gigantic
Sivalingam was in the back drop of the village. The numerous bird calls from the virgin
forests around ‘Lakegala’ was inviting for bird watching, but horror awaited me.
The footpath to the forest was the same, only it was marked with red painted arrows
making it easy for a stranger to find the way in to the forest. The path snaked up the hill
passing the home garden plots demarcated by loose stone walls as seen Irish farm plots.
About 3 kilometres into the forest even the trees had the red markings. These were
different to the arrows but the letter E. On returning to the village after bird watching,
inquiries were made of the markings on the trees. They were the trees to be felled for the
electricity supply to Meemure from distant Pallegama about ten kilometres in Laggala.
Meemure should get its share of electricity in this new world. There is no argument about
this. But is it correct to fell these majestic giants that have stood the test of time over 500
years just to light up an isolated village land locked in the Knuckles range ? Why cannot
the authorities think of alternate ways to electrify Meemure ? There is definitely very
high potential in tapping the waterways that flow around Meemure to supply electricity
through a mini hydro scheme. There is the never ending wind energy to be harnessed at
the famous Corbets Gap with of course a longer feeder line without chopping the forest,
if it is the resources that are needed for alternate energy. I’m sure if proper interpretation
of the village is done to the outside world finding funds is not that difficult.
However the danger that I see of the Lakegala forest was quite imminent with the new
road coming up. Close to the famous Mee tree at the village centre was a giant Mara tree
measuring a girth not less than 30 feet, felled and logged into five sections, awaiting
transport till a permit was obtained. This will not be a problem with the new secretariat
being located in the village it self?
The Last Day, in Yala
- Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne
Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne ends 2003 and begins 2004 at the Yala Safari Game Lodge
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(This article was written for Ayubowan, the newsletter of the Jetwing family of
companies)
It was noon and the Goda Kalapuwa shimmered and glinted like a silver mirror under the
hot noon day sun, which bakes the sand dune ridden southern coastal strip of Sri Lanka. It
was 31st December 2003 and less than half a day was left of the old year. I turned, just
before the gates of the Yala National Park, into the final kilometer leading to the Yala
Safari Game Lodge. On my left was the national park and on my right, a plain
interspersed with scrub and salt tolerant Maliththan trees. A large bird, flying against the
glare of the sun caught my eye. I pulled over wondering what bird could present so large
a silhouette. A Black-necked Stork, one of the rarest and largest birds in Sri Lanka, flew
over, purposefully. A few minutes later my wife Nirma pointed out to our children, an
elephant, on our left. The year 2003 was going to end on a strong note and 2004 was
going to get off to a good start. Instinct told me that I was going to have another good
visit to the Game Lodge. A safe prediction as I have never had a disappointing visit. With
it set with the country's premier national park on one side, the sea on another and the
Goda Kalapuwa, lagoon on the other, its location is unmatched. Friendly staff, dining
under the stars with backlighting from the swimming pool, game drives and nature walks,
visits to the Game Lode were always invigorating.
The naturalists joined us for lunch and I picked their brains. A Sloth Bear had been
visiting Welmal Kema, a water hole set in granitic gneiss. On our evening game drive we
headed off to Welmal Kema with Priyantha, one of the local jeep drivers at the wheel and
Lionel an experienced tracker. Lionel examined the tracks on the sand near Welmal
Kema and announced that a Sloth Bear mother and cub had crossed the road. A few
minutes later he announced that another Sloth Bear had passed through recently. We
slowed down and proceeded cautiously. It was going to be another, 'if only we had come
a few minutes earlier". Wrong, straight out of a script, the male was on the road, but
moved in and vanished into the scrub. We moved on and waited at the water hole. The
Sloth Bear ambled in, in no hurry, drank, and sauntered over the rocks and disappeared
from view into the scrub under a large Palu tree.
Surely it could not get any better? But it did. We came across Leopard pugs on the Akasa
Chaitiya Road. The tracks were very fresh, and were superimposed on jeeps tracks made
recently. It was probably a sub adult who had begun an early evening patrol. It had
retreated into the jungle, perhaps on hearing our approach. We decided to run the length
of the road again and were interrupted by a family of elephants who crossed the road.
Elephant families are female dominated. The adult females were jealously guarding two
young, who may have been only a few years old. Two adults stood side by side with a
calf in the middle and stared at us defiantly. Sand was kicked and sprayed over their body
in a show of force. Come no closer was the message. The two adults rumbled like
thunder. They then clasped their trunks and in a very unusual display joined the tips of
their trunks, as if communicating in hushed whispers. Aloud trumpet from the other side
of the road explained their unusual anxiety. More elephants were on the other side. We
moved away allowing the rest of the family to merge together without obstruction.
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Over dinner, I chatted with guests. The stars shone brightly overhead and a cool breeze
blew. A Wild Pig visted the buffet and was chased away. A Toddy Cat, a nocturnal
hunter, slunk through the grounds. An Indian Nightjar churred and a Collared Scops Owl
hooted from the Bahunia trees. 2003 ended on a wild note. Over the next few days, we
had four Leopard sightings, amongst a clutch of thrilling wildlife encounters. 2004 will
see me back at the Yala Safari Game Lodge, as many times as I can find reasons to keep
going back.
NEW BOOKS
The following details are from the publisher's press releases.
Field Guide to the Birds of Northern India by Richard Grimmett, Tim Inskipp ISBN
0713651679. 304 pages. 216x135 mm. Illustrations 120 colour plates..
The successor to the much acclaimed Birds of the Indian Subcontinent by the same
authors. Covering just northern India, the superb plates are accompanied by a succinct
text highlighting identification, voice, habitat, altitudinal range, distribution and status.
The text is on facing pages to the plates, for easy reference. As with previous titles
covering Bhutan and Nepal, this guide is a perfect size for use in the field and will be an
essential companion when visiting this region.
Whose Bird? Men and Women Commemorated in the Common Names of Birds by
Bo Beolens, Michael Watkins. ISBN 0713666471. Paperback 400 pages. 216x135 mm.
Illustrations b/w photographs, line drawings. Foreword by Ben Schott
Was Bonaparte’s Gull named after Napoleon? Was Pallas’ Warbler discovered by the
same individual who discovered Pallas’s Sandgrouse, and if so did he discover the two
birds at the same time on the same journey? Whose Bird? answers these questions and
many more by presenting a potted biography of every individual whose name is
commemorated in a species of bird. 2,235 birds and 1,124 individuals are covered. This is
a wonderful and engaging reference, illustrated throughout with portraits of the
individuals concerned.
PRESS RELEASES
Spoonbill flies away with Rs.100, 000 top prize.
'Poetry in motion’ was the reaction of one judge. Another described it as an image which
does not stop growing on you. Lawrence Worcesier (USA) has taken an image that elicits
an emotional response. It transcends the mere recording of detail, one function of
photography, to another domain. It does not matter whether it is of a Spoonbill or of
which species exactly. The visual subtleties dominate over detail. The image is artistic,
abstract and captivating”. So reads the narrative describing the overall winning image in
the 40 page colour portfolio of the winning and commended entries, launched at the
Nature Photographer 2003 Prize Giving held at the Barefoot Gallery.
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The Nature Photographer 2003 was open to participants worldwide. However, according
to Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne, the Chairman of the Competition and a Director of
Jetwing, the event is proving especially important to photographers based in Sri Lanka.
They now have a medium to showcase their talent through the exhibition as well as the
portfolio, which will be on sale in bookshops.
Duncan Murrell (UK) won the Mammals section with an almost graphic image of a pair
of Dolphins. Lawrence Worcesier, who is also this year’s overall winner, won the Birds
category with an image of a Spoonbill as well as the Other Animals category with an
intriguing image of a Bee hive at Wat Jet Yot in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand. Dr.
James Callen (USA) claims the first prize of the Plant Life category with an image of a
Cactus. The Nature Photographer 2002 overall winner Aruna Kirtisinghe won first place
in the Landscapes category with a captivating image of a reflection in a rock pool. Savera
Weerasinghe aged 12 won the Young Nature Photographer 2003.
The international line up amongst the winners demonstrates that the event is rapidly
developing into an international art event that will draw attention to Sri Lanka.
The Prize Giving was attended by Jude Silva (Manager) of Hayleys Photoprint agents for
FujiFilm, Sarath Piyaratne (Deputy CEO) HSBC, Shiromal Cooray (MD - Jetwing
Travels) and Hiran Cooray (Jetwing Hotels). The panel of judges was drawn from a wide
array of disciplines and included photographers Lal Anthonis, Gehan de Silva
Wijeyeratne, Rukshan Jayewardene, Laxman Nadarajah, Sarath Perera and Panduka de
Silva, Lilamani Benson from the advertising media, field biologist Kelum Manamendra
Arachchi and journalist Cecilia McGuire.
This year's event media campaign was partnered by Daily Mirror, Lankadeepa, Yes FM,
Classic FM, sirasa.com, shakthifm.com, yesfmonline.com, YATV and Explore Sri
Lanka. However, access to the winning images and the stories associated with the
competition is available to all sections of the media.
Jetwing Photographic Guides for Dragonflies and Butterflies
Two photographic guide booklets have been published to a selection of the commoner
butterflies and dragonflies of Sri Lanka. These booklets precede work underway on a
larger book which will combine birds, butterflies and dragonflies. The format of the
booklets is to depict a selection of species to facilitate easy reference and identification in
the field. The booklet on Dragonflies is an important publication as it represents the first
step, to produce a guide for field work. It has 88 images representing 65 species.
Dragonflies and Damselflies are not easy to identify in the field and a fuller book will be
published in due course which has accompanying text. The butterfly booklet has 63
images depicting 62 species. They will be available at leading bookshops with an
expected retail price of around Rs 100.
The two booklets are produced by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne who has drawn on the
technical expertise of Michael and Nancy van der Poorten on the butterflies and Matjaz
Bedjanic and Karen Coniff on the Dragonflies. The photography has been undertaken
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principally by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne for the butterflies and shared with Matjaz
Bedjanic for the Dragonflies. Bedjanic is a researcher with the Slovenian Institute of
Conservation and the van der Poorten's are resident in Canada. The booklets demonstrate
how the internet has allowed people resident in different countries and continents to work
effectively towards a common goal. The structure of the booklets is simply as a
collection of images captioned with the English and Latin name. A Sinhala and Tamil
nomenclature does not exist for Butterflies and Dragonflies. Species of both groups are
simply referred to as a 'Samanalaya' or 'Bath Kura' in Sinhala. The butterfly booklet has
a pronunciation guide to the English names in Sinhala in the accompanying caption. The
pronunciation guide has been excluded for the dragonflies because of space constraints.
Both booklets will be available in due course on the web (www.jetwingeco.com). The
English names for the dragonflies had to be coined afresh. A key contributor to the
coining of suitable names was Jill Silsby, author of the "Dragonflies of the World".
The Butterfly booklet has now been re-printed and a reprint of the Dragonfly booklet is
expected in February 2004.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The BIRD SOUNDS of Sri Lanka
An audio CD featuring 99 species recorded and compiled by Deepal Warakagoda.
Published by Drongo Nature Sounds Library
This is to announce the first CD of bird sounds published in Sri Lanka. 99 species are
featured, to fill the 99 tracks of the CD, for 73 minutes. The bird vocalizations selected
for inclusion are distinctive and pleasing ones. The purpose of the CD is twofold - for use
as an identification guide, or to provide a pleasant nature 'soundscape' when played
continuously in the background for relaxation or enjoyment, for example, in an office, at
a gathering, in a hotel environment, during household work, in a traffic jam, while
driving, or played on the computer while working at the screen. Bird names are not
announced on the soundtrack, as done in the previous identification guide series by the
same recordist.
A leaflet included gives the identity of the bird on each track, and a brief introduction to
the bird sounds of Sri Lanka The species are grouped on the CD according to ten main
habitat types of Sri Lanka: wet zone, near towns; dry zone forests; hill country gardens;
lakes and marshes; dry zone gardens; wet zone forests; grasslands and scrublands;
lagoons and saltpans; hill country forests; and wet zone, rural gardens.
Copies can be purchased from Eco Rhythm, 5A Perahera Mawatha, Colombo 2. Phone
2439883. Rs 1,200. Also available from the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society and
from the Wildlife Shop of the Yala Safari Game Lodge.
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-----------------
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SRI LANKA WILDLIFE NEWS is a monthly e-mail of birding and wildlife events,
sightings and short notes of interest to birders, photographers, conservationists etc. To
receive a copy, please e-mail gehan@jetwing.lk with "Subscribe Wildlife News" in the
subject header. SLWN values your privacy, to be removed, e-mail with “Unsubscribe
Wildlife News” in the header. Please e-mail your sightings, events etc to
gehan@jetwing.lk. The media are welcome to extract details, but please attribute the
source. Past issues are on www.jetwingeco.com
NOVEMBER 2003
302
SRI LANKA WILDLIFE NEWS (November 2003)
- a monthly compilation by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne (09/12/2003)
HIGHLIGHTS
[*] Shark Lecture re-cheduled to 18 December
[*] Field Visit to Knuckles Region
[*] Birding and Butterflies in Nilgala
[*] Natural History Reports from Yala and Nuwara Eliya
[*] Kota Bendi Wewa cubs continue to entertain visitors
[*] Spoonbill wins Rs.100, 000 (Approx USD 1,000) top prize in Nature Photographer
2003. See Press Releases.
EVENTS SUMMARY
1 Dec 03 to 15 January 2004 Nature Photographer 2003 Exhibition, The Gallery,
World Trade Center, Colombo. Free Admission.
The winning and commended entries of the 2003 Competition with outstanding images
from all over the world. In 2003, the competition attracted winning images from overseas
professional wildlife photographers, adding to the breadth and depth of competition.
Re-scheduled: Thursday 18 December 6.30 pm. Sharks a much maligned predator
by Lyn Robinson. Barefoot Gallery, 704 Galle Road, Colombo 6.
Lyn began her research on sharks and the shark fishery in Madagascar several years ago,
when she became aware of the dramatic decline of sharks in Malagasy waters. Although
it is normally taboo for a woman to be on board a shark fishing vessel, she has been
accepted by the local fishers and makes periodic off-shore expeditions with them to
collect information on species brought in and to work with them in developing a more
sustainable fisheries management system. During her stay in Sri Lanka, she has done
preliminary research into the shark fishery here. Barefoot - SLNHS - Jetwing Lecture
Series. [This is a re-scheduling of the lecture from 10 December, the second
posponement!].

12/10/2007
Saturday 27 December 2003, Speaker and Topic to be confirmed. NBLT, University
of Colombo, Colombo 3. Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka 9.30 am. General
Meeting.
Bird Month - December 2003 The Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL) has
started a nationwide program to assess and study bird distribution and presence in Sri
Lanka, starting from this December. The people who intend to participate have to simply
go out bird watching to as many places as possible. Make a list of species seen and mail it
to FOGSL. The location can be any place. The birds should cover from common to rare.
All we seek to have is a list of birds in a given location. Even your residence or home
garden can be considered for this purpose. FOGSL would like to involve all the bird
lovers who can contribute by simple observations. Further details can be obtained from
the Bird Month website http://birdmonth.tripod.com. Observers can email their records to
fogsl@slt.lk. FOGSL has also launched several programs for Bird Month through its
eGroup. People who wish to join this birding information channel can join by sending a
mail to fogsl@slt.lk with the subject "eGroup Membership"
BIRDING & WILDLIFE NEWS
Amila Salgado, Chandrika Maelge, Priyashani Peiris and Gehan de Silva
Wijeyeratne from Jetwing Eco Holidays joined Hashim Tyabji and Shirley Perera who
were leading the inaugural tour of Worldwide Journeys (now Ultimate Travel Company),
to Sri Lanka. On 6 December in Victoria Park they had good sightings of the key target
species who are migrants from the Himalayas. Good views were had of Pied Thrush,
Indian Blue Robin and a first year male Kashmir Flycatcher. An Indian Pitta showed
itself well. Dusky Squirrel was also present in the park.
On 7 December the Eco Holidays team visited Arrenga Pool in Horton Plains National
Park. Indian Blue Robin was heard and a confiding Sri Lanka Bush Warbler approached
within a few feet. A pair of Ashy-crowned Sparrow Larks were on the road leading up to
Farr Inn. Both had heavily worn plumage. Last year, a single male Ashy-crowned
Sparrow Lark was seen by more than one observer. It is interesting to have such records
from Horton Plain during the migrant season from a bird which is usually confined to the
dry lowlands, especially in the coastal areas. These wet zone records leads one to wonder
whether a local seasonal movement is taking place of whether birds from overseas are
supplementing the resident populations. Only a wide ranging National Bird Ringing
Project will help answer these questions. At present the DWLC- FOGSL Jetwing
National Bird Ringing Project is on hold awaiting permission from the DWLC to go
ahead with a wide ranging ringing program, as proposed. A male Kashmir Flycatcher was
also observed in the St Andrews Hotel Wetland ( at the back of the hotel). Another
highlight was an Indian Red Admiral butterfly. Black-lipped Lizards, a montane endemic,
was also seen on the hotel grounds.
Ceylon Bird Club Birding News (2 December 2003) carried reports from Deepal
Warakagoda of a Hume's Whitethroat at Uda Walawe NP on 30 Nov, at
Gonaviddagala in the scrub by the rocky area where visitors get out of vehicles. At
Bundala NP on 1 Dec, seen from the end of the main bund in the salterns, a Red Knot
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and 10 Broad-billed Sandpipers in the lagoon (to the left); 12 Red-necked Phalaropes
in the saltpan to the right.
Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne, Amila Salgado, Wicky Wickremesekera, Richard Cox,
Daniel and Uditha Jayasinghe (Daily Mirror) visited Nilgala on Saturday 29 and
Sunday 30 November. The Saturday evening was a bit of a wash out as it rained quite
heavily. The Sunday was largely dry with a few, light showers. Bird species more typical
of the wet zone which were recorded here included Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot and
Layard's Parakeet. Indian Blue Robin was heard at Nilgala and on the Bibile Nilgala
Road in a patch of riverine vegetation as well as in front of the Bibimo Guest House in
Bibile. 2 Spotted Deer also visited a patch of scrubland in front of the Bibimo Guest
House. Other species recorded at Nilgala included Plum-headed Parakeet, Drongo
Cuckoo, Pygmy Woodpecker, Red-backed Woodpecker (Black-rumped Flameback)
Jungle Bush Quail, Pompadour Green Pigeon, (Indian Swiftlet), Edible-nest Swiftlet,
Rather unwisely, we sent a message for Iraj to bring our Mitsubishi Montero across the
new concrete bridge, at Nilgala. We had walked under 2 kilometers along the road. The
bridge was navigated easily, but the Montero got stuck in the mud just after the bridge.
Butterfly Watching in Nilgala - Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne
The butterfly watching highlight was a patch of Lantana surrounded by clumps of tall
grass. My attention was drawn initially by a Common Rose which was hovering over it.
Soon a female Common Birdwing came by and rapidly flitted from flower to flower
feeding on nectar. A Common Mormon, Glassy Tiger and a Lime Butterfly also paid
brief visits. A Chocolate Soldier was perched on a bush and defended its territory from
rivals. Two species of blue were settled on the grass clump. Grass Yellows were perched
on a rock at the foot of the clump and were briefly joined by a Tawny Coster. A Plum
Judy was chased away by a Bushbrown. A Rustic made a brief visit and seemed to take
fright of y presence. A Lemon Emigrant visited a nearby bush. Just by being near that
single clump of Lantana and grass, I observed fifteen species of butterflies.
Ceylon Bird Club Birding News (27 November) carried the following account. Namal
Kamalgoda reports a Booted Eagle near Kotte. Off the Beddagana to Madiwala main
road on the left just before Sucharita Mawatha is 'David's Garage'. The bird has been
roosting in and hunting by this wooded property in the past several days. More details
may be obtained from Namal at 072 2 280270, or at the garage from David, Tilak or
Gurusingha.
Placid Cooray sends in the following report from Yala. "Leslie Bandaranayaka, Viran
Perera, Pravin Ramanaden and Kishan Gunawardene with trackers Mudiyanse and
later Ranjit) spent 7 nights (from 23/11 - 29/11) at Yala at the Thalgasmankada and
Ondaatje bungalows and had some splendid leopard and other animal sightings.
23/11- In the early afternoon we saw the Tusker Gemunu along the main road but could
not take any photographs as he was generally screened by shrubs and trees. Shortly
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afterwards on the Thalgasmankada road about 100 yards from the Gonalebbe Talgas
junction we came across the Kota Bendi Wewa (KBW) cubs lying on the road. There
were no other vehicles around and we were able to observe them at close range. At times
one cub would rest its head on the others flank and both would lie still for several
minutes. Most of the time was spent in grooming each other. Unfortunately after about
half hour there was a heavy downpour and the cubs scampered under a nearby bush and
were lost to sight.
24/11- Early morning we spotted the crossed Tusker Podi Puttuwa in the Koma Wewa
area. At about 9 am on hearing deer calls we rushed to Kota Bendi Wewa and after a few
minutes the KBW female cub (KBFC 1) emerged from the jungle at the Talgas bungalow
end of the Wewa and nonchalantly strolled past us, pursuing birds and butterflies while
walking towards the opposite end of the Wewa. By this time the mother leopard (TF 1)
had come onto the road behind us. On spotting her, the cub ran towards the mother and
getting on top of the mother who had by then rolled on her back, gave what could only be
described as a prolonged affectionate hug. They separated after a minute or so and the
cub went across to the grass verge and lay down while the mother lay sprawled on the
road. We were the only vehicle there for over an hour and approached within 10 meters
of the mum, giving numerous marvelous photo opportunities. When more vehicles began
to arrive the cub retreated into the jungle and we left at about 11.30am. That afternoon
at about 4pm the male KBW (KBMC 1) cub was in the same area and we and a couple
more jeeps were entertained to a mock deer stalking episode by the cub. Another notable
sighting that afternoon was a mother bear with cub on the Gonalabbe Middle road.
25/11- 2 notable sightings were three jackals hunting in a pack and the same crossed
tusker on the Talgas bungalow road. That evening at about 6.30 pm as we were returning
to the bungalow we spotted a large male accompanied by a female leopard on the Koma
Wewa lower road. The female was lost to sight immediately but the male walked up to
the bund road, scent marking on the way before disappearing into the scrub. That night
while at the bungalow there were deer calls at about 8.30 pm which we initially ignored
being more preoccupied with our beer. When the calls persisted we switched on the
torches to see a leopard lying on the ground near the pump station. It remained for nearly
10 minutes before strolling down towards the river and in the general direction of the
Army camp.
26/11- no notable sighting except for a glimpse of a bear running across the main road
27/11- At about 9.15 am we first spotted the male KBW cub on a tree about 10 meters
from the Talgas road about 500m from the Talgas/Gonalabbe junction. The male called
several times, mewing like a kitten and then we spotted the female cub on the ground
hidden under a bush about 20 meters away. Receiving no response, the male then came
down, greeted the female, and both climbed onto the branches of a fallen tree just
opposite our vehicle where they stayed for nearly half hour grooming each other, licking,
biting to remove ticks on the other, resting with its head on the other etc. They both then
came down and lay on the ground continuing this activity. Again there were no other
vehicles throughout the 1.5 hrs we spent there. That afternoon we spotted a large python
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with its coils around a spotted deer on the Buttuwa Gonagala road (no photos possible as
it was under a shrub a fair distance away and with a number of intervening bushes). On
the main road near Meynert Wewa we came across a bear with cub. As we were returning
to Ondaatje on the main road, between Vepandeniya rock and the Uraniya turn off we
came across a large male leopard on the road. It continued walking in front of us for a
few hundred meters, at times calling to its mate and at times, marking by squirting urine
or scratching the ground with its hind legs before walking into the scrub.
28/11- At about 9.15am we across a number of vehicles parked on the Gonalebbe Talgas
road towards Kota Bendi Wewa as the male KBW cub was on a tree. It came down after
about half hour and strolled several hundred meters along the road with nearly 10
vehicles following it, all jockeying for position. Later that day we returned to see more
vehicles in the same area, still following the cub and left . We came across an old bear
on the main road just before the Gonalabbe middle road junction.
29/11- The most pathetic sighting of all - along Talgas road towards Handunoruwa Wewa
we across a dead baby elephant lying by the side of the road with its mother standing by
it. Several times the mother nudged the baby either with its front foot or the trunk to get
it to rise. On several occasions it made a low but loud rumbling noise as if it was crying.
Another elephant from the herd joined the mother at times making mock charges at us.
We waited for nearly 45 minutes and after the mother briefly retreated into the jungle
inched our way past the dead animal and parked on the other side to see the mother return
and carry out further efforts to get the baby up. We were informed that the baby was
about 6 months old and a postmortem would be carried out to verify the cause of death.
On the 29th afternoon and 30th morning it rained heavily and no further sightings were
made. Bird sightings included several peacock dances, Malabar Pied Hornbills,
Changeable Hawk Eagles, Brahminy Kites and Grey-headed Fish Eagles. We also
witnessed a duel between two spotted deer stags.
Lyn Hughes (Wanderlust Magazine), Uditha Jayasinghe (Daily Mirror) Amila
Salgado, Hiran Cooray, Rienzie and Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne visited Yala
National Park on Saturday 28 November 2003. On the morning and evening game drive
they came across vehicles observing the Kota Bendi Wewa cubs. On both occasions the
male cub showed himself well. They came across a herd of three female elephants with
one young. The young elephant was observed ingesting the dung of the adults. Elephants
have gut bacteria which help them to break down plant matter in order for them to obtain
nutrition. Ingesting dung from adults helps bacterial colonies to be established in the gut
of young elephants.
Dhammithra Samarasinghe (Naturalist Hunas Falls Hotel) reports the following.,
0"1st November at 7.30 pm when I was in the Lake View restaurant balcony, I heard the
Brown Fish Owl’s call from the nearby forest. I set up the Spotting Scope and after a
short while, the bird entered to the lake area came and settled down on the boat house
roof. A few seconds later, on the opposite side of the lake, quite close to the boat house
another Brown Fish Owl appeared and crossed over and landed on the boat house roof.
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Both of them were welcomed. They greeted each other by moving their heads backward
and forward, very slowly. After a short while they flew in to the forest. I stayed there
nearly an hour. But they were did not appeared again. I think they were probably a pair.
the male and the female.
02nd November, I visited Simpson's Forest with Mr. & Mrs. Holton from the U.K. At
9.45 am we were at Simpson Forest waiting to see more endemic birds. At about 9.50 am
Yellow- fronted Barbet and Dull-b - Blue Flycatcher were started singing. A few minutes
later two Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpeckers were on a Kenda tree. We had a clear view
of the two birds and observed them for about 4-5 minutes. and then they flew on to
another tree. We recorded Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Barwinged
Flycatcher-shrike, Black Bulbul, Indian Scimitar Babbler and Grey- headed
Canary Flycatcher.
08th November, on a nature trek walk to Simpson's Forest, a Lesser Naped Woodpecker
(Streak-throated Woodpecker) crossed the road and settled on a Sabukku tree. We were
quietly watched them. A van came and disturbed us and the bird was moved further away
from us. In the Simpson's Forest, we heard the call of the Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon's call
but never sighted. In addition to these sightings we saw several migrants, Indian Pitta,
Brown Shrike, Grey Wagtail and Barn Swallow. Several Butterfly species were recorded
including Tree Nymph, Red Helen, Blue Mormon, Common Bluebottle and Tamil
Lacewing.
We were returned around 11.30 am and found a Ruddy Mongoose beside the road near
the Simpson's Forest and walked along the road for few meters, then disappeared from
our sight.
Richard Cox and Wicky Wickremesekera had a sighting of over a forty minutes of an
Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher at Kithulgala (25 November).
ADVERTISEMENTS
JOBS
Jetwing Eco Holidays are looking for exceptional individuals to join their team.
Individuals must have a high degree of numerical competency and be fluent in written
and spoken English. An interest in wildlife is an advantage. Prior experience in tourism is
not needed. Bright school leavers are encouraged to apply.
To be eligible to apply, you must be able to solve the following equations.
Question 1
X(squared) +Y(squared) + Z (squared) = 6
X + Y = 3
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12/10/2007
308
X - Z = 2
If you meet the grade, please e-mail your CV to eco@jetwing.lk or snail mail to
Manager, Jetwing Eco Holidays, 46/26 Navam Mawatha, Colombo 2, Sri Lanka.
REPORTS
Field Visit to Knuckles Region on 20th November 2003
- Buddhika Gamagedera
Knuckles was visited by a group of field assistants of a research on Bees. I also joined
with them. We started at around 7.00am from the Peradeniya University heading towards
Matale. By 8.00 am we were there in Matale where we had our breakfast. Then passing
Rattota, Bambarakiriella and Midland Estate we arrived to Riverston for our first bee
netting. There were some birds flying here and there, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher,
Orange-breasted Blue Flycatcher, Hill White-eye and Yellow-eared Bulbul were the
commonest . Also I heard a Scimmiter Babbler’s call. There were no much records of
birds since the day was very cloudy and gloomy. Of the flora, Strobilanthus sp., Psycotria
sp., Neolitsia sp., Syzygium sp. were recorded. There are Cardamom cultivations in
Riverston but they are all abandoned. Our group finished the netting of that site and
traveled down on the other slope of Riverston.
Our next site was at Gonamada. We took some water from the Patti-ela – a little stream
near Gonamada and moved on the grassland to our site. I walked around a little bit.
There were some Binara plants (Exacum macranthum) by the road side. The birds
recorded were Serpent Eagle, Black Bulbul, Ceylon Swallow (Red-rumped Swallow) and
Ashy Priniya. After the field work we arrived at Teligamuwa Oya for our lunch. We took
a bath in a natural pool and had lunch. In it resides an endemic fish to Knuckles forest
known as Matenstyn’s Barb (Puntius martenstyni). On the way back we visited
Mahalakotuwa to collect Atamba seeds (Mangifera ceylanica). The Mahalakotuwa,
Mada-ela and Rathkinda is in the Intermediate zone, the trees commonly found are
Badulla, Bala, Wal kahata, Mora, Welan, Milla, Malaboda and Mee.
Our last netting site was Pitawala Wewa. There were a lot of Elephant droppings spread
on the tank bed which seemed to be quite old. A villager told me that there was a herd
two months ago. Birds seen here before it began to rain include Yellow-billed Babbler,
Purple-rumped Sunbird, Common Iora, Indian Pitta and we also heard the call of Sri
Lanka Junglefowl. As usual there was a plenty of Skipper Frogs in the Wewa. We left
around 4.00 o’clock and when we passed the Riverston area it was about 5.10pm. We
had a cup of tea at Matale and traveled straight to Kandy.
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Natural History Report from Nuwara Eliya for the Month of September 2003
Lal de Silva, Naturalist (St Andrews Hotel, Nuwara Eliya) sends in the following report.

12/10/2007
The arrival of migrant birds has begun in the central hills. Aassive flock of Grey Wagtail,
200 to 300 birds were sighted on the roof of the public library in Victoria Park. Another
flock of 10 to 12 Grey Wagtails and around six Common Sandpipers and few individual
Green Sandpipers were feeding on the sand beds of Nanu Oya stream opposite to the
entrance to the President’s Residence. The stream flows through the Golf links and
Victoria Park. This water nourishes Lake Gregory.
On the St Andrew’s Cloud Forest Trail, Indian Blue Robin calls are heard from the
undergrowth. Sri Lanka White Eye, Yellow-eared Bulbul, Dull-blue Flycatcher, Greyheaded
Canary Flycatcher and Sri Lanka Bush Warbler were also seen. The Dusky
Squirrels were busy feeding on wild cardamom flowers, and a few meters away Toque
Monkeys were also seen feeding on the same flowers. The bellowing alarm calls of the
Bear Monkeys were heard at a far distance on the upper canopies of the mountain range.
Horton Plains
On the way to Ohiya Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Seetha pera) a shrub, 3 to 6 feet in height
were flowering with bright pinkish tender flowers. While walking towards Worlds End, a
large flock of Yellow Eared Bulbul, an endemic bird was seen feeding on the ripe fruits
of Seetha Pera on either sides of the trail.
Some of the rare orchids Eria bicolor, Oberonia thwaitesii, Eria braccata, Bulbophyllum
wighti, and Robiquetia brevifolia were in full bloom. In the wet and semi dry
embankments, the luminous red colored ground orchid, Satyrium nepalense, was
observed.
In front of the Wild Life Department's entry ticket is a Michelia nilagirica (Wana sapu)
tree. It was in full bloom with pale yellow flowers.
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Natural History Report from Yala for the Month of September 2003
The Naturalists of Yala Safari Game Lodge, Chandra Jayawardena, Nilantha
Kodituwakku and Nadeera Weerasinghe have made the following observations during the
month of September 2003.
Large Mammals
Yala National Park was closed for the drought from 16th September to 15th October
2003. Hence these observations are only up to 15th September 2003.
Leopards - 22 encounters involving 26 leopards, in 12 days
Bears - 10 encounters involving 11 bears in 10 days
Tuskers - 3 encounters involving 03 tuskers in 03 days
These sighting numbers include multiple sightings of individual animals as well.
Birds
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Although the diversity of bird species were low, there was a marked increase in bird
numbers indicating the migratory season was on. This was true of forest and wader
migrants, as well.
The Guests to the Yala Safari Game Lodge and the Naturalists have recorded the
presence of 15 migratory species in the area.
Flora
Through out the month, 36 plant species were observed in flowering and fruiting. Of
which 7 species were in bloom, 23 species were in fruiting and another 6 species were in
flowering and fruiting.
PRESS RELEASES
Spoonbill flies away with Rs.100, 000 top prize.
'Poetry in motion’ was the reaction of one judge. Another described it as an image which
does not stop growing on you. Lawrence Worcesier (USA) has taken an image that elicits
an emotional response. It transcends the mere recording of detail, one function of
photography, to another domain. It does not matter whether it is of a Spoonbill or of
which species exactly. The visual subtleties dominate over detail. The image is artistic,
abstract and captivating”. So reads the narrative describing the overall winning image in
the 40 page colour portfolio of the winning and commended entries, launched at the
Nature Photographer 2003 Prize Giving held at the Barefoot Gallery.
The Nature Photographer 2003 was open to participants worldwide. However, according
to Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne, the Chairman of the Competition and a Director of
Jetwing, the event is proving especially important to photographers based in Sri Lanka.
They now have a medium to showcase their talent through the exhibition as well as the
portfolio, which will be on sale in bookshops.
Duncan Murrell (UK) won the Mammals section with an almost graphic image of a pair
of Dolphins. Lawrence Worcesier, who is also this year’s overall winner, won the Birds
category with an image of a Spoonbill as well as the Other Animals category with an
intriguing image of a Bee hive at Wat Jet Yot in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand. Dr.
James Callen (USA) claims the first prize of the Plant Life category with an image of a
Cactus. The Nature Photographer 2002 overall winner Aruna Kirtisinghe won first place
in the Landscapes category with a captivating image of a reflection in a rock pool. Savera
Weerasinghe aged 12 won the Young Nature Photographer 2003.
The international line up amongst the winners demonstrates that the event is rapidly
developing into an international art event that will draw attention to Sri Lanka.
The Prize Giving was attended by Jude Silva (Manager) of Hayleys Photoprint agents for
FujiFilm, Sarath Piyaratne (Deputy CEO) HSBC, Shiromal Cooray (MD - Jetwing
Travels) and Hiran Cooray (Jetwing Hotels). The panel of judges was drawn from a wide
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array of disciplines and included photographers Lal Anthonis, Gehan de Silva
Wijeyeratne, Rukshan Jayewardene, Laxman Nadarajah, Sarath Perera and Panduka de
Silva, Lilamani Benson from the advertising media, field biologist Kelum Manamendra
Arachchi and journalist Cecilia McGuire.
This year's event media campaign was partnered by Daily Mirror, Lankadeepa, Yes FM,
Classic FM, sirasa.com, shakthifm.com, yesfmonline.com, YATV and Explore Sri
Lanka. However, access to the winning images and the stories associated with the
competition is available to all sections of the media.
Jetwing Photographic Guides for Dragonflies and Butterflies
Two photographic guide booklets have been published to a selection of the commoner
butterflies and dragonflies of Sri Lanka. These booklets precede work underway on a
larger book which will combine birds, butterflies and dragonflies. The format of the
booklets is to depict a selection of species to facilitate easy reference and identification in
the field. The booklet on Dragonflies is an important publication as it represents the first
step, to produce a guide for field work. It has 88 images representing 65 species.
Dragonflies and Damselflies are not easy to identify in the field and a fuller book will be
published in due course which has accompanying text. The butterfly booklet has 63
images depicting 62 species. They will be available at leading bookshops with an
expected retail price of around Rs 100.
The two booklets are produced by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne who has drawn on the
technical expertise of Michael and Nancy van der Poorten on the butterflies and Matjaz
Bedjanic and Karen Coniff on the Dragonflies. The photography has been undertaken
principally by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne for the butterflies and shared with Matjaz
Bedjanic for the Dragonflies. Bedjanic is a researcher with the Slovenian Institute of
Conservation and the van der Poorten's are resident in Canada. The booklets demonstrate
how the internet has allowed people resident in different countries and continents to work
effectively towards a common goal. The structure of the booklets is simply as a
collection of images captioned with the English and Latin name. A Sinhala and Tamil
nomenclature does not exist for Butterflies and Dragonflies. Species of both groups are
simply referred to as a 'Samanalaya' or 'Bath Kura' in Sinhala. The butterfly booklet has
a pronunciation guide to the English names in Sinhala in the accompanying caption. The
pronunciation guide has been excluded for the dragonflies because of space constraints.
Both booklets will be available in due course on the web (www.jetwingeco.com). The
English names for the dragonflies had to be coined afresh. A key contributor to the
coining of suitable names was Jill Silsby, author of the "Dragonflies of the World".
Lalin de Mel, Director Marketing of Jetwing Hotels sees the support of the Jetwing
Research Initiative for the publications as stemming from two facets. "Firstly, there is a
growing recognition that the corporate sector has an important role to play in
safeguarding a future for Sri Lanka's bio-diversity". Secondly, de Mel sees it as an
example of the search for high yield by the Sri Lankan Tourism industry who are
developing new and innovative eco-tourism products. Jetwing have rapidly become
established as the country's most high profile Nature Tourism provider after it set up
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Jetwing Eco Holidays, a specialist subsidiary. The office staff include people such as
Amila Salgado and Chandrika Maelge who are also keen naturalists, an essential attribute
for a specialist service provider. The company is headed by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne
who with almost weekly appearances in the print and television media is emerging as a
wildlife tourism celebrity.
According to Hiran Cooray, MD of Jetwing Hotels "Successful eco-tourism companies
should be profitable to have the resources to support research and conservation.
Therefore business success is critical if money or enthusiasm is not to wane over the long
term". The photographs in the booklets will be serialized in due course in one of the
national newspapers as part of Gehan's mission to impart knowledge to school children.
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The BIRD SOUNDS of Sri Lanka
An audio CD featuring 99 species recorded and compiled by Deepal Warakagoda.
Published by Drongo Nature Sounds Library
This is to announce the first CD of bird sounds published in Sri Lanka. 99 species are
featured, to fill the 99 tracks of the CD, for 73 minutes. The bird vocalizations selected
for inclusion are distinctive and pleasing ones. The purpose of the CD is twofold - for use
as an identification guide, or to provide a pleasant nature 'soundscape' when played
continuously in the background for relaxation or enjoyment, for example, in an office, at
a gathering, in a hotel environment, during household work, in a traffic jam, while
driving, or played on the computer while working at the screen. Bird names are not
announced on the soundtrack, as done in the previous identification guide series by the
same recordist.
A leaflet included gives the identity of the bird on each track, and a brief introduction to
the bird sounds of Sri Lanka The species are grouped on the CD according to ten main
habitat types of Sri Lanka: wet zone, near towns; dry zone forests; hill country gardens;
lakes and marshes; dry zone gardens; wet zone forests; grasslands and scrublands;
lagoons and saltpans; hill country forests; and wet zone, rural gardens.
Copies can be purchased from Eco Rhythm, 5A Perahera Mawatha, Colombo 2. Phone
2439883. Rs 1,200. Also available from the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society and
from the Wildlife Shop of the Yala Safari Game Lodge.
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SRI LANKA WILDLIFE NEWS is a monthly e-mail of birding and wildlife events,
sightings and short notes of interest to birders, photographers, conservationists etc. To
receive a copy, please e-mail gehan@jetwing.lk with "Subscribe Wildlife News" in the
subject header. SLWN values your privacy, to be removed, e-mail with “Unsubscribe
Wildlife News” in the header. Please e-mail your sightings, events etc to
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gehan@jetwing.lk. The media are welcome to extract details, but please attribute the
source. Past issues are on www.jetwingeco.com
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OCTOBER 2003
314
SRI LANKA WILDLIFE NEWS (October 2003)
- a monthly compilation by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne (14/11/2003)
HIGHLIGHTS
[*] Giant Ant or Tiger Beetle?
[*] Jobs with Jetwing Eco Holidays, Nikon 800 mm for sale (See Advertisements)
[*] Birds and Butterflies in Mannar including Amur Falcon and Wildlife of the
Kandyan Hills (See Reports)
[*] Bird Sounds of Sri Lanka on CD and Booklets on Butterflies & Dragonflies (See
Press Releases)
[*] Jerdon' Nightjar, Malay Bitttern in Colombo
EVENTS SUMMARY
Monday 17 November Nature Photographer 2003 Prize Giving (Not Exhibition, see
below for details of the Exhibition). 6.30 to 7.30pm. Barefoot Gallery, 704 Galle Road,
Colombo 6. To be invited in future, please e-mail your address details to np@jetwing.lk
Saturday 29 November 2003, Speaker and Topic to be confirmed. NBLT, University
of Colombo, Colombo 3. Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka 9.30 am. General
Meeting.
Monday 1 December 2003 to 15 January 2004 Nature Photographer 2003
Exhibition, The Gallery, World Trade Center, Colombo 1. No admision fees. 80
outstanding images from around the world, of the winning and commended entries, from
the 2,500 plus images, which competed in the Nature Photographer 2003 competition.
Friday 5 - 8 December, Field Workshop on Waders, Bundala. For members of the
Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL). Approx Rs 1,750. For membership
enquiries and more details Phone 075 342609. E-mail fogsl@slt.lk
Wed 10 December 6.30 pm. Sharks a much maligned predator by Lyn Robinson.
Barefoot Gallery, 704 Galle Road, Colombo 6.
Lyn began her research on sharks and the shark fishery in Madagascar several years ago,
when she became aware of the dramatic decline of sharks in Malagasy waters. Although
it is normally taboo for a woman to be on board a shark fishing vessel, she has been
accepted by the local fishers and makes periodic off-shore expeditions with them to
collect information on species brought in and to work with them in developing a more
sustainable fisheries management system. During her stay in Sri Lanka, she has done
preliminary research into the shark fishery here. Barefoot - SLNHS - Jetwing Lecture
Series. [This is a re-scheduling of the lecture which was postponed from 5 September]

12/10/2007
Saturday 27 December 2003, Speaker and Topic to be confirmed. NBLT, University
of Colombo, Colombo 3. Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka 9.30 am. General
Meeting.
BIRDING & WILDLIFE NEWS
Sunela Jaywaradene called Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne on 14 November, to show a
resuced bird, which is believed to be a Jerdon's Nightjar. It had fled indoors (13
November), in Sea Street, under pursuit from Crows. It poses the intriguing question as to
whether a migrant population (local or international) supplements the population of
resident Jerdon's Nightjars in the southern half of the country. Interestingly, Gehan and
others had a number of sightings of Jerdon's Nightjars, perched on the wires on the main
road in Mannar Island on 7 & 8 November. They had recorded none during their visit in
March 2003.
On the same morning (14 November) Chandima Kahandawala got word out of a
juvenile Malay Bittern which had been rescued by staff of the Commercial Bank, Union
Place Branch. A sound reason to visit to your local bank.
The Ceylon Bird Club Birding News carried the folowing report on 13 November.
Lester Perera reports an Amur Falcon, immature seen near Yala Safari Game Lodge by
Ruhuna NP Block 1 on 8 November. A male Lesser Kestrel was seen over the Uda
Walawe Dam on 10 November, the second record of the species in Sri Lanka.
On 9 November Johan Tornvall visited Navadamkulama Tank and observed 50
Common Coot, together with common waterbirds such as Purple Coot and Cotton
Pygmy-goose.
Naomi Roberts and Karen Copeland on tour with Rienzi Warnakulasuriya of Jetwing
Eco Holidays, reported a leopard sighting (31 October) involving three Leopards at the
Dharshana Wewa in Yala National Park.
Chandrika Maelge reports from a visit to Yala (31 October to 3 November). "Many
species of butterflies were observed, in small numbers. Common Crow was the most
abundant, a few hundred were clustered on a patch of Ath Hoda at Koma Wewa. Other
species inlcuded Plain Tiger, Common Tiger, Dark Blue Tiger, Chocolate Soldier,
Yellow Orange-tip, White Orange-tip, Common Jezebel, Small Salmon Arab, Common
Gull, Grass Yellows, Common Leopard, Peacock Pansy, Grey Pansy, Danaid Eggfly,
Psyche, Common Mormon, Lime Butterfly, Crimson Rose and a few other Whites and
Sulphur species. The highlight was an obliging male Dark Wanderer on the Gonagala
Road, which posed with its wings spread open. It is worth quoting Bernard D'Abrera who
writes in his Butterflies of Ceylon the following on the Dark Wanderer. "..... I was only
ever to have taken one specimen, a [male], and the exaltation I felt was not the heart
pumping kind, but rather the kind of joy one feels when one chances upon an utterly
enchanting melody or delicately embroided broch set with lapis lazuli and Wedgewood
jasperware, and yet those similes are entirely inadequate to describe the rare beauty of
this butterfly".
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Frank Byrne and Caroline Ashbolt on tour with Wicky Wickramesekara (Jetwing
Eco Holidays) reports 6 Leopard sightings, involving 7 Leopard in 8 game drives. Their
first sighting was at Wepandeniya Rock, where they were lucky to see a mating Leopard
pair on 29th Oct at 0720 hrs. Later that evening at 1640 hrs, KBFC 1 (Kottabediwewa
Female Cub) surprised them by coming as close as 2 feet to their jeep! On 30th Oct at
1020 hrs, the mother of the famous Kottabendiwewa Cubs, Talgasmankada Female made
a brief appearance on Meda Para. Next day the group saw an adult male Leopard at 1650
hrs, near Darshanawewa and later in the evening at 1815 hrs, another male Leopard was
seen near Rukwila. On their final day (1 Nov), they were lucky to see the Chaitiya Male
near Akasa Chaitiya at 1710 hrs.
On 26 October 2003, Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne received a phone call from Sriyanie
Miththapala to say an Orange-headed Thrush was in the garden of Janakai
Galapaththi, in Barnes Place, Colombo 7. The bird had been observed lying dazed (or
tired), in the garden. When Gehan and subsequently Sunela Jayawardene arrived the
bird was resting within a shrub.
On Saturday 25 October 2003, Padmasiri rescued an Indian Pitta being attacked by
crows, in the car parking area at Navam Mawatha, near Jetwing House. The Indian Pitta
was released into some shrubbery near the Golf Course.
Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne sends in these notes from three evening visits to Horton
Plains with Lal de Silva (Naturalist, St Andrews Hotel) from 19-21 October 2003.
"Several Indian Blue Robin territories were noted from calling birds. The highlight of the
visit was encountering a mixed flock of Babblers about 2 km before World's End. I heard
the calls of Orange-billed Babblers and waited patiently. I was rewarded with a small
flock of around 4-5 Orange-billed Babblers. Also present was a flock of Dark-fronted
Babblers and a pair of Scimitar Babblers.
Birds heard (h) or seen on 3 successive visits to Horton Plains included the following.
Alpine Swift, Edible-nest Swiftlet, Hill Swallow, Barn Swallow, Pied Bush Chat, Zitting
Cisticola, Dark-fronted Babbler, Scimitar Babbler, Orange-billed Babbler, Common
Buzzard, Indian Pipit, Bar-winged Flycatchershrike, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Sri
Lanka White-eye, Pale-billed Flowerpecker, Green Leaf Warbler, Large-billed Leaf
Warbler, Common Tailorbird, Great Tit, Greater Flameback (Crimson-backed
Woodpecker), Yellow-eared Bulbul, Indian Blue Robin (h), Blackbird, Large-billed
Crow, Greater Coucal (h), Grey Wagtail, Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush (h), Brown Wood
Owl (h) and Sri Lanka Junglefowl. The large pond close to the Milk Factory in
Ambewela had around ten Little Cormorants.
Butterflies present included a Pea Blue, Ceylon Tiger and the Common Bluebottle.
On 16 October, Hasantha Lokugamage was called by the restaurant staff of the
Lighthouse Hotel & Spa to examine a bird which had crashed into the hotel. It turned out
to be a Blue-breasted Quail.
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Charles Sanitiapillai reports "I was in Kumana on 11 October where I was a bit lucky to
see a pair of Glossy Ibis at the Thunmulla Wewa at 1320 hrs. Later in the day, I saw more
than a hundred Painted Storks, including 77 juveniles at the Gammana Kotessa".
Glen Mathew visited Yala from 16th to 19th October 2003 and stayed at the Varahana.
He says "On the way to the bungalow at Kotabendi Wewa we saw three leopards under a
Malithan tree and the fourth on a kill feedind on a buffalo. Wecame back after lunch and
and they were there till late evening.The next morning the male and female was on the
Thalgasmankada road. Further down the road we saw another lepoard close to Koma
Wewa.On the evening round followed a bear on Suduwellimulla Road for about 30
minutes. We had leopard sightings sightings morning and evening from the 16th to the
18th Oct.
Dinarzarde Raheem who examined the images of the "Giant Ant" reported from Yala
Sagari Game Lodge has sent in the follwoing comments.
Thanks for the images. I am pretty sure it isn't an ant. Looks like a beetle, possibly a tiger
beetle (Cicindellidae). Ants have got a very well defined and narrow 'waist' demarcating
the boundary of the abdomen and thorax. As for the ant -beetle there is a lot of crosstaxon
mimicry amongst insects, but tiger beetles are not like your bog-standard carabid.
They are fantastic predatory beetles incredibly quick and very agile. A good place to
catch them in action in Colombo is the Colombo Museum grounds just under the large
Banyan tree and near the Buddha statue. On bright, sunny days you can see tiger beetles
flitting around on the sandy ground near the Buddha statue as they forage about for food.
I am pretty sure that you will also be able to find a couple of species on the sandy edges
of salterns like Palatupana and the chances of finding them moving around in the Yala
Safari Game Lodge grounds is high.
Vernon Tissera was in Kumana on the 18th October. He notes "At Thung Mulla a
single Glossy Ibis was seen amongst 50-60 Blac-tailed Godwits and Black-winged Stilts.
The Glossy Ibis was spotted by Shirley Perera and conveyed to me. I too thereafter saw it
myself. There were many Blue-tailed and Chestnut-headed Beeaters, Forest Wagtails,
Racket-tailed Drongos on the road to Gal Amuna.There are hundreds of juvenile Painted
and Openbill Stork around and many Purple Coot. Many of the existing roads that were
overgrown with shrubs have been cleared. Two parties staying at "Hideaway" visiting
the park have seen leopard and bear.We were very lucky to be with a leopard for over a
hour. In fact it appeared tame as it did not at any stage show fright. At one stage it got up
turned round and sat down again. Long may this last although I can see that sooner or
later it will be the Mafia who have taken over both Yala and Uda Walawa spoiling this
park too, for genuine animal watchers. There are plenty of Yellow and Cinnamon
Bitterns around but I have not seen the Ruddy Crake for some time".
Chitral Jayatilake send in a report from Yala National Park. We spent the weekend at
Yala (from the 17th to the 19th Oct ) and the park looked pretty green after the recent
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showers which had fallen more so towards the Thalgasmankada end of the park. 4
Leopard sightings were made with one Tusker ("Parakum") observed on the Meda Para
but the usually shy elephant refused to be photographed. A couple of herds of elephant
were observed as they make their return to Block 1 with the onset of rains this time of the
year.
The Kotabendi Wewa Cubs were seen on 18th Saturday morning walking along the
Thalgas junction towards Meda Para. The female still looks very playful with little
interest shown by the male towards her. These could be early signs of the cubs separating
in the next couple of months as they are now over 15 months of age. The Injured
Leopard with the left hind leg out of use was seen drinking near the Chaitya turn off and
the animal looked to be in a rather weak state perhaps under nourished as a result of the
injury. It has survived since May this year and is interesting to see how well it will adapt
under trying conditions.
The arrival of the migrant birds were evident with most of the commoner species seen in
considerable numbers.
ADVERTISEMENTS
JOBS
Jetwing Eco Holidays are looking for exceptionally individuals to join their team.
Individuals must have a high degree of numerical competency and be fluent in written
and spoken English. An interest in wildlife is an advantage. Prior experience in tourism is
not needed. Bright school leavers are encouraged to apply.
To be eligible to apply, you must be able to solve the following equations.
Question 1
X(squared) +Y(squared) + Z ((squared)) = 6 (1)
X + Y = 3 (2)
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Question 2
P(squared) + 7C +6 =0
If you meet the grade, please e-mail your CV to eco@jetwing.lk or snail mail to
Manager, Jetwing Eco Holidays, 46/26 Navam Mawatha, Colombo 2, Sri Lanka.
FOR SALE
A Nikon ED 800mm f 5.6, manual focus lens. Rs 275,000. Please call 0712 743303.
318

12/10/2007
REPORTS
Natural History Report from the Kandya Hills
Dhammithra Samarasinghe
August 14th
Trekked Mount Shaheen with Mr & Mrs Nilantha Bandara (Environmentalist, Hotel
Sigiriya) and Hasantha Lokugamage (Naturalist, Lighthouse Hotel). On the peak, I saw a
herb with white flowers, an endemic herb Knoxia platycarpa, belonging to the family
RUBIACEAE. It was in the undergrowth of a Pine plantation.
August 15th
Hasantha Lokugamage and myself went along the Simpsons Trek and, we saw three Red
Pierrots (Gossamerwing Butterflies) flying very low and parallel to the road. We
continued our walk and within a 100m stretch we were able to count more than 13
individuals. On opur left was an area covered with rocks. On these rocks we saw
Akkapana plants (Kalanchoe pinnata) and the larvae of Red Pierrot feed on this plant.
The Red Pierrot population must be very high within this small stretch because of this
food plant. Other butterflies observed inlcluded Ceylon Tiger (endemic), Ceylon Tree
Nymph, Common Bluebottle, Common Birdwing and Tamil Lacewing.
August 18th
Explored the misty Hunnas Peak, with Hasantha Lokugamage. As we neared the peak
(1,514 m msl), we observed a Black Eagle soaring over the ridge in Hunnas. Inside the
forest, the temperature was 19.30 o C. A notable feature in the forest was the Tenent's
Horn-nosed Lizard (Ceratophora tennentii) which is endemic and restricted to Knuckles
range.
During this visit we were able to observe and identify lot of wild flowers, most of them
were endemic .The first observation was the Binara (Exacum trinervium) with light
purple flowers and it was an endemic herb. We saw two species of Osbeckia. One was
Osbeckia octandra which was an endemic. Another was Osbeckia rubicunda.
We recorded two Balsam species (Impatiens sp). One was with purple flowers and other
one with white flowers, which was very common on the stream banks. When we were
walking along the footpath we saw an endemic Bombu tree (Symplocos bractealis), the
whole tree was covered with white flowers. On the peak there was a small waterfall and
close to this we saw a large tree with white flowers. It was Sudu-mihiriya (Gordonia
ceylanica) an endemic tree. The Wel-adanaheeriya (Crotalaria walkeri) also very
common on the peak. It is an endemic small shrub.
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BIRDS AND BUTTERFLIES IN MANNAR
Friday 7 November to Sunday 9 November 2003
Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne, Amila Salgado, Wicky Wickremesekera, Sam Caseer
and Nandana Hewagamage.
The following is a brief account of the birds and butterflies observed on a visit to Mannar
by a team from Jetwing Eco Holidays between 7 to 9th November 2003. Some of the
sites covered en route are also mentioned.
Friday 7 November 2003
Tabbowa Tank (15 km post, A12)
Tabbowa Tank held good numbers of waterbirds including migrants such as Wood,
Marsh, Common and Curlew Sandpiper, Gull-billed Terns, Whiskered Terns etc.
A Plaintive Cuckoo (red phase) was observed beside the road before Nochchiyagama.
The exact location was not noted. Around the 63 km post of the A12, we slowed down to
examine a coconut grove, in search of Golden-backed Woodpecker. Much to our surprise
we found a pair of Crimson-backed Woodpeckers (Greater Flameback). We had always
thought of it as a bird of the wet zone forests with village garden habitats such as this,
occupied by its congener the Red-backed Woodpecker (Black-rumped Flameback). At
Rambewa, we were surprised when an Eurasian Otter crossed in the middle of the town
and disappeared into a grassy thicket beside a school.
On the mainland, near Mannar, we paused several times to observe Black Drongo, Longtailed
Shrike, Grey Partridge etc. Two Honey Buzzards and two Black-shouldered Kites
and several Serpent Eagles and Brahminy Kites were amongst the raptors observed.
Nearing the Mannar Causeway we explored the flooded plains of Periyar Kalapuwa
around Vankalai. A thousand or more ducks (mainly Garganey and Widgeon) were in
the distance. The Thalladi Freshwater Pond had a solitary Spot-billed Duck.
Saturday 8 November 2003 (Morning, Talaimannar)
We visited Talaimannar in the morning and went to the fishing boat quay. We decided
not to take a boat to the 'Sand Banks' or chain of islets known as Adam's Bridge. Instead
we focused on birding in the area a few hundred meters from where the fishing boat were
berthed on the beach. We remained here till about 1.00 pm. A large flock of Heuglin's
Gulls were perched on the beach and numbered around 500. Another flock of gulls was
perched in the distance and probably contained the same number. This means there were
an estimated 1,000 Heuglin's Gulls. This was a remarkable increase from our visit on 13 -
16 March 2003, where we estimated 20 - 30 Heuglin's. There were less than 10 Brownheaded
Gulls (compared to 200 plus in March 2003). Interestingly, not one single Pallas's
Gull was recorded during our two night visit to Mannar. Quite a diversity of waders were
recorded in the inter-tidal pools on the beach front. This included Sanderling (5 plus), a
small flock of about a dozen Terek Sandpiper, five Bar-tailed Godwit, Lesser Sand
Plover, Greater Sand Plover, Curlew Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper, Greenshank etc. The
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Bar-tailed Godwits, a scarce visitor to Sri Lanka was a treat as the birds progressively
moved closer and closer to us. They were in winter plumage and lacked any hint of the
rich tones of the summer plumage. Caspian Terns regularly flews past and a flock of 20
plus Common Terns perched on a water surrounded sand islet in the inter tidal zone.
Little Terns were also observed but no Lesser or Great Crested Terns were observed.
A Little Egret moved into a pool created on the wide beach by the incoming tide (around
12 noon) and began to fish by chasing after the fish that were coming in. It was very
successful and caught about a fish a minute during ten minutes of observation.
Saturday 8 November (Evening, Periyar Kalapuwa)
In the evening we visited the Periyar Kalapuwa on the B 420. Around the 3 km post we
alighted to watch a flock of ducks in the distance towards the west. It contained a few
hundred, possibly a thousand, Widgeon and also Garganey. A handful of Shoveller were
also present.
On 3 or 4 occasions we had Harriers flying past. Both Pallid and Montagus Harriers were
observed. The male Montagu's was easy, the female Pallid's identification took some
thought. Whimbrel and Curlew and many of the common wader species were also
present.
"Around 6.30 pm, we were about to leave when Sam Caseer drew attention to a small
raptor perched on a thorn bush. We believe this maybe a juvenile Amur Falcon. A
detailed note on this is given at the end of this report.
On evening night drives, along the main road (A14) on Friday and Saturday, we had a
few Jerdon's Nightjars perched on telephone wires. We had not recorded any during our
visit in March 2003.
Sunday 9 November 2003 (Morning, Periyar Kalapuwa)
Two Spot-billed Duck were observed from the Mannar Causeway. We visited the Periyar
Kalapuwa and spent about an hour making a slow approach on a flock of ducks which
included mainly Garganey and Widgeon. We estimated that were in the order of 2,000
ducks, which Garganey and Widgeon making up approximately half each. There were
also a few Shoveller present. A pack of stray dogs kept putting the ducks up and they
repeatedly flew around and returned to a pool of water. Over a period of time the action
of the dogs was to bring the birds closer to us. There were also a few Shoveller present.
The photographs taken of the flocks in flight are yet to be studied for species we have
overlooked.
Towards the west, when coming from Thalladi to Vankalai, a flock of Black-tailed
Godwits was present near the 2 km post. An estimated 500 were present and medley of
calls could be heard. Looking east from the B420, the plains which were dry in March,
were now a vast mud flat. Most of the common wader species were present. We estimate
that there were over 5,000 waders on these flats. This may well be an underestimate.
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Whilst we were observing the ducks, a flock of over 200 Golden Plover flew overhead.
These may well be migrants who are still arriving. Mannar should be the equivalent of
the Scilly Isles as a migration hot spot in Sri Lanka.
The highlight of the morning visit was a displaying Sand Lizard (Sitana ponticeriana).
It was very active and ran in short spurts, covering a few feet at a time. Its behaviour was
more reminiscent of a Skink than an Agamid Lizard. It kept flickering a gular sac in and
out. The gular sac was a vivid blue, almost iridescent in the sun.
A good view was obtained of a nearly adult female Pallid Harrier whose identity was
confirmed after examining a photograph.
On our way back, on 9 November, from 6.00 to 6.30 pm, we stopped at Tabbowa Wewa.
There was a tight flock of 1,000 plus waders. These were mainly Curlew Sandpipers and
Little Stints. Marsh Sandpipers were also present.
SUMMARY NOTES ON THE MAMMALS, BIRDS AND BUTTERFLIES
Mammals
The only mammals observed were a Grey Mongoose, Palm Squirrels and a Black-naped
Hare. On our previous visit we recorded Common Indian Civet.
Butterflies
Mannar and the area from Giant's Tank was very good for butterflies. One of the
commonest was the Small Salmon Arab. Other species recorded included Common Rose,
Crimson Rose, Plain Tiger, Common Tiger, Chocolate Soldier, Common Leopard, Grass
Yellows, Orange Tip, Crimson Tip, Common Gull, various Blues, Common Pierrot etc.
The Joker was recorded at Giant's Tank.
Birds
Birds not seen on the previous Mannar visit were Ashy Prinia (Periyar Kalapuwa),
Brahminy Starling, Plaintive Cuckoo, Montagu's Harrier, Pallid Harrier, Jerdon's Nightjar
and Amur Falcon. The total number of species recorded by staff of Jetwing Eco Holidays
in the area from Giant's Tank to Talaimannar in Mannar Island is 127 species.
DISTANCES AND ACCOMMODATION
The previous Mannar Trip Report included information on accommodation and distances.
This information has been repeated below, as it will be useful for those planning a visit.
We have also included details of the Medawachchiya Rest House run by the Hotels
Corporation. They served a good rice and curry for lunch.
Key distance markers en route
Nawadamkulama turn off (106 km post, A3)
Tabbowa Wewa (15 km post, A12)
Wilpattu National Park Turn off road B028 (45 km post, A12. 183 km from Colombo)
Nochchiyagama (52 km post, A12)
Palm Garden Village Hotel, near Anuradhapura (69 km post, A12)
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Anuradhapura (71 km post, A12. 209 km from Colombo)
Cheddikulam (25 km post, A14)
Mannar Causeway (82 km post, A14)
Pesalai, Mannar Island (100 km post, A14)
Accommodation
We stayed at Manjula Inn, 2nd Cross Street, Mannar. Phone 023 32037. It is run by Sam
and his wife. We occupied two inter connecting rooms, upstairs, with common
bathrooms. Clean and comfortable. Superb home cooked food, in what is essentially
Sam's home. He has another couple of rooms downstairs. Rs 500 for room only.
Sinnatamby's Restaurant, Thavulpadu Road, Mannar. Phone 023 32748. 1 room with
no attached bathroom for Rs 300 and 2 rooms with attached bathroom for Rs 500. All
rooms have fans. Clean, but not as homely as Manjula Inn. Birders may like the location.
Medawachchiya Rest House, Medawachchiya. Phone 025 2245699
4 Twin Beds with attached bathroom. One with a/c. B&B Locals Rs 1,300. A/c room Rs
1,300 for room only. Breakfast Rs 150 per person. Approximately 35 miles to Mannar or
about an hour plus 15 minutes drive. Clean, airy and spacious public areas. Rooms were
also of a good size and clean.
Notes on the identification of an Amur Falcon
"Around 6.30 pm, we were about to leave when Sam Caseer drew attention to a small
raptor perched on a thorn bush. It was about the size of a Common Myna and was
longitudinally streaked on the throat and breast. It had an orange yellow cere and legs. A
yellow eye ring was also visible. The legs had a more pronounced orangish tint. The
upperparts were a slaty grey and the upper-tail was not barred. There was a dark mask
across the eyes, but there was no moustachial stripe. Subsequent examination of the
photographs by Namal Kamalgoda drew our attention to a hint of a moustachial stripe.
The under-tail coverts and thighs did not have any trace of orange.
We had with us Collins Bird Guide (Lars Svensson et al, Collins) Birds of the Indian
Subcontinent by Inskipp et al (Helm, A&C Black) and A Field Guide to the Birds of Sri
Lanka by John Harrison (OUP). The bird has a light patch on the nape. Interestingly, the
plate in Collins Bird Guide shows the juvenile of the Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo)
having a lighter patch on the nape. But this is not a diagnostic feature, as far as we can
ascertain. So far, the Eurasian Hobby has not ben recorded fro Sri Lanka. The Hobby
recorded from Sri Lanka is the Oriental Hobby (Falco severus) and the dark hood shown
for the juvenile in Inskipp et al, eliminates it.
Both Amur and Eurasian Hobby juveniles are shown having a moustachial stripe, in
Inskipp et al and Svensson et al. The bird we observed lacked this feature, adding to the
uncertainty of its identity. It had pale fringes on the mantle which showed that it was a
juvenile. As the lighting was clear enough to show the pale fringes, it is likely that any
tail barring would have shown.This bird lacked upper tail barring, a feature of the
juvenile Eurasian Hobby (per the plate in Svensson et al) .
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The plumage details were not conclusive. The absence of a moustachial stripe
contradicted what was expected of both Hobby and Amur. On the other hand, some
plumage features pointed to the unrecorded Eurasian Hobby and others to a juvenile
Amur Falcon. In terms of behavious, both the Amur and the Eurasin Hobby are described
as being active into dusk.
Inskipp et al describes Amur as "in all plumages, has red to pale orange cere, ere-ring,
legs and feet". The streaked underparts were on a white background and lacked the
orangish tones of an Eurasian Hobby shown in the plates in Inskipp et al and Svensson et
al. These details favoured its identity as a juvenile Amur Falcon.
Further support of its identity as a juvenile Amur came when it sallied out in a slow flight
and partially hovered, for a fraction of time. This flight pattern fits the Amur. The Hobby
has a swift dashing flight. We subsequently read that the Eurasian Hobby may also
occasionally hover (Handbook of Bird Identification for Europe and the Western
Palearctic by Mark Beaman and Steve Made, Helm, A&C Black).
Based on the flight pattern, the orangish yellow cere and legs, the lack of an orangish
tone on the underparts, we believe it is likely to be a juvenile Amur Falcon.
PRESS RELEASES
Jetwing Photographic Guides for Dragonflies and Butterflies
Two photographic guide booklets have been published to a selection of the commoner
butterflies and dragonflies of Sri Lanka. These booklets precede work underway on a
larger book which will combine birds, butterflies and dragonflies. The format of the
booklets is to depict a selection of species to facilitate easy reference and identification in
the field. The booklet on Dragonflies is an important publication as it represents the first
step, to produce a guide for field work. It has 88 images representing 65 species.
Dragonflies and Damselflies are not easy to identify in the field and a fuller book will be
published in due course which has accompanying text. The butterfly booklet has 63
images depicting 62 species. They will be available at leading bookshops with an
expected retail price of around Rs 100.
The two booklets are produced by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne who has drawn on the
technical expertise of Michael and Nancy van der Poorten on the butterflies and Matjaz
Bedjanic and Karen Coniff on the Dragonflies. The photography has been undertaken
principally by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne for the butterflies and shared with Matjaz
Bedjanic for the Dragonflies. Bedjanic is a researcher with the Slovenian Institute of
Conservation and the van der Poorten's are resident in Canada. The booklets demonstrate
how the internet has allowed people resident in different countries and continents to work
effectively towards a common goal. The structure of the booklets is simply as a
collection of images captioned with the English and Latin name. A Sinhala and Tamil
nomenclature does not exist for Butterflies and Dragonflies. Species of both groups are
simply referred to as a 'Samanalaya' or 'Bath Kura' in Sinhala. The butterfly booklet has
324

12/10/2007
a pronunciation guide to the English names in Sinhala in the accompanying caption. The
pronunciation guide has been excluded for the dragonflies because of space constraints.
Both booklets will be available in due course on the web (www.jetwingeco.com). The
English names for the dragonflies had to be coined afresh. A key contributor to the
coining of suitable names was Jill Silsby, author of the "Dragonflies of the World".
Lalin de Mel, Director Marketing of Jetwing Hotels sees the support of the Jetwing
Research Initiative for the publications as stemming from two facets. "Firstly, there is a
growing recognition that the corporate sector has an important role to play in
safeguarding a future for Sri Lanka's bio-diversity". Secondly, de Mel sees it as an
example of the search for high yield by the Sri Lankan Tourism industry who are
developing new and innovative eco-tourism products. Jetwing have rapidly become
established as the country's most high profile Nature Tourism provider after it set up
Jetwing Eco Holidays, a specialist subsidiary. The office staff include people such as
Amila Salgado and Chandrika Maelge who are also keen naturalists, an essential attribute
for a specialist service provider. The company is headed by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne
who with almost weekly appearances in the print and television media is emerging as a
wildlife tourism celebrity.
According to Hiran Cooray, MD of Jetwing Hotels "Successful eco-tourism companies
should be profitable to have the resources to support research and conservation.
Therefore business success is critical if money or enthusiasm is not to wane over the long
term". The photographs in the booklets will be serialized in due course in one of the
national newspapers as part of Gehan's mission to impart knowledge to school children.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The BIRD SOUNDS of Sri Lanka
An audio CD featuring 99 species recorded and compiled by Deepal Warakagoda.
Published by Drongo Nature Sounds Library
This is to announce the first CD of bird sounds published in Sri Lanka. 99 species are
featured, to fill the 99 tracks of the CD, for 73 minutes. The bird vocalizations selected
for inclusion are distinctive and pleasing ones. The purpose of the CD is twofold - for use
as an identification guide, or to provide a pleasant nature 'soundscape' when played
continuously in the background for relaxation or enjoyment, for example, in an office, at
a gathering, in a hotel environment, during household work, in a traffic jam, while
driving, or played on the computer while working at the screen. Bird names are not
announced on the soundtrack, as done in the previous identification guide series by the
same recordist.
A leaflet included gives the identity of the bird on each track, and a brief introduction to
the bird sounds of Sri Lanka The species are grouped on the CD according to ten main
habitat types of Sri Lanka: wet zone, near towns; dry zone forests; hill country gardens;
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lakes and marshes; dry zone gardens; wet zone forests; grasslands and scrublands;
lagoons and saltpans; hill country forests; and wet zone, rural gardens.
Copies can be purchased from Eco Rhythm, 5A Perahera Mawatha, Colombo 2. Phone
2439883. Rs 1,200. Also available from the Wildife and Nature Protection Society and
from the Wildlife SHop of the Yala Safari Game Lodge.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SRI LANKA WILDLIFE NEWS is a monthly e-mail of birding and wildlife events, sightings and
short notes of interest to birders, photographers, conservationists etc. To receive a copy, please
e-mail gehan@jetwing.lk with "Subscribe Wildlife News" in the subject header. SLWN values your
privacy, to be removed, e-mail with “Unsubscribe Wildlife News” in the header. Please e-mail your
sightings, events etc to gehan@jetwing.lk. The media are welcome to extract details, but please
attribute the source. Past issues are on www.jetwingeco.com
SEPTEMBER 2003
326
SRI LANKA WILDLIFE NEWS (September 2003)
- a monthly (compilation by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne (17/10/2003)
HIGHLIGHTS
[*] Birding in Sinharaja
[*] Natural History Report from Yala (See Articles)
[*] A Synopsis of the Photographic Lecture on Whales & Dolphins by Duncan Murrel
(See Articles)
[*] Photographic Guide booklets to butterflies and dragonflies (See Press Releases)
EVENTS SUMMARY
Saturday 25 October 2003, Speaker and Topic to be confirmed. NBLT, University of
Colombo, Colombo 3. Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka 9.30 am. General Meeting.
BIRDING & WILDLIFE NEWS

12/10/2007
Amila Salgado reports on 29 Sept Brown Hawk Owl roosting in an Iron wood tree at his
home garden in Bomiriya. There were some noisy construction work going on at my
residence following the sightings and it was not seen thereafter during day time. Also on
16 Oct in Bomiriya. on a rainy day I saw the first Brown-breasted Flycatcher for the
season seen in a low perch.
Johan Tornvall sends in a short note from his last visit (20-21 September) to Sinharaja.
"The highlight was a nesting Sri Lanka Frogmouth, 10 m from the path, halfway to the
Research Station". He adds "I also had good views of 2 Green-billed Coucals close to the
park entrance as well as a quick observation of a male and female Sri Lanka Spurfowl.
A mixed feeding flock contained no less then 6 Red-faced Malkohas. A total of 14
Malabar Trogons, they just seemed to be everywhere this time. A Spot-winged Thrush
was seen behind the Research Station. No winter migrants seemed to have arrived yet.
All with the good help from Sunil at Sinharaja".
Rienzie Warnakulasooriya (Jetwing Eco) reports 5 Leopard sightings at Yala National
Park on 11 September between 5.00 - 6.30 p.m. The sightings sequence was as follows.
1. Gonagala Wewa
2. Between Gonagala Wewa and Buttawa Wewa
3. Buttawa spill road
4. Meynertwewa
5. Diganwala".
[Ed. We can only be envious!]
Chitral Jayatilake, Asoka Jayatilake, Dilrukshan Tillakeratne, Aruna
Keerthisinghe & Chanaka Gunathilake visited Yala National Park from the 10th - 14th
September 2003. He reports that the "four days spent at Thalgasmankada was very
productive with Leopard sightings just before the park closed on the 15th.
The Kotabendi Wewa cubs were observed on two days both at Koma Wewa and
at the vicinity of Kotabendi Wewa. The male was seen drinking late evening at the Koma
Wewa and the following morning, 12th, the cubs were observed together. Their
interaction and playing were absolutely fantastic to watch. The female was naturally the
more active and the naughty one with the male cub joining her in short bursts of play.
12th evening - a couple of Leopards were observed by the 02nd vehicle on the
"Warahana" road which was thought to be a courting pair.
13th evening - the famous injured Leopard with a broken left hind leg (which is thought
to be GMC 5) was observed drinking at Koma Wewa, when a couple of Buffalos
suddenly chased the limping leopard away from the water.
One Tusker ("Short Tusk") was seen at Palugaswala 2 and the Bear
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12/10/2007
which had been badly injured on the face was seen for a couple of days at
the Suduwelimulla area. The wounds seem to have healed well after the
couple of jabs it had received from the Wildlife Department's vet".
Ranjith Hulugalle visited Yala in the first wek of September. He says "I went to Tissa
by bus and I hired a jeep and went to Yala, and saw a bear close up. I think it is the first
time I had seen bear in Yala on the numerous trips i have been there. Another incredible
sight was of two Jungle Fowl fighting. It would have looked super in a video, as they
were close to the jeep.
One other memorable sight was of the local endemic Grey Hornbill and the Malabar
Pied Hornbill on the same branch looking at each other. I did not have my telephoto with
me so could not capture that well, as I had not thought I would be going to Yala when I
ventured on my overnight bus trip!!
Lying in the pool at the Tissa Resthouse in the evening, the birds flying in formation to
the little island in the middle of the tank was also a delight. It was the first time i had
been to the two chaityas in Tissa, as normally one drives by, worth a visit".
Amila Salgado, Chandrika Maelge & Sabrina Mack together with Wicky
Wickramaratne of Jetwing Eco Holidays visited Kithulgala (7 September), for a day of
Birding and Trekking. Sabrina Mack reports “We were almost near our destination in
Kithulgala when I spotted the first endemic. A Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill was sitting on a
branch and was looking out for its next catch. Near by a very rare sight, a mixed flock,
which included Yellow and Orange billed Babblers. After reaching Kithulgala, we
went for a walk in the nature trail of the Rafter’s Retreat Lodge. Through the trees we
spotted an Emerald Dove perched on a branch and nearby, between two trees a large
cobweb was being maintained very well by a Giant Wood Spider. Most of the trees in the
area had Acavus snails on the barks. We then crossed the Kelany River in a dug out
canoe and reached the Kelani Valley Forest reserve. While crossing the river, a large
Black Eagle swooped overhead and on a flat rock in the middle of the river a black
Comorant basks in the sun. The walk through the forest was quite a fruitful one. In a
large opening in the middle of the forest a Brahminy Kite was gliding around. On a tree
nearby, the rustling revealed a Giant Squirrel. Also on the Floor of the forest, Chandrika
sighted a Spot-winged Thrush jumping around looking for its next worm. The highlights
of this trip included the sighting of four Dollarbirds (Broad-billed Rollers) from “one
single” location. This included a sub-adult and a Juvenile Dollarbird on one tree. From an
opening in this Paddyfield we spotted a flock of Mynas. To get a clear view, we had to
use the scope, then I spotted a Hill Myna and a Sri Lanka Myna, both of them on the
same branch and the same tree. We were also very lucky to see the first migrant for the
season, the Grey Wagtail. On the walk back, on two neighboring trees a Sri Lanka
Hanging Parakeet was enjoying the tender center of an Ariconut, while on the other tree a
Black-rumped Flameback was clinging on to the tree bark. We also saw a few Psyches, a
Clipper and a Bluebottle.
Lal Anthonis reports on the "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly".
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The Good
14th August - Mr Ratnayake Assistant Manager of the TREE Centre of the Wildlife Trust
told me on my visit to Randenigala that he had had 2 leopard sightings within the
Randenigala Sanctuary, within the complex (about a mile & a half from the Randenigala
spill) between 8.30 and 9 pm.
Bar-tailed Godwit in full summer plumage at Kokkari Villu in Wilpattu on 29 August.
The Bad
Nachchaduwa
4 years ago in August I spent 4 days in the Nachchaduwa Irrigation Department circuit
bungalow. Just below the spill and along the canal I observed 23 different types of
dragonflies, 4 unusual spiders and 3 rare frogs. The raptors were all over the wewa. Tank
Eagles, White-bellied Sea Eagles, Brahaminy Kites and Harriers just to name a few.
Three and a half years ago the people started coming. With them came the polythene
bags, the cardboard catons and the bottles among other garbage.
This year August I was back at Nachchaduwa Bungalow. I saw only one bird of prey.
There wasn't a single dragonfly, not one spider, not one frog. They are all gone and only
the rocks remain.
The Ugly
Between Puttalam and Nochchiyagama on the Anuradhapura road is a beautiful stretch
where the road bisects the Tabbowa Wewa. Eating houses are coming up on one side of
the road and chairs and tables on the other side. It won't be long before this place looks
like Galle Face".
Wicky Wickremesekera, Chandima Jayaweera and Hetti reports Grey Wagtail near
the Sitha Amman Kovil on 8 September 2003. The Grey Wagtail is usually one of the
earliest migrants.
Amodha Kannagara reports "Visited Yala National Park from 25th to 31st August. Had
5 leopard sightings. On the 25th day we heard deer alarm calls at Koma Wewa. We
waited around 15 mins and then moved off and returned 15 mins later to find a lot of
vehicles on the bund and the road below. Evidently one of the cubs had come to drink
water, we managed to catch a brief sight of it as it headed into a bush. On the way back to
the Warahana bungalow we came across a large male in the middle of the road at the
Warahana-Katagamuwa turn off.
The next day we stopped for a very very large Bear, a few meters from the Talgas
junction. In the evening had a brief glimpse of a larg male on the Gonalebbe-Talgas
connecting road. There was a buffalo kill just by the road where the white sand area of
the road starts. The time was 6.30. It seemed shy and moved of in to the jungle. On the
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12/10/2007
28th morning we had a brief sighting of a female leopard crossing the main road next to
Meynert Wewa. It had obviously drunk water and was on its way. Soon afterwards we
came across a bear and its cub on the main road just after the Buttuwa Wewa turn off.
At 8am that same morning we had a very good sighting of the 2 Kotabendi Wewa cubs.
They had drunk water from Koma Wewa and were sighted in the shade a few meters
from the road. They shifted position and ended up in the middle of the road. During this
time I took what was arguably the best leopard shots I have taken. The female was lying
across the road and the male approched from behind. He nudged her and she nudged him
back, they licked and a bit of play fighting ensued. It all ended in under a minute and they
moved of in to the jungle. I had time to go through a roll or Provia on them. Our last
leopard sighting was on the 30th going back to the Ondatjie Bungalow. A large male was
drinking at Heen Wewa. Elephants were hard to come by. We had good sightings of the 2
Black-necked Storks.
On 16 th August, Nilantha Kodituwakku accompanied Leila Calanan and Eduardo and
two others, on a game drive to Yala. He reports "We traveled through the Akasachaithiya
Road towards Talgasmankade junction via Gonalabbe Medapara. When approaching the
junction, our attention was drawn towards a Spotted Deer crashing through the bush. No
sooner, a fully-grown leopard appeared through the bushes about 40 meters away looking
in the direction where the deer disappeared. It went down to the ground for few seconds,
half sat, crouched and started stalking stealthily in the direction of the deer ran, before
disappearing. We watched this incident for about 05 minutes from 5.45 pm.
From there, we proceeded to Koma Wewa. The water in the tank was fast drying up and
our attention was drawn to a medium size crocodile carrying something ” white” in the
mouth. It turned out to be a carcass of an egret (probably a little egret) in the mouth of the
crocodile. It seemed to be a fresh carcass. It did not take a few seconds for another 4
crocodiles to surround the crocodile with the dead bird. However, the crocodile managed
to escape, the interlopers with its’ “prized” morsel , swimming underwater to a safe
distance, before reappearing to gulp down the bird in total. This incident took place at
about 6.00pm.The Koma Wewa accommodates a good number of crocodiles.
On our return journey, once again along the Gonalabbe Medapara, just before the turn
off to the Akasachaithiya Road near a dried up water hole our attention was drawn
towards a huge black patch among the bushes, to see a huge bear half sitting and finally
resting fully stretched out on the ground. The time was about 6.20pm; we could not stay
for a longer time as we had to leave the park entrance by 7.00pm the latest. The bear was
still around when we left.
All in all, it was quite a successful safari with few elephants and other animals. There
were plenty of birds with male Peacocks developing their tail feathers, getting ready in
good time for the forthcoming breeding season, in November. There were Yellow-
wattled Lapwings, with chicks in the area.
NEW BOOKS
The text below is from Press Releases by the Publishers.
330

12/10/2007
Gulls of Europe, Asia and North America by Klaus Malling Olsen and Hans Larsson.
Illustrated by Hans Larsson. Published August 2003 ISBN 0-7136-4377-3. GBP 45. A&C
Black Publishers Ltd, 37 Soho Square, London W1 D 3QZ, UK. Tel 020 7758 0200. Email
publicity@acblack.com.
A new title in the highly acclaimed Helm Identification Guides series, Gulls of Europe,
Asia and North America comprehensively covers some of the most familiar seabirds as
well as some little known and globally threatened species of the gull family. This is the
first detailed identification guide for the challenging species in 16 years and is set to
become a vital reading for any birdwatcher interested in the species. A total of 43 species
are treated in this long awaited guide, which focuses on identification, moult, status and
distribution. The guide combines detailed text with 96 full colour plates covering all
plumages and variations, both in flight and at rest along with 800 previously unpublished
colour photographs taken by some of the world's leading bird photographs. It also
incorporates colour distribution maps for all species. Gulls of Europe, Asia and North
America is the comprehensive guide, essential to gull watchers of any skill.
A Concise History of Ornithology by Michael Walters. ISBN 1 873403 97 6. GBP 30.
Christopher Helm, an imprint of A&C Black Publishers Ltd, 37 Soho Square, London
W1 D 3QZ, UK. Tel 020 7758 0200. E-mail publicity@acblack.com.
This comprehensive historical account of the study of birds traces ornithology from the
earliest written records through to the twentieth century. The fascinating works and lives
of ornithology's pioneering scientists, including such people as Linnaeus, Darwin and
Wallace are considered chronologically, while issues such as evolution, conservation,
taxonomy and genetics raised through the pursuit of ornithological interests are
discussed. This educational, entertaining and well illustrated read demonstrates how
omithology has become the complex scientific discipline it is today and will be of great
use to birders, and naturalists alike.
"Michael Walters had produced an exhilarating account of the history of ornithology. I
found the information about the personal lives and foibles of the personae to be
fascinating." Jon E. Ahlquist, Ohio University
ARTICLES
Natural History Report from Yala
- Chandra Jayawardane, Nilanth aKodituwakku and Nadeera Weerasinghe
The naturalists of Yala Safari Game Lodge, Chandra Jayawardane, Nilantha
Kodituwakkuand Nadeera Weerasinghe have made the following observations during the
month of July 2002.
Large Mammals
Leopards - 33 encounters involving 37 leopards
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12/10/2007
Bears - 18 encounters involving 29 bears
Tuskers - 5 encounters involving 5 tuskers
These sighting numbers include multiple sightings of individual animals.
Birds
During the month of July 2003, the Naturalists and the Guests to the Game Lodge have
recorded 15 migratory bird species. During July, the Guests have recorded having seen 2
Greater Sand plovers and a Peregrine. On 10 th July, a total count of 100+ Gull-billed
Terns in the Goda Kalapuwa and Large Crested Terns about 34+ and 90 + were observed
on 1 st July and 15 th July respectively at the Palatupana Salt Pans
The records kept at the Game Lodge by the Naturalists have show the recording of
migrant species as follows. These relate to birds which are believed to be 'loiterers'.
April, 36 species
May 26 species
June 24 species
July 15 species
Flora
During July, a total number of 55 plant species were observed in flowering and fruiting.
Of which 17 species were in bloom, 20 plants in fruiting and 17 species flowering and
fruiting.
Other animals
During this period from 15 th to 28 th, 8 python sightings have also been recorded whilst on
game drives.
A giant black ant about 2.5 cm long was observed preying upon very small black ants
03 rd of July in the lobby area of the Game Lodge. Once again on 30 th of July, Gehan de
Silva Wijeyeratne too saw the 3 of the giant ants mentioned in the premises of the Game
Lodge and photographed the ants.
A Synopsis of The Photographic Lecture on Whales & Dolphins By Duncan Murrel
2nd July 2003 SLNHS- Barefoot- Jetwing Lecture Series
- Tara Wikramanayake
Duncan shared his experiences and superb photography with a packed audience. There
were over 60 in the audience which included Sir Arthur C. Clarke. Duncan has been
photographing Whales, Dolphins and other marine mammals and fauna for over 20 years.
A true lover of nature, he conducts his photography from a kayak, shunning all forms of
motorised boats, so that there will be no disturbance to the environment. It is now well
known that the sound waves from a boat’s motors disorient whales and that this is one
332

12/10/2007
cause of whales getting beached. Duncan would rather undergo discomfort, than cause
pain and death to his subjects by traveling in mechanised boats.
Over 1000 Humpback Whales visit Alaska. They are gentle creatures and not at all
aggressive. We were enthralled with a still of a Humpback’s tail up in the air from which
a shower of water poured like a gigantic fountain.
Humpbacks feed together in what is called a “bubble net” feeding frenzy. They locate
their prey, then one whale dives and creates a cylinder of bubbles which traps the fish.
Some endearing pictures of a playful Sea Lion that got on to Duncan’s boat and refused
to move away, were shown. This same Sea Lion had clung on to him with his flippers,
while Duncan was under water and it is easy to understand how humans and such
creatures can bond with each other, when hearing of such encounters.
Other interesting photographs included those of Orcas, Stellar’s Sea Lions, Sea Otters
and breathtaking scenery which depicted the unspoilt beauty of Alaska. At the end of
what proved to be a delightful evening, an interested audience asked many questions
from Duncan who very kindly answered all their questions.
PRESS RELEASES
Jetwing Photographic Guides for Dragonflies and Butterflies
Two photographic guide booklets have been published to a selection of the commoner
butterflies and dragonflies of Sri Lanka. These booklets precede work underway on a
larger book which will combine birds, butterflies and dragonflies. The format of the
booklets is to depict a selection of species to facilitate easy reference and identification in
the field. The booklet on Dragonflies is an important publication as it represents the first
step, to produce a guide for field work. It has 88 images representing 65 species.
Dragonflies and Damselflies are not easy to identify in the field and a fuller book will be
published in due course which has accompanying text. The butterfly booklet has 63
images depicting 62 species. They will be available at leading book shops with an
expected retail price of around Rs 100.
The two booklets are produced by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne who has drawn on the
technical expertise of Michael and Nancy van der Poorten on the butterflies and Matjaz
Bedjanic and Karen Coniff on the Dragonflies. The photography has been undertaken
principally by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne for the butterflies and shared with Matjaz
Bedjanic for the Dragonflies. Bedjanic is a researcher with the Slovenian Institute of
Conservation and the van der Poorten's are resident in Canada. The booklets demonstrate
how the internet has allowed people resident in different countries and continents to work
effectively towards a common goal. The structure of the booklets is simply as a
collection of images captioned with the English and Latin name. A Sinhala and Tamil
nomenclature does not exist for Butterflies and Dragonflies. Species of both groups are
simply referred to as a 'Samanalaya' or 'Bath Kura' in Sinhala. The butterfly booklet has
a pronunciation guide to the English names in Sinhala in the accompanying caption. The
pronunciation guide has been excluded for the dragonflies because of space constraints.
333

12/10/2007
Both booklets will be available in due course on the web (www.jetwingeco.com). The
English names for the dragonflies had to be coined afresh. A key contributor to the
coining of suitable names was Jill Silsby, author of the "Dragonflies of the World".
Lalin de Mel, Director Marketing of Jetwing Hotels sees the support of the Jetwing
Research Initiative for the publications as stemming from two facets. "Firstly, there is a
growing recognition that the corporate sector has an important role to play in
safeguarding a future for Sri Lanka's bio-diversity". Secondly, de Mel sees it as an
example of the search for high yield by the Sri Lankan Tourism industry who are
developing new and innovative eco-tourism products. Jetwing have rapidly become
established as the country's most high profile Nature Tourism provider after it set up
Jetwing Eco Holidays, a specialist subsidiary. The office staff include people such as
Amila Salgado and Chandrika Maelge who are also keen naturalists, an essential attribute
for a specialist service provider. The company is headed by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne
who with almost weekly appearances in the print and television media is emerging as a
wildlife tourism celebrity.
According to Hiran Cooray, MD of Jetwing Hotels "Successful eco-tourism companies
should be profitable to have the resources to support research and conservation.
Therefore business success is critical if money or enthusiasm is not to wane over the long
term". The photographs in the booklets will be serialized in due course in one of the
national newspapers as part of Gehan's mission to impart knowledge to school children.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Penny Jayewardene, President of the Society for the Protection of Animal Rights
(SPAR) has sent in the following information which she thinks would help to educate
and inspire people.
The Society for the Protection of Animal Rights (SPAR) acknowledges the stand taken
by two leading organisations in our country against the cruelty to animals and making
people aware of the rights of animals. The Petroleum Corporation was made aware of a
group of stray dogs who would have been destroyed by the Municipal Council of the area
save for the intervention of a compassionate member of the staff of the Corporation - Ms
Udyanganie Jayewardene, who brought the plight of the dogs to the notice of SPAR.
SPAR in turn contacted the Chairman of the CPC, Mr. Daham Wimalasena. The
Chairman supported our proposals to have the dogs inoculated, sterilized and made
community friendly. This support by the Chairman and a donation towards carrying out
this work, prevented about sixty dogs and puppies from being needlessly gassed or
speared to death.
Another success story was the appeal made to Richard Pieris and Company Limited to
discontinue all programmes to entertain children using animals. The Company had
planned entertainment programmes over a period of time that included monkey and snake
dances and pony rides. SPAR made the authorities aware of the cruelty involved in these
practises and also highlighted that children should be taught to respect the rights of
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animals and not use animals as objects of entertainment. The monkeys and snakes are
caught in the wild and rendered orphans. Worse still they are separated from their
environment and must thereafter be at the mercy of their owners - generally starving
gypsies. These gypsies must not be encouraged in their trade even though traditional.
Some traditions are barbaric and should have been discontinued long ago. Ponies are tied
to trees in the blazing sun in unoccupied land in Colombo with no means of water or food
for hours on end. They are then brought to entertain children and their carers seldom or
never give them water. They are made to walk hour after hour on hard surfaces with no
thought of the sun and the weight on their backs. In a country steeped in the religion of
compassion - Buddhism, we are allowing our children, the future of this country, to
become more and more desensitised and demanding when it comes to animals. We are
encouraging our children to view animals as objects of food or entertainment.
We at SPAR are happy to note that Dr Sena Yaddehige, Chairman of Richard Pieris, and
his company have realized the gravity of cruelty involved in the entertainment of animals.
They have spearheaded a new vision of business with compassion where animals are
concerned. We do hope other private companies will follow suit. We also hope that other
Government Organisations will follow the example set by the Ceylon Petroleum
Corporation under the able leadership of Mr. Daham Wimalasena.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SRI LANKA WILDLIFE NEWS is a monthly e-mail of birding and wildlife events, sightings and
short notes of interest to birders, photographers, conservationists etc. To receive a copy, please
e-mail gehan@jetwing.lk with "Subscribe Wildlife News" in the subject header. SLWN values your
privacy, to be removed, e-mail with “Unsubscribe Wildlife News” in the header. Please e-mail your
sightings, events etc to gehan@jetwing.lk. The media are welcome to extract details, but please
attribute the source. Past issues are on www.jetwingeco.com
JULY & AUGUST 2003
335
SRI LANKA WILDLIFE NEWS (July & August 2003)
- a monthly (usually!) compilation by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne (01/09/2003)
HIGHLIGHTS
[*] Sea Watching excursion off the seas of Kirinda by Sunela Jayawardane
[*] Leopard cub stalks Wild Boar under the watchful eyes of mother by Placid Coorey
[*] New books by Christopher Helm include long awaited guide on Gulls (See New
Books)
[*] An Introduction to the Agamid Lizards of Sri Lanka by Kithsiri Gunawardena and
Birding Trip Report from the Peak Wilderness by Malaka Rodrigo (see Articles)
[*] Lectures on Slender Loris and Elephants (See Events Summary)
[*] Improve your Arithmetic in Yala (see Travel Brief)

12/10/2007
EVENTS SUMMARY
Thu 4 September 2003 6.00 pm. Slender Loris by Dr Anne Isola Nekaris, Senior
Lecturer, University of Oxford. Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science,
Vidya Mawatha, off Wijerama Mawatha. Colombo 7. WNPS Public Lecture Series.
Friday 5 September 7.00 pm. [SUBSTITUTION] Can we keep the Jumbo Afloat by
Dr Devaka Weerakoon. Barefoot - SLNHS - Jetwing Lecture Series. Barefoot Gallery,
704 Galle Road, Colombo 6.
Dr Devaka Weerakoon presents his points of view based on the last 6 years of research
on the ranging and social behaviour and human elephant conflict in the north-western and
southern regions of Sri Lanka. He will be drawing on the research, which used radio
collaring work to discuss whether a shift is needed in our approach to the scientific
management of elephants. He will give his ideas on what we need to do conserve the
elephant on a long term basis, and its current status. Dr Devaka Weerakoon is Senior
Lecturer in Zoology at the University of Colombo. Please note that this lecture substitutes
for "Sharks a much maligned predator by Lyn Robinson". Regrettably, Lyn's lecture
has to be postponed for later in the year.
19 - 21 September 2003 The International Symposium on Human Elephant
Relationships and Conflicts. Colombo Plaza Hotel(previously known as Lanka
Oberoi). Abstracts of papers should be sent to Jayantha Jayewardene (romalijj@eureka.lk
) by 30th June for review by a committee. Please see the symposium website
www.slwcs.org/sherc. for more, details.
Jayantha Jayewardene has sent in the following progress update. "The symposium is
turning out to be a big event. We have had 75 abstracts of papers to be presented. An
international committee will review these and choose 60 papers, which is the number
possible in the three days 19th to 21st September. In addition there will be a keynote
address by Ian Douglas Hamilton, the well known elephant expert and special addresses
by Prof Raman Sukumar, Chairman of the Asian Elephant Specialist Group and Karl
Stromayer of the United States Fish & Wildlife Service. Already over 60 foreign
participants have registered. We are expecting over 100 foreign participants. Registration
for Sri Lankan participants is a nominal Rs. 3,500.00 including Lunch and Tea on all
three days.
BIRDING & WILDLIFE NEWS
Hiran & Darshini Cooray, Ranjith Hulugalla, Nalaka Mendis and Gehan de Silva
Wijeyeratne (31 August) observed a Black Eagle soaring over a ridge in Karandana.
This is a few kilometers as the crow lies, from the Kalatuwawa Reservoir. The first four,
continued to Bodhingala and arrived at noon. Several Earless Lizards (Otocryptis
weigmanni) were observed. One male was displaying and had its head and neck a
turquoise green. Butterflies observed included Common Evening Brown, Clipper, Blue
Mormon and Common Crow.
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Sunela Jayawardane sends in a report of a sea watching trip off the seas off Kirinda .
At dawn (16 August 2003), our group of 6, met up with Chandra Jayawardana and
Nilantha Kodituwakku (Naturalists, Yala Safari Lodge) on the smelly quay of the
fisheries harbour. The previous evening we had already discussed that, despite our
original plans going awry, due to the sand bar that had formed at the harbour mouth and
the choppy seas that, we would go out to sea. This meant that, the larger trawler we were
scheduled to travel in, couldn’t come into harbour. As only experienced seamen could
leap from the little fishing boats into the trawler now moored out in the open sea, our
only option was to use the little fishing boats with outboard engines. Our group of 8
accompanied by 3 experienced fisherman, split up into 2 boats and headed out from the
harbour.
The trip was originally conceived as an experimental run to assess the potential of whale
watching, something Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne was interested in us exploring for him,
as part of his on-going 'homework". However, the weather had also changed our
objective. We now travelled out to view the Great Basses Island, 12 miles out from
Kirinda. The ancient lighthouse stands out on that endlessly swaying horizon. The waves
were too high to hope to see even a whale spout from our little boats – this is when one
longs for the crows’ nest of the Odyssey that Duncan Murrell sits in!
As we neared the Great Basses it was evident that, it is merely an atoll of the reef that
runs somewhat parallel to Sri Lanka’s SE coast. Due to this formation, the seas around
the island are extremely rough. A small school of dolphin (nobody was able to advise us
of the species) is reputed to regularly hunt in the vicinity. However, even the dolphin
evaded us today! Through the spray we spotted the lighthouse crew (who are stationed
for 6 week stints) waving to us from a balcony. Our fisherman guide showed us cracks
which had appeared on the building due to dynamiting for fish. This method of fishing is
apparently, no longer practiced.
We headed out a few more miles but then decided to turn back as, some of our group
were sea sick. On the journey back to shore, we spotted a solitary Wilson’s Storm
Petrel. Further on, we spotted another bird, we could not identify though it seemed
identical to the first except, for the absence of the white band at the base of it’s tail.
Closer to shore, we spotted a pair of Large Crested Terns. It was interesting to note that,
all these birds flew low along the deep furrow between waves, possibly to contend with
the high winds. Close to the Great Basses Island a large fish was spotted briefly
surfacing. Nilantha was the only one who saw a fish/dolphin leap high in the air at some
distance. Other than for these limited sightings our enjoyment was confined to those with
good sea legs who took pleasure in simply being out in the open sea!
The fisherman at Kirinda advised us to return during Feb/March when the seas are calm
and it is possible to board a trawler and go further out to sea. However, one must always
keep in mind that, whether on land or at sea, wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed!
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Nicole Parkrama reports "We had stayed at Yala for one day and failed to see any
leopards during our morning and evening rounds and were quite disappointed. Our next
stay was at Nuwara Eliya and to our great delight, on one of those curly hill roads close
to Hakgala, a large leopard stepped carefully onto the road and bounded across in two
graceful motions, not more than 5 metres in front of our jeep, then disappeared down the
side of the hill and was lost to sight due to the thick vegetation. It was quite an event!
I was wondering whether this is a common occurrence or not? I know that there are
leopards in the estates in the hill country, and at World's End, but I heard that they are
quite shy of humans? There were humans around the bend and quite close behind us.
Could this leopard be injured or something?
Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne reports on a near miss, with the Kota Bendi Wewa Leopard
cubs. 'We did four game drives on the 29 and 30 July. On the 29th evening, around 4.30
pm, we came across a few jeeps parked near a dead Spotted Deer, on an open grassy
plain, beside the Talgasmankada Gonalabbe Meda Para T junction. Another jeep had
passed the area about 10 minutes ago and it had not been there. We waited in the hope
that the two cubs which had not been seen for around five days would make an
appearance. A curious feature was that we could not see any injury marks on the deer to
suggest it had been killed by a leopard. It maybe that the viewing angle did not permits us
to see any 'kill marks' or perhaps it had suffered cardiac arrest!
We left at 6.15pm and learnt the next day that shortly afterwards the two cubs had
appeared. The male cub had dragged the kill into the thicket, under a Maliththan tree. The
next morning we were on our way to the kill when we were informed of a Sloth Bear
which had crossed the main road near the Patanangala turn off. We waited and were
rewarded by the bear crossing the road towards Padikkema. It then walked up the large
outcrop and disappeared from view. Joining the other vehicles at the kill, we learnt that
the Sloth Bear had been a costly distraction. The two cubs had been at the kill from 6.30
am for just over an hour. They had fed and played out in the open. Aaaargh! We stayed
at the kill till 11.00 and headed off returning at 3.30 pm. Once again we left at 6.15,
without seeing the cubs.
A notable feature in the park was that the Spotted Deer were rutting. Almost every half
hour, a bellowing would emanate from the forest as a Spotted Deer stag engaged in
establishing his dominance. As we waited at the kill, we heard these anguished sounding
calls very often. On at least three occasions we observed aggression between stags. At
Wilpala Wewa we watched a spirited fight between two stags. As one stag tired, another
picked up the fight".
Namal Kamalgoda reports from Yala on a Wild Pig carrying off a Spotted Deer killed
by a Leopard. Jackie Namalgoda, Gihan Rajapaksa and myself were staying at the
Heen Wewa bungalow when we were woken up on the 19th August morning. The time
was 3.30 am. the tracker had come to inform us that a deer had been attacked by a
leopard and was lying behind the bungalow keepers quarters. A fully-grown female
spotted deer lay barely five feet away from the rear of the quarters. She had a single
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puncture wound on the neck and was very much alive. There was some blood on the
ground where she lay. For some reason she was unable to get up. We suspected that her
back might have been broken. She appeared to have no other external injuries. The
Assistant bungalow keeper said that he had been woken up by the commotion at the back.
At that time he had also noted a large wild boar in the vicinity. This led us to speculate
that the leopard was prevented from finishing the job by the wild boar. We where now
faced with a dilemma, what do we do about the deer?
We decided to do nothing, after all nature should run its due course. We hoped that the
leopard would come back and finish the job thus delivering the poor deer from a long a
painful death. With heavy hearts we went back to sleep. We woke up at 5.30am to be
informed that the deer was still alive. It appeared that the wild boar and our touches had
driven the leopard away. Upon our return from the morning round at 10.30 am, we were
informed that the deer had just died. The body was still warm. A further examination
revealed deep gashes on its belly and flanks, where the predator’s claws may have struck
the deer. Already the tail had been torn off and eaten. The staff was unable to tell if the
tail was missing when it was still alive. We then dragged the carcass to the side away
from the bungalow. We hoped that the rightful owner will stake it’s claim on its dinner.
The only animals that did visit the carcass were a couple of crows and a Ruddy
Mongoose. We arrived back from the evening drive to find the carcass still untouched.
Then suddenly a large tusked wild boar appeared. He was in frenzy, as he had obviously
smelt the carcass. He attempted to eat, but was uncomfortable about our presence. Then it
did something I had to see to believe. The wild boar put its snout under the deer and
carried it a distance of about five feet. It physically carried the fully-grown carcass off the
ground this way. It repeated this until the carcass was deep inside the jungle. What an
amazing show of strength"
Placid Coorey also reports from Yala. on a Leopard Cub stalking a Wild Pig under the
watchful eyes of its mother. From 17 to 19 July, we (myself, Leslie Bandaranayaka,
Viran & Thilani Perera, Kishan & Surani Gunawardene, Channa Amerasinghe, Pravin
Ramanadan and Nisreen Rehmanjee) stayed at the Thalgasmankada bungalow and had 3
sightings of leopard and one of bear. On 17/07 at about 6.15 pm we witnessed for about
15 minutes the Kota Bendi Wewa male cub performing to us and another jeep at the
Wewa. It was climbing onto the branch of a fallen tree, strolling around, drinking water
on 2 occasions and sometimes lying and sometimes sitting for a few minutes - before
walking over the bund into the jungle. We were told that he had been there for at least
half hour before our arrival.
On 18/07 we heard the alarm calls of deer around the Handunoruwa Wewa as we were
returning to the bungalow at about 6.30 pm and briefly saw the Handunoruwa mother and
cub (according to the tracker Ajantha Piyananda) as they were walking from the wewa
into the jungle. Expecting the leopards to cross Thalgasmankada road, we moved on to
await their arrival and were rewarded with a fascinating glimpse into jungle life and
leopard cub behaviour.
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There was a big wild boar in a clearing about 20 metres from the road which was
partially screened from us by scrub. As we watched, the cub began to stalk the boar. It
was obvious to us and the boar that the cub had no chance of subduing the boar. The boar
would run for a few metres followed by the cub and then stop and look around. The cub
too would then stop and go into the typical stalk pose. The boar would then set off again
followed by the cub, this pattern being repeated several times before they disappeared
from our view. This behaviour was made more interesting as we could see the mother
leopard seated at the edge of the clearing watching its offspring's practice runs.
As we then proceeded along Thalgasmankada road to the bungalow we again came
across the KBW male cub seated by the side of the road. It remained for about 5-6
minutes before strolling into the tall grass. On 19/07 it was overcast most of the day and
there was a heavy downpour in the afternoon. Next day as we were returning home we
across a bear with 2 cubs along Gonalebbe Meda Para. Bird sightings included Blacknecked
Stork, Crested Hawk-eagle, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Sirkeer Malkoha etc.
Chitral Jayatilake visited Yala from the 21st to the 24th July. He says "The park was
very dry although a few showers had fallen three days before. Thalgasmankada Cubs
were seen on the 21st morning when we arrived and we observed the female cub that
evening at Kotabendi Wewa A second grown Male Leopard was seen near the Buttuwa
Junction and a third sighting of a female was made on the 23rd morning in the
Dharshana Wewa vicinity. A bear and her cub on her back was seen on the 23rd evening
on the Buttuwa Wewa Road and a further sighting of a Leopard and her Cub was made
by the 2nd vehicle on the Heen Wewa road early 23rd Morning (close to the Bungalow).
Very few elephants were observed not surprisingly during this time of the year. The
intermediate rain has spoiled the chances of leopard sightings somewhat and a couple of
weeks without sudden rains will make the situation much better".
NEW BOOKS
The text below is from Press Releases by the Publishers.
Gulls of Europe, Asia and North America by Klaus Malling Olsen and Hans Larsson.
Illustrated by Hans Larsson. Published August 2003 ISBN 0-7136-4377-3. GBP 45. A&C
Black Publishers Ltd, 37 Soho Square, London W1 D 3QZ, UK. Tel 020 7758 0200. Email
publicity@acblack.com.
A new title in the highly acclaimed Helm Identification Guides series, Gulls of Europe,
Asia and North America comprehensively covers some of the most familiar seabirds as
well as some little known and globally threatened species of the gull family. This is the
first detailed identification guide for the challenging species in 16 years and is set to
become a vital reading for any birdwatcher interested in the species. A total of 43 species
are treated in this long awaited guide, which focuses on identification, moult, status and
distribution. The guide combines detailed text with 96 full colour plates covering all
plumages and variations, both in flight and at rest along with 800 previously unpublished
colour photographs taken by some of the world's leading bird photographs. It also
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