Below are some of the highlights from our second week in Sri Lanka in December
First Week of Sri Lanka Tour HERE.
There really are too many highlights to cover here, so Full Trip Report HERE
One of the many tour highlights was our group finding a Grey-necked Bunting. It is believed to be only the second record for Sri Lanka. We since discovered that the bird was also seen by Dutch birders just a couple of days before us. Thanks must go to fellow Devon birder and blogger Tim Worfolk who sent me some useful info on the species whilst out in Sri Lanka. Much of Tim's great artwork and book illustrations can be seen HERE
Hope you enjoy......
 |
| One of the best looking pigeons in Sri Lanka - The Orange-breasted Green Pigeon |
 |
| Jungle Owlet |
 |
| Malabar Pied Hornbill |
 |
| Lesser Whistling Ducks |
 |
| One of the many Jeep drives whilst in Uda Walawe NP |
 |
| The beautiful Asian Elephants were a regular sighting in Uda Walawe NP |
 |
| This Jungle Cat was a great spot by Sue whilst in Uda Walawe NP |
 |
| A second Jungle Cat whilst spotlighting near Yala NP |
 |
| The very photogenic Tufted Grey Langurs |
 |
| This male Sloth Bear was one of the undoubted highlights whilst in Yala NP |
 |
| Black-Napes Hare - does exactly what it says on the tin! |
 |
| Jacobin Cuckoo |
 |
| Asian Green Bee-Eater |
 |
| Chestnut-headed Bee-Eater |
 |
| Male and Female Barred Buttonquails in Yala NP |
 |
| Male Sloth Bear, Yala NP |
 |
| Marsh Sandpiper, Yala NP |
 |
| Common Redshank - Birds wintering in Sri Lanka are thought to be the eurhina race and often looked very like Spotted Redshank in jizz |
 |
| Nice to see such close views of Pintail Snipe |
 |
| Pacific Golden Plovers were present in small numbers whilst in Yala NP |
 |
| Blyth's Pipit in Uda Walawe - Pipits in Sri Lanka can make your head hurt! However, once you see enough Paddyfield Pipits (the commonest pipit) and get your eye in, Blyth's look different enough. Compared to Paddyfield; Shorter tailed, thinner billed, peachy wash on flanks, less obvious supercilium behind eye and of course the call! |
 |
| Grey-necked Bunting - A true surprise whilst birding in Yala NP and all respect to Pete who first picked it up. This is thought to be only the 2nd record for Sri Lanka. A few days after finding it, we heard that a Dutch birding group had seen it a few days before us. Quite Amazing! |
 |
| Blyth's Pipit, Uda Walawe NP |
 |
| Paddyfield Pipit, Uda Walawe NP - much more Richard's Pipit like in appearance |
 |
| Great Thick-knees and Indian Peafowl |
 |
| Bryde's Whale off Mirissa - one of at least 3 animals. This species is identifiable with a close view by the presence of a "third" diagnostic rostrum ridge on the top of the head or rostrum |
 |
| Bryde's Whale, Mirissa |
 |
| Displaying Indian Peafowl |
 |
| Yala NP with the famous Elephant Rock in the distance |
Great Findings!
ReplyDelete