Sri Lanka 10-20 December 2019

by · Published · Updated

Participants: AbdulRahman Al-Sirhan, Chris Lansdell and Graham Sorrie

Written by: A Al-Sirhan
Serendib Scops Owl Otus thilohoffmanni
Serendib Scops Owl Otus thilohoffmanni

Sri Lanka is officially known as the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon. It was once known as Serendib, a name used by the Arabs and Persians, derived from Serendip, a Persian word. Serendib is the root of the word serendipity.
Its area is 65,610 km2, geographically separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is its legislative capital, and Colombo is its largest city and centre of commerce.
The bird diversity of Sri Lanka is rich; its list is more than 450 bird species of which 34 endemics, 238 resident breeders and 216 migratory species.
The Serendib Scops Owl was only recently discovered in Sri Lanka and only in 2004 when it was officially described.

We managed to see all the 34 endemics of the Island in this 11-day trip. The endemics are highlighted in red font in this report.

Day 1: 10/12/2019:

We met our guide, Hetti, and our driver Indunil, at the airport, then we left driving towards our hotel, Kitulgala Rest House (a 4-hour drive). We stopped along the road several times to find the following:

White-throated Kingfisher, Barn Swallow, two Sri Lanka Swallows, Indian Scops Owl, Crimson-fronted Barbet, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Sri Lanka Hanging-Parrot and a Common Iora.

After we reached our hotel and had some rest, we birded around the hotel to find:

Spotted Dove, Brown-headed Barbet, Alexandrine Parakeet, White-browed Fantail, White-bellied Drongo, Common Tailorbird, Red-vented Bulbul, Square-tailed Bulbul, Sri Lanka White-eye and an Oriental Magpie-Robin.

Summary: birds seen on day 1:

Crested Goshawk, Red-wattled Lapwing, Rock Dove, Spotted Dove, five Sri Lanka Green-Pigeon, Green Imperial-Pigeon, Sri Lanka Hanging-Parrot, Alexandrine Parakeet, Ring-necked Parakeet, Indian Scops Owl, Indian Swiftlet, Asian Palm-Swift, Little Swift, White-throated Kingfisher, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, three Brown-headed Barbets, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Crimson-fronted Barbet, Barn Swallow, Sri Lanka Swallow, White-browed Fantail, Black-capped Bulbul, Red-vented Bulbul, Square-tailed Bulbul, two White-tailed Ioras, Jerdon’s Leafbird, Brown Shrike, two Oriental Magpie-Robins, two Yellow-billed Babblers, Common Tailorbird, Purple Sunbird, two Indian White-eyes, White-rumped Munia, two Common Mynas, White-bellied Drongo, Ashy Woodswallow and two House Crows.

Day 2: 11/12/2019

Early in the morning, Hetti took us to the forest area around Kitulgala Police Station where we had a Black-capped Bulbul, Yellow-browed Bulbul, and a perched adult Shikra. We drove to a family house, but after spending some time searching, we had a great view of a Spot-winged Thrush as it fed its fledged juvenile. We also saw Dark-fronted Babblers, Square-tailed Bulbuls in the same area. Then we had a Crimson-backed Flameback, Lesser Yellownape, Emerald Dove, Orange Minivet and a male Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher! A couple more Spot-winged Thrushes followed.

Another birding session produced some excellent birds, including Besra, Green Imperial Pigeons and the car park area had several Alexandrine Parakeets, 2 Layard’s Parakeets and some fantastic views of Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, two Sri Lanka Junglefowl (up a tree!) which proved to be the first of many throughout the trip. Indunil, our driver, then got a call from another guide and after short walk later, we were at the spot where the Crimson-fronted Barbet showed. After a brief search, we hit the jackpot with a superb Chestnut-backed Owlet, and despite the attack of leeches, it was a special moment for us. We also had a Sri Lanka Crested Drongo, two Orange-billed Babblers and 3 White-bellied Drongos.

In that afternoon around we went to Makandawa Forest Reserve by paddle boat. On the river, we had a Stork-billed Kingfisher and Little Cormorant. But after a 2.5 km walk to a clearing, we managed a pair of Malabar Trogons, Asian Palm Swifts, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Common Tailorbird and White-rumped Munias. At the clearing, while we were waiting for Indunil to scout them surrounding forest we were scooped with a fantastic Legge’s Hawk Eagle and Crested Serpent Eagle and a wild Water Buffalo.

Our next stop was Sigiriya. We arrived at ‘The Inn on the Tree motel’ after dark and settled in. En-route the most notable sightings were a colony containing Indian Cormorants, Little Cormorants and many herons including 3 Black-crowned Night Herons a Zitting Cisticola and several Blue-tailed Bee-eaters.

Day 3: 12/12/2019

In the morning before breakfast, we went for a walk around our hotel. We found Greater Coucal, two Black-hooded Orioles, a Tawny-bellied Babbler and a Large-billed Crow. We also had some excellent views of many species including Grey-breasted Prinias, Ashy Prinia, Jungle Prinia, Pale-billed Flowerpecker, Oriental White-eyes, male Loten’s Sunbird, Little Green Bee-eaters, Indian Robins, Marshall’s Iora, Common Iora, Black-capped Bulbul, followed by two fly-over Asian Openbills, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Asian Palm Swifts, Scaly-breasted Munias and an Asian Brown Flycatcher.

On the feeder back at the hotel, we had a White-browed Bulbul, Yellow-billed Babblers, Indian Jungle Crow, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill and Palm Squirrel while having breakfast that came to feed.

After breakfast, we drove a short distance to the ancient ruins and Lion Rock at Sigiriya for the first of our ‘cultural’ visits. Chris described the site as a “spectacular with the massive rock towering above the surrounding forest and well-preserved ruins and ‘naughty’ wall paintings”. We climbed all the steps to the top and back round. While there we had a Crested Serpent Eagle, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Paddyfield Pipit, Little Cormorant, Shikra, two Small Minivets, White-browed Fantails, Jerdon’s Leafbird, Asian Paradise Flycatcher and a ‘Shaheen’ Falcon (Peregrine ssp. peregrinator).

Indunil then stopped for a short walk on the way out of the site, and we scooped here with our main endemic target of the area Sri Lanka Woodshrike. We also had a Crested Hawk Eagle, Oriental Darter, White-breasted Kingfisher, and Common Kingfisher.

Their second archaeological site was the ancient city of Polonnaruwa about an hour’s drive. Despite the intermittent rain, we had two Asian Woolly-necked Storks, loads of Rose-ringed Parakeets, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Green Sandpiper, Lesser Whistling Ducks and Red-wattled Lapwings.

Day 4: 13/12/2019

Early in the morning, we started birding close to our hotel where we had several excellent species including two Sri Lanka Green-Pigeons, Indian Cuckoo, two Sri Lanka Grey Hornbills, three Brown-headed Barbets, Pale-billed Flowerpecker, Red-backed Flameback, three Black-Hooded Orioles, Sri Lanka Woodshrike. Then came three Common Ioras, White-tailed Iora, two Indian Paradise-Flycatchers, three Grey-breasted Prinias, two Ashy Prinias, two White-browed Bulbuls, Green Warbler, two Dark-fronted Babblers, three Yellow-billed Babblers, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Scaly-breasted Munia, Large-billed Leaf Warbler, four Indian Robins, White-browed Fantail, Purple-rumped Sunbird, two Loten’s Sunbirds, and four White-rumped Munia.

Then we had breakfast, left our hotel and drove all the way to stop at Damro Labookellie Tea Centre where we were showed how tea is collected, dried and packaged. We drank and tasted their tee and drove toward Victoria Park.

When we reached Victoria Park (6.9683,80.7681), at about 3 PM, Hetti, our guide bought us the tickets and soon started birding in the park. It was busy with people, and we soon had a Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher, Common Tailorbird, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch. Hetti then took to a narrow stream of water under tree trunks and vegetation; there we had our only Pied Thrush of the trip. Also, we had White-breasted Waterhen, Indian Pond Heron, Oriental Magpie-Robin, and a Grey Wagtail. We also had a Plain and Grey-breasted Prinias.

Upon leaving the park, Hetti stopped at the edge of a park along Peradeniya-Badulla-Chenkaladi Highway where water flows in a dark canopy; then we had a Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush, Ruddy-breasted Crake, an Indian Blackbird and Indian Robin.

We then went to overnight at Hill Pride City Hotel.

Day 5: 14/12/2019

We left our hotel at 5 AM to Horton Plains. We arrived at around 6 AM at an elevation above 2000m. It was foggy early in the morning, we met another group there, we searched for almost an hour and waited until Hetti called us, the other group followed us, and soon we were looking at the Sri Lanka Bush Warbler, an endemic bird. We then drove further, then stopped around a bend after some search, we found another endemic a Yellow-eared Bulbul.

We then drove north for 30 minutes, after some search again we were rewarded with another Yellow-eared Bulbul and another endemic, this time, the Dull-blue Flycatcher. In the same latter area, we also had two Ashy Prinias and two Plain Prinias, Spotted Dove, White-throated Kingfisher, five Blue-tailed Bee-eaters, Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher, Cinereous Tit, Blyth’s Reed Warbler, two Hill Swallows, Green Warbler, two Sri Lanka White-eyes, Oriental Magpie-Robin, six Black-throated Munia, House Sparrow, and a Grey Wagtail.

Then we headed back to our hotel for lunch. After lunch and some rest, we drove to Victoria Park, and this was our second visit to this park. This time we had White-breasted Waterhen, Common Sandpiper, Cattle Egret, Indian, Brown Shrike, Large-billed Crow, Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher, Common Tailorbird, Green Warbler, Sri Lanka White-eye, Brown-breasted Flycatcher, Dull-blue Flycatcher, Kashmir Flycatcher and a Forest Wagtail.

After that, we ended the day at a site which we had been to the day before to find the same birds along with Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush, Indian Blackbird and Slaty-legged Crake. Overnight at Hill Pride City Hotel.

Day 6: 15/12/2019

After we had breakfast, we left the Hill Pride City Hotel at 6 AM. Along the way, we had a White-bellied Sea-eagle, Small Minivet, Dark-fronted Warbler, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Common Muna, Pied Bushchat and a Grey Wagtail.

At another location we had the two endemics Sri Lanka Bush Warbler and Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush.

By 9 AM we reached Surrey Bird Sanctuary. In this exciting place, we soon had good views of the endemic Sri Lanka Wood-pigeon and a Brown Wood-Owl, Asian Koel, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Layard’s Parakeet, and a Southern Hill Myna.

We reached The Grand Yala Hotel by 10:40 AM, we then had some rest and then continued driving along the Pannegamuwa Lake. We stopped at one site at 1 PM to see three Lesser Whistling-Ducks, a Sri Lanka Green-Pigeon, Pied Cuckoo, White-breasted Waterhen, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Oriental Darter, Indian Cormorant, Spot-billed Pelican, Cinnamon Bittern, Yellow Bittern and an Intermediate Egret. We then continued birding to see a Brahminy Kite, Indian Pond Heron, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Green and Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Purple Heron, Common Tailorbird, Plain Prinia, Zitting Cisticola, Purple-rumped Sunbird, Scaly-breasted Munia, Lesser Crested Tern and Great Stone-curlew.

We stopped at the edge of Yala River, then with the help of the locals we were showed a Brown fish-Owl, Jungle Owlet, White-naped Woodpecker, a perched Green Imperial-Pigeon and a Ring-necked Parakeet.

We continued driving until we stopped at Debarawewa Lake where we had:

Grey-headed Swamphen 5, White-breasted Waterhen 2, Black-winged Stilt 12, Red-wattled Lapwing 4, Marsh Sandpiper 3, Wood Sandpiper 1, Common Redshank1, Little Tern 3, Gull-billed Tern 1, Caspian Tern 1, Painted Stork 6, Yellow Bittern 5, Cinnamon Bittern 1, Grey Heron 3, Purple Heron 1, Great White Egret 1, Intermediate Egret 5, Little Egret 2, Cattle Egret 15, Black-headed Ibis 6, White-throated Kingfisher 1, Pied Kingfisher 1, Barn Swallow 15, Yellow-billed Babbler 1, Rose-coloured Starling 6, Asian Openbill 1, Oriental Darter 4. Clamorous Reed Warbler 1, and a Purple Sunbird.

Along the way back to our hotel, we stopped to look for nightjars, after spending some time searching, we failed to find any nightjar. Still, we had an Indian Peafowl on top a light post, a Pin-tailed Snipe, a roosting of more than 60 Black-crowned Night-Herons perching on trees nearby, a Coppersmith Barbet and a White-throated Kingfisher.

Day 7: 16/12/2019

In this 7th day, we spent all of our time in Yala National Park. We left our hotel at 5:13 AM, after waiting in a long queue, we finally got in by sunrise at 6:15.
We birded the national park until noon, and we stopped at the beach at Yala Sanctuary Beach to rest for two hours, where we had lunch. We had the following species in reserve:

Lesser Whistling-Duck 28, Indian Peafowl 12, Sri Lanka Junglefowl 5, Little Grebe 1, Spotted Dove 9, Orange-breasted Green-Pigeon 9, Green Imperial-Pigeon 4, Grey-bellied cuckoo 1, Blue-faced Malkoha 3, Pied Cuckoo 1, Brown-backed Needletail 5, Little Swift 6, Crested Treeswift 4, White-breasted Waterhen 2, Black-winged Stilt 7, Yellow-wattled Lapwing 4, Red-wattled Lapwing 13, Green Sandpiper 1, Kentish Plover 1, Little Ringed Plover 1, Pheasant-tailed Jacana 5, Common Sandpiper 2, Marsh Sandpiper 2, Wood Sandpiper 2, Common Redshank 2, Little Tern 2, Whiskered Tern 9, Asian Openbill 120, Black-necked Stork, Painted Stork 12, Oriental Darter 1, Little Cormorant 1, White-winged Black Tern 1, Indian Cormorant 1, Spot-billed Pelican 2, Grey Heron 2, Purple Heron 1, Great White Egret 1, Intermediate Egret 6, Little Egret 1, Indian Pond Heron 6, Gull-billed Tern 1, Eurasian Hoopoe 1, Black-headed Ibis 14, Eurasian Spoonbill 2, Changeable Hawk-Eagle 1, Black Eagle 1, Brahminy Kite 5, White-bellied Sea-Eagle 4, Malabar Pied-Hornbill 3, White-throated Kingfisher 1, Green Bee-eater 12, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater 3, Blue-tailed Bee-eater 2, Indian Roller 1, Yellow-crowned Woodpecker 2, Black-hooded Oriole 3, Common Iora 1, White-browed Fantail 1, Brown Shrike 6, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark 1, Jerdon’s Bushlark 1, Plain Prinia 1, Jungle Prinia 1, Large-billed Crow 69, Barn Swallow 10, Sri Lanka Swallow 2, Red-vented Bulbul 20, White-browed Bulbul 2, Yellow-billed Babbler 5, Brahminy Starling 1, Indian Robin 8, Thick-billed Flowerpecker 1, Purple-rumped Sunbird 4, Purple Sunbird 5, Baya Weaver, Oriental Magpie-Robin 1, Streaked Weaver 6, White-rumped Munia 4, Scaly-breasted Munia 12, Tricoloured Munia 2, Paddyfield Pipit 2, House Sparrow 3.

After leaving the reserve, Hetti stopped the car, and we soon saw an Indian Nightjar perched on an electrical cable. Back to our hour for the night.

Day 8: 17/12/2019

After breakfast, we took to the road, but before Udawalawa Dam we stopped to find a Lesser Whistling-Duck 15, Pheasant-tailed Jacana 5, Indian Cormorant 1, Spot-billed Pelican 3, Indian Pond Heron 10.

We also had the following species at another stop:
Indian Peafowl 1, Spotted Dove 2, Black-winged Stilt 5, Red-wattled Lapwing 4, Painted Stork 14, Spot-billed Pelican 2, Grey Heron 1, Great White Egret 2, Intermediate Egret 20, Little Egret 3, Eurasian Spoonbill 2, Crested Honey-buzzard 1, Common Kingfisher 1, Blue-tailed Bee-eater 2, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater 1, Black-headed Cuckooshrike 1, Common Iora 1, White-tailed Iora 1, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark 2, Jerdon’s Bushlark 4, Zitting Cisticola 3, Barn Swallow 56, Red-vented Bulbul 2, White-browed Bulbul 1, Yellow-billed Babbler 1, Common Myna 2, Oriental Magpie-Robin 1, Scaly-breasted Munia 11, Tricoloured Munia 6, Western Yellow Wagtail 1, Western Yellow Wagtail 3, Paddyfield Pipit 2.

After we drove for more than two hours, we stopped for rest and had the following:
Black Eagle 1, White-throated Kingfisher 1, Plum-headed Parakeet 1, Black-hooded Oriole 1.

At 13:00, we reached our hotel (Rock View Motel). From the window of the restaurant, we had:

Indian Paradise-Flycatcher 1, Yellow-billed Babbler 5, Sri Lanka Myna 1, Purple-rumped Sunbird 3.

We had some rest and lunch at around 15:00 we drove to a place to find the Chestnut-backed Owlet, after some time we had this bird and also Green Imperial-Pigeon, Ashy Woodswallow, Sri Lanka Swallow and Tawny-bellied Babbler!!

We stopped at a family home inside the Sinharaja Forest Reserve at around 14:00 and decided to end our day there. To our excitement, we had four endemics on the same tree: Sri Lanka Green-Pigeon, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Sri Lanka Myna, and Sri Lanka Hanging-Parrot. Other endemics were Sri Lanka Drongo, Crimson-backed Flameback and Sri Lanka Scimitar-Babbler.

Day 9: 18/12/2019

At around 6:00 we arrived at Sinharaja Forest Reserve where we had at a close range at least two Sri Lanka Spurfowls and four Sri Lanka Junglefowl at a feeding station. We then moved on to another spot to find more endemics: Green-billed Coucal, Red-faced Malkoha, Brown-capped Babbler, Sri Lanka Drongo, Orange-billed Babbler, Sri Lanka Thrush, Spot-winged Thrush, Sri Lanka Myna, White-faced Starling, Sri Lanka Scimitar-Babbler and White-throated Flowerpecker. We then went to where tourist birders had seen the Serendib Scops Owl. After walking through a thicket of trees, spending almost half an hour boom! There we have it, in a tree at a close range. We were so excited, so we left happy and ended our day driving back to the hotel.

We also had Crested Serpent-Eagle, Besra., Streak-throated Woodpecker, Orange Minivet, Black-hooded Oriole, White-bellied Drongo, Black-naped Monarch, Ashy-headed Laughingthrush, and Brown-breasted Flycatcher.

Day 10: 19/12/2019

Again, this morning went to another family house inside the Sinharaja Forest Reserve. We spent a couple of hours around that house and had to go inside when we had some rain.
Once more, we had the two endemics of Sri Lanka Spurfowls and Sri Lanka Junglefowl. Also, we had the endemics, Ashy-headed Laughingthrush, Green-billed Coucal, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill and Sri Lanka Blue-Magpie. Other birds include Asian Emerald Dove 3, Sri Lanka Green-Pigeon, Green Imperial-Pigeon, Red-backed Flameback 1, White-bellied Drongo (ssp leucopygialis), Sri Lanka Drongo, Brown Shrike, Spot-winged Thrush, Indian Blue Robin, Pale-billed Flowerpecker, Purple-rumped Sunbird, Golden-fronted Leafbird and Western Yellow Wagtail.

At about 10:30 we arrived at Sinharaja Forest Reserve-Visitor Centre. There we had Layard’s Parakeet, Sri Lanka Hanging-Parrot, Sri Lanka Blue-Magpie, Square-tailed Bulbul, Black-headed Cuckooshrike, Crested Serpent-Eagle, Red-backed Flameback, Plum-headed Parakeet and White-rumped Munia.

Day 11: 20/12/2019

It was our final day, so we birded in the morning then drove to the airport.

Birds were seen in our final day included:
Indian Swiftlet, White-breasted Waterhen, Indian Cormorant, Shikra, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Layard’s Parakeet, Sri Lanka Hanging-Parrot, Orange Minivet, Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Brown Shrike, Sri Lanka Swallow, White-browed Bulbul, Square-tailed Bulbul, Yellow-billed Babbler, Common Myna, Brown-breasted Flycatcher, Purple-rumped Sunbird and White-rumped Munia.
In our way, we had a Crested Goshawk and Large-billed Crows.

I was then dropped at the airport, but Chris and Graham had their flight in the evening thus they went birding in Columbo where they had a Brown-headed Gull, Lesser Crested Tern and a Eurasian Whimbrel.

Species List (Clement taxonomy) endemics in RED (34):

  1. Lesser Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna javanica; we had one on 11/12 at 7.2104,79.9180, 20 on 12/12 at 7.8457,80.6346, 3 on 11/12 at 7.1789,79.9202, 3 on 15/12 at Pannegamuwa Lake, 31 on 16/12 at Yala National Park, 15 with 4 chicks on 17/12 at Tanamalwila lake.
  2. Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus; one on 12/12 on Dambulla Road at 7.8457,80.6346, another one on 13/12 at Sigiriya Rock, one on 15/12 at 6.2944,81.2586, 11 on 15/12 at Yala National Park, 12 on 16/12 at again Yala National Park, one on 17/12 at Udawalawa Dam at 6.4373,80.8580.
  3. Sri Lanka Spurfowl Galloperdix bicalcarata; we had two at Sinharaja Forest Reserve–Visitor Centre on 18/12, 2 on 19/12 at Sabaragamuwa Palata at 6.4357,80.4283.
  4. Sri Lanka Junglefowl Gallus lafayettii; we had five on 16/12 at Yala National Park, four on 18/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve-Visitor Centre, four on 19/12 at Sabaragamuwa Palata at 6.4357,80.4283.
  5. Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis; we had one at Yala National Park on 16/12.
  6. Rock Dove Columba Olivia; seen on buildings in Columbo and in other places.
  7. Sri Lanka Wood-Pigeon Columba torringtoniae; 3 at Surrey Estate Bird Sanctuary on 15/12.
  8. Spotted Dove Streptopelia Chinensis; it was seen every day.
  9. Asian Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica; 2 on 11/12 at Kitulgala Rest House, one on 17/12 at Sabaragamuwa Palata at 6.4470,80.4219, 3 on 19/12 at Sabaragamuwa Palata at 6.4357,80.4283.
  10. Orange-breasted Green-Pigeon Treron bicinctus; we had 11 on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  11. Sri Lanka Green-Pigeon Treron pompadora; we 2 Sigiriya Rock & water gardens on 13/12, four at Pannegamuwa Lake on 15/12, another four on 17/12 at Sabaragamuwa Palata at 6.4470,80.4219, and four on 19/12 at 6.4357,80.4283.
  12. Sri Lanka Frogmouth Batrachostomus moniliger; two on 17/12 at Sabaragamuwa Palata at 6.4470,80.4219.
  13. Green Imperial-Pigeon Ducula aenea; one on 13/12 at Sigiriya Rock & water gardens, one on 15/12 at 6.2944,81.2586, 4 on 16/12 at Yala National Park, two on 17/12 at Weddagala-Kudawa Road at 6.4608,80.4271, and one on 19/12 at Sabaragamuwa Palata at 6.4357,80.4283.
  14. Green-billed Coucal Centropus chlororhynchos; one on 18/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve-Visitor Centre, and another one on 19/12 at Sabaragamuwa Palata at 6.4357,80.4283.
  15. Red-faced Malkoha Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus; only two on 18/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve-Visitor Centre.
  16. Blue-faced Malkoha Phaenicophaeus viridirostris; we had three on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  17. Pied Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus; one on 15/12 at Pannegamuwa Lake, one on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  18. Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus; two on 11/12 at Columbo City, and another one on 15/12 at Surrey Estate Bird Sanctuary.
  19. Grey-bellied Cuckoo Cacomantis passerinus; one on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  20. Indian Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus heard only near our stay Inn On the Tree.
  21. Indian Nightjar Caprimulgus asiaticus; we had one or possibly two as we were exiting the Yala National Park on 16/12.
  22. Brown-backed Needletail Hirundapus giganteus; 5 on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  23. Indian Swiftlet Aerodramus unicolor; 1 on 11/12 at Kitulgala Rest House, 3 on 20/12 at Rock View Hotel at 6.4515,80.4445.
  24. Little Swift Apus affinis; 6 on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  25. Asian Palm-Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis; 3 on 11/12 at Minuwangoda-Katana Road at 7.2104,79.9180, 3 on 13/12 at Sigiriya Rock & water gardens
  26. Crested Treeswift Hemiprocne coronata; 4 on on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  27. Grey-headed Swamphen Porphyrio poliocephalus; one on 11/12 at Eurostar Hotel at 7.1789,79.9202, 8 on 15/12 at Debarawewa Lake.
  28. White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus; it was seen almost every day.
  29. Slaty-legged Crake Rallina eurizonoides; we had one at Hagdala Road at 6.9389, 80.8003 on 13/12.
  30. Ruddy-breasted Crake Zapornia fusca; we had one at Hagdala Road at 6.9389, 80.8003 on 13/12.
  31. Great Stone-curlew Esacus recurvirostris; we had one on 15/12 at Tissa-Kataragama Road at 6.2906,81.2444.
  32. Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus; one on 11/12 at Minuwangoda-Katana Road at 7.2104,79.9180, 12 on 15/12 at Debarawewa Lake, 4 on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  33. Yellow-wattled Lapwing Vanellus malabaricus; 4 on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  34. Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus; 3 on 11/12 at Minuwangoda-Katana Road at 7.2104,79.9180, 4 on 15/12 at Debarawewa Lake, 19 on 16/12 at Yala National Park, 4 on 17/12 at Udawalawa Dam (6.4373,80.8580).
  35. Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus; one on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  36. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius; one on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  37. Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus; one on 11/12 at Eurostar Hotel at 7.1789,79.9202, 5 on 15/12 at Pannegamuwa, 5 on 16/12 at Yala National Park, 5 on 17/12 at Tanamalwila lake.
  38. Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus; one on 20/12 at the beach in Columbo.
  39. Pin-tailed Snipe Gallinago stenura; one on 15/12 at 6.2941,81.3024.
  40. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos; one on 14/12 at Victoria Park, two on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  41. Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus; one on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  42. Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis; 7 on 11/12 at Minuwangoda-Katana Road, 3 on 15/12 at Debarawewa Lake, 2 on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  43. Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola; 1 on 15/12 at Debarawewa Lake, two on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  44. Common Redshank Tringa totanus; one on 15/12 at Debarawewa Lake, 2 on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  45. Common Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus;
  46. Brown-headed Gull Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus; a large flock at the sea in Columbo city.
  47. Little Tern Sternula albifrons; two on 15/12 at Debarawewa Lake, 2 on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  48. Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica; one on 15/12 at Pannegamuwa Lake, and another one on 16/12 at 6.3444,81.4971,
  49. Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia; one on 15/12 at Debarawewa Lake.
  50. White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus; one on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  51. Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida; two on 15/12 at Pannegamuwa Lake, 9 on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  52. Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis; one on 15/12 at 6.2944,81.2586
  53. Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans; one on 11/12 at Kimbulapitiya Road at 7.2096,79.9652, one on 12/12 at Kurunegala – Dambulla Road at 7.8457,80.6346, one on 15/12 at Debarawewa Lake, on 16/12 a large flock of 120 roosting on (mangrove trees?) trees.
  54. Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus; 3 on 12/12 at Kurunegala – Dambulla Road at 7.8457,80.6346.
  55. Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus; one on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  56. Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala; 12 on 15/12 at Debarawewa Lake, two on 16/12 at Yala National Park, and 17 on 17/12 at at Udawalawa Dam (6.4373,80.8580).
  57. Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster; two on 15/12 at Pannegamuwa Lake, 4 on 15/12 at Debarawewa Lake, one on 16/12 at 6.3444,81.4971, one on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  58. Little Cormorant Microcarbo niger; three on 11/12 at Minuwangoda-Katana Road at 7.2104,79.9180, one on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  59. Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo; one on 15/12 at Debarawewa Lake.
  60. Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis; one on 16/12 at Yala National Park, one on 17/12 at Tanamalwila lake, 4 on 2012 at Rock View Hotel at 6.4515,80.4445.
  61. Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis; one on 15/12 at Pannegamuwa Lake, two one on 16/12 at Yala National Park, 3 on 17/12 at Tanamalwila lake.
  62. Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis; 5 on 15/12 at Debarawewa Lake.
  63. Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus; 1 on 15/12 at Debarawewa Lake.
  64. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea; one at 11/12 at along Minuwangoda-Katana Road at 7.2104,79.9180, 5 on 15/12 at Debarawewa Lake, 2 on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  65. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea; one on 15/12 at Pannegamuwa Lake, one on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  66. Great White Egret Ardea alba; 2 on 13/12 at Sigiriya Rock & water gardens, one on 15/12 at Debarawewa Lake, one on 16/12 at Yala National Park, two on 17/12 at Udawalawa Dam (6.4373,80.8580).
  67. Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia; 2 on 11/12 along Minuwangoda-Katana Road at 7.2104,79.9180, 5 on 12/12 along Kurunegala – Dambulla Road at 7.8457,80.6346, 31 at Pannegamuwa Lake, 5 on 15/12 at Debarawewa Lake, one on 16/12 at Yala National Park, 20 on 17/12 at Udawalawa Dam (6.4373,80.8580).
  68. Little Egret Egretta garzetta; one along Eurostar Hotel-Veyangoda Road at 7.1789,79.9202, 5 at 11/12 at along Minuwangoda-Katana Road at 7.2104,79.9180, 5 along Kurunegala – Dambulla Road at 7.8457,80.6346, 2 on 15/12 at Debarawewa Lake, one on 16/12 at Yala National Park, 3 on 17/12 at Udawalawa Dam (6.4373,80.8580).
  69. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis; 25 on 11/12 along Minuwangoda-Katana Road at 7.2104,79.9180, 50 along Kurunegala – Dambulla Road at 7.8457,80.6346, 3 on 14/12 at Victoria Park, 15 on 15/12 at Debarawewa Lake.
  70. Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii; 4 on 15/12 at Pannegamuwa Lake, 6 on 16/12 at Yala National Park, 10 on 17/12 at Tanamalwila lake.
  71. Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax, 60 on 15/12 at 6.2941,81.3024.
  72. Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus; 8 along Kurunegala – Dambulla Road at 7.8457,80.6346, 6 on 15/12 at Debarawewa Lake, 14 on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  73. Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia; one along Minuwangoda-Katana Road at 7.2104,79.9180, 2 on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  74. Crested Honey-buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus; one on 15/12 at Surrey Estate Bird Sanctuary, one on 17/12 at Udawalawa Dam (6.4373,80.8580).
  75. Crested Serpent-Eagle Spilornis cheela; one on 18/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve, one on 19/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve–Visitor Centre.
  76. Changeable Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus; one on 16/12 at Yala National Park, one on 17/12 at Sabaragamuwa Palata at 6.4470,80.4219.
  77. Legge’s Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus kelaarti; one on 11/12 at Makandawa Forest Reserve.
  78. Black Eagle Ictinaetus malaiensis; one on 16/12 at Yala National Park, one on 17/12 at Depdene – Rakwana Road at 6.4592,80.5524.
  79. Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus; one on 20/12 along the road to the airport.
  80. Shikra Accipiter badius; one on 11/12 at Kitulgala Rest House, one on 20/12 at Rock View Hotel at 6.4515,80.4445.
  81. Besra Accipiter virgatus; one on 11/12 at Kitulgala Rest House.
  82. Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus, one on 11/12 at 7.2096,79.9652 (Minuwangoda-Katana Road), one 12/12 at 7.8457,80.63 (Kurunegala – Dambulla Road), another one at 7.8457,80.6346, one on 15/12 at Pannegamuwa Lake, 5 on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  83. White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster; one on 15/12 at Scout Camp Road at 6.9592,80.7985, 4 on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  84. Serendib Scops Owl Otus thilohoffmanni; one on 18/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve–Visitor Centre.
  85. Indian Scops Owl Otus bakkamoena; one on 10/12 at Eurostar Hotel at 7.1789,79.9202.
  86. Brown Fish-Owl Ketupa zeylonensis; one on 15/12 along Yala River at 6.2887, 81.2608.
  87. Jungle Owlet Glaucidium radiatum; one on 15/12 along Yala River at 6.2887, 81.2608
  88. Chestnut-backed Owlet Glaucidium castanotum; one on 11/12 at Kitulgala Rest House, one on 17/12 at 6.4608,80.4271 (Weddagala-Kudawa Road).
  89. Brown Wood-Owl Strix leptogrammica; one on 15/12 at Surrey Estate Bird Sanctuary.
  90. Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops; one on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  91. Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill Ocyceros gingalensis; two on 13/12 at Sigiriya Rock & water gardens, 4 on 19/12 at 6.4357,80.4283 (Sabaragamuwa Palata).
  92. Malabar Pied-Hornbill Anthracoceros coronatus; 3 on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  93. Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis; one on 13/12 at Sigiriya, and one on 17/12 at Udawalawa Dam (6.4373,80.8580).
  94. Stork-billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis; one on 11/12 at Makandawa Forest Reserve.
  95. White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis; one on 10/12 at 7.0949,80.1610, one on 12/12 at 7.8457,80.6346, one on 13/12 at Sigiriya Rock & water gardens, one on 14/12 at Horton Plains National Park, 3 on 15/12 at Pannegamuwa Lake, one on 15/12 at Debarawewa Lake, one on 15/12 at 6.2941,81.3024, one on 16/12 at Yala National Park, one on 17/12 at 6.4592,80.5524.
  96. Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis; one on 15/12 at Debarawewa Lake.
  97. Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis; one on 13/12 at Sigiriya Rock & water gardens, one on 15/12 at Pannegamuwa Lake, 12 on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  98. Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus; one on 11/12 at Sigiria Rock, 5 on 11/12 at 7.2104,79.9180, 5 on 14/12 at Horton Plains National Park, 3 on 15/12 at Pannegamuwa Lake, 2 on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  99. Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti; 3 on 16/12 at Yala National Park, one on 17/12 at Udawalawa Dam (6.4373,80.8580).
  100. Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis; one 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  101. Crimson-fronted Barbet Psilopogon rubricapillus; one on 10/12 at Rest House Road.
  102. Coppersmith Barbet Psilopogon haemacephalus; one on 15/12 at 6.2941,81.3024.
  103. Brown-headed Barbet Psilopogon zeylanicus; one on 10/12 at Rest House Road, one on 13/12 at Sirigiria Rock, one on 17/12 at 6.4470,80.4219.
  104. Yellow-fronted Barbet Psilopogon flavifrons; one on 10/12 at Rest House Road, one on 15/12 at Surrey Estate Bird Sanctuary, one on 17/12 at 6.4470,80.4219, 3 on 20/12 at Rock View Hotel at (6.4515,80.4445).
  105. Yellow-crowned Woodpecker Leiopicus mahrattensis; 2 on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  106. Crimson-backed Flameback Chrysocolaptes stricklandi; one on 17/12 at 6.4470,80.4219.
  107. White-naped Woodpecker Chrysocolaptes festivus; one on 15/12 at 6.2944,81.2586.
  108. Red-backed Flameback Dinopium psarodes; one on 13/12 at Sigiriya Rock & water gardens, one on 19/12 at 6.4357,80.4283, one on 19/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve–Visitor Centre.
  109. Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorolophus; one on 11/12 at Kitulgala Rest House.
  110. Streak-throated Woodpecker Picus xanthopygaeus; one on 18/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve–Visitor Centre.
  111. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus; one on 13/12 at Lion Rock at Sigiriya.
  112. Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria; one on 10/12 and three 11/12 at Kitulgala Rest House.
  113. Ring-necked Parakeet Psittacula krameri; 3 on 13/12 at Sigiriya Rock & water gardens, one on 15/12 t Surrey Estate Bird Sanctuary, 3 on 15/12 at 6.2944,81.2586.
  114. Plum-headed Parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala; one on 17/12 at 6.4592,80.5524, one on 19/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve–Visitor Centre.
  115. Layard’s Parakeet Psittacula calthrapae; two on 11/12 at Kitulgala Rest House, one on 15/12 at Surrey Estate Bird Sanctuary, 6 on on 19/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve–Visitor Centre, one on 20/12 at Rock View Hotel at 6.4515,80.4445.
  116. Sri Lanka Hanging-Parrot Loriculus beryllinus; two on 11/12 at Kitulgala Rest House, one on 17/12 at 6.4470,80.4219, one on 19/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve–Visitor Centre, one on 20/12 at Rock View Hotel at 6.4515,80.4445.
  117. Indian Pitta Pitta brachyura; one on 14/12 at Victoria Park.
  118. Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus; two on 13/12 at Lion Rock at Sigiriya, two on 15/12 at Scout Camp Road (6.9592,80.7985).
  119. Orange Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus; two on 17/12 at 6.4470,80.4219, two on 18/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve–Visitor Centre, two on 20/12 at Rock View Hotel at 6.4515,80.4445
  120. Black-headed Cuckooshrike Lalage melanoptera; one on 17/12 at Udawalawa Dam (6.4373,80.8580), one on 19/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve–Visitor Centre.
  121. Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus; one on 11/12 at Eurostar hotel (7.1789,79.9202), two on 13/12 around our stay at Inn on the Tree, 3 on 13/12 at Sigiriya Rock & water gardens, 3 on 16/12 at Yala National Park, one on 17/12 at 6.4592,80.5524, one on 18/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve–Visitor Centre.
  122. Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus; two on 17/12 at 6.4608,80.4271.
  123. Sri Lanka Woodshrike Tephrodornis affinis; one on 13/12 at Lion Rock at Sigiriya, one on 13/12 at Sigiriya Rock & water gardens.
  124. Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus; one on 13/12 at Victoria Park, two on 20/12 at Rock View hotel (6.4515,80.4445).
  125. Common Iora Aegithina tiphia; tree on 13/12 at Sigiriya Rock & water gardens, one on 16/12 at 6.3444,81.4971, one on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  126. White-tailed Iora Aegithina nigrolutea; one on 10/12 at Rest House Road (6.9957,80.4061), one on 13/12 at Sigiriya Rock & water gardens, one on 17/12 at Udawalawa Dam (6.4373,80.8580).
  127. White-browed Fantail Rhipidura aureola; one on 10/12 at Kitulgala Rest House, one on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  128. White-bellied Drongo Dicrurus caerulescens; 5 on 19/12 at 6.4357,80.4283.
  129. Sri Lanka Drongo Dicrurus lophorinus; 2 on 17/12 at 6.4470,80.4219, 3 on 18/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve–Visitor Centre, 2 on 19/12 at 6.4357,80.4283.
  130. Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea; one on 18/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve–Visitor Centre.
  131. Indian Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone paradise; two on 13/12 Sigiriya Rock & water gardens, one on 17/12 at Rock View Motel.
  132. Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus; one on 14/12 at Victoria Park, 6 on 16/12 at Yala National Park, one on 19/12 at 6.4357,80.4283.
  133. Sri Lanka Blue-Magpie Urocissa ornata; 3 on 19/12 at 6.4357,80.4283, 3 on 19/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve–Visitor Centre.
  134. House Crow Corvus splendens; 3 on 11/12 at Minuwangoda-Katana Road (7.2104,79.9180), 3 on 11/12 at 7.2104,79.9180, 3 on 15/12 at Pannegamuwa Lake.
  135. Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos; 8 on 11/12 at 7.2104,79.9180, 2 on 11/12 at Eurostar Hotel (7.1789,79.9202), 5 on 13/12 at Sigiriya Rock & water gardens, 6 on 14/12 at Victoria Park, 69 on 16/12 at Yala National Park, 3
  136. Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis; one on 13/12 at Victoria Park, one on 14/12 at Horton Plains National Park, one on 15/12 at Surrey Estate Bird Sanctuary.
  137. Cinereous Tit Parus cinereus; on on 14/12 at Horton Plains National Park.
  138. Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix griseus; one on 16/12 at Yala National Park, 2 on 17/12 at Udawalawa Dam.
  139. Jerdon’s Bushlark Mirafra affinis; one on 16/12 at Yala National Park, 4 on 17/12 at Udawalawa Dam.
  140. Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius; one on 11/12 at Makandawa Forest Reserve, one on 10/12 at Kitulgala Rest House, one on 13/12 at Victoria Park, one on 15/12 at Pannegamuwa Lake.
  141. Grey-breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsonii; 3 on 13/12 at Sigiriya Rock & water gardens.
  142. Jungle Prinia Prinia sylvatica; one on 13/12 near the Inn on the Tree, one on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  143. Ashy Prinia Prinia socialist; two on 13/12 at Sigiriya Rock & water gardens, two on 14/12 at Horton Plains National Park.
  144. Plain Prinia Prinia inornata; 2 on 14/12 at Horton Plains National Park, one on 15/12 at Pannegamuwa Lake, one on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  145. Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis; one on 11/12 at Sigiriya, one on 11/12 at 7.2104,79.9180, 3 on 17/12 at Udawalawa Dam.
  146. Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum; one on 14/12 at Horton Plains National Park.
  147. Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus; one on 15/12 at Debarawewa Lake.
  148. Sri Lanka Bush Warbler Elaphrornis palliseri; 2 on 15/12 at Horton Plains National Park.
  149. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica; one on 10/12 at 7.0949,80.1610, 7 on 11/12 at Minuwangoda-Katana Road (7.2104,79.9180), 5 on 12/12 at Kurunegala – Dambulla Road (7.8457,80.6346), 5 on 13/12 at Sigiriya Rock & water gardens, 5 on 15/12 at Pannegamuwa Lake, 15 on 15/12 at Debarawewa Lake, 9 on 16/12 at Yala National Park, 5 on 16/12 at 6.3444,81.4971, 10 on 16/12 at Yala National Park, 56 on 17/12 at Udawalawa Dam.
  150. Hill Swallow Hirundo domicola; 2 on 14/12 at Horton Plains.
  151. Sri Lanka Swallow Cecropis hyperythra; two on 10/12 at 7.0949,80.1610, 2 on 16/12 at Yala National Park, 2 on 17/12 at Weddagala-Kudawa Road (6.4608,80.4271), one on 20/12 at Rock View hotel.
  152. Black-capped Bulbul Rubigula melanicterus; one on 11/12 at Kitulgala Rest House, one on 13/12 near the Inn on the Tree.
  153. Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer; one on 10/12 at Kitulgala Rest House, 20 on 16/12 at Yala National Park, one on 16/12 at 6.3444,81.4971, 12 on 16/12 at Yala National Park, 2 on 17/12 at Udawalawa Dam.
  154. Yellow-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus penicillatus; one on 14/12 at Hoton Plain.
  155. White-browed Bulbul Pycnonotus luteolus; two on 13/12 at Sigiriya Rock & water gardens, 2 on 16/12 at Yala National Park, one on 17/12 at Udawalawa Dam, two on 20/12 at Rock View hotel.
  156. Yellow-browed Bulbul Iole indica; 3 on 11/12 at Kitulgala Rest House, one on 18/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve–Visitor Centre.
  157. Square-tailed Bulbul Hypsipetes ganeesa; one on 10/12 at Kitulgala Rest House, 3 on 19/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve–Visitor Centre, 3 on 20/12 at Rock View hotel.
  158. Green Warbler Phylloscopus nitidus; one on 13/12 near the Inn on the Tree, one on 13/12 at Sigiriya Rock & water gardens, one on 14/12 at Victoria Park, two on 15/12 at Pedro Scout Camp Road (6.9592,80.7985), one on 14/12 at Horton Plains National Park, one on 18/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve–Visitor Centre.
  159. Large-billed Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus magnirostris; one on 13/12 near the Inn on the Tree.
  160. Sri Lanka White-eye Zosterops ceylonensis; one on 10/12 at Kitulgala Rest House, one on 14/12 at Victoria Park, one on 14/12 at Victoria Park, two on 14/12 at Horton Plains National Park, one on 15/12 at Surrey Estate Bird Sanctuary.
  161. Indian White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus; three or more on 13/12 near the Inn on the Tree (our guesthouse in Sigiriya).
  162. Tawny-bellied Babbler Dumetia hyperythra; one on 13/12 near the Inn on the Tree (our guesthouse in Sigiriya), one at 17/12 at 6.4608,80.4271.
  163. Sri Lanka Scimitar-Babbler Pomatorhinus melanurus; one on 17/12 at 6.4470,80.4219, two on 18/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve–Visitor Centre.
  164. Dark-fronted Babbler Rhopocichla atriceps; two on 13/12 at Sigiriya Rock & water gardens, one on 15/12 at Pedro Scout Camp Road (6.9592,80.7985).
  165. Brown-capped Babbler Pellorneum fuscocapillus; three on 18/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve–Visitor Centre.
  166. Orange-billed Babbler Turdoides rufescens; two on 11/12 near the Inn on the Tree (our guesthouse in Sigiriya), 6 on 18/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve–Visitor Centre, three on 17/12 at Rock View hotel.
  167. Yellow-billed Babbler Turdoides affinis; two on 11/12 at Kitulgala Rest House, 3 on 13/12 at Sigiriya Rock & water gardens, one on 15/12 at Debarawewa Lake, 5 on 16/12 at Yala National Park, one on 17/12 at Udawalawa Dam, 5 on 17/12 at Rock View Motel, 11 on 20/12 at Rock View hotel.
  168. Ashy-headed Laughingthrush Garrulax cinereifrons; one on 18/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve–Visitor Centre, 5 on 19/12 at 6.4357,80.4283.
  169. Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis; one on 13/12 at Victoria Park, one on 15/12 at Scout Camp Road (6.9592,80.7985).
  170. Sri Lanka Myna Gracula ptilogenys; one on 17/12 at Rock View Motel, one on 17/12 at 6.4470,80.4219, 5 on 18/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve–Visitor Centre.
  171. Southern Hill Myna Gracula indica; one on 15/12 at Surrey Estate Bird Sanctuary.
  172. Rose-coloured Starling Pastor roseus; 6 on 15/12 at Debarawewa Lake.
  173. White-faced Starling Sturnornis albofrontatus; one on 18/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve–Visitor Centre.
  174. Brahminy Starling Sturnia pagodarum; one on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  175. Common Myna Acridotheres tristis; four on 11/12 at at Kitulgala Rest House, 7 on 11/12 at Minuwangoda-Katana Road (7.2104,79.9180), 38 on 11/12 at Eurostar Hotel, 5 on 15/12 at Pedro Scout Camp Road (6.9592,80.7985), two on 15/12 at Pannegamuwa Lake, 10 on 15/12 at 6.2906,81.2444, two on 17/12 at Udawalawa Dam, one on 17/12 at 6.4608,80.4271, three on 20/12 at Rock View hotel.
  176. Sri Lanka Thrush Zoothera imbricata; one on 18/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve–Visitor Centre.
  177. Pied Thrush Geokichla wardii; two on 13/12 at Victoria Park.
  178. Spot-winged Thrush Geokichla spiloptera; two on 11/12 at Kitulgala Rest House, 3 on 18/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve–Visitor Centre, two on 19/12 at 6.4357,80.4283.
  179. Indian Blackbird Turdus simillimus; 1 on 13/12 and on 14/12 at Hagdala Road.
  180. Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica; one on 13/12 at Sigiriya Rock & water gardens.
  181. Brown-breasted Flycatcher Muscicapa muttui; one on 14/12 at Victoria Park, one on 18/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve–Visitor Centre, three on 20/12 at Rock View hotel.
  182. Indian Robin Copsychus fulicatus; one on 13/12 at Hagdala Road, four on 13/12 at Sigiriya Rock & water gardens, 8 on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  183. Oriental Magpie-Robin Copsychus saularis; it was seen almost every day, one on 10/12 at Kitulgala Rest House, 3 on 13/12 at Sigiriya Rock & water gardens, two on 13/12 at Victoria Park, one on 14/12 at Horton Plains National Park, one on 16/12 at Yala National Park, one on 17/12 at Udawalawa Dam.
  184. Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher Cyornis tickelliae; one on 11/12 at Kitulgala Rest House.
  185. Dull-blue Flycatcher Eumyias sordidus; one on 13/12 at Victoria Park, one on 14/12 at Horton Plains National Park.
  186. Indian Blue Robin Larvivora brunnea; one on 14/12 at Hagdala Road, two on 19/12 at 6.4357,80.4283.
  187. Sri Lanka Whistling-Thrush Myophonus blighi; one on 15/12 at Horton Plains National Park.
  188. Kashmir Flycatcher Ficedula subrubra; one on 14 /12 at Victoria Park.
  189. Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata; one on 15/12 at Scout Camp Road (6.9592,80.7985).
  190. Thick-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum agile; one on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  191. White-throated Flowerpecker Dicaeum vincens; one on 18/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve–Visitor Centre.
  192. Pale-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum erythrorhynchos; one on 13/12 near the Inn on the Tree guest house, two on 19/12 at 6.4357,80.4283.
  193. Purple-rumped Sunbird Leptocoma zeylonica; two on 11/12 at Eurostar Hotel, one on 13/12 at Sigiriya Rock & water gardens, one on 15/12 at Pannegamuwa Lake, 4 on 16/12 at Yala National Park, one on 16/12 at 6.3444,81.4971, three on 17/12 at Rock View Motel, one on 19/12 at 6.4357,80.4283, one on 20/12 at Rock View hotel.
  194. Purple Sunbird Cinnyris asiaticus; one on 15/12 at Debarawewa Lake, 5 on 16/1 at Yala Natioal Park.
  195. Loten’s Sunbird Cinnyris lotenius; two on 13/12 near the Inn on the Tree guesthouse, two on 13/12 at Sigiriya Rock & water gardens.
  196. Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons; two on 19/12 at 6.4357,80.4283).
  197. Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus; one on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  198. Streaked Weaver Ploceus manyar; 6 on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  199. White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata; 3 on 11/12 at 7.1964,79.9222, 4 on 13/12 at Sigiriya Rock & water gardens, 6 on 19/12 at Sinharaja Forest Reserve–Visitor Centre, 2 on 20/12 at Rock View hotel.
  200. Black-throated Munia Lonchura kelaarti; 6 on 14/12 at Horton Plains National Park.
  201. Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata; one on 13/12 near the Inn on the Tree, two on 15/12 at Pannegamuwa Lake, 12 on 16/12 at Yala National Park.
  202. Tricoloured Munia Lonchura Malacca; two on 16/12 at Yala National Park, 6 on 17/12 at Udawalawa Dam.
  203. House Sparrow Passer domesticus; 3 on 16/12 at Victoria Park, two on 14/12 at Horton Plains National Park, 3 on 16/12 at 6.3444,81.4971.
  204. Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus; one on 14/12 at Victoria Park.
  205. Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea; one on 13/12 at Victoria Park, one on 14/12 at Horton Plains National Park, one on 15/12 at Scout Camp Road (6.9592,80.7985).
  206. Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava; one on 17/12 at Udawalawa Dam (one of ssp. feldegg)
  207. Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus; one on 13/12 at Lion Rock at Sigiriya, two on 16/12 at Yala National Park