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Sri Lanka 2017

5th - 28th March 2017

This birding and wildlife photography trip was in reality two trips back-to-back. The first part consisted of an organised ten-field day nature photographing trip with a group of Norwegian photographers arranged by Kina Travel in Oslo. The second part consisted of a nine day custom birding trip with local guide which was arranged directly through Birding Sri Lanka and planned with an emphasis on seeing and photographing as many of Sri Lanka's endemic bird species as possible. Thanks to the Birding Sri Lanka guide, all 33 endemic species and 24 of Sri Lanka's endemic subspecies were seen and photographed. The rarest and most difficult species including Serendib Scops-Owl, Sri Lanka Thrush and Sri Lanka Whistling-Thrush would have been impossible to find without the excellent bird guide, who also easily found other rare species including Pied Thrush and Kashmir Flycatcher.

 

A selection of mammal and reptile images from this trip can be found under the Mammals and Reptiles menus.

Indian Peafowl

Indian Peafowl

(Pavo cristatus) displaying male - Wilpattu NP 7th March 2017

Indian Peafowl

Indian Peafowl

(Pavo cristatus) male - Wilpattu NP 7th March 2017

Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl

Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl

(Gallus lafayettii) endemic species and Sri Lanka's national bird, male - Singharaja 20th March 2017

Orange-breasted Pigeon

Orange-breasted Pigeon

(Treron bicinctus leggei) endemic subspecies, female - Yala NP 13th March 2017

Green-billed Coucal

Green-billed Coucal

(Centropus chlororhynchos) endemic species - Singharaja 21st March 2017

Greater Coucal

Greater Coucal

(Centropus sinensis parroti) - Kitulgala 19th March 2017

Pied Cuckoo

Pied Cuckoo

(Clamator jacobinus jacobinus) - Yala NP 23rd March 2017

Asian Koel

Asian Koel

(Eudynamys scolopaceus scolopaceus) female - Yala NP 13th March 2017

Sri Lanka Frogmouth

Sri Lanka Frogmouth

(Batrachostomus moniliger) female - Singharaja 21st March 2017

Grey-headed Swamphen

Grey-headed Swamphen

(Porphyrio poliocephalus poliocephalus) - Tissa 24th March 2017

Grey-headed Swamphen

Grey-headed Swamphen

(Porphyrio poliocephalus poliocephalus) - Tissa 24th March 2017

Watercock

Watercock

(Gallicrex cinerea) - Tissa 22nd March 2017

Slaty-legged Crake

Slaty-legged Crake

(Rallina eurizonoides amauroptera) - Singharaja 22 March 2017

Great Thick-knee

Great Thick-knee

(Esacus recurvirostris) - Yala NP 23rd March 2017

Black-winged Stilt

Black-winged Stilt

(Himantopus himantopus) - Cinnamon Wild, Yala 14th March 2017

Yellow-wattled Lapwing

Yellow-wattled Lapwing

(Vanellus malabaricus) - Tissa 24th March 2017

Red-wattled Lapwing

Red-wattled Lapwing

(Vanellus indicus lankae) - Yala 23rd March 2017

Red-wattled Lapwing

Red-wattled Lapwing

(Vanellus indicus lankae) - Tissa 24th March 2017

Lesser Sand-Plover

Lesser Sand-Plover

(Charadrius mongolus atrifrons) non-breeding plumage - Cinnamon Wild, Yala 14th March 2017

Lesser Sand-Plover

Lesser Sand-Plover

(Charadrius mongolus atrifrons) non-breeding plumage - Yala 12th March 2017

Kentish Plover

Kentish Plover

(Charadrius alexandrinus seebohmi) - Yala 13th March 2017

Pheasant-tailed Jacana

Pheasant-tailed Jacana

(Hydrophasianus chirurgus) - Tissa 24th March 2017

Pin-tailed Snipe

Pin-tailed Snipe

(Gallinago stenura) - Horton Plains 11th March 2017

Little Stint

Little Stint

(Calidris minuta) non-breeding plumage - Cinnamon Wild, Yala 14th March 2017

Marsh Sandpiper

Marsh Sandpiper

(Tringa stagnatilis) non-breeding plumage - Cinnamon Wild, Yala 14th March 2017

Wood Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper

(Tringa glareola) - Tissa 24th March 2017

Whiskered Tern

Whiskered Tern

(Chlidonias hybrida hybrida) non-breeding plumage - Yala 23rd March 2017

Whiskered Tern

Whiskered Tern

(Chlidonias hybrida hybrid) non-breeding plumage - 9th March 2017

Whiskered Tern

Whiskered Tern

(Chlidonias hybrida hybrid) non-breeding plumage - 9th March 2017

Asian Openbill

Asian Openbill

(Anastomus oscitans) - Yala NP 13th March 2017

Woolly-necked Stork

Woolly-necked Stork

(Ciconia episcopus episcopus) - Wilpattu NP 6th March 2017

Lesser Adjutant

Lesser Adjutant

(Leptoptilos javanicus) - Minneriya NP 9th March 2017

Painted Stork

Painted Stork

(Mycteria leucocephala) - Wilpattu NP 7th March 2017

Painted Stork

Painted Stork

(Mycteria leucocephala) - Wilpattu NP 6th March 2017

Oriental Darter

Oriental Darter

(Anhinga melanogaster) - Tissa 24th March 2017

Indian Cormorant

Indian Cormorant

(Phalacrocorax fuscicollis) adult - Garadu Gaga, Mirissa 15th March 2017

Indian Cormorant

Indian Cormorant

(Phalacrocorax fuscicollis) juvenile - Garadu Gaga, Mirissa 15th March 2017

Spot-billed Pelican

Spot-billed Pelican

(Pelecanus philippensis) - Yala NP 12th March 2017

Spot-billed Pelican

Spot-billed Pelican

(Pelecanus philippensis) - Yala NP 12th March 2017

Yellow Bittern

Yellow Bittern

(Ixobrychus sinensis) - Tissa 24th March 2017

Purple Heron

Purple Heron

(Ardea purpurea manilensis) - Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana 10th March 2017

Intermediate Egret

Intermediate Egret

(Ardea intermedia intermedia) - Wilpattu NP 7th March 2017

Little Egret

Little Egret

(Egretta garzetta garzetta) - near Habarana 9th March 2017

Indian Pond-Heron

Indian Pond-Heron

(Ardeola grayii) non-breeding plumage - Yala NP 23rd March 2017

Indian Pond-Heron

Indian Pond-Heron

(Ardeola grayii) non-breeding plumage - Yala NP 23rd March 2017

Striated Heron

Striated Heron

(Butorides striata chloriceps) - Garadu Gaga, Mirissa 15th March 2017

Crested Serpent-Eagle

Crested Serpent-Eagle

(Spilornis cheela spilogaster) endemic subspecies - Wilpattu NP 7th March 2017

Changeable Hawk-Eagle

Changeable Hawk-Eagle

(Nisaetus cirrhatus ceylanensis) endemic subspecies, adult - Yala NP 12th March 2017

Changeable Hawk-Eagle

Changeable Hawk-Eagle

(Nisaetus cirrhatus ceylanensis) endemic subspecies, adult - Yala NP 12th March 2017

Changeable Hawk-Eagle

Changeable Hawk-Eagle

(Nisaetus cirrhatus ceylanensis) endemic subspecies, adult with Common Myna pullus - Yala NP 12th March 2017

Changeable Hawk-Eagle

Changeable Hawk-Eagle

(Nisaetus cirrhatus ceylanensis) endemic subspecies, juvenile - Yala NP 23rd March 2017

Brahimy Kite

Brahimy Kite

(Haliastur indus indus) - Wilpattu NP 6th March 2017

Brahminy Kite

Brahminy Kite

(Haliastur indus indus) - Yala NP 23rd March 2017

White-bellied Sea-Eagle

White-bellied Sea-Eagle

(Haliaeetus leucogaster) juvenile - Minneriya NP 9th March 2017

Gray-headed Fish-Eagle

Gray-headed Fish-Eagle

(Haliaeetus ichthyaetus) - Minneriya NP 8th March 2017

Gray-headed Fish-Eagle

Gray-headed Fish-Eagle

(Haliaeetus ichthyaetus) - Wilpattu NP 7th March 2017

Brown Fish Owl

Brown Fish Owl

(Ketupa zeylonensis zeylonensis) endemic subspecies - Minneriya NP 8th March 2017

Jungle Owlet

Jungle Owlet

(Glaucidium radiatum radiatum) - Between Tissa and Nuwara Eliya 24th March 2017

Chestnut-backed Owlet

Chestnut-backed Owlet

(Glaucidium castanotum) endemic species - between Kitulgala and Singharaja 18th March 2017

Malabar Trogon

Malabar Trogon

(Harpactes fasciatus fasciatus) male with missing tail feathers - Singharaja 20th March 2017

Malabar Pied Hornbill

Malabar Pied Hornbill

(Anthracoceros coronatus) - Yala NP 23rd March 2017

Common Kingfisher

Common Kingfisher

(Alcedo atthis taprobana) male - Yala NP 13th March 2017

Common Kingfisher

Common Kingfisher

(Alcedo atthis taprobana) male - Yala NP 14th March 2017

Black-backed Dwarf-Kingfisher

Black-backed Dwarf-Kingfisher

(Ceyx erithaca erithaca) - Kitulgala 18th March 2017

Stork-billed Kingfisher

Stork-billed Kingfisher

(Pelargopsis capensis capensis) - Wilpattu NP 7th March 2017

White-throated Kingfisher

White-throated Kingfisher

(Halcyon smyrnensis fusca) - Wilpattu NP 6th March 2017

Green Bee-eater

Green Bee-eater

(Merops orientalis orientalis) with dragonfly - Yala NP 13th March 2017

Green Bee-eater

Green Bee-eater

(Merops orientalis orientalis) - Wilpattu NP 6th March 2017

Green Bee-eater

Green Bee-eater

(Merops orientalis orientalis) - Wilpattu NP 7th March 2017

Blue-tailed Bee-eater

Blue-tailed Bee-eater

(Merops philippinus) - Minneriya NP 9th March 2017

Blue-tailed Bee-eater

Blue-tailed Bee-eater

(Merops philippinus) - Yala NP 12th March 2017

Chestnut-headed Bee-eater

Chestnut-headed Bee-eater

(Merops leschenaulti leschenaulti) - Wilpattu 7th March 2017

Indian Roller

Indian Roller

(Coracias benghalensis indicus) - Tissa area 22nd March 2017

Brown-headed Barbet

Brown-headed Barbet

(Psilopogon zeylanicus zeylanicus) - Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana 10th March 2017

Rose-ringed Parakeet

Rose-ringed Parakeet

(Psittacula krameri manillensis) - Yala NP 12th March 2017

Rose-ringed Parakeet

Rose-ringed Parakeet

(Psittacula krameri manillensis) - Yala NP 12th March 2017

Indian Pitta

Indian Pitta

(Pitta brachyuran) - Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya 25th March 2017

Indian Paradise-Flycatcher

Indian Paradise-Flycatcher

(Terpsiphone paradisi) female - Yala NP 13th March 2017

Brown Shrike

Brown Shrike

(Lanius cristatus lucionensis) juvenile male - Yala NP 12th March 2017

Large-billed Crow

Large-billed Crow

(Corvus macrorhynchos culminates) - Negombo 17th March 2017

Jerdon's Bushlark

Jerdon's Bushlark

(Mirafra affinis) - Yala NP 23rd March 2017

Sri Lanka Bush-Warbler

Sri Lanka Bush-Warbler

(Elaphrornis palliseri) endemic species - Horton Plains 25th March 2017

Red-vented Bulbul

Red-vented Bulbul

(Pycnonotus cafer) - Negombo 16th March 2017

Yellow-eared Bulbul

Yellow-eared Bulbul

(Pycnonotus penicillatus) endemic species - Horton Plains 25th March 2017

Dark-fronted Babbler

Dark-fronted Babbler

(Rhopocichla atriceps nigrifrons) wet zone endemic subspecies - Kitulgala 19th March 2017

Sri Lanka Scimitar-Babbler

Sri Lanka Scimitar-Babbler

(Pomatorhinus melanurus) endemic species - Singharaja 20th March 2017

Brown-capped Babbler

Brown-capped Babbler

(Pellorneum fuscocapillus fuscocapillus or scortillum) wet zone subspecies of this endemic species - Kitulgala 19th March 2017

Yellow-billed Babbler

Yellow-billed Babbler

(Argya affinis taprobanus) Singharaja - 19th March 2017

Yellow-billed Babbler

Yellow-billed Babbler

(Argya affinis taprobanus) juvenile - Negombo 17th March 2017

Common Myna

Common Myna

(Acridotheres tristis melanosternus) - Yala NP 12th March 2017

Pied Thrush

Pied Thrush

(Geokichla wardii) male - Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya 26th March 2017

Pied Thrush

Pied Thrush

(Geokichla wardii) female - Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya 26th March 2017

Spot-winged Thrush

Spot-winged Thrush

(Geokichla spiloptera) endemic species - Kitulgala 18th March 2017

Brown-breasted Flycatcher

Brown-breasted Flycatcher

(Muscicapa muttui) juvenile - Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya 25th March 2017

Brown-breasted Flycatcher

Brown-breasted Flycatcher

(Muscicapa muttui) - Singharaja 20th March 2017

Indian Robin

Indian Robin

(Copsychus fulicatus leucopterus) endemic subspecies - near Habarana 8th March 2017

Oriental Magpie-Robin

Oriental Magpie-Robin

(Copsychus saularis ceylonensis) male - Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya 25th March 2017

Oriental Magpie-Robin

Oriental Magpie-Robin

(Copsychus saularis ceylonensis) female - Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya 25th March 2017

Tickell's Blue-Flycatcher

Tickell's Blue-Flycatcher

(Cyornis tickelliae jerdoni) endemic subspecies, male - Kitulgala 18th March 2017

Dull Blue Flycatcher

Dull Blue Flycatcher

(Eumyias sordidus) endemic species - Horton Plains 11th March 2017

Dull Blue Flycatcher

Dull Blue Flycatcher

(Eumyias sordidus) endemic species - Horton Plains 11th March 2017

Indian Blue Robin

Indian Blue Robin

(Larvivora brunnea brunnea) - Horton Plains 25th March 2017

Sri Lanka Whistling-Thrush

Sri Lanka Whistling-Thrush

(Myophonus blighi) endemic species - near Nuwara Eliya 24th March 2017

Kashmir Flycatcher

Kashmir Flycatcher

(Ficedula subrubra) adult male - Hakgala Botanic Gardens, near Nuwara Eliya 26th March 2017

Paddyfield Pipit

Paddyfield Pipit

(Anthus rufulus rufulus) - near Tissa 23th March 2017

Paddyfield Pipit

Paddyfield Pipit

(Anthus rufulus rufulus) - Horton Plains 25th March 2017

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