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Sri Lanka
Saturday 26 February - Saturday 12 March 2005
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© Roger Wasley  A Tea Estate in the hill country near Nuwara Eliya |
What could be better than spending a fortnight in the tropics, exploring one of the world's most enchanting island paradises? Accompanied throughout by Sri Lanka's top wildlife guide, we'll seek Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie and the island's thirty or so endemic birds, plus Indian Elephant, Leopard - and more!It would be difficult to think of a more perfect destination for birdwatchers to escape the winter blues than the beautiful tropical island of Sri Lanka. For despite lying so close to the southern tip of India, this Indian Ocean paradise has been isolated from the rest of Asia for so long as to have evolved more than 30 species of endemic birds. Ranging in size from the diminutive Legge's Flowerpecker and Sri Lanka White-eye, through to Sri Lanka Junglefowl and the gorgeous Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, we have chances to see them all on these terrific two-week tours.Sri Lanka's appeal runs much deeper than this, however, for the one-time island of Ceylon also has many specialities shared only with southern India. Among them are such delights as Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Crimson-fronted Barbet, Malabar Trogon, and Loten's and Purple-rumped Sunbirds. A visit to Sri Lanka is even more welcome during the late autumn or early spring - not just so we can enjoy some unseasonable sunshine and warmth, but because this enchanting tropical isle is also a winter retreat for large numbers of birds from farther north. Here we may thrill to the likes of Pintail Snipe, Blyth's Reed and Green Warblers, Kashmir Flycatcher, Pied Ground Thrush and the rainbow-hued Indian Pitta. We should also encounter some fine mammals too: Giant Squirrel, Purple-faced Langur and Indian Elephant await, and we have good chances of seeing Leopard! While for anyone with a desire to also see something of Sri Lanka's wonderful butterflies, our February/March date is a best. We shall be accompanied throughout by Upali Ekanayake, one of the island's most charming and distinguished bird guides, with a lifetime's experience devoted to the study of Sri Lanka's wildlife. Itinerary Days 1 - 2 We fly from London to Colombo. Early morning arrival in Colombo on Day Two and transfer to our five-star hotel to rest awhile. Our birdwatching begins after a late breakfast, with a visit to Bellanwila-Attidaya. White-breasted Waterhens and Pheasant-tailed Jacanas strut amid the swamps, watched over by White-breasted, Pied and Stork-billed Kingfishers. Black and Yellow Bitterns, Black-headed Ibis, Lesser Whistling-duck and Brahminy Kite are among many other exciting wetland possibilities, while the trees may hold Green and Crimson-fronted Barbets, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Black-hooded Oriole and Tickell's Flowerpecker, as well as Purple and Loten's Sunbirds. Overnight Colombo Days 3 - 4 Taking a picnic breakfast, we leave Colombo for the foothill forests of the Kelani Valley. We shall stop along the way to visit Bodhinagala Forest, watching for Black-naped Monarch, Black-fronted Babbler and the shy Rufous Woodpecker. It will no doubt be hot and humid by the time we arrive at Kitulgala to enjoy lunch beside the Kelani River (famed as the spot where The Bridge on the River Kwai was filmed). Crossing the river by dug-out canoe, we shall spend the latter part of today and all of the next exploring Kitulgala's quiet forest trails, home to such exciting endemics as Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Orange-billed Babbler and Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill. As well as these unique residents, the forest is rich in other bird life: Crested Goshawk, Crested Treeswifts and Indian Swiftlets swirl overhead, while the sight of the incredibly gaudy Greater Flameback will surely take our breath away if one lands on a nearby trunk! Bizarre Greater Racket-tailed Drongos (the local race strangely lacking rackets) herald the arrival of mixed foraging parties and, as the afternoon cools and the exotic chorus of cicadas and tree-frogs begins, we'll watch for two of the island's rarest and shyest endemics: Green-billed Coucal and Spot-winged Thrush. Sri Lanka Frogmouth is possible at dusk within just a short drive. Two nights Kitulgala Lodge Day 5 Oriental Magpie-robin and Yellow-browed Bulbul head the cast of dawn chorus songsters, and we may be lucky to see the endemic Chestnut-backed Owlet. After breakfast, we head south to Ratnapura. Here, after another splendid lunch and the chance for a refreshing dip in the hotel's pool, a short walk near the tea plantation may reward us with White-browed Fantail and Chestnut-headed Bee-eater - perhaps even the stunning Indian Pitta, which winters here. Overnight Ratnaloka Inn Days 6 - 7 An early start takes us first to Gilimale, another superb patch of lowland wet-zone forest. Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, Sri Lanka Myna, Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike and, with luck, Legge's Flowerpecker are possible before we continue on our way towards Sinharaja - Sri Lanka's most important forest reserve. We should arrive at our destination - the Blue Magpie Lodge - in time for lunch, at the start of a two-night stay. Recently upgraded, rooms here are simply furnished but all en suite, the lodge being the only accommodation to offer adequate comfort within a short drive of the magnificent Sinharaja Forest reserve. Having rested a while, in the afternoon 4WD vehicles will carry us up the trail to the reserve for an exciting first look at Sinharaja's forest. Sinharaja is home to more than half of Sri Lanka's endemic species of mammals and butterflies, and all but one of Sri Lanka's wonderful endemic birds. With its wildlife most active between daybreak and mid-morning, an early start is essential next morning to reach the higher level trail just as the forest bursts into life. Sri Lanka Spurfowl and Sri Lanka Junglefowl skulk about the forest floor as the first rays of sunlight filter through the verdant canopy to reveal such treats as Green Imperial Pigeon, Malabar Trogon, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Red-faced Malkoha, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Black-crested Bulbul, Indian Scimitar-babbler, Brown-capped Babbler, Ashy-headed Laughing-thrush, White-faced Starling and the fabulous Sri Lanka Blue Magpie. From time to time, we may be side-tracked by myriad colourful butterflies (present year-round, but especially numerous in spring), while movements in the canopy high above might not all be from birds, but betray the presence of Grizzled Giant Squirrels or the island's two endemic monkeys, Purple-faced Langur and Toque Macaque. To make the most of our time in the higher level forest, we'll take advantage of a picnic breakfast and lunch today. After returning to our lodge for a siesta, there'll be a further opportunity for those that wish to explore at lower levels in the late afternoon - or simply to relax with a cool drink overlooking the marsh beside the lodge. Two nights Blue Magpie Lodge Day 8 A more leisurely start today as we head southeast to enter Sri Lanka's 'dry zone', pausing en route to visit to Udawalawe National Park. Flanked by the Kaltota escarpment, Udawalawe is an extensive area of scrub jungle and abandoned teak plantations, which we'll again explore by 4WD vehicles. Indian Elephant is likely, and dry country birds include Blue-faced Malkoha, Malabar Pied Hornbill and the superb Indian Robin, while the strange 'moped-engine' sounds coming from the grasslands in fact originate from the pint-sized Barred Buttonquail. Overnight Tissamaharama (Tissa) Days 9 - 10 Ruhunu (Yala West) lies about an hour's drive from Tissa and forms part of Sri Lanka's oldest and most famous National Park. By taking a picnic breakfast with us, we'll be able to make the most of our morning here. Mugger Crocodiles and huge Water Monitors frequent the river banks and, as we explore through the southern sector of the park, we'll watch eagerly for mammals such as Chital and Leopard. Birds are abundant too, with a fine mix of species to enjoy, from Indian Peafowl, Lesser Adjutant and Black-necked Stork through to Spot-billed Pelican and White-bellied Sea-eagle. The strange Great Thick-knee also occurs, along with Pompadour and Orange-breasted Green Pigeons, and the colourful Small Minivet. As wildlife activity starts to wane by mid-morning, we'll return to our hotel for an early lunch. Venturing out again later in the afternoon, we'll drive a short way to an area of wetland where Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Brown Fish Owl and the scarce White-naped Woodpecker can sometimes be seen. A more relaxed start next day will find us sifting through the large number of spindly-legged Marsh Sandpipers and other shorebirds at nearby Bundala. Picking out Broad-billed Sandpipers amongst the throngs of Little Stints will keep us on our toes as we also strive to identify Greater Sand Plovers amidst the flocks of Kentish and Lesser Sand Plovers, and winter-plumaged White-winged Blacks amongst the Whiskered Terns. Oriental Skylarks, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Larks and the recently-split Jerdon's Bush Lark occur nearby. In the evening, we can try for Indian Nightjar. Two nights Tissamaharama (Tissa) Days 11 - 12 Leaving the heat of the coastal lowlands behind, we shall welcome the more 'English' climate of our next destination, Nuwara Eliya, where we should arrive about lunchtime. Set at an elevation of nearly 2,000m, this famous hill-station is the hub of Sri Lanka's tea estates. Extensive areas of superb montane forest still remain, holding hill-forest specialities such as Sri Lanka Woodpigeon, Sri Lanka White-eye, the extremely secretive Sri Lanka Bush Warbler, Sri Lanka Hill Munia, Dusky Blue Flycatcher and Indian Blue Robin. We shall need to be out early next morning to have a chance of seeing what is regarded as the island's trickiest endemic, the rare Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush. At nearby Horton Plains, a plateau of moorland grass inhabited by Pied Bushchats and Paddyfield Pipits, we can scan the forest slopes for a patrolling Mountain Hawk-eagle or even a Black Eagle - the latter specialising in snatching Giant Squirrels from the tree canopy. Later we'll visit the spectacular Hakgala Botanical Gardens, the haunt of many montane forest specialities, including the stunning Kashmir Flycatcher and Pied Ground Thrush, and the highland form of Purple-faced Langur known as Bear Monkey. Two nights Nuwara Eliya |
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© Roger Wasley  Fruit Bats in a daytime roost in a tree at the roadside |
Day 13 From Nuwara, we traverse the hill country to Kandy, aiming to arrive in time to enjoy a picnic lunch at the lovely Peradeniya Botanic Gardens. Whilst we shall be looking especially for Emerald Dove, there are also Blossom-headed, Layard's and Alexandrine Parakeets here to be compared. At dusk, a colony of Indian Flying-foxes comes to life, flapping out across the sunset and looking for all the world like nocturnal Rooks. Those that wish will also have an opportunity to visit the fantastic Temple of the Tooth, Sri Lanka's most famous and important Buddhist site. Overnight Kandy |
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Day 14 Our birding concludes with a morning visit to Udawatakelle Forest, where we have further chances to look for Brown-capped Babbler, Gold-fronted Leafbird and other hill-forest birds that we may have missed elsewhere. Afternoon return to Negombo for our farewell dinner this evening. Transfer to airport for our flight to London, arriving on morning of Day 15. |
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Accommodation is mostly at good-very good tourist hotels. More rustic at the remote Blue Magpie Lodge, where rooms are simply furnished. Twin and single rooms, with private facilities throughout. Meals: All included. Dinners usually at the hotels. Some breakfasts / lunches will be picnics. Walking: Mainly easy, moderate at times along some forest trails. Sturdy waterproof walking shoes or boots advised. In common with all tours to the tropics, be prepared for early starts to get the best from key areas before the day heats up. Option to try for nightjars and owls after dinner some evenings, for those that wish. Transport is by small coach/minibus, & 4WD in some National Parks; Kitulgala river crossing by dug-out canoe. Leaders: 2004 - Steve Madge and Upali Ekanayake 2005 - Peter Kennerley and Upali Ekanayake |
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Numbers: Max. 12 clients Prices : Nov 2004: £ 2,095 Feb/Mar 2005: £ 2,095 Nov 2005: £ 2,195 Single supps. Nov 2004: £ 195 Feb/Mar 2005: £ 195 Nov 2005: £ 215 Deposit : £ 300 per person The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of scheduled return flights London-Colombo, with meals on-board as appropriate; all accommodation, meals, surface transport (inc 4WD in parks), entrance fees, tips, airport taxes, bird checklist & services of the leader/s. The price excludes travel insurance, drinks and other personal expenses. Entry visa issued free of charge on arrival at Colombo airport. These trips will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays. |
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