SRI LANKAthe best sites and best birds of the island

Sri Lanka is famous for the endemismof its plants, birds and other animals. Sri Lanka Frogmouth

Some 35 bird species have been givenfull endemic status, including the wonderful Red-faced Malkoha, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Layard’s Parakeet, SriLanka Swallow and Yellow-eared Bulbul. We have a good chance of seeing all of Sri Lanka’s unique species. Theisland also attracts some very special wintering birds, and is home to an array of fabulous butterflies, making it oneof the world’s biodiversity hotspots.

For many years we have wanted to run a tour to this verdant, beautiful island, since the birds are special and mostare easily seen. But we had been put off by a lack of good accommodation near some of the birdwatching sites.Now, after improvements in infrastructure, we are pleased to offer an innovative itinerary which includes the lesswell known but wonderful Wilpattu National Park, and a high level of comfort throughout. The lower elevations arehot and humid all year so good hotels make a real difference. For instance, Sinharaja is a fabulous rainforestexperience which is made all the better for staying at a nearby lodge with lovely rooms and a pool in a beautifulhillside setting.

Despite its turbulent history, this island nation is now peaceful and quiet. On our tour we will encounter sacredtemples, the welcoming Buddhist culture, outstanding landscapes, and architecture from the European colonialperiods. All in all Sri Lanka promises a holiday full of spectacular, unique wildlife on a sun-blessed, tropical islandwith a varied cultural backdrop.

ITINERARYWILPATTUAfter an overnight flight, we will arrive just after lunch andhead straight for Wilpattu for a two night stay. If time permitswe will birdwatch in the immediate area for our first endemicsand commoner birds, including Southern Coucal, the deepred Sri Lanka Swallow, Green Imperial Pigeon, Blue-facedMalkoha, Indian Pitta, Coppersmith and Sri Lanka Barbets,Green Warbler and Purple-rumped Sunbird.

Wilpattu is the country’s largest national park; located in a dryzone but with many wetlands. We have chosen to includeWilpattu, over the more frequently visited Yala, since the parkis much quieter. This allows for a more intimate experiencewith the birds and mammals that we come across. Our firstfull day will include a game drive, with chances to see White-bellied Sea-eagle, Lesser Adjutant, Lesser Whistling Duck,Painted Stork, Asian Openbill and more. Mammals possible

include Asian Elephant, Ruddy Mongoose, Indian Wild Boar,Sambar and Chital Deer. There is also a chance to seeLeopard. On our last morning we will take another safaridrive, then transfer to Sigiriya after lunch.

SIGIRIYAHere there is more good birding right on our doorstep, so wewill explore the various local habitats during our two nightstay. Some of the forest and edge birds we expect areCrested Hawk Eagle, Shaheen Falcon, Sri Lanka GreyHornbill, Jerdon’s Nightjar, Crested Tree Swift, Indian Swiftlet,Sri Lanka Woodshrike, Pale-billed Flowerpecker, Dark-fronted and Brown-capped Babblers, Blyth’s Reed Warbler,Sri Lanka Green-pigeon, Orange-headed Ground-thrush andWhite-naped Flameback. Along the way we may well findToque Macaques, Tufted Grey Langurs and Sri Lanka GiantSquirrels, plus huge Land and Water Monitors. This area has,like all the sites, good paths in areas that our local guide

knows well. The birding is consequently very enjoyablewithout being especially challenging.

KANDY AND NUWARA ELIYAOn day seven we will leave for the highlands, breaking thejourney with a night in the World Heritage city of Kandy. Herewe will visit the Buddhist Temple of the Sacred Tooth. Nearbythere is some fine birding where we will try for Brown Fish-owl, Crimson-backed Flameback, Sri Lanka Scimitar Babblerand Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, amongst other birds.

The following day will find us taking a relaxed, scenic route tothe Nuwara Eliya hill station and checking into the impressive,colonial-style Grand Hotel for two nights. The town’s formalgardens at Victoria Park attract Yellow-eared Bulbuls and SriLanka White-eyes. It is also a regular winter site for thestriking Pied Thrush, Kashmir Flycatcher and Forest Wagtail.

From Nuwara Eliya we will visit Horton Plains, a protectedplateau at 2000m. We know of sites in the cloudforest andgrassland that do not require the usual hiking. We will searchfor Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Indian Blue Robin, Sri LankaWhistling Thrush, Sri Lanka Bush Warbler, Tri-colouredMunia, Dusky Blue Flycatcher, Sri Lanka Woodpigeon andHill Swallow, with a chance of raptors including HimalayanBuzzard. Purple-faced Leaf Monkeys are often seen too.

KITULGALA AND SINHARAJAAfter our time in the highlands we will drive through some ofthe island’s most scenic countryside down to our lodge atKitulgala, for one night. This allows us to look for someendemics that are hard to see elsewhere. Sri Lanka HangingParrot occurs in the garden.

From here we drive south to Sinharaja. Three nights will giveus ample time to discover the delights that this forest reservehas to offer. Sinharaja holds the last tract of primary lowlandtropical rainforest left in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Rufous Babblerslead the colourful bird waves of Malabar Trogon, Red-facedMalkoha, Sri Lanka Crested Drongo, Orange and SmallMinivets and more. Dazzling butterflies include Sri LankaTree Nymph, Blue Mormon and Sri Lanka Birdwing. Sri LankaBlue Magpies often betray their presence with a loud call.Gangs of Ashy-headed Laughingthrushes pass by, whilstSpot-winged Ground-thrush and Sri Lanka Scaly Thrushrustle the leaf litter. We will search for Serendib Scops Owl(which was only described in 2004), Chestnut-backed Owlet,Green-billed Coucal, Legge’s Flowerpecker, White-facedStarling, Sri Lanka Frogmouth and Sri Lanka Hill-myna. HugeSri Lanka Giant Squirrels crash through the branches, whilstKangaroo Lizards jump across the paths.

UDA WALAWAOn day 13 we will head to the southern dry zone. With twonights at Uda Walawa, we will visit the national park as wellas having time to explore the environs of our lovely lodge. Inthe park we hope to watch beautiful Orange-breasted GreenPigeon, Grey-headed Fish-eagle, Indian Roller, Grey-belliedCuckoo, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Blyth’s Pipit, Yellow-eyedBabbler, and Jerdon’s and Golden-fronted Leafbirds.

Barred Buttonquails are common but shy. Gender roles arereversed and the females can often be heard singing in thelate afternoon. Asian Elephants are numerous here as areGolden Jackals and mongooses. Nearby are sites forMarshall’s Iora, Great Thick-knee, Indian Stone Curlew,Indian Little Nightjar, Indian Scops Owl, Jerdon’s Bushlark,Oriental Skylark and Ashy-crowned Sparrow-lark.

On day 15, after a morning’s birding we will head back toColombo, staying overnight in the smart Gateway Hotel bythe airport, before our flight home the next morning.

BLUE WHALE EXTENSIONThere is the option of a two night extension in Mirissa. Twoboat trips out of this south coast town will give you the chanceto see the largest creature that has ever lived, the BlueWhale, as well as four or five other species of cetacean andseveral species of tern.

CLIMATE AND PACEThe lower elevations are hot and humid, but it is cooler in thehighlands, where rain is also possible. Early to bed and earlyto rise is the comfortable way to see the wildlife. When thebirds rest in the early afternoons so will we. Most breakfastswill be at around 6.30am. Mornings and late afternoons willbe spent in the field, involving short walks. There are a fewslopes, which will be taken at a sensible pace. There will besome free time to enjoy the lodges’ facilities, whilst thekeener members of the group will waste no time since thereis birding on our doorstep throughout.

ACCOMMODATION AND FOODFull board accommodation is provided, with two nights atPalm Garden Village Hotel, Wilpattu, two nights at SigiriyaVillage Hotel, one night at Suisse Hotel, Kandy, two nights atThe Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya, one night at the KitulgalaRest House, three nights at Rain Forest Edge Lodge,Sinharaja, two nights at Kalu’s Hideaway, Uda Walawa andone night at the Gateway Airport Garden Hotel. Allaccommodation is of a high/very high standard and all roomshave private facilities en suite. The food is good, with regionaldishes and western choices.

PRICE INCLUDES …..All birdwatching excursions with expert leader and localguide, full-board accommodation (starting with dinner on 18th,ending with breakfast on 4th), soft drinks at meal times,bottled water throughout, local transport by mini-coach, jeeprides, reserve entrance fees and international flights.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDEDTravel insurance. Cost of visa - obtained by a simple onlineregistration and payment of £20 (we can help if you do nothave access to the internet). Items of a personal nature,alcoholic drinks, laundry, tips. Whalewatching extension –please phone for details.

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTSReturn flight from London Heathrow to Colombo using thescheduled services of Srilankan Airlines. Outbound flightdeparts mid-evening, return flight arrives back early evening.It is also possible to fly from Manchester, Birmingham orGlasgow (all via Dubai) using the scheduled services ofEmirates Airlines. Please call for details (a surcharge mayapply).

15 nights includingone overnight flight:

Principal leader:

Local guide:

Maximum group size:

Cost with discount(if you book before4th November 2017):

Full Cost:

Deposit:

17th Feb. to 4th March 2018

Phil Palmer

Lester Perera

10 clients with one leaderand a local guide

£3440 per person sharing(£295 single supplement)

£3590 per person sharing

£600 per person