Sri Lanka
Endemic Birding Tour
The teardrop-shaped island of Sri Lanka, located less than 100 miles off the coast of southern India, provides a delightful introduction to Asia's birds--with the added bonus of 34 endemic species .Our tour visits all of the country's main habitats, beginning with the lush rainforests of Kitulgala and Sinharaja, which are home to many of the island's endemics, including the newly discovered Serendib Scops-Owl, the tiny White-throated Flowerpecker, and the spectacular blue Sri Lanka Blue-Magpie. We'll also visit the scrubby grasslands of Udawalawe, where Asian Elephants reign supreme, and the teeming mudflats and saltpans of Yala and Bundala national parks, where thousands of wintering shorebirds and herons gather. Then, after a visit to the forests and tea plantations of the central highlands and the remote high plateau of Horton Plains.
Day 1, 2 – Kitulgala
Bird watching in Kithulgala is considered as a main interest of a nature lover and can result in you seeing many of the country's endemic bird species such as Sri Lanka Orange-billed babbler, Sri Lanka Green Pigeon, Sri Lnka Hanging Parrot, Layard’s Parakeet ,Red-faced Malkoha, Green-billed Coucal, Serendip Scops Owl, Chestnut-backed Owlet, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Crimson-fronted Barbet, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Crimson-backed Golden back, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Sri Lanka Swallow, Black-capped Bulbul, Brown-capped Babbler, Sri Lanka Scimitar Babbler…
Day 3,4,5 – Singharaja
The lowland rainforest of Sinharaja is the largest expanse of lowland rainforest in Sri Lanka. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1988. It is one of the critically important sites for a vast number of endemic fauna and flora, which are threatened due to deforestation. In this tour we aim to see close to 20 of the 31 endemic birds of Sri Lanka, which include Red-faced Malkoha and Sri Lanka Blue Magpie. The focus will also be on the mixed species bird flocks, which is a unique foraging strategy adopted primarily by insectivorous birds in the rainforest. Close to 14 species on average move through the densely vegetated forest, flushing out insects in the process, which are eaten by the birds occupying in various stratified layers in the forest. You will be able to see the flock leader Orange-billed Babbler, Ashy-headed Laughingthrush ,Sri Lanka Myna,White-faced Starling, Spot-winged Thrush, Legge’s Flowerpecker…
Day 6 – Tissamaharama
Tissamaharama in ancient times was the epicenter of irrigation and cultivation. The man made tissamaharama is a part of the sophisticated irrigation system that still prevails to this day. This first century constructions are home to large number of water fowls and migrant waders. In this tour, you will be able to see Cotton Pygmy Goose, Garganey, Painted Stork, Spot-billed Pelican, Watercock, Eurasian Thick-knee, Great Thick-knee, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Greater Painted-snipe, Oriental Pratincole…
Day7 – Nuwara Eliya
Victoria Park offers some good ornithological opportunities with an interesting selection of indigenous bird species available for sighting. Among the more interesting species you might see are the pied and scaly thrush, Kashmir flycatcher, Indian blue robin, Indian Pitta, Forest Wagtail, Yellow-eared Bulbul… Bird watching can also be enjoyed at Horton Plains National Park, here also can spot the Purple-faced Langur, Dull-blue Flycatcher…
Day 8 – Negombo
Negombo is a picturesque small town located to the north of Colombo in Sri Lanka. The town features a lush green natural surrounding and many swampy areas. Owing to this, you will get to see some exotic and rare birds in and around Negombo. Bird Watching is one of the popular activity in Negombo. The ecological balance is well-maintained in Negombo. The unperturbed natural atmosphere and the serene environment add more effect. All these factors together combine to create a wonderful and suitable habitat for different range bird species. The wetland areas and the marshlands where you will see the mangroves are the home grounds of a large number of native bird species.