Last Day at the Project

Here I am at Site # 3 and it’s my last day at the project.  This isn’t the site that produces the most bird species, however it definitely produces some quality birds.  The habitat is mostly harsh and rocky slopes with a few shrubs. It also provides an expansive vista of the ‘tank’ and all the water birds and is fringed with steep vales with rich soil and dense trees attracting a good number of birds.

On this harsh site I always record the unforgettable Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark and Jerdon’s Bushlark – the flight displays of both of these birds thrill me every time.  Also get Paddyfield Pipits, Zitting Cisticolas, Sri Lanka Swallows (recently split from Red-rumped Swallows), Indian Swiftlets, Red-wattled Lapwings and the Peacocks and this morning I got a Barred Buttonquail there. It’s also where the Indian Nightjar is sitting on 2 eggs now (we noticed yesterday another egg had been added to the clutch).  

Last night we were out a bit later as the project also owns an area they refer to as the ‘farm’ and it seems that some villagers located near to it have been cutting down some of the smaller trees and generally taking vegetation from there so C decided to place some signs he’d designed around to remind them that it’s the property of the Sri Lankan Wildlife Conservation.  While I waited I had great views of another Nightjar at dusk, which I’m almost certain was the Grey Nightjar (Caprimulgus indicus kelaarti).  It gave a brief call then kept flying around and returning to the same post after each sally about.  It appeared to have a darker chest than both the Jerdons and the Indian.   We drove back to base camp and as we pulled up to park we had great views of a Eurasian thick-knee (Burchinus oedicnemus) which was a great surprise as I hadn’t even considered I’d get one of these.

Building a bird hide

Chinkhata is really on board with the birding activities and he and Syria are building a bird hide which they are very excited about which they hope will offer shelter from the heat and good opportunities for bird photography.  I have to agree that there is great potential here for them to also promote birding opportunities and full-board accommodation for any visiting birders wanting to visit the Wasgamuwa dry zone.  My species list is 101 for the project sites around here and that’s in May when most of the visiting birds have already left.

Leda is our housekeeper and prepares all the yummy Sri Lankan food