Monday, February 15, 2021

VISITING SINHARAJA FOREST RESERVE AFTER 2018



 I made a day trip to Sinharaja with a friend of mine in the 2nd week of February 2021. As I was told by one of the regular guides I use that this time around trekking the village road is much better than going inside I took his advise and climbed the steep uphill road towards the village which is more than 4km in length an it was the same route I made in 2018 . Overall the visit was very rewarding , exciting and relaxing except for the physical demand needed for the climb.

The highlight was being able to confront the endemic chestnut-backed Owlet which is quite rare to locate.



From the village route, we went near the old office to see the Sri Lanka Blue Magpie as we were told that there was a nesting. When we got there yes we got a good look at the adult Magpie but unfortunately we found the chick had fallen dead on the ground that morning for unknown reasons and we felt that the adult may be the mother would have been dis- oriented and sad for the loss moving from tree to tree.




The dead chick

Endemic brown capped babbler. 
Our experienced guide knew the general whereabouts of this bird and after a while ,we were able to locate at a close proximity.


Endemic greater flameback

Yellow bulbul



Resident endemic hanging parrots having a get together 


Endemic Sri Lanka myna

Scarlet minivet





Green garden Lizard

Migrant Asian flycatcher
Endemic and vulnerable Asy- headed laughing Thrush


Endemic  Ceylon crested Drongo

Emerald dove
Migrant brown breasted flycatcher





Endemic and near threatened Orange- billed babbler


Black naped monarch


Endemic chestnut-backed owlet




Endemic Black- capped bulbul



The beautiful forest interior...