Birds observed during the festive month

‘Sri Lanka Birds’ ; Sri Lankan section of the global web-based data entry system ‘worldbirds’ completed another successful month by the end of April 2009. This report provides an analysis of data entered by ‘Sri Lanka Birds’ members for the month of the Sinhala New Year. This analysis is based on the data downloaded on 15th May 2009.

Membership
New members 17
Total members 295
FOGSL warmly welcomes new members to the ‘Sri Lanka Birds’ community.

Observations
Total Number of Observations 1214
Number of Species 165
Number of Endemic Species 7
Number of Proposed endemic Species 6
Number of migrant species 30

Observations of Bar-tailed Godwit, Greater Flamingo and Yellow wagtail at Bundala are noteworthy records. Number of endemic species recorded in the system for the month was very low compared to previous months. The total number of observations recorded in the system was also low compared to earlier months.

Nesting records
Number of observations 15
Number of species 14

Species (White-bellied Drongo, Spotted Dove, Black-hooded Oriole, Purple-rumped Sunbird, Common Tailorbird, Black-naped Monarch, Brown-headed Barbet, White-rumped Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, Black-crowned Night-heron, Little Egret, White-bellied Fish-eagle, Sri Lanka Grey-hornbill, House Crow)

Three other species (Oriental Magpie Robin, Crimson-fronted Barbet, Long-billed Sunbird) and Black-hooded Oriole and Little Egret were reported in breeding stages other than nesting.

Mostly recorded species (No: of observations)
House Crow (47)
White-throated Kingfisher (43)
Common Myna (42)
Cattle Egret (41)
Yellow-billed Babbler (40)

Top five users (No: of observations)
Newton Jayawardane (557)
Uditha Wijesena(172)
Dharshana Ranatunga (149)
Chaminda Jayaratna (104)
Amila Sumanapala (89)

A total of 25 locations were visited during April by ‘Sri Lanka Birds’ members. Highest number of observations was made at Ragama (276) as in many previous months.

To see current statistics describing the number of field visits, number of observations and bird species, as well as the number of users registered in the system, visit the login page of ‘Sri Lanka Birds’ - www.worldbirds.org/srilanka .

FOGSL highly appreciates the contributions of members towards the conservation of birds through this initiative.

Students of Sacred Hearts Convent enjoyed birds and environment

The Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka conducted a field workshop for the students of Nature Explorers Club of the Sacred Heart Convent, Galle. The workshop was held at Bundala National Park from 5th to 7th April 2009. Seminars and field activities were included in the workshop which was conducted by Prof. Sarath Kotagama. Mr. Indrajith, Park Warden of the Bundala National Park delivered a special lecture on the conservation of wildlife in the park.

The students were able to participate in another important event during the workshop. A bird ringing session of the National Bird Ringing Programme was held during the period at the park. It was conducted by the Field ornithology Group of Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Department of Wildlife Conservation. The young students learned about bird ringing and had the opportunity to handle birds under the supervision of FOGSL research team. It was a very rare and valuable experience for the students while enjoying outbound living.

Team from the Sacred Heart Convent Galle.

Ms. Christine Devota, Ms. G H A Thulari Nethmini, Ms. Chamodhi Gunathilake, Ms. W A Chathri Lalanga, Ms. Chathuri Jayalabi Edirisinghe, Ms. Chathuri Nisansala, Ms. Thilini Soysa, Ms. Geethma Gimhani, and Ms. Hemamala Dissanayake (Teacher in charge).

Photos by Uditha Wijesena

Common, Endemic and Threatened Birds in Sri Lanka

Common, Endemic and Threatened Birds in Sri Lanka: Pictorial Pocket Guide 1 is now available at FOGSL web site. Visit http://www.fogsl.net/publication/pictorial-pocket-guide-1-429.htm to download this book free of charge.

Common, Endemic and Threatened Birds in Sri Lanka is published by Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka as the first of a series of pocket guides. This excellent field guide is authored by Professor Sarath Kotagama, the first professional ornithologist in Sri Lanka. Illustrations of the book are by well-known bird illustrators; Sarath Kotagama, K.D. Lakshman, Kelum Gunasekara, Pruthiviraj Fernando and Kulasiri Ranaweera.

This book describes almost all common birds together with endemic and threatened birds recorded in the island. The pocket guide aims to provide a rapid, reliable and simple means to the identification of birds in Sri Lanka.