Birding at Hiyare forest, Galle

FOGSL organised another successful field visit for its members from 19th to 21st September. Hiyare forest reserve that located close to Galle city was the destination of this trip. A manmade reservoir and the adjacent lowland rainforest create ideal location for bird watching. Accommodation facility was provided at the visitor center managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society of Galle. Birding at the rain forest and boating in the reservoir made this an unforgettable trip. Members were able to visit Rumassala and Kanneliya forest reserve for birding during the three day period.
Participants: Miss. Ayanthi Samarajeewa, Miss. Madubashini Jayawardhane, Miss. Yuraji Karunaratne, Miss. N.R. Dilani, Doctor Newton Jayawardhana, Mr. A.S.M. Rufki, Mr. Chameera Senevirathne, Mr. C.R.I. Gomez, Mr. Carl Fernando, Mr. Kusum Fernando, Mr. Indrika Pradeepa


The list of birds recorded at the Hiyare forest .

Sri Lanka Spurfowl
Lesser Whistling-teal
Lesser Yellownape
Black–rumped Flameback
Grater Flameback
Brown-headed Barbet
Sri Lanka Yellow-fronted Barbet
Common Kingfisher
Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher
White-throated Kingfisher
Asian Koel
Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot
Alexandrine Parakeet
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Asian Palm-Swift
Crested Tree-swift
Forest Eagle-Owl
Brown Wood-Owl
Sri Lanka Chestnut backed Owlet
Frogmouth
Spotted Dove
Emerald Dove
Pompadour Green-Pigeon
Green Imperial Pigeon
White-breasted Waterhen
Red-wattled Lapwing
Oriental Honey-buzzard
Brahminy Kite
White-bellied Sea-eagle
Crested Serpent Eagle
Oriental Darter
Little Cormorant
Great Cormorant
Jerdon`s Chloropsis
Black-hooded Oriole
Scarlet Minivet
White-bellied Drongo
Crested Drongo
Black-naped Monarch
Large-billed Crow
Jungle Crow
Common Iora
Common Myna
Hill Myna
Red-rumped Swallow
Black-capped Bulbul
Red-vented Bulbul
White-browed Bulbul
Yelow-browed Bulbul
Black Bulbul
Sri Lanka Scimitar Babbler
Sri Lanka Legge`s Flowerpecker
Pale-billed Flowerpecker
Purple Sunbird
Purple-rumped Sunbird
Scaly-breasted Munia


Indrika Pradeepa provided the bird list and photos. FOGSL acknowledges Mr. Madura De Silva, President, Wildlife Conservation Society of Galle and its members for providing facilities at the center and conducting an awareness sessions, and Mr. Uditha Wijesena for helping to organize the trip.