FOGSL’s citizen science programme for bird conservation - ‘Sri Lanka Birds’, completed its most successful month by the end of November 2009. A short summary of the results obtained during the month of November is given in this brief report. This analysis is based on the data downloaded on 21st December 2009.
Membership
New members - 15
Total members - 385
FOGSL warmly welcomes new members to the ‘Sri Lanka Birds’ community.
Observations
Total Number of Observations - 2883
Number of Species - 226
Number of Endemic Species - 22
Number of Proposed endemic Species - 7
Number of migrant species - 52
Highest number of observations for a month was recorded during November 2009. Number of species recorded during the month was the highest number recorded too. Maximum number of migrants was also recorded during this month. Brown Noddy and Sooty Tern at Gorapadu, Kalpitiya Sandwitch Tern at Keerimundel, Kalpitiya and Bar-tailed godwits at Gorapadu, Giant’s tank and Mannar were noteworthy observations recorded during the month.
Nesting records
Number of observations - 6
Number of species - 2
Purple-rumped Sunbird and Red-wattled Lapwing were the species observed with nesting activities. Brahminy Kite and Indian Robin were recorded in breeding stages other than nesting.
Mostly recorded species (No: of observations)
Blue-tailed Bee-eater (71)
Red-vented Bulbul (55)
House Crow (55)
Yellow-billed Babbler (53)
Rose-ringed Parakeet (46)
Top five users (No: of observations)
Newton Jayawardane (705)
Nadika Hapuarachchi (568)
Amila Sumanapala (510)
Rahula Perera (450)
Chinthaka Kaluthota (390)
A total of 42 locations were visited during November by ‘Sri Lanka Birds’ members. Highest number of observations was made at Ragama (491) as in many previous months. Members were able to visit wide range of habitats during the month. Visits to the locations in the Northern Province are important since very limited number of locations of the region were previously visited.
Visit the login page of ‘Sri Lanka Birds’ 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.
Membership
New members - 15
Total members - 385
FOGSL warmly welcomes new members to the ‘Sri Lanka Birds’ community.
Observations
Total Number of Observations - 2883
Number of Species - 226
Number of Endemic Species - 22
Number of Proposed endemic Species - 7
Number of migrant species - 52
Highest number of observations for a month was recorded during November 2009. Number of species recorded during the month was the highest number recorded too. Maximum number of migrants was also recorded during this month. Brown Noddy and Sooty Tern at Gorapadu, Kalpitiya Sandwitch Tern at Keerimundel, Kalpitiya and Bar-tailed godwits at Gorapadu, Giant’s tank and Mannar were noteworthy observations recorded during the month.
Nesting records
Number of observations - 6
Number of species - 2
Purple-rumped Sunbird and Red-wattled Lapwing were the species observed with nesting activities. Brahminy Kite and Indian Robin were recorded in breeding stages other than nesting.
Mostly recorded species (No: of observations)
Blue-tailed Bee-eater (71)
Red-vented Bulbul (55)
House Crow (55)
Yellow-billed Babbler (53)
Rose-ringed Parakeet (46)
Top five users (No: of observations)
Newton Jayawardane (705)
Nadika Hapuarachchi (568)
Amila Sumanapala (510)
Rahula Perera (450)
Chinthaka Kaluthota (390)
A total of 42 locations were visited during November by ‘Sri Lanka Birds’ members. Highest number of observations was made at Ragama (491) as in many previous months. Members were able to visit wide range of habitats during the month. Visits to the locations in the Northern Province are important since very limited number of locations of the region were previously visited.
Visit the login page of ‘Sri Lanka Birds’ 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.
FOGSL highly appreciates the contributions of members towards conservation of birds through this initiative.
Due to heavy rains prevailed in the area few days ago, water level at the Bundala lagoon and other surrounding water bodies were high. Hence, numbers of birds on the mudflats of Bundala lagoon were comparatively very low. However, members were able to record a total of 121 species including 21 wader species during the four day period. 
During the Workshop, members actively participated in bird identification sessions, bird counting exercises and also the data analysis on simple studies. Several seminars were also conducted for the members during the period. 
Participants: Mr. Janaka Dissanayaka, Mr. Ashoka Jayasekara, Miss. Uraji Karunaratne, Ms. Mallika Peeris, Mr. Adrian Gabriel, Ms. Sujatha Mayadunnage, Mrs. Cheryl Silva, Miss. Ayanthi Samarajeewa, Ms. D.H.M. Wijeratne, Mr. S.D. Pemaratne, Kid. Kalidu Pemaratne, Mr. Rohan Kaththiriarachchi, Mr. Rohantha Samarajeewa, Ms. Sindy de Silva, Mr. Asantha Sirimanna, Mr. Riyad Rissai, Mr. Thilanka S. Abesinha, Mrs. Shamila Perera, Mr. Malaka Rodrigo, Mr. Janaka Perera, Mr. Indrika Pradeepa, Prof. S.W. Kotagama.
List of Birds observed
South Africa is the only country in the world with its own floral kingdom, which is known as the Cape Floral kingdom. Of the six floral kingdoms of the world - Antarctic, Australasian, Boreal, Neotropic, Paleotropic and Cape - the Cape is the smallest and richest, with the highest known concentration of plant species. This floristic Region is home to the greatest non-tropical concentration of higher plant species in the world, with 9,000 species crammed into its small extent. Incredibly, more than 6,200 (69 percent) of these species are found nowhere else in the world. Furthermore, five of South Africa's 12 endemic plant families and 160 endemic genera are found only in this region. Table Mountain alone has almost 1,500 species in 57 square kilometers. The area is one of the 34 global hotspots, and is one of the only two hotspots that encompass an entire floral kingdom (the other being New Caledonia).
The Fynbos comprises of hard-leafed, evergreen, and fire-prone shrubs that thrives on the region's rocky or sandy nutrient-poor soils. The tallest shrubs are the proteoids and are 1- 3 meters in height and have large, leathery leaves. South Africa’s national flower, the King Protea (Protea cynaroides), is perhaps the most famous species of Fynbos, along with Ericas and reeds (which is known as Restia). The Fynbos Biome bears a certain resemblance to the vegetation in other Mediterranean or winter rainfall regions, as it has to adapt to wet winters and dry summers. 
The Table Mountain National Park as well as the Kristenbosh Botanical garden is a showcase for this flora, with representative examples of all the major communities. I had the opportunity to visit both places and became mesmerized with the colorful splendor they present.
The avifauna of the Cape Floristic Region is characterized by low diversity, most likely the result of structural uniformity in the vegetation and a shortage of available food. Of the 320 or so regularly occurring species of land birds here, only six are endemic. Nevertheless, the area is considered an Endemic Bird Area by BirdLife International.
During a bird watching trip on the 17th October, we were able spot more than 120 species. When strolling among the beautiful flowers at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens it is quite easy to observe some important Fynbos endemics such as Orange-breasted Sunbird, and Cape Sugarbird. Cape Francolin, Double-collard Sunbird, Southern Boubou, Cape Thrush, Cape Robin-chat, Karoo Prinia, and Speckled Mousebird are some of the birds abound the gardens. Raptors such Black Eagle, Forest Buzzard, Peregrine Falcon, Rock Kestrel were also observed. Two Spotted Eagle Owls were also found roosting on a tree. One of the most distinctive brides at Kristenbosh is the Helmeted Guineafowl, while species such as Cape Suprfowl, Egyptian Goose and Hadeda Ibis were also spotted walking and flying among the bushes.
After Kristenbosch, we stopped at the False Bay Ecology Park, which is a leading conservation, environmental education, recreation and ecotourism centre. The park is home to around 235 bird species including Sacred Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Lesser Flamingos, and large number of waders. As in Sri Lanka the Flamingos do not breed at the site, but many juveniles resided within this wetland throughout the year.
Around 30 African Jackass Penguins, which are globally threatned, were spotted at the Boulders Beach, which is part of the Table Mountain National Park. Today there are an estimated 11,000 breeding pairs of Jackass Penguins at this location. According to the tour operators one can also swim amongst these Penguins, but the cold Atlantic waters prevented us from attempting it. 
The Cape region has been heavily settled for several centuries, and large areas of natural vegetation, particularly in the lowlands, have been cleared for agriculture and urban development. Invasive alien species, both plant and animal, together with altered fire regimes, pose great threats to this eco-region.
The Cape Floral Kingdom contains eight protected areas which comprise the Cape Floristic Region World Heritage Site that also includes Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, the first time that a botanical garden has been recognized as a world heritage site for its biodiversity.
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Bird awareness seminars were also conducted for the school children of some selected schools in parallel to the exhibition. 
It is not clear whether the crows killed the barbet or if it was scavenged as carrion. Based on the condition of the skull, the barbet was probably a healthy individual; therefore accidental death while possible, is unlikely. Predatory attacks on the barbet cannot be ruled out although no predatory bird or mammal was observed in the vicinity.
FOGSL
Bird ringing at the non-migratory period is not exciting as at the migratory period where large number of birds and species captured. Although it is expected to have very low number of migrant birds in the area, there were fairly good number of birds which can be considered as stragglers and resident group of Kentish plovers. However, 12 bird species including four wader species were captured during the session. A common redshank which was first ringed during the ringing session in December 2008 was recaptured.
Prof. S.W. Kotagama, Mr. C.D. Kaluthota, Mr. R.A.R. Perera, Mr. Kasun Dayananda and Mr. Pradeep Suranga participated in this session. Five officers of the Department of Wildlife Conservation also participated in the ringing session as trainees. FOGSL acknowledges all the participants for their difficult task in the field, Mr. W.A.A.D.U. Indrajith (Park Warden, Bundala NP) and his staff for their role to facilitate this session in the Bundala National Park.