Sri Lankan visit. 1st - 12th February.

 Overnight flight from Heathrow saw me arriving at Colombo airport midday 12noon after an 11 hour direct flight.

Met friend of many years, Anoma who drove me to my room at the Back Pack and Reggae Bar in Pittiwella Boossa along the south west coast of the island.

I had planned to catch up with friends, do a spot of local bird watching and photography as well as see how a Learning Centre I helped establish was getting on called MindGarden. Towards the end of my stay, I headed back to Colombo airport to collect Rob and Rachel Jones and their 3 daughters to accompany then to their hotel in Bentota. Later in the week we had arranged that I give them a tour of Galle Fort, Mahamodara village, a Buddhist temple and also drop into a turtle hatchery where student volunteers from MindGarden also help out. It was also planned that Anoma and I would take the family on the long trip to the wonderful National Reserve some 3 hours away at Udawalawe.

I also took my trail camera with me so on my first full day I took it to a site where there have been reports of the elusive Sri Lankan Fishing cat. I set the camera up on a palm tree near a path, but over the 3 nights it was present, no video evidence.

Spare time was spent wandering the local lanes bird watching as well as a morning trip to Matara and popped into Koggalla Lake where there are good birds. Another site I dropped into, via a bus trip, was on the outskirts of Galle where many common species can be observed and photographed.

All in all a great 12 day trip, returning yesterday, Mon 13th Feb, departing Colombo at 12.55 and landing 7.20pm. There is a 5.5hour time difference, so again, an 11 hour+ flight time.

Below, a selection of photos taken over the time I was there, concluding with a view of some of the nature seen at Udawalawe.

Typical railway line scene in Pittiwella Boossa

Common Tailorbird

Scaly breasted munia

small monitor lizard, about 4 foot long

Yellow billed babbler, a very common bird

White throated kingfisher, another common species

Water monitor lizard, about 7 foot long

Hibiscus species, possibly Spider hibiscus

Spotted dove, common

7 - 8 foot Water monitor

Amazing sunsets

A very distant White bellied sea eagle, Sri Lanka's largest eagle

Swallows at Mahamodora

Another white throated kingfisher

Red wattled lapwing

Red vented bulbul

Peacock at Mahamodora

Peahen close to the male (above and below)

Dis[laying Peacock

Drongo species can be tricky. Think this is Pale bellied drongo

Green Imperial pigeon

Gull billed tern in Galle harbour

Jungle crow at Galle Harbour

House crow. Possibly the most common bird for Sri Lanka

Looking west at Koggalla beach

Little cormorant along the River Mahamodora

Small monitor lizard

Local fishermen

Common mynah

Ceylon crested drongo (I think!)

Brown shrike at Koggalla

Brahminy kite, common BoP.

Blue-tailed bee-eater under a sports ground

Oriental magpie robin

Black monkey

Black hooded oriole

Another superb Blue-tailed bee-eater

On a couple of occasions I popped into Galle cricket ground where I watched the England Lions take on Sri Lanka A in a 4 day test. I got chatting to a couple who were watching and it turned out that their son, Jack Carson was playing and I offered to take a few shots of him batting. Unfortunately, his innings didn't last too long but I fired off a few shots and emailed them to his mum.

Quick single

Ducking under a bouncer

Oops

text book defensive shot.

Udawalawe Reserve.

A super reserve. Anoma and I set off with Samaan, our minibus driver from Pittiwella to collect Rob and family from their Bentota hotel and then a 3 hour drive to the reserve. First stop was the Elephant Rehabilitation Centre where young elephants are called in at 10 am, and then every 3 hours, for milk feeding. A viewing terrace gives great views of this before we jumped into a 6 seater jeep for a 3 hour safari with a driver Nandu. He stopped on the way to buy fruit which we enjoyed half way around the safari. So many birds and mammals. This is the only Reserve in the world where views of elephants are absolutely guaranteed and we had some superb views. Highlight was an elephant walking along the track towards the Jeep and then strolling right by the vehicle. Amazing. Highlights for me were several new species for the island including Sirkeer malkoha, Yellow eyed babbler and Plum headed parrot.

All these photos taken from the Jeep, sometimes whilst it was bumping along the dusty tracks

Record shot of my 1st Yellow eyed babbler

Wood sandpiper

White bellied sea eagle

Same bird

heat hazed Whiskered tern

water snake species

Water buffalo

the flooded valley for Hydro electric

Sikeer Malkoha, a good sighting

Red wattled lapwing

Ceylon Junglefowl, the National Bird of Sri Lanka

Purple faced Macaque

More purple faced macaques

Adolescent

Lizard sp

Distant Plum headed parrot, a first for me.

Island in the reservoir: Grey heron, Black winged stilts, Painted stork and Indian pond heron

Oriental darter and Little cormorant.

Orange breasted green pigeon

Submerged crocodile

Malabar hornbills

Little ringed plover

Little egret

Lesser whistling ducks

Jackal after a wash

Grey heron

Painted stork

Green imperial pigeon

Asian elephant at the rehabilitation centre

Common kingfisher

Cattle egret

Blue tailed bee eater in perfect light

same bird

Black winged stilt

Black winged stilt and Wood sandpiper

Black shouldered kite

Yellow wagtail, sub species thunbergi

Asian elephant

Elephant coming towards us.

And passing right by the Jeep

Rehab centre

Black hooded oriole behind a branch

Feeding time

Adult Little green bee-eater

another stunning Little green bee-eater, first year bird

feeding in the wild.

Species list for the whole trip:

1. Ceylon Junglefowl
2. Indian Peafowl
3. Lesser whistling duck
4. Painted stork
5. Black headed ibis
6. Indian pond heron
7. Grey heron
8. Cattle egret
9. Great white egret
10. Little egret
11. Spot billed pelican
12. Little cormorant
13. Oriental darter
14. Black shouldered kite
15. Brahminy kite
16. White bellied sea eagle
17. Shikra
18. Crested serpent eagle
19. White breasted waterhen
20. Black winged stilt
21. Red wattled lapwing
22. Wood sandpiper
23. Little riunged plover
24. Gull billed tern
25. Little tern
26. Great crested tern
27. Whiskered tern
28. Spotted dove
29. Orange breasted green pigeon
30. Green imperial pigeon
31. Rose ringed parakeet
32. Plum headed parakeet
33. Pied cuckoo
34. Asian koel
35. Sirkeer malkoha
36. Greater coucal
37. Crested treeswift
38. Indian swiflet
39. Green bee-eater
40. Blue tailed bee-eater
41. White throated kingfisher
42. Common kongfisher
43. Brown headed barbet
44. Malabar hornbill
45. Lesser goldenback woodpecker
46. Brown shrike
47. Black headed oriole
48. House crow
49. Jungle crow
50. Barn swallow
51. Sri Lankan swallow
52. Pale bellied drongo
53. Ceylon crested drongo
54. Yellow wagtail ssp thunbergi
55. Paddyfield pipit
56. Red vented bulbul
57. Common tailorbird
58. Asian paradise flycatcher
59. yellow billed babbler
60. Common mynah
61. Oriental magpie robin
62. Indian robin
63. Purple rumped sinbird
64. Pale billed flowerpecker
65. Loten's sunbird
66. Scaly breasted munia.

Not too bad for a trip that was not a dedicated bird watching visit.

Very Grey day in Norfolk 25.01.23

 Off to Norfolk and straight to Cley beach in misty and cold conditions. Very little out to sea, so a walk down the East Bank and a check for Snow buntings, but none apparent. Few obvious year listers here, along with a very showy Stonechat.

Popped into the Visitors' Centre for a coffee before heading, via Wells to Holkham Pines and Holkham Gap. As I drove towards Blakeney from Cley a Bittern flew right in front of the car and into reeds by the river.

At Holkham, a walk to find the Shore Lark and Snow Buntings, but all the birders here were reporting that they were not present. So it proved. A bouncing flock of Linnets was scant reward for a 3 mile walk, but a covey of Grey Partridge and a splendid Firecrest made the stop here worthwhile. Huge numbers of Wigeon and Teal, with 100's of Pink footed geese overhead, but no sign of the White fronted geese.

Popped into Brancaster and a quick check on the harbour, but just added Turnstone to both the day and year list. By now the light was really dark so I changed my plan and headed for Sculthorpe Moor near Fakenham rather than a wander around Titchwell.

Super reserve at Sculthorpe but the light was appalling, so left the camera in the car. Siskins and Redpolls darted around Alders and in with these, a larger Mealy Redpoll. At one of the many feeding stations, several Marsh Tits before I headed home in torrential rain.

Disappointing from the photography point of view, but good to be back in Norfolk, my first trip this year.

Species:

1. Great crested grebe
2. Little grebe
3. Cormorant
4. Grey heron
5. Little egret
6. Bittern
7. Mute swan
8. Greylag goose
9. Pink footed goose
10. Brent goose
11. Canada goose
12. Shelduck
13. Egyptian goose
14. Mallard
15. Gadwall
16. Teal
17. Wigeon
18. Pintail
19. Shoveler
20. Tufted duck
21. Common scoter
22. Red kite
23. Marsh harrier
24. Kestrel
25. Common buzzard
26. Grey partridge
27. Pheasant
28. Water rail (heard)
29. Moorhen
30. Coot
31. Avocet
32. Turnstone
33. Lapwing
34. Dunlin
35. Redshank
36. Curlew
37. Black tailed godwit
38. Snipe
39. Black headed gull
40. Common gull
41. Lesser black backed gull
42. Great black backed gull
43. Herring gull
44. Wood pigeon
45. Collared dove
46. Skylark
47. Meadow pipit
48. Pied wagtail
49. Dunnock
50. Firecrest
51. Goldcrest
52. Cetti's warbler
53. Stonechat
54. Robin
55. Blackbird
56. Song thrush
57. Fieldfare
58. Redwing
59. Long tailed tit
60. Great tit
61. Coal tit
62. Blue tit
63. Marsh tit
64. Nuthatch
65. Wren
66. Reed bunting
67. Chaffinch
68. Goldfinch
69. Greenfinch
70. Siskin
71. Lesser redpoll
72. Mealy redpoll
73. Linnet
74. House sparrow
75. Starling
76. Jay
77. Magpie
78. Rook
79. Jackdaw
80. Carrion crow.

Stonechat in very poor light

1000's of Wigeon, Holkham

Grey Partridge, Holkham

Firecrest, disappointing photo from Holme Oak at Holkham.

Abberton Reservoir visit: 22.01.23

 As Wendy had some work in Witham, I dropped her off at 10am and headed to Abberton, just south of Colchester.

Coffee in the wonderful Visitors' Centre and then around to the 3 hides overlooking the water. All birds are distant so a scope is fairly essential. Distant views of Long tailed duck, Caspian gull and a Great Northern diver along with thousands of wildfowl, including 2 Bewick's swans and a pair of Goosander.

Once I have completed the circuit, off to the 1st of 2 causways that cross the reservoir. From here, great views of plenty more Goosanders, Pochards, Black necked grebe before I encountered a distant female Smew.

Then, round to the Layer Breton Causeway where most of the water was frozen. Here, 100's of shovelers along with 10's of Pochards.

Super time with many year listers and some pleasing photos in good light.

Species List (YL = year lister.)

1. Great crested grebe
2. Little grebe
3. Black necked grebe (YL)
4. Great Northern diver (YL)
5. Cormorant
6. Grey heron
7. Great white egret
8. Mute swan
9. Bewick's swan (YL)
10. Greylag goose
11. Canada goose
12. Egyptian goose
13. Mallard
14. Gadwall
15. Wigeon
16. Teal
17. Shoveler
18. Tufted duck
19. Pochard
20. Goldeneye (YL)
21. Long tailed duck (YL)
22. Goosander (YL)
23. Smew (YL)
24. Red Kite
25. Common buzzard
26. Kestrel
27. Moorhen
28. Coot
29. Ringed plover (YL)
30. Lapwing
31. Dunlin (YL)
32. Redshank (YL)
33. Black tailed godwit (YL)
34. Black headed gull
35. Herring gull
36. Common gull
37. Lesser black backed gull
38. Great Black backed gull (YL)
39. Caspian gull (YL)
40. Wood pigeon
41. Skylark
42. Meadow pipit
43. Pied wagtail
44. Robin
45. Stonechat (YL)
46. Blackbird
47. Redwing
48. Long tailed tit
49. Great tit
50. Blue tit
51. Wren
52. Chaffinch
53. Goldfinch
54. House sparrow
55. Starling
56. Jay
57. Magpie
58. Jackdaw
59. Carrion crow
60. Rook

Robin in the car park being used to check settings on the camera.

Stonechat, photo directly into the sun.

Very distant Grey heron

Black tailed godwit

Great white egret in a distant tree.

Great crested grebe

Great white egret

drake Goosander

Goosander pair

Female Goosander

Same bird

Another drake Goosander

Great crested grebe

Bewick's Swan

Bewick's with a wigeon

Female Goldeneye

Another shot of a Bewick's

Wigeon drake

Very distant Caspian gull. Huge crop

sleeping Smew, female.

Drake pochard

Egyptian goose

Another Bewick's swan

Female Smew

Smew and Egyptian goose

Dunlin with female Teal

Shovelers on ice

Drake shoveler

Black headed gull on ice

A very distant Fox. About 3/4 of a mile away

Drake Teal

Tring Reservoirs and Stockers Lake 06.01.23

 Early start to Tring. First stop was Tescos for a coffee on the outskirts of Tring where a flock of Siskins were feeding in half light at 7.45am on Alder cones in the car park.

Off to Wilstone, the largest of the reservoirs and and a wander around the the hide. Light slowly got better but we knew birds would be distant so had left the cameras in the car. Usual fare: Shovelers, Teal, Tufted Ducks, Mallards, Pochards, Greylags, Canada geese, Cormorants and Lapwings. Upon leaving the hide, great views of a Goldcrest. Rick had a Med gull which wasn't seen again as we checked all the Black headed gulls

Further around we stopped to scan the far bank, a Green sandpiper was our only wader of the day (apart from the 100's of Lapwings.) A check on the trees here but just a Blue tit. Back to the car and a drive around to Startops, Marsworth and Tringford Reservoirs.

Nothing noteworthy on Startops, 2 pairs of very distant Goldeneye on Marsworth and 4 Little egrets, several Grey herons and a Great white egret at Tringford.

From here, back to Tescos for another coffee and then a walk around the entire perimeter of Stocker's Lake near Rickmansworth. Rose ringed parakeets were ubiquitous, shovelers a plenty, Long tailed tits everywhere, more Grey herons and a Water rail heard from the footpath.

Good numbers of Great crested grebe, before a trip back to the car and home for 4.30pm with a good trip along the M25.

Species List:

1. Great crested grebe
2. Cormorant
3. Grey heron
4. Little egret
5. Great white egret
6. Mute swan
7. Greylag goose
8. Canada goose
9. Mallard
10. Gadwall
11. Wigeon
12. Teal
13. Shoveler
14. Tufted duck
15. Goldeneye
16. Red kite
17. Common buzzard
18. Sparrowhawk
19. Red legged partridge
20. Water rail (heard)
21. Moorhen
22. Coot
23. Lapwing
24. Green sandpiper
25. Black headed gull
26. Common gull
27. Herring gull
28. Lesser black backed gull
29. Mediterranean Gull
30. Wood pigeon
31. Collared dove
32. Rose ringed parakeet
33. Pied wagtail
34. Goldcrest
35. Robin
36. Wren
37. Blackbird
38. Redwing
39. Long tailed tit
40. Great tit
41. Blue tit
42. Chaffinch
43. Goldfinch
44. Linnet
45. Siskin
46. House sparrow
47. Starling
48. Jay (heard)
49. Magpie
50. Carrion crow
51. Rook
52. Jackdaw.    In total, 10 year listers.

Hybrid drake mallard x ?

Drake Pochard

Grey heron

Shoveler drake

Siskin

Grey squirrel

Great crested grebe

Mute swan