Sri Lanka 2017 (Day 3)

We departed Kandy City  and the Botanical gardens by early afternoon of 7th February and headed the 3 hour drive to Kitulgala.  At Kitulgala we were booked in for an overnight stay at the rustic Rafters Retreat situated on the banks and edge of the Kelani Ganga River. There was little birding done en route to Kitulgala but once we were checked in a quick walk around the grounds gave species such as Stork-billed and White-throated Kingfishers, Indian Pitta, Brown-capped Babbler, Black Bulbul, Chestnut-backed Owlet.

After a poor nights sleep, there was an early start for first light the following morning, Ashan guided us across the river to a rain forest walk where we clocked up endemics like, Spot-winged Thrush, Hill Myna, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Yellow-browed Bulbul, we heard Serindid Scops Owl, Orange-billed Babbler, Indian Blackbird and Green Imperial Pigeons were some of the highlights.
In the afternoon we packed our bags again and this time we were transferred off to Nuwara Eliya and Horton Plains, staying for two nights in the comfortable Blackpool Hotel.

 Early morning small boat crossing of the Kelani Ganga River © John N Murphy

Indian Pitta © John N Murphy

 Endemic Brown-capped Babbler © John N Murphy

 Endemic Spot-winged Thrush © John N Murphy

 White-throated Kingfisher © John N Murphy

Endemic Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill © John N Murphy

Scaly-breasted Munia © John N Murphy

Indian Pond Heron © John N Murphy

Flying Foxes

During our recent trip to Sri Lanka and while visiting the botanical gardens at Kandy, we encountered a huge roosting flock of Flying Fox or Fruit Bats.

Fruit Bats © John N Murphy

Scandinavian Rock Pipits

Clahane in Liscannor Bay on the west Clare coast is a great location for Rock Pipit, I was there on Saturday 11th March 2017,  where there were up to 60 Rock Pipit and three birds showing characteristics of Scandinavian Rock Pipit race Anthus petrosus littoralis.  Here are a selection of shots of Scandinavian type birds and the nominant race of Rock Pipit.  There are up to six different individuals in this selection of photographs. Please feel free to comment on any of the birds photographed below.

 

Rock Pipits at Calhane, Liscannor Bay © John N Murphy

Skerries Oysterctcher

I was working in North Dublin during the week and was passing through Skerries.  This partially albino Oystercatcher was at the Point, North of Skerries town in bathing areas below the cliffs.  Strange looking bird when flying in off the sea.

Albino  Oystercatcher at Skerries with Rockabill Island east of the town in the Irish sea © John N Murphy

Sika Deer

I was in Killarney National Park today and came across lots of Red Deer and these Sika. Normally the Sika skulk away and hide in dense vegetation but these two stayed out in the open for some time and were very tame.

 Sika Deer Killarney © John N Murphy