sri lanka dragonflies - sunrise birding llc lanka dragonflies ... our trip is led by an expert ......

[email protected] Steve Bird’s Wildlife 07780 965129 / +44 7780 965129

Sri Lanka Dragonflies 24th Nov 4th Dec 2018

With Dennis Paulson

The beautiful Teardrop of India

To date there have been 124 species of dragonfly identified on the lush island of Sri Lanka and almost half of

these, around 52 being endemic. Such a high level of endemism

makes this a wonderful country to visit for those of us interesting in

these fascinating and beautiful insects. Our trip is led by an expert

on Sri Lankas dragonflies and our itinerary has been desgned in

order to see a good variety of the wonderful creatures. Visiting

many well known areas such as Sinharaja, Kithugala, Newara Eliya

and Sigiriya we will search ponds, streams, rivers, wetlands in fact

any area that will produce our target species. The island of Sri

Lanka obviously holds more for the general naturalist than just

dragonflies although this will be the main focus of this

tour. Becuase we are in good habitats we will also look for many of

the special endmic bird species, plus butterflies and reptiles making

this a very interesting and exciting tour to an absolutely fascinating

and beautiful country. Sapphire Flutterer (Rhyothemis triangularis)

ITINERARY: Day 1 Arrive Colombo - Talangama - 24th Nov

Please plan on a morning arrival in Colombo, the capitol of Sri Lanka (please try to arrive no later than 09.00am.)

If not then we can arrange a night in a hotel near the airport the

night before at an additional cost. We will then drive to Talangama

on the outskirts of this vast city. Here we should start seeing our

first tropical species

such as Wandering

Wisp (Agriocnemis

pygmaea), Painted

Waxtail (Ceriagrion

cerinorubellum),

Yellow Waxtail

(Ceriagrion

coromandelianum),

Stripe-headed

Threadtail

(Prodasineura sita),

Asian Groundling (Brachythemis contaminata), Pied Parasol

(Neurothemis tulia) and Variegated Flutterer (Rhyothemis variegata)


and with luck we could find the sought after Elusive Adjutant (Aethriamanta brevipennis). We will then continue

our journey to Sinharaja where we stay for the next 3 nights.

Night Blue Magpie Lodge.

Day 2 Sinharaja - 25th Nov

Our stay here will undoubtedly be the major highlight of the tour, as Sinharaja Forest is the single most important

site in Sri Lanka in terms of endemic species, and represents the largest tract of lowland rainforest in the country.

All but a couple of the island's 34 endemic bird species occur here, although several are very difficult to see.

Many of the dragonfly species in Sinhiraja are very difficult to

find but the rewards are high as some of these species have only

been seen by a handful of people. In particular we will try and

find Ebony Gem (Libellago corbeti) a species only discovered in

2007 and only seen on one tiny stream in Sinharaja. There are of

course many more excellent dragonflies here and possible species

include Furhstorfer’s Jungle Watcher (Hylaeothemis fruhstorferi)

a Sinharaja specialty, Sapphire Flutterer (Rhyothemis

triangularis), Restless Demon (Indothemis limbata

sita), Rapacious

langetail (Ictinogomphus

rapax), Malay Lilysquatter

(Paracercion malayanum), Yellow Waxtails (Ceriagrion

coromandelianum), Green Skimmer (Orthetrum sabina), Asian Pintail

(Acisoma panorpoides), Asian Groundling (Brachythemis contaminata),

Oriental Scarlet (Crocothemis servilia), Dark Glittering Threadtail

(Elattoneura centralis) and Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens).

Sinharaja has long been famous for its endemic birds and in between our

search for dragonflies we will no doubt come across some of these special

birds which may include Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Yellow-fronted Barbet,

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch and with luck a day roosting Sri Lanka

Frogmouth or Serendib Scops-Owl. Amazing large Water Monitors can be

seen and the endemic Purple-faced Leaf Monkey will delight us.

Night in Blue Magpie Lodge Sinharaja

Day 3 Sinharaja - 26th Nov

We will have another full day to explore this fabulous area including walking several trails in this wonderful

rainforest. Early morning around the lodge and late afternoons when the dragonflies quieten down we have a

chance to search out some more of the

birds and other wildlife. Green Forest

Lizards pose for us in the gardens which

can also produce great views of Legge's

Flowerpecker, Layard's Parakeet, Ceylon

Hill-Myna, and we have also seen Green-

billed Coucal here. Once in the forest we

will walk along the old logging tracks,

where we should encounter spectacular

mixed flocks of birds. Among these

feeding flocks we can find Crimson-

backed Flameback, Red-faced Malkoha,

Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Ceylon Scimitar-Babbler, Ceylon Crested Drongo,

Ceylon Blue Magpie, White-faced Starling, and noisy parties of Ashy-headed


Laughingthrushes. Other species present in these bird waves include Lesser Yellownape, Black-rumped

Flameback, Malabar Trogon, Chestnut-winged Cuckoo, Tickell's Blue Flycatcher, Green Warbler and Square-

tailed Black Bulbul, Ceylon Spurfowl and Sri Lanka Junglefowl, whilst overhead Brown-backed Needletails are

sometimes found. That’s enough of the birds so back to the dragonflies.

Dragonflies here are plentiful and we will be looking for possible species such as the rare Furhstorfer’s Jungle

Watcher (Hylaeothemis fruhstorferi), Fiery Emperors (Anax immaculifrons), Spine-tufted Skimmers (Orthetrum

chrysis), Indigo Dropwings (Trithemis festiva), and Sri Lanka Cascaders (Zygonyx iris ceylonicus), Asian Pintail

(Acisoma panorpoides), Green Skimmer (Orthetrum Sabina), Crimson

Dropwings (Trithemis aurora), Oriental Green-wing (Neurobasis

chinensis), Black-tipped Flashwing (Vestalis apicalis nigrescens), Amber-

winged Glider (Hydrobasileus croceus), Shining Gossamerwing (Euphaea

splendens) and Jungle Threadtail (Elattoneura caesia). Small ponds may

hold other species such as Malabar Sprite (Pseudagrion malabaricum) and

Blue Sprite (Psuedagrion microcephalum), Crimson Dropwing (Trithemis

aurora), Common Bluetail (Ischnura senegalensis) and the handsome and

fabulously named Rapacious Flangetail (Ictinogomphus rapax).

Night in Blue Magpie Lodge Sinharaja

Day 4 Sinharaja - Kithulgala - 27th Nov

After breakfast, we will drive to Kitulgala via Kelani Valley Forest Reserve. Possible species here include Adam's

Gem (Libellago adami), Fiery Emperors (Anax immaculifrons), Spine-tufted Skimmers (Orthetrum chrysis),

Indigo Dropwings (Trithemis festiva), and Sri Lanka Cascaders

(Zygonyx iris ceylonicus). If we have time in the afternoon we

should see a few more birds including Green-billed Coucal,

Chestnut-backed Owlet, Ceylon Junglefowl, Ceylon Green-Pigeon,

Ceylon Hanging-Parrot, Ceylon Grey Hornbill, Black-capped

Bulbul, and Yellow-fronted Barbets. Down beside the river we

could again find both Green's Gem (Libellago greeni), Adam's

Gem (Libellago adami) or Wandering Wisp (Agriocnemis

pygmaea).

Night in Kithulgala Rest House, Kithulgala

Day 5 Kithugala - 28th Nov

After breakfast we will have full day excursion around the rivers and streams in the Kithulgala area. One superb

area holds a great variety of species and we can hope to find such delightful species as Dark-glittering and Red-

striped Threadtails (Elattoneura centralis, E.

tenax), Ultima Gem (Libellago finalis),

Rivulet Tiger (Gomphidia pearsoni) and

Brook Hooktail (Paragomphus

henryi). Amongst the fast flowing water we

will search for Sri Lanka

Cascader (Zygonyx iris ceylonicus) whose

larvae cling to stones in the waterfalls. This

area is another top site for birds and we may

well encounter Black and Rufous-bellied

Eagles, Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Stork-billed

Kingfisher, Green Imperial-Pigeon, Emerald

Dove, Asian Palm Swift, Orange Minivet,

Indian Pitta, Chestnut-headed Bee-Eater,

Yellow-browed Bulbul, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Dark-fronted Babbler, Indian Blue Robin, Asian Paradise-


Flycatcher, Black-naped Monarch and Large-billed Leaf-Warbler. There is a good chance of finding the

diminutive Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher beside a small forest stream.

Night in Kithulgala Rest House Kithulgala

Day 6 Kithugala - Nuwara Eliya - 29th Nov

After breakfast we set off on the drive to Nuwara Eliya, on the lookout for some more endemic species. A walk

around nearby wetlands and nature trails for new sightings of different

forest species and a visit to the Hakgala Botanical Gardens located

about 7 miles outside Nuwara Eliya, should give us the chance for

noteworthy species such as Mountain Reedlings (Indolestes gracilis)

Malay Lilysquatter (Paracercion malayanum), Common Bluetails

(Ischnura senegalensis), Triangle Skimmer (Orthetrum triangulare),

Fiery Emperors (Anax immaculifrons), Sociable Glider (Tramea

limbata) and Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii). This area

is also good for Purple-faced Leaf Monkey, plus bird species that

include Pied Thrush, Indian Pitta and Kashmir Flycatcher.

Night in Leisure Village Hotel, Nuwara Eliya

Day 7 Nuwara Eliya - 30th Nov After breakfast we will have a full day excursion in Nuwara Eliya where we will

check out two different botanical gardens and their small ponds. Here we could see

Triangle Skimmer (Orthetrum triangulare), plus Elephant Emperor (Anax indicus)

and Mountain Reedling (Indolestes gracilis). There are a few special birds in this

area including the very shy Ceylon Whistling-Thrush in one of the few spots that it

can be found. We may also see Ceylon Woodpigeon, Dusky-blue Flycatcher,

Yellow-eared Bulbul, Ceylon Bush-Warbler, Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Pied Bushchat,

Grey Tit, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch and Indian Scimitar-Babbler.

Night in Leisure Village Hotel, Nuwara Eliya

Day 8 Nuwara Eliya - Sigiriya – 01st Dec

After breakfast we drive through the city

of Kandy and head for our last destination

at Sigiriya. Stops along the way could

produce such species

as Adam's Gem (Libellago adami),

Pruinosed Bloodtail (Lathrecista asiatica),

Closed-wing Reedlings (Indolestes

divisus), while some nearby rice

paddies could find us Blue

Persuer (Potamarcha congener) and Blue

Percher (Diplacodes trivialis), plus White-tipped Spreadwing (Lestes

elatus) and Sociable Glider (Tramea limbata). Lunch/Dinner/Overnight in

Kassappa Lion Rock Hotel, Sigiriya

Day 9 Sigiriya - 02nd Dec Today we will check moats and ponds in the vicinty of the famous Lion Rock. Here we will be on the lookout for

more exotic species of dragonfly and damselfly such as Elephant Emperor (Anax indicus), Foggy-winged

Twisters (Tholymis tillarga), Blue-eyed Pondcruiser (Epophthalmia vittata cyanocephala), Paddyfield Parasol

(Neurothemis intermedia), Blue Pursuer (Potamarcha congener), Blue Percher (Diplacodes trivialis) and

Scalloped Spreadwing (Lestes praemorsus decipiens). Depending on time we may be able to stop at another


reservoir with the chance of species such as Somber Lieutenant (Brachydiplax sobrina), Amber-winged Glider

(Hydrobasileus croceus), Spine-legged Redbolt (Rhodothemis rufa), the rare Restless Demon (Indothemis limbata

sita), Burmeister’s Glider (Tramea basilaris burmeisteri) and Pruinosed Bloodtail (Lathrecista asiatica). Sigiriya

Sanctuary is fantastic for dry zone dragonflies that inhabit the ancient water gardens at Sigiriya Sanctuary and the

surrounding reseviours. We will once again look for Elephant Emperor (Anax indicus) and Scalloped

Spreadwings (Lestes praemorsus decipiens), plus White-tipped Spreadwings (Lestes elatus) and the elusive Asian

Slim (Aciagrion occidentale).

Night in Kassappa Lion Rock Hotel Sigiriya

Day 10 Sigiriya - Katunayaka – 03rd Dec

Leaving Sigiriya today we will check out an archeological site where

we hope to find the very rare and elusive Light-tipped

Demon (Indothemis carnatica). After which we will proceed to a

hotel near the Airport via Kurunegala (Arankele) looking for the

Indian Rockdweller or Granite Ghost (Bradinophyga geminata) and a

fitting way to end this fabulous tour.

Day 11 Departure - 04th Dec

After breakfast we will transfer to the Airport in time for your

international departing flight.

Leaders: Tom Bird and Wicky (Wickramasekara) with Dennis Paulson

Ground Price: £2250.00 - Colombo / Colombo

Single supplement: £345.00

Deposit: £500.00 Included in cost: All Accommodation in twin rooms en-suite, all meals from lunch on 24th Nov to breakfast on

4th Dec, includes picnic lunches where necessary, all entrance fees to National Parks, transport throughout in air-

conditioned coach, and services of leaders.

Not included: International airfare, insurance, drinks, tips, and

items of a personal nature.

Accommodation: All accomodations are of a good standard

and offer en-suite rooms. Tour Code: This tour is focussed on looking for dragonflies, but becuase we are all-round naturalists we will also take time to look for endemic and interesting bird species, plus butterflies, mammals, and reptiles. The weather is unpredictable and we may well encounter rain that prevents us from finding dragonfly species. In these instances we will either rest or go looking for other forms of nature. Once the tour is confirmed to go ahead, we will send you information about booking flights and trip

insurance. Please do not book flights until you receive this information from us and are notificed that

the trip has sufficient numbers to run. Final payment is due Aug 24, 2018.

This tour is being run through Steve Bird’s Wildlife

Contact organizer Steve Bird [email protected] for more information.

mailto:[email protected]


RESERVATIONS:

Contact [email protected] to reserve your space! Then Complete the Registration &

Release Form and mail it with your deposit of £500.00 per person to Steve Bird’s Wildlife within

two weeks to secure your place. Instructions are on the form. Reservations are held with a

deposit on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please note: Tour prices are based on quoted costs from ground operators (in their local currency),

estimated fuel costs, and the rate of exchange the time of itinerary publication. The erratic nature to

global financial markets makes it difficult to predict changes in costs and foreign currency exchange

rates over the long term. Since tours are priced well in advance of the actual operation of the tour, tour

costs, fuel costs and exchange rates can change, sometimes drastically. Depending on the extent of

such changes, it may be necessary to implement a surcharge on this tour. If a surcharge is necessary,

every effort will be made to minimize the amount. Cancellations and Refunds: All cancellations must be made in writing. In the event that you must

cancel your booking at any stage, all payments you have made to Steve Bird’s Wildlife will be

retained by us, except at our discretion. Please ensure that you take out adequate insurance to cover

this and any other eventuality as early as possible. You may have the opportunity to transfer your

booking to another tour or another person, provided you are unavoidably prevented from coming on the

tour. In this case, you will bear any extra costs that such changes may incur.

There are no refunds once the trip is confirmed to go ahead and no refunds will be made for

unused meals, accommodations, or other trip features. Insurance: The purchase of trip cancellation insurance to cover any eventuality is strongly

recommended. Steve Bird’s Wildlife cannot accept liability for airline cancellations or delays or

penalties incurred by the purchase of non- refundable airline tickets or other expenses incurred by tour

participants in preparing for this tour.

Please see Booking Form on following page…..

mailto:[email protected]


BOOKING FORM

Tour Name……………………………………………………………….. Dates..…………………………………….

Surname Initials Mr/Mrs/Miss First Name (That by which you

wish to be known on trip) Date of Birth

Address for Correspondence:

Postcode: Telephone: (Home) (Work) E-mail Address:

Contact Number: (in case of accident or emergency)

Doctors Number:

Passport Details: (Please fill in forenames as they appear on your passport) Surname Forename(s) Passport No. Place of Issue Date of issue Expiry date

Please make the above reservations I/We enclose £……………………….……. Deposit (Please see tour description for amount)

SIGNATURE …………………………………………………… DATE ……………...……………

Please make your cheque payable to ‘Steve Bird’ and return, together with completed booking form to the address overleaf.

Steve Bird’s Wildlife Birdwatching & Nature Tours


Accommodation Preferences:

Accommodation required (please tick) single ☐ twin ☐ double ☐

If you are a single traveller would you be willing to share in twin-bedded accommodation with a fellow

tour participant? Yes ☐ No ☐

For single travellers, if you are willing to share but no acceptable roommate can be found will you cancel

your booking? Yes ☐ No ☐

If you answered no to the previous question, you will be charged the single room supplement as stated on our website. If you have already arranged to share a room with someone, please give their name in the space provided: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

OTHER INFORMATION:

What type of passport do you hold? This must have at least six months to run after the return date of

your holiday. British Citizen ☐ Other (please state) ..………………………………………

Do you have any special dietary requirements (vegetarian, diabetic, other?) Yes ☐ No ☐

If yes give details: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Do you have any medical conditions we should know about? Or is there anything else that may prohibit

full participation of the tour? Yes ☐ No ☐

If yes give details: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Other countries you would like to visit: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Other interests: Butterflies, Dragonflies, Mammals, Flowers, Cetaceans, Photography etc

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Please return this form with enclosed cheque to Registered address: Steve Bird’s Wildlife,

5 Quarry Cottages, Plymouth, Devon. PL5 3PF Tel: 07780 965129 or +44 7780 965129

E-mail: [email protected]

If you would like to pay by Bank transfer then please contact Steve for details.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me.

mailto:%20%20%20 [email protected]

sri lanka dragonflies - sunrise birding llc lanka dragonflies ... our trip is led by an expert ......

Documents