A sight record of Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) from Chavakachcheri - Jaffna

 Glossy Ibis is considered as a rare migrant to the lowland marsh lands, paddy fields, tanks and lagoons. It is restricted to the few wet land areas as small flocks during its winter migration in Sri Lanka. It feeds on worms, crustaceans, aquatic insects, frogs and such other small animals [and also it is said to be partial to water leeches (Henry G.M. 1998)] often as small flocks on shallow water with, head down nodding from side to side. It roosts communally in trees with other water birds. The breeding season is from March to July and it builds a rather small nest with sticks on trees near water usually as colonies. 

Distribution in Sri Lanka

In legge’s time (Last half of the 19^th century) Glossy Ibis was an inhabitant of tank-districts of the country and frequents the many tank edges such as Minery [Minneriya], Kanthelai etc. According to him it was also sometime abundance in the extream north and it was frequently seen on the tidal flats near the Jaffna town and at the mouth of the lake. On the eastern, north and north-western part of the island it inhabited shores of lagoons and estuaries. In Hanbantota district also it was found about the salterns and vicinity of tanks. Legge considered it as merely a resident bird and he believed that what migrants do come to Ceylon [Sri Lanka] probably scatter themselves round the north coast as far as Mullaittivu [Mulathivu] on the east, and perhaps Puttalam [Puttalama] on the west. (Legge W. V. 1880)

In March 1872 Legge found a breeding colony of about eight pairs in company with Open-billedstorks at Uduwila near Tissamaharama on thorny trees growing in the half-dried small tank bed. (Legge W. V. 1880)

While describing its distribution in the island W.E. Wait in 1931 also noted that it is a bird of tanks in the low country and lagoons of the north and east coasts. According to him also it was mainly a resident and commonest in the north where the numbers are probably augmented during the north-east monsoon by migrants (Wait W.E. 1931)

During avifaunal survey of Ceylon conducted jointly by the British and Colombo Museums from 1936 to 1939 Hugh Whistler did not encounter any bird or museum specimen and he described it as a rare resident of low country dry zone except apparently in the south-west from Chilaw to Tangalla, and found in large inland tanks and coastal lagoons. (Whistler H. 1944)

G.M. Henry in 1955 wrote “Nowadays, however, it must be considred – if present in Ceylon at all- as a very rare species in the island. I have never met with it….”.  Henry identified from Legge’s map the location of its 1872 breeding colony mentioned by Legge as Uduwila is actually the Wirawila of Hambantota district. (Henry G.M. 1955)

Considering distribution data of above authors Glossy Ibis is considered as a former breeding resident but become extinct in the island toward the end of 19^th century.  After long silent in 1965 two birds were seen again at Kalametiya and one bird was shot (Henry G.M. , 1988). In the subsequent years it was seen time to time in few locations in the southern part of the country such as Kalametiya, Bellanwila-Attidiya sanctuary, Dehiwela paddy fields etc. during the winter migration season and other times of the year as well.  In 1994/95 migrate season 81 birds were observed at Muthurajawela, and others were seen at Anaivilundawa Ramsar wetland (Henry G.M., 1988).  All of these sight records are considered as birds coming probably from Indian mainland. 

Observation

In a bird watching tour to Chavakachcheri area of Jaffna lagoon on 16^th March 2013 we could observe and photographed more than 20 birds from a pond like water hole in a paddy field (9°38.327'N, 80°08.430'E) about a kilometer distance from Thannikilappu junction of Jaffna – Mannar road (A32) toward Jaffna (See Map 1 and 2). Some birds were feeding and others resting during the observation period of about 10 minutes and our attempt to get a closer picture of them in an open area disturbed them and all of them flew away. Few juvenile birds were also noticed among adults with breeding plumage. 

Map 1

Map 2

Discussion 

According to available published sight records -  after 1968 Glossy Ibis has not been reported from wetland areas of Jaffna peninsula(See Table 1 for all recent published sight records of Glossy Ibis). Most of recent sight records of it after ‘rediscovery’ of mid 20^th century are mainly from Kalamatiya and Aththidiya and other close by wetlands of above two locations such as Bundala, Kotte, Muthurajawela etc. Wilpattu national park, Nawadankulama and Pinkatiya of Puttalam district, Mannar and Giant tank of Mannar district and probably Habarana are only exceptions.  Prevailing civil war situation since 1980s prevented most bird watchers visiting northern bird watching sites and it can be one reason of lacking observations from there.  What made them to revisit Jaffna peninsula again after nearly half a century  Are they breeding again in our lands? Further observation are needed to solve those matters especially in the areas with similar habitats in Jaffna peninsula. 

Published sight records of Glossy Ibis since 1952 are shown in Table 1 mostly base on Ceylon Bird Club notes published in Loris - Journal of Wildlife and Nature protections society of Sri Lanka.

 Table 1 - 

Year	Location	Number of Birds	Reference
1952	C. E. Norris observe it at Kalamatiya		Cameron, R., 1964
1963 September 11 to 16	Kalamatiya	1	Cameron, R., 1964
16th August 1963	Koholankala- Hambantota,	1	Hoffmann, T. W., 1974
11th September 1963	Kalamatiya	1	Hoffmann, T. W., 1974
19th January 1968	Sarasalai Jaffna	2	Hoffmann, T. W., 1974
2nd October 1969	Dematawila Wilpattu	1	Hoffmann, T. W., 1974
1967? Or probably 1968 - January	Two birds appeared once in Jaffna but were not seen again	2	Cameron, R.Mcl.L., 1968
2nd  October 1969	Dematawillu of Wilpattu. Only record for this season	1	Cameron, R.Mcl.L., 1970
1970 – December	Kiula near Kalamatiya	3	Hoffmann, T. W., 1974
9th January 1971	Kiula near Kalamatiya	5	Hoffmann, T. W., 1974
1971 - January	Single bird captured at Kalamatiya, said to be one of 5 seen at Kiulla. 5 also observed in 1969 at the same place	1	Hoffmann, T. W., 1974
1973 – Mid December to 1974 - July	At Dehiwela seen regularly.	1	Hoffmann, T. W., 1974&  Hoffmann, T. W., 1975
1975  December	Observed at the Dehiwela paddy field.		Anon.,  1977
1976 December	Again seen at Mt. Lavinia		Hoffmann, T. W., 1977
1977 - first week of March	Once again observed at Dehiwela paddy field with full breeding plumage. It was not sighted afterward.		Anon.,  1977
1977 March	In breeding plumage was again sighted in the Dehiwela paddy fields. The last sighting there was in December 1973.	1	Hoffmann, T. W., 1978
1978 June	Kalamatiya	2	Hoffmann, T. W., 1979
1980 January	2 at Kalamatiya [Sunil wikramasuriya recapitulates his own sightings at Kalamatiya as – 4 in Jan uary 1971, 2 in September 1978, 2 in January 1980  ]	2	Hoffmann, T. W., 1981
1982  january	10 have been seen regularly at Kalamatiya and continue to be seen at there	10	Hoffmann, T. W., 1983
1982 March	Kalamatiya	13	Hoffmann, T. W., 1983
1983 April	Kalamatiya	4	Hoffmann, T. W., 1984
1985 February	Malala lewaya		Hoffmann, T. W., 1986
1985 – November	Kalamatiya	9	Hoffmann, T. W., 1986
1986 January - December	Kalamatiya	Continued to be observed throughout the year in varying numbers.	Hoffmann, T. W., 1987
1986 - March	Bolgoda lake	3	Hoffmann, T. W., 1987
1986  January	3rd mid-winter waterfowl counted 4 from Tangalla-Ambalantota area.	4	Hoffmann, T. W.,1986a
1986 December	In a paddy field not far from new parliament at Kotte.	1	Hoffmann, T. W., 1987
1987 January	Kalamatiya	3	Hoffmann, T. W., 1988
1987January 10/11	4th mid-winter waterfowl census counted 3 from Kalamatiya	3	Hoffmann, T. W., 1987a
1987 July	Bundala	7	Hoffmann, T. W., 1988
1987 September	Kalamatiya	1	Hoffmann, T. W., 1988
1987 October	Kalamatiya	5	Hoffmann, T. W., 1988
1988 January	5th waterfowl census recorded no birds		Hoffmann, T. W., 1988a
1989 - January	Not a single bird was reported by 6th  waterfowl ccensus	0	Hoffmann, T. W., 1989
1989 October	At Kotte till December	1	Hoffmann, T. W., 1989a
1990	7th annual waterfowl census in 1990 observed 5 glossy ibis after interval of several years in the south at Bundala.	5	Hoffmann, T. W., 1990
1990 October	Bellanwila	Initially only single bird and number increased to 4 and eventually to 8.  Never have so many been recorded from Colombo area.	Hoffmann, T. W., 1991
1990 December	7 at Kalamatiya, continue in the Bellanwila-Attidiya	7	Hoffmann, T. W., 1991
1991	8th waterfowl census reported 6 birds at Bellanwila and 5 at Kalamatiya	11	Hoffmann, T. W., 1991a
1991 January	Kalamatiya	5	Hoffmann, T. W., 1992
1991 February	6 bird still at Bellanwila since October 1990	6	Hoffmann, T. W., 1992
1991 September	Attidiya		Hoffmann, T. W., 1992
1993	10th waterfowl census recorded 26 birds	26	Hoffmann, T. W., 1993
1993 January	15 at Attidiya in some numbers present throughout the winter month till April. 11 at Kalamatiya.	26	Hoffmann, T. W., 1994
1993 September	Returned to Bellanwila	15	Hoffmann, T. W., 1994
1993 November	Flock at Bellanwila  increased to 34	34	Hoffmann, T. W., 1994
1993 July	Pinkattiya tank Battalu oya	11	Hoffmann, T. W., 1994
1994 January - March	Noted throughout the winter at Bellanwila and  in paddy fields in wider vicinity as well as at Muthurajawela at Ja-Ela, where as many as 83 birds were present from January to March	83+	Hoffmann, T. W., 1995
1994 - Second half of January	37 birds were counted during 11th  waterfowl census.	37	Hoffmann, T. W., 1994a
1994 Sep	Boralesgamuwa  [first arrival of the season]	5	Hoffmann, T. W., 1995
1995 January	Kalamatiya	13	Hoffmann, T. W., 1996
1995 September	Bellanwila	7	Hoffmann, T. W., 1996
1995 October	Bundala	1	Hoffmann, T. W., 1996
1995 December	Bellanwila	In varying numbers (Maximum 38)	Hoffmann, T. W., 1996
1995 December	Kalametiya	2	Hoffmann, T. W., 1996
1996  January	13th annual waterfowl census counted 18 birds	18	Hoffmann, T. W., 1996a
1996 January	Kalamatiya	7	Hoffmann, T. W., 1997
1996 February	Thalangama	24	Hoffmann, T. W., 1997
1996 October	Attidiya	22	Hoffmann, T. W., 1997
1996 December	Bellanwila	48	Hoffmann, T. W., 1997
1997 February	Bellanwila	5	Hoffmann, T. W., 1999
1997 July	Habarana	1	Hoffmann, T. W., 1999
1999 January	5 at Mirijjawila and another 5 at Lunama.	10	Warakagoda, D., 2000
2000 – From first week of January to the first week of February	17th waterfowl census cnducted of 2000 counted only 2.	2	Gunawardena, K., 2000
2000 January	Kalamatiya		Senanayake, N., 2001
2000 November	Borelasgamuwa	15	Senanayake, N., 2001
2000 December	Over Nugegoda	1	Senanayake, N., 2001
2001 December	Weligatta	16	Siriwardana, U., 2002
2002 – Mid January to mid February	Observed in the 19th waterfowl census		Siriwardana, U., 2002a
2002 January	Kalamatiya	14	Siriwardana, U., 2003
2002 February	Mannar		Siriwardana, U., 2003
2002 September	2 at Nawadankulama and 2 at Bellanwila	4	Siriwardana, U., 2003
2002 November	Hungama		Siriwardana, U., 2003
2002 December	Kalamatiya		Siriwardana, U., 2003
2003 – Mid January to Mid February	Observed during 2003 waterbird census		Siriwardana, U., 2003a
2003 January	Hungama	8-10	Warakagoda, D., 2004
2003 February	Debarawewa		Warakagoda, D., 2004
2003 May	Giant tank	30-40	Warakagoda, D., 2004
2004 - Mid January to late February	Reported from Kalamatiya and Mannar during the 2004 waterbird census.		Siriwardana, U., 2004
2004 January	Giant tank	3	Siriwardana, U., 2005
2004 February	Hungama	9	Siriwardana, U., 2005
2004 December	Borelasgamuwa	c.25	Siriwardana, U., 2005
2005 February	Bundala National Park		Siriwardana, U. & Warakagoda D
2005 October	Thalangama wetland	7	Siriwardana, U. & Warakagoda D
2006 September	Pillewa	6	Siriwardana, U., 2007
2012 July 8	Embilikala, Bundala	59	http://www.ceylonbirdclub.org/the_ceylon_bird_club_news.php

References and Bibliography

Anon., 1977 The Glossy Ibis Loris 14 (4) 243
Cameron, R.., 1964 Notes from the Ceylon Bird Club. June, 1963 to March, 1964 Loris 10 (1), 
71-72

Cameron, R.Mcl.L., 1968 Notes from the Ceylon Bird Club - 1967/68. Loris.11(3):153-154.

Cameron, R.Mcl.L., 1970 Notes from the Ceylon Bird Club -1969/70 Loris 12 (1), 62-63

Gunawardena, K., 2000 The 2000 waterfowl census in Sri Lanka Loris, 22 (4), 25-26.            

Hoffmann, T. W., 1974. Notes from the Ceylon Bird Club 1970-1973. Loris, 13(4), 211-214.

Hoffmann, T. W., 1975. Notes from the Ceylon Bird Club, 1974. Loris, 13(5), 275-276.

Hoffmann, T. W., 1977 Notes from the Ceylon Bird Club 1976 Loris 14 (3) 154 - 156

Hoffmann, T. W., 1978 Bird Club Notes. Loris, 14 (5), 289-290.

Hoffmann, T. W., 1979 Note from the Ceylon Bird club 1978. Loris, 15 (1), 6-8.

Hoffmann, T. W., 1981 Notes from the Ceylon Bird Club 1980. Loris, 15 (5), 283-284,292.

Hoffmann, T. W., 1983 Notes from the Ceylon Bird Club – 1982 Loris 16 (3), 132-134

Hoffmann, T. W., 1984 Notes from the Ceylon Bird Club 1983. Loris, 16 (6), 299-301.

Hoffmann, T. W. (1986). Notes from the Ceylon Bird Club 1985. Loris, 17(3), 99-101.

Hoffmann, T. W., 1986a  The 3^rd Mid-winter waterfwl (Duck) count in Sri Lanka (January 1986) Loris 17 (4), 142-144

Hoffmann, T. W., 1987 Notes from the Ceylon Bird Club 1986. Loris, 17 (5), 209-210

Hoffmann, T. W., 1987a The fourth mid-winter waterfowl census in Sri Lanka (January -1987) Loris 17 (6) 233 - 235

Hoffmann, T. W., 1988a The 5^th waterfowl census in Sri Lanka (January 1988) Loris 18 (2) 80-82

Hoffmann, T. W., 1989 The 1989 Waterfowl Census in Sri Lanka. Loris, 18 (4), 160-164.

Hoffmann, T. W., 1989a  The Ceylon Bird Club A brief avifaunal survey – 1989 Lors 18 (3), 129-131

Hoffmann, T. W., 1990 The 1990 Waterfowl census in Sri Lanka. Loris, 19 (1), 38-41.

Hoffmann, T. W., 1991. Notes from the Ceylon Bird Club, 1990. Loris, 19 (3), 103-105

Hoffmann, T. W., 1991a 1991 Waterfowl censud in Sri Lanka Loris 19 (4), 147-152

Hoffmann, T. W., 1992 Notes from the Ceylon Bird Club, 1991 Loris 19 (5), 171 - 173

Hoffmann, T. W., 1993 The 1993 Waterfowl census in Sri Lanka. Loris 20 (2), 49-51

Hoffmann, T. W., 1994 Bird Club Notes, 1993. Loris, 20 (3), 107-109

Hoffmann, T. W., 1994a The 1994 Waterfowl census in Sri Lanka Loris 20 (4) 180-184

Hoffmann, T. W., 1995 Bird Club notes, 1994 Loris, 20 (5), 226-228.

Hoffmann, T. W., 1996 Ceylon Bird Club Notes 1995. Loris, 21 (1), 16-18.

Hoffmann, T. W., 1996a The 1996 Waterfowl census in Sri Lanka Loris 21(2) 42-44

Hoffmann, T. W., 1997 Ceylon Bird Club Notes 1996. Loris, 21 (3), 112-113.

Hoffmann, T. W., 1999 Ceylon Bird Club notes, 1997 Loris 22 (1), 57-58.

Senanayake, N., 2001 Report from the Ceylon Bird Club for 2000. Loris, 22 (5), 43-44

Siriwardana, U., 2002 Report from the Ceylon Bird Club for 2001. Loris, 23 (1&2), 36-40

Siriwardana, U., 2002a The 2001 Waterbird census of Sri Lanka 23 (1&2), 40-41

Siriwardana, U., 2003 Report from the Ceylon Bird Club for 2002 Loris, 23 (3&4) 36-39

Siriwardana, U., 2003a The 2003 Waterbird Census in Sri Lanka. Loris, 23 (3&4), 32-35

Siriwardana, U., 2004 The 2004 Waterbird census in Sri Lanka Loris, 23 (5&6), 42-43

Siriwardana, U., 2005 Report from the Ceylon Bird Club for 2004 Loris 24 (1&2), 33-35

Siriwardana, U. & Warakagoda D., 2006 Report from the Ceylon Bird Club for 2005 Loris 24 (3&4) 24-28

Siriwardana, U., 2007 Report of the Ceylon Bird Club 2006 Loris, 24 (5 & 6), 50-56

Warakagoda, D., 2000 Report from the Ceylon Bird Club for 1999. Loris, 22 (4), 23-25.

Warakagoda, D., 2004 Report from the Ceylon Bird Club for 2003 Loris, 23 (5&6), 37-41

Harrison, J. 2011. A Field Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka. (2nd edition). New York:Oxford University Press.

Henry G.M.  1998 A Guide to the birds of Sri Lanka. (3rd edition). Delhi:Oxford University Press.

Kotagama, S., Ratnavira, G. 2010. An illustrated Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka. Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka, Colombo.

Legge 1880 A History of the birds of Ceylon 1983 second edition. Tisara Publishers.

Wait, W.E. 1931 Manual of the Birds of Ceylon. 2nd edition. Colombo: Colombo museum.

Warakagoda, D., Inskipp, C., Inskipp, T. & Grimmett, R. 2012. Helm Field Guides - Birds of Sri Lanka. Christopher Helm, London.

Whistler, H. 1944 The Avifaunal survey of Ceylon conducted jointly by the British and Colombo museums, Checklist of the Birds of Sri Lanka Spolia Zeylanica 23: 119-321

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Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus)

A rather common breeding resident (race seebohmi) found in dry lowlands are supplemented by an uncommon winter migrant of the race curonicus to the both dry and wet lowlands. It can be observed in lagoons, large tanks, mudflats, marshes and sea coast in pairs or as small flocks, often with other waders.  Kentish Plover is very active bird and when feeding it runs here and their, stop only to pick up insects which consists of its main food. The breeding season is from March to April and 2-3 eggs are laid in a depression on short grass near water.

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Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva)

Common winter migrant to the lowland lagoons, marshes, grasslands adjoining large water bodies, mudflats, dry paddy fields etc. It is much common in dry zone. It lives as small to large flocks. Its food mainly consists of insects like grasshoppers, beetles etc. crustacean and worms. It feeds on typical plover habit of often run a short distance, pause and peck.

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Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)

A rare winter migrant to the northern dry coastal areas such as lagoons, mudflats, estuaries etc. Occasionally some birds can be seen in southern coastal areas as well. In its non-breeding plumage Bar-tailed Godwit is very similar to the Black-tailed Godwit but can be distinguished from it by black and white barred tail (Tail is complete black of Black-tailed Godwit ) and more up-turned bill. It feeds wading in shallow water on worms, crabs, and other small aquatic animals, mostly as solitary individuals or as small flocks.

Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia)

A common winter migrant to the low country coastal areas. Commonest in the dry zone lagoons  tanks, salterns and estuaries. Rare and local in the wet lowlands. It is mostly a solitary bird though sometime scattered flocks are not unusual in water edges or sometime in deeper water probing the mud and picking up small aquatic animals such as crabs, worms, insects and mollusks. 

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