පිළිල[Pilila](Dendrophthoe suborbicularis)

An endemic semi-parasitic growing on the branches of trees. It is restricted to the higher montane zone. Flowering from April to August and probably also in other months. 

Vagrant Gulls and Terns (Family: Laridae) recorded in Sri Lanka

    Birds that appear outside their normal range are known as vagrants. This post summarizes up to date published sight records of vagrants of the family Laridae (Gulls and Terns) in Sri Lanka.

 Confirmed vagrants

     1) Sooty Gull (Larus hemprichii)

First time recorded in Sri Lanka from Mutwal by Deepal Warakagoda on 9^th January 1993 (Hoffmann, T. W., 1994) Several sight records since then (Kotagama S. & Ratnavira G., 2010: 227))

     2) White-cheeked Tern(Sterna repressa)

First sight record is from Galle Buck of Colombo in 1983 and second from Negombo lagoon in 1990 ( De Silva R.I, 1990:31, De Silva, R.I. 2001 and De Silva, R.I., 2011). Single specimen was captured at Bundala salterns situated within the Bundala National Park on 13^th December 2008 during the bird ringing session carried out by FOGSL and DWC. (Kaluthota, C.D., 2009). It is the third record (Kaluthota, C.D., 2009).

     3) Black Tern (Chlidonias niger)

Rex I. De Silva, Enoka Perera, Lester Perera and Kanishka Samarasinghe reported a Black Tern among flock of around 60 Whiskered Terns in 1^st November 1992 on the tidal mudflats in the Northern part of Negombo lagoon (De Silva, R.I. et. al., 1992). It is the first sight record of it in Sri Lanka and again Rex I. De Silva, LesterPerera, Trevor Roosmale-Cocq, Carl Fernando, Kathleen Wickremaratne, Sita and Amrita Hapuarachchi reported another sight record of three adult birds in winter plumage on 9^th January 1993 at Alangkuda (near Etalai on the Palavi-Kalpitiya road ). Again they were in a mixed flock of Whiskered and White-winged terns (De Silva, R.I. et. al., 1992). Another sight report available on 1995 April, a single bird with breeding plumage near Hambanthota (Hoffmann, T. W., 1996)

Unconfirmed vagrants:

Species for which there are only one or two sight records exist categorized here as unconfirmed vagrants. Problematic records without sufficient details are also included.

     4) Black-naped Tern (Sterna sumatrana)

Single sight record available on 3^rd September 1994 by Laksiri Karunaratne off the coast of Colombo (Hoffmann, T. W., 1995 & Ilangakoon, A., 2001)          

     5) Slender-billed Gull (Larus genei)

Single sight-record made by a group of foreign ornithologist in September 1978 at Mannar is the first record of it in Sri Lanka. (Hoffmann, T. W., 1979). Arnaud B. van den Berg, Cecilia A. W. Bosman & Frank G. Rozendaal three Dutch ornithologists on 2^nd September 1978 around 9.00AM observed this single adult bird in summer plumage flying over the Mannar causeway (Van Den Berg, A. B., Bosman , C. A. W.  & Rozendaal  F.G., 1982)
Sudheera Bandara, Kiran Kumaranayagam and Udaya Sirivardena reported 43 Slender-billed gulls near the Sangupiddi Bridge, Pooneryn-Navatkuli road on the 8th and 9th February of 2015. Shalinka De Silva also reported some unusual gulls with photographs on 2nd February 2015 at the same location and  those were later on identified as of the same species. This is the seconds record of it in Sri Lanka (http://www.ceylonbirdclub.org/the_ceylon_bird_club_news.php)

References:

De Silva, R.I., 2011. Comments on Sri Lanka's Avifauna with a note on observing the seabird migration. Sethsamudra.(Downloaded from https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxyZXhpZGVzaWx2YXxneDoxYmMxY2EyYjM1MDQ1NzZl)

De Silva, R.I., 2001. Seabird Studies off the West Coast 1981-2001. Loris. 22(5):41-42.

De Silva, R.I. et. al. 1992. The Black Tern Chlidonias niger in Sri Lanka. Loris. 19(6):204-205.

De Silva, R.I., 1990. Sea Bird of Sri Lanka. Ceylon journal of science. 21(1):28-33

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

Hoffmann, T. W., 1995. Ceylon Bird Club Notes 1994. Loris, 20(5), 226-227.

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

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

Ilangakoon, A., 2001. Observing Seabirds off the West Coast of Sri Lanka. Loris, 22(5), 15-18.

Kaluthota, C.D., 2009 A Sand Martin and White-cheecked Tern : Two vagrant species captured at Bundala national park. Malkoha 30(1):3.(Downloaded from http://www.fogsl.net/publication/newsletters/malkoha-vol-30-1-1201.htm)

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

Van Den Berg, A. B., Bosman , C. A. W.  & Rozendaal  F.G., 1982. First record of a Slender billed Gull Larus genei in Sri Lanka. Ardea, 70, 82. (Downloaded from http://ardea.nou.nu/)

බෝ-කෑර/ගෝ-කෑර[Bo-kera/Go-kera] (Campylospermum serratum [Syn: Gomphia serrata])

An indigenous tree or shrub common in the evergreen forests of the wet zone and sometimes in the drier regions up to about 900m elevations. Flowering from January to May.

Common Tinsel (Catapaecilma major myositina)

"When I first came to this estate in 1889, this butterfly was plentiful on one field of tea. An adjoining chena was then cleared, and it entirely disappeared, and I never saw another specimen till August, 1915, when I took a male near Haldummulla kaddies. I have since obtained two more specimens from Haldummulla. I have never come across it in my travels, and the native collectors have never brought me a specimen, so it must be very rare, or local " - (Ormiston W., 1924)

"This butterfly very occasional caught by a few of the Ceylonese catchers in Kandy, from September to March along the road to Kurunegala near Galagedara" (Woodhouse L.G.O., 1950)

"Today the one of the rarest butterflies in the country, and among the few specimens in collections, very few are in perfect conditions. I saw it every year between 1952 and 1956 in a certain spot in the Uduwattakelle, but on subsequent visits have failed to see it" (d' Abrera B., 1998)

Common Tinsel seems to be a canopy dweller with local distribution - Hence the very few specimens and sightings - probably in all climatic zones. Larva feeds on Lannea coromandelica, Albizia lebbeck (සූරිය මාර), Vitex altissima (මිල්ල/කහ මිල්ල/නියන් මිල්ල/මියන් මිල්ල/සපු මිල්ල), Dendrophthoe falcata, Psidium guajava (පේර/Guava), Trema orientale (ගැඩුඹ/Charcoal Tree) and Bridelia retusa (කැටකෑල). It has symbiotic relation with a Crematogastor ant and possibility is there that it feeds also on other plants when ants are present 

References:

d' Abrera Bernard , 1998 The Butterflies of Ceylon, WHT Publications : Colombo.

Ormiston  W., 1924 The Butterflies of Ceylon, H.W.Cave & Co., Colombo 1924, AES Reprint New Delhi, 2003

Woodhouse L.G.O. , 1950 The Butterfly Fauna of Ceylon, Ceylon Government Press, Colombo, 2nd (Abriged) Edition.  1950.

රදලිය [Radaliya] (Connarus monocarpos)

Common indigenous shrub occurs in sandy places, dunes and secondary forests in the dry zone. rare in wet lowlands. Flowering from July to September. 

Sombre Lieutenant (Brachydiplax sobrina)

Rather common dragonfly inhabiting weedy ponds, tanks, channels, lagoons and marshes mainly in the lowlands throughout the year. 

රුක්/රුක්-ගෙඩි/මලබොඩ/තලන්[Ruk/Ruk-gedhi/Malaboda/Thalan] (Horsfieldia iryaghedhi)

An endemic tree grows in lowland rain forests of wet and intermediate zone up to about 500m a.s.l. Flowers and bark are used in traditional medicine and wood use to make boats.  Flowering from August to October.

Vagrant Starlings (Family: Sturnidae) recorded in Sri lanka

    Birds that appear outside their normal range are known as vagrants. This post summarizes up to date published sight records of vagrants of the family Sturnidae (Starlings) in Sri Lanka.

Confirmed vagrants

     1) Chestnut-tailed starling [Grey-headed Starling] (Sturnia malabaricus)

A flock of Chestnut-tailed starlings were first time recorded in Sri Lanka from Anuradhapura in January 1984 (Hoffmann, T. W., 1985). However there is a reference in CBC notes of 1944 to an unconfirmed sight record of two Grey-headed Mynahs in Colombo toward the end of June 1944. "Its attractive whistling call was also heard" (Anon., 1944). Again in March 1985 five birds were observed among the thousands of Brahmny, Common and Rosy mynahs at Kalamatiya (Hoffmann, T. W., 1986). For the 3rd year in succession a flock including several immature was reported from Anuradhapura in January 1986 and even during the December of same year it was continue to be noted there (Hoffmann, T. W., 1987). It was also been noted at Kalamatiya during January same year (Hoffmann, T. W., 1987). In December 2002 several birds were observed at Udawalawe National Park (Siriwardana, U., 2003). Subsequent records are - 

• 4 birds were observed by Moditha Kodikara Arachchi on 7th February 2015 at Irukalampiddi, Mannar. (http://www.ceylonbirdclub.org/the_ceylon_bird_club_news.php)

Unconfirmed vagrants:

Species for which there are only one or two sight records exist categorized here as unconfirmed vagrants. Problematic records without sufficient details are also included.

     2) Purple-backed starling [Daurian Starling] (Sturnia sturninus)

Sight record from Udawalwe national park in December 2002 by Upali Ekanayake is the first record of it in Sri lanka.( Siriwardana, U., 2003). A flock of eight birds was again reported near the Udawalawa causeway by Dulan Ranga Vidanapathirana on 9th January 2014. They were photographed by M.D.Gehan Rajeev and Sudheera Bandara two days after. (http://www.ceylonbirdclub.org/the_ceylon_bird_club_news.php)

     3) Asian Pied Starling (Sturnus contra)

Sight record at Kotiyagala of Yala national park in early 1986 by P.B. Karunaratna and D. Bartholomuesz is the only record. (Kotagama S. & Ratnavira G., 2010: 299).

References:

Anon., 1944. Notes from the Bird Club. Loris. 3(5):191.

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

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

Hoffmann, T. W., 1985. Notes from the Ceylon Bird Club 1984. Loris, 17(1), p10-12.

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

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

මහ - ගොටුකොල[Maha - Gotukola] (Hydrocotyle javanica)

Rather uncommon indigenous prostrate herb occurs in moist places in the hills between 650-2300m elevations. Flowering from May to September. Leaves use in traditional medicine. 

Lemon Emigrant (Catopsilia pomona)

A very common butterfly occurs from lowlands to hills while becoming scarce in the hills above 1000m a.s.l.. It take parts in migrations and may be seen even in the higher hills during the migrations. Larva feeds on C. fistula[ඇහැළ], Cassia grandis, Cassia javanica (වෙසක් ගහ/Java cassia/Pink cassia), Cassia roxburghii (රතු වා/Ceylon cassia/Red cassia), Cassia alata (රට තෝර/Candle bush/Candle stick/Rinworm shrub), Senna didymobotrya [රට තෝර] and , Senna surattensis (Scrambled-egg-tree)  

නික/නිල්-නික/හෙලරික[Nika/Nil-Nika/Helarika]/Chaste-tree (Vitex negundo)

An indigenous tree found on the banks of rivers, streams and tank edges in the low country, especially in the dry zone and coastal areas up to about 3000ft a.s.l. Also cultivated due to its medicinal value and as an ornamental plant in home gardens. Whole plant medicinal and leaves use as an insect -repellent. 

Annotated checklist of vagrant Woodpeckers (Family: Picidae) recorded in Sri Lanka

      Birds that appear outside their normal range are known as vagrants. This post summarizes up to date published sight records of vagrants of the family Picidae (Woodpeckers) in Sri Lanka.

      Eurasian Wryneck (Jynx torquilla)

First time recorded in Sri Lanka by A.J. Vincent on 7^th March 1993 from Sigiriya (Hoffmann, T. W., 1994). However CBC had decided to remove it from Sri Lanka list as having been accepted on misleading data (Warakagoda, D., 1999). But FOGSL members captured a bird on 5^th April 2002 at Yala during the bird ringing program of 2002 carried out from 3^rd to 8^th April (Kaluthota C.D. and Kotagama S.W., 2006). Again Uditha hettige reported a bird at Ruhuna National Park in 2003 (Warakagoda, D., 2004). Another sighting is given in the report of CBC for 2008-2011 near Yala Block 1 (Warakagoda D. & Sirivardana U., 2011) Dulan Ranga Vidanapathirana and M.D. Gehan Rajeev reported a sighting from Kudawa, near Sinharaja on 3rd February 2014 and confirmed with photographs taken on 26th February 2014.2011). (http://www.ceylonbirdclub.org/the_ceylon_bird_club_news.php). 

References:

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

Kaluthota C.D. and Kotagama S.W., 2006 Banding shorebirds: The sri lankan experience Siyoth Vol 1 :16-21

Warakagoda, D., 1999. Ceylon Bird Club Notes,1998. Loris, 22(2), 33-34.

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

Warakagoda D. & Sirivardana U., 2011. Report from the Ceylon Bird Club for 2008-2011, Loris 26 (1&2)

Oberonia wightiana

Locally common epiphyte grows on trees in submontane forests from 548 - 2134m elevations.  

Grass Demon (Udaspes folus)

An uncommon butterfly probably occurs all over the island where its larval host plants available, excluding higher hills  . Both Ormiston (Ormiston  W., 1924)  and Woodhouse (Woodhouse L.G.O. , 1950) treated it as a very rare insect in Sri Lanka. However now a days it seems to be not such a rarity, probably due to adopting of its larva to feeds on varies exotic plants such as Curcuma longa[කහ/Turmeric], Curcuma zedoaria [හරන් කහ], Hedychium coronarium [එළ මල්], Kaempferia galanga [හිඟුරු පියලි], Alpinia calcarata (කලා කීරිය/කටු කීරිය/Indian Ginger/Snap-Ginger) and Zingiber officinale [ඉඟුරු/Ginger] some of them are widely cultivated. Curcuma oligantha is the only known larval food plant of it which is not introduced but indigenous (ibid).

References:

Ormiston  W., 1924 The Butterflies of Ceylon, H.W.Cave & Co., Colombo 1924, AES Reprint New Delhi, 2003

Woodhouse L.G.O. , 1950 The Butterfly Fauna of Ceylon, Ceylon Government Press, Colombo, 2nd (Abriged) Edition.  1950.

මල්-කෑර [Mal-Kera] (Ochna jabotapita)

A shrub or small tree occurs in wet zone forests and grasslands from lowlands to about 600m elevation. Flowering from February to May.

Vagrant Quails (Family: Phasianidae) recorded in Sri Lanka

    Birds that appear outside their normal range are known as vagrants. This post summarizes up to date published sight records of vagrants of the family Phasianidae (Quails) in Sri Lanka.

 1) Rain Quail [Black-breasted Quail] (Coturnix coromandelica) 

Then director of the Colombo museum Haly had obtained the first specimen of a Rain Quil, a male in January 1883 and again two females in July of the same year. All those were shot at Colombo (Nevill, H., 1887). Hue Nevill also mention of a specimen of a female said to be shot at Dumbara, near Kandy by a local taxidermist which he purchased from him in 1875. But he viewed it with suspicion (Nevill, H., 1887). Wait speaking probably of these three specimens noted that Rain quail has been recorded from the environs of Colombo and three specimens are in museum taken near that town (Wait W.E., 1933: 307) Phillips mentioned of a large quail seen at Rugan tank of eastern province on 10^th November 1947 probably of a bird of this species and according to him there are several sightings from Ruhuna national park too (Phillips W.W.A., 1978: 21).  Early March 1962 another pair was positively identified by T.E. Tunnard on a road on Vellai oya estate, Hatton and another one was reported by D.V.A Tirimanna from a garden at Kandana on the 20^th November 1976 (Phillips W.W.A, 1978: 21 & Hoffmann, T. W. 1977). CBC Notes reported several sightings at Udawalawe National Park in December 2001 (Siriwardana, U., 2002), November 2002 [six birds] (Siriwardana, U., 2003), January 2003 and again two birds in November 2003 (Warakagoda, D., 2004). Sighting of two birds at Udawalawe NP is given in the Report of CBC for the 2008-2011 period (Warakagoda D. & Sirivardana U., 2011)

Unconfirmed vagrants:

Species for which there are only one or two sight records exist categorized here as unconfirmed vagrants. Problematic records without sufficient details are also included.

     2) Common Quail(Coturnix coturnix) 

Only reference available for occurrence of Common Quail in Sri Lanka is Bligh’s record from ‘Yala district’ in January 1879 of a pair of large quails which were flushed from beneath his feet, and flew away strongly, uttering a chirping note similar to the Common quail.(Legge V. 1880: 992)

References:

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

Legge V., 1880. A History of the birds of Ceylon  1983 second edition.

Nevill, H. (1887). Ornithological notes (Ceylon). Taprobanian, 2(5), 131-132.

Phillips W.W.A., 1978 Annotated checklist of the Birds of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) 1978 revised edition.
Siriwardana, U., 2003. Report from the Ceylon Bird Club for 2002. Loris, 23(3&4), 36-39.
Siriwardana, U., 2002. Report from the Ceylon Bird Club for 2001. Loris, 23(1&2), 36-40
Wait W.E., 1931. Manual of the Birds of Ceylon. 2nd edition. Colombo Museum.
Warakagoda, D., 2004. Report from the Ceylon Bird Club for 2003 Loris, 23(5&6), 37-41

Warakagoda D. & Sirivardana U., 2011. Report from the Ceylon Bird Club for 2008-2011, Loris 26 (1&2)

නැබඩ[Nebada] (Vitex leucoxylon)

Common indigenous tree occurs in dry monsoon and intermediate forest canopy. Especially found near banks of streams, rivers and tank edges. Leaves and roots are medicinal.

Tricolor Pied Flat (Coladenia indrani tissa )

Rather uncommon butterfly occurs all over the island from sea level to about 700m asl . It has a fast flight though often does not fly far when disturbed and settles under side of a leaf with its wings spread out flat. Its larva feeds on leaves of varies plants such as Pterospermum suberifolium [Fishing rod tree/වෙලං], Berrya cordifolia [Trincomalee wood/හල්මිල්ල], Grewia damine[දමිණිය], Grewia helicterifolia [බොරු දමිණිය], Grewia orientalis [වැල් කෑලිය/වැල් මැදිය], Microcos paniculata [කෑලිය/කොහුකිරිල්ල], Streblus asper, Grewia carpinifolia, Pityranthe verrucosa, Helicteres isora [ලීනිය] and Bridelia retusa [කැටකෑල] 

කියුබන් මැහෝගනී/මැහෝගනී[Cuban Mahogany/Mahogani] (Swietenia mahagoni)

Native plant of tropical American rain forests. Introduced to Sri Lanka around 1840 as an ornamental and shade tree and has been cultivated  as a woody plant in forest plantations in the intermediate zone. The particular tree of which these pictures were taken at the new court complex premises of Negombo was declared on 28th June, 2011 as a protected monument under the Antiquities Ordinance (http://documents.gov.lk/gazette/2011/PDF/Jul/22Jul2011/I-I(E)2011.07.22.pdf). However it was wrongly identified in it as an Oak tree though it is not so*.

* See post added by Dr. Siril Wijesundara in the Nature Facebook group on 19th February 2013 (https://www.facebook.com/groups/protectnature/permalink/572647876081262/) 

Vagrant Swallows and Martins (Family: Hirundinidae) recorded in Sri Lanka

    Birds that appear outside their normal range are known as vagrants. This post summarizes up to date published sight records of vagrants of the family Hirundinidae( Swallows and Martins) in Sri Lanka.

Confirmed vagrants

1) Wire-tailed Swallow (Hirundo smithii filifera)

As per Phillips first sight-record was on 26^th February 1966 of a single bird observed by Mrs. R.Wynell-Mayow and Mrs. Nugawela on a telegraph wire on the roadside between Pooneryn and Mannar (Phillips W.W.A, 1978:63). However W.A. Cave stated in 1907 of a possible sight record of it in Colombo.  Here are his words – “I should be glad if any ornithologist can tell me whether the Wire-tailed swallow [Hirundo smithii) has been observed in Ceylon. I am almost certain I saw one hawking over the sides of the Colombo Lake on July 1st of this year. The bird was very much like H. rustica, but the length of the outer tail feathers, white under parts and conspicuous white spots on the rectrices attracted my attention. If it was not H. smithii it must have been a common swallow in full summer plumage, and its presence here on the above-mentioned date is somewhat unusual, and I think worthy of record.”(Cave, W.A., 1907). Kotagama & Ratnavira (2010) has given another sight record in 1979 quoting CBC notes (CBCN 1979 Oct: 35)

Unconfirmed vagrants:

Species for which there are only one or two sight records exist are categorized here as unconfirmed vagrants. Problematic records without sufficient details are also included.

     2) Pale Crag-martin (Hirundo obsoleta pallida)

Bligh has reported an occurrence of a Martin in Kandapolla valley in the Haputhale range during North-east monsoon of 1876 and again in cool season of 1877-78. Legge suggested the possibility of it being the Pale Crag-martin (Legge V. 1880: 774-775). Recent sight record of it on 5^th March 1988 at Kotte was reported by Rex I. De Silva (Kotagama S. & Ratnavira G. 2010: 279 Quoting De Silva R.I., 1989) & (Kaluthota C.D. & Kotagama S.W., 2009)

     3) Dusky Crag-martin (Hirundo concolor)

Single sight-record from the Bellanwila-Attidiya marsh on 21^st January 1993 by Jagath Gunawardana is the only record so far available of its occurrence in Sri Lanka. (Hoffmann, T. W., 1994))

     4) Streak-throated Swallow [Indian Cliff Swallow] (Hirundo fluvicola)

Single bird seen on a telegraph wire at Sita Eliya patanas close to Nuweraeliya on 8^th February 1948 by W.W.A. Phillips is the first record of this swallow in Sri Lanka (Phillips W.W.A 1978:63 ). Second record is from Debarawewa, Tissa by Ben King and party on 6^th February 1992. They observed two birds (Hoffmann, T. W., 1993). Probably the same species is again recorded as Indian Hill Swallow at Pannegamuwa in the 2008-2011 report of the Ceylon Bird Club, though it is mentioned in it as 2nd record after 25(?) years (Warakagoda D. & Sirivardana U., 2011). 

References:

Cave, W.A. 1907- Rare Colombo birds. Spolia Zeylanica. 5(17):65

De Silva, R.I., 1989. New sight record: Pale crag-martin Malkoha Jan:2

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

Hoffmann, T. W., 1993. Notes from the Ceylon Bird Club, 1992. Loris, 20(1), p12-14.

Kaluthota C.D. & Kotagama S.W. 2009. Revised Avifaunal List of Sri Lanka, Occasional Paper No.02, October 2009, Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (Downloaded from  http://www.fogsl.net/Prod/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Checklist-ver-7.pdf )

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

Legge V., 1880. A History of the birds of Ceylon  1983 second edition.

Phillips W.W.A., 1978 Annotated checklist of the Birds of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) 1978 revised edition.

Warakagoda D. & Sirivardana U., 2011. Report from the Ceylon Bird Club for 2008-2011, Loris 26 (1&2)

බිම්-හක්- ඇඹල[Bim-hakambala] (Begonia tenera)

A rare native perennial herb occurs in humid lowland (variety tenera up to about 250m elevations) and lower montane (variety thawaitesii at elevations 600-1200m especially in the valleys of the Knuckles range) forests 

Jewel Four-ring (Ypthima singala)

Rather rare butterfly flies all the year round mainly in the Uva patanas from 500 -1500m elevations. Sightings also available from Galaha, Elpitiya, Haldummulla and Watawala. Larval host plant is not known though egg laying was observed in a unidentified grass species and larva has been successfully reared on Carpet grass/පොටු තණකොළ (Axonopus compressus) (van der Poorten, G. and van der Poorten, N. 2012)

References:
van der Poorten, G. and N. van der Poorten, 2012. New and revised descriptions of the immature stages of some butterflies in Sri Lanka and their larval food plants (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae). Part 2: Subfamily Satyrinae. Tropical Lepidoptera, 22: 80–92.

දෙබර/මහ දෙබර/මසන්[Debara/Maha Debara/Masan]Indian jujube/Chinese apple (Ziziphus mauritiana)

An indigenous shrub or tree common in the dry zone forests and scrublands. Leaves, barks, fruits and roots use in traditional medicine. 

Sri Lanka Cruiser (Macromia zeylanica)

Rather rare endemic dragonfly inhabiting streams and rivulets in the forests of southwestern lowlands up to mid hills. It is a fast-flying insect which flies low over pebbles of a stream or rivulet.

දලුක් [Dhaluk]/Spurge cactus/Fleshy spurge (Euphorbia antiquorum)

Common indigenous cactus-like shrub or small tree grows on rocky and stony places in the dry lowlands. Whole plant medicinal. 

Vagrant Wagtails and Pipits (Family: Motacillidae) recorded in Sri Lanka

    Birds that appear outside their normal range are known as vagrants. This post summarizes up to date published sight records of vagrants of the family Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits) in Sri Lanka.
    
  Confirmed vagrants

     1) White-browed Wagtail [Large Pied Wagtail] (Motacilla maderaspatensis)

Single specimen of this bird was detected by Layard in a collection of birds made by Gisburne, C.C.S., in the Jaffna Peninsula. It is supposed that exact locality from which it came from is island of Velenny (Whistler 1944:191). Another sight record of single bird reported by P.B. Karunaratne at left bank of the Mahaweli River at Polgolla, Kandy on the 14^th November 1976 and again on the 14^th January 1977 (Phillips W.W.A., 1978: 88). However Hoffmann had given February 1976 as the first recent record of this wagtail by P.B. Karunarane from Polgolla after the Layard’s specimen (Hoffmann, T. W., 1977). In January 1977 it was again observed for the 2^nd consecutive year in the nearly dry bed of the Mahaweli River below the dam of Polgolla and again in paddy fields near Polgolla dam on November of the same year (Hoffmann, T. W., 1978). No doubt the same bird reported even on May 1978 and appeared again in November 1978 (Hoffmann, T. W., 1979), December 1980 (Hoffmann, T. W., 1981), January 1981 (Hoffmann, T. W., 1982). In January 1983 two birds reported from Delft Island during the mid January duck count. Since they are common throughout the Indian peninsula Hoffmann suspected that they might have become residents in Delft islands (Hoffmann, T. W., 1984 & Hoffmann, T. W., 1983). They were again reported on January and May of 1990 (Hoffmann, T. W., 1991). One bird was reported from Punkudutivu lagoon in January 1984 (Hoffmann, T. W., 1985)

     2) Olive-backed Pipit [Indian Tree Pipit] (Anthus hodgsoni yunnanensis)

First time recorded from Anuraddhapura in January 1982 by Dr Bob Fleming jnr. an ornithologist from Nepal and regular visitor to the Sri Lanka. A flock was observed and he believes that they belong to the race Hodgsoni (Hoffmann, T. W., 1983a). It was again reported from Hunuwilagama on March 1987 (Hoffmann, T. W., 1988) and at Wilpattu National park on January 2004 (Siriwardana, U., 2005)

Unconfirmed vagrants:

    Species for which there are only one or two sight records exist, categorized here as unconfirmed vagrants. Problematic records without sufficient details are also included.

     3) Tawny Pipit (Anthus campestris)

First record of occurrence of this pipit in Sri Lanka is the sight record of single bird at Yala national park in 2003 by Deepal Warakagoda (Warakagoda, D., 2004). Second record of it is given by Warakagoda D. & Sirivardana U. in/near Yala Block 1 in the report of Ceylon Bird Club for 2008-2011 periods (Warakagoda D. & Sirivardana U., 2011)

     4) Red-throated Pipit (Anthus cervinus)

Sight record at Wirawila in 2003 by Deepal Warakagoda is the only record. (Warakagoda, D., 2004)

References:

Hoffmann, T. W., 1991. Notes from the Ceylon Bird Club, 1990. Loris, 19(3), 103-105.
Hoffmann, T. W., 1988. Notes from the Ceylon Bird Club 1987, A brief avifaunal survey. Loris, 18(1), 23-25
Hoffmann, T. W., 1985. Notes from the Ceylon Bird Club 1984. Loris, 17(1), 10-12.
Hoffmann, T. W., 1984. Notes from the Ceylon Bird Club 1983. Loris, 16(6), 299-301.
Hoffmann, T. W., 1983a. Notes from the Ceylon Birds Club. Loris, 16(3), 132-134.
Hoffmann, T. W., 1983. The 1983 Mid-January Duck (and Flamingo) Count in Sri Lanka. Loris, 16(3), 116-123.
Hoffmann, T. W., 1982. Notes from the Ceylon Bird Club 1981. Loris, 16(1), 38-40.
Hoffmann, T. W., 1981. Notes from the Ceylon Bird Club 1980. Loris, 15(5), "283-284,292".
Hoffmann, T. W., 1979. Note from the Ceylon Bird club 1978. Loris, 15(1), 6-8.
Hoffmann, T. W., 1978. Bird Club Notes (1977). Loris, 14(5), 289-290.
Hoffmann, T. W., 1977. Notes from the Ceylon Bird Club 1976. Loris, 14(3), 154-156.
Phillips W.W.A., 1978 Annotated checklist of the Birds of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) 1978 revised edition.
Siriwardana, U., 2005. Report from the Ceylon Bird Club for 2004. Loris, 24(1&2), 33-35
Warakagoda, D., 2004. Report from the Ceylon Bird Club for 2003 Loris, 23(5&6), 37-41

Warakagoda D. & Sirivardana U., 2011. Report from the Ceylon Bird Club for 2008-2011, Loris 26 (1&2)

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

Cape leadwort(Plumbago auriculata [Syn: Plumbago capensis])

Small shrub native to South Africa. Cultivated in home gardens as an ornamental plant. Flowering throughout the year. 

Silver Streak Blue (Iraota timoleon nicevillei)

Rather uncommon butterfly mostly due to its habit of flying in canopy and rarely descending to the lower levels. It is probably distributed throughout the country where its larval food plants grows (Varies Ficus species of the family Moraceae) excluding higher hills. Almost all last century authors on butterfly fauna of Sri Lanka noted that Silver Streak Blue is common in Colombo (Ormiston W., 1924, Woodhouse L.G.O., 1950, and d' Abrera B., 1998). Larva feeds on fruits of Ficus arnottiana (පතන බෝ/කවුඩු බෝ/කපුටු බෝ ), Ficus religiosa(බෝ) , Ficus racemosa (අට්ටික්කා),  Ficus benghalensis (මහ නුග/නුග/Banyan/Krishna bo/Krishna's cup), Ficus drupacea,  Ficus microcarpa, Ficus tsjahela and Ficus heterophylla of the family Moraceae.

References:

d' Abrera Bernard , 1998 The Butterflies of Ceylon, WHT Publications : Colombo.

Ormiston  W., 1924 The Butterflies of Ceylon, H.W.Cave & Co., Colombo 1924, AES Reprint New Delhi, 2003

Woodhouse L.G.O. , 1950 The Butterfly Fauna of Ceylon, Ceylon Government Press, Colombo, 2nd (Abriged) Edition.  1950.