16-3-2025 ISHQ COLOMBO, SRI LANKA - GRANITE GHOST DRAGONFLY (Bradinopyga geminata)

Bradinopyga geminata is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae known commonly as the granite ghost. It is native to India, Sri Lanka and Thailand, where it is a common and widespread species.

It is a medium sized dragonfly with brown-capped grey eyes. Its thorax is cinereous, marbled and peppered with black in a very irregular manner. Wings are transparent with dual color pterostigma, black at centre and pure white at distal and proximal ends. Abdomen is coloured very similarly to thorax; black marbled with yellow, but with a more definite plan. Segments 3 to 8 have pale basal annules interrupted on dorsum, and formed by two elongate parallel spots. There is a triangular apical sub-dorsal spot and a pale mid-dorsal spot. Anal appendages are creamy-white. Female is similar to the male.

Taking advantage of its cryptic coloration, it always rests flat on slab rock or cement-plastered walls, where it almost invisible. Adults occupy habitat near water bodies, such as pools, irrigation channels, wells, and containers with standing water. It breeds in rainy hollows in the rocks or in wells and small cemented tanks.

The species has been studied as a predator of the disease-carrying yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti). The larvae of the dragonfly consume the larvae of the mosquito in the standing-water habitat types that both occupy.

4-4-2025 WALLAWWA LODGE, SRI LANKA - ASIAN HOUSE GECKO (Hemidactylus frenatus)

The common house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus) is a gecko native to South and Southeast Asia as well as Near Oceania. It is also known as the Asian house gecko, Pacific house gecko, wall gecko, house lizard, tiktiki, chipkali or moon lizard.

These geckos are nocturnal; hiding during the day and foraging for insects at night. They can be seen climbing walls of houses and other buildings in search of insects attracted to porch lights, and are immediately recognisable by their characteristic chirping.

They grow to a length of between 7.5–15 cm (3–6 in), and live for about 7 years. These small geckos are non-venomous and not harmful to humans. Most medium-sized to large geckos are docile, but may bite if distressed, which might pierce skin. The common house gecko is a tropical species, and thrives in warm, humid areas where it can crawl around on rotting wood in search of the insects it eats, as well as within urban landscapes in warm climates. The animal is very adaptable and may prey on insects and spiders, displacing other gecko species which are less robust or behaviourally aggressive. In parts of Australia and Papua New Guinea they are often confused with a similar native lizard, the dubious dtella.

4-4-2025 WALLAWWA LODGE, SRI LANKA - RED WEAVER ANT MIMICKING SPIDER (Myrmaplata plataleoides)

Myrmaplata plataleoides, also called the red weaver-ant mimicking jumper, is a jumping spider that mimics the Asian weaver ant (Oecophylla smaragdina) in morphology and behaviour. This species is found in India, Sri Lanka, China and many parts of Southeast Asia.

Unlike the weaver ants, M. plataleoides does not bite people, and indeed seems rather timid.

Myrmaplata plataleoides, especially the females, mimic weaver ants in size, shape and colour. The body of M. plataleoides appears like an ant, which has three body segments and six legs, by having constrictions on the cephalothorax and abdomen. This creates the illusion of having a distinct head, thorax and gaster of the weaver ant, complete with a long and slender waist. The large compound eyes of the weaver ant are mimicked by two black patches on the head. The female's front legs resemble the feelers of weaver ants, while the males resemble a larger ant carrying a smaller one. The early instars differ vastly from the adults. Although they are not known to associate with these ants, they have been reported to resemble either the tropical fire ant Solenopsis geminata, or the yellow crazy ant Anoplolepis gracilipes. However, by the fifth instar, they resemble their usual model mimic, Oecophylla smaragdina workers in both the size and coloration.

4-4-2025 NAGOMBO LAGOON, SRI LANKA - LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)

The Little Egret, Egretta garzetta, is a dainty heron adorned in pure white plumage. It is characterized by a slender black beak, long black legs, and, notably in the western race, yellow feet. This elegant bird is a sight to behold with its graceful neck and poised stance.

Adult Little Egrets measure between 55–65 cm in length with a wingspan of 88–106 cm, and weigh 350–550 g. Their plumage is predominantly white, though some may exhibit bluish-grey coloration. Breeding adults boast ornate nape plumes reaching about 150 mm, along with distinctive feathers on the breast and elongated scapulars. The bill and lores are black, with greenish-grey skin at the base of the lower mandible and around the eye, which houses a yellow iris. Legs are black with contrasting yellow feet, though juveniles may have greenish-black legs and duller feet. The subspecies E. g. nigripes is distinguished by yellow skin between the bill and eye, and blackish feet.

The Little Egret frequents a variety of wetland habitats, from the shores of lakes and rivers to marshes and coastal regions. It is often found in open environments, such as mangroves, swamps, mudflats, and sandy beaches, as well as human-altered landscapes like rice fields.

The species has a broad breeding distribution across warm temperate to tropical regions of Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe. Northern populations are migratory, wintering in Africa and southern Asia, while others remain as permanent residents in warmer areas.

Little Egrets are social yet territorial when feeding. They exhibit a range of foraging behaviors, from active chasing to patient ambush. Their movements are often in response to the presence of other animals, which may stir up prey.

The Little Egret's vocalizations include croaking and bubbling sounds at breeding colonies and a harsh alarm call when disturbed. These calls are similar to those of the Black-crowned Night Heron and the Cattle Egret.

Breeding colonies are often mixed with other water birds. Nests are platforms of sticks located in trees, shrubs, or reed beds. Clutches typically consist of three to five bluish-green eggs, incubated by both parents for about three weeks. The young fledge at approximately six weeks old.

The diet is diverse, including fish, amphibians, small reptiles, mammals, birds, crustaceans, molluscs, insects, spiders, and worms. The Little Egret employs various hunting techniques, both in water and on land, to capture its prey.

4-4-2025 NAGOMBO LAGOON, SRI LANKA - GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba),

The great egret, known scientifically as Ardea alba, is a majestic bird with a stately bearing and an impressive wingspan. This large egret is adorned with all-white plumage and can stand up to a meter tall. It is a cosmopolitan species, found across temperate and tropical regions worldwide.

To identify the great egret, look for its yellow bill and contrasting black legs and feet, which may vary slightly during the breeding season. During this time, the bill may darken, and the lower legs may lighten. The great egret also sports ornamental feathers on its back when in breeding plumage. Both sexes appear identical, and juveniles resemble nonbreeding adults. The great egret can be distinguished from the intermediate egret by the gape of its bill, which extends well beyond the back of the eye.

The great egret favors habitats close to water, such as large lakes with reed beds and other extensive wetlands. It nests in colonies, often at heights of 10 to 40 feet within trees.

This bird has a vast range, occurring worldwide in suitable habitats. It is particularly common across the Sun Belt of the United States and throughout the Neotropics.

 

The great egret is known for its slow, graceful flight with its neck retracted, a characteristic of herons and bitterns. It walks with its neck extended and wings held close. Generally silent, it may emit a low, hoarse croak when disturbed and a louder croaking at breeding colonies.

The great egret's vocalizations include a low croak when disturbed and various croaking and squawking sounds during the breeding season.

Breeding begins at 2-3 years of age with monogamous pairings. The male initiates nest building to attract a female. The nest is a sizable structure of sticks, lined with plant material. The species lays up to six bluish-green eggs, with both parents sharing incubation duties over 23-26 days. The young are fed by regurgitation and can fly within 6-7 weeks.

The great egret's diet consists of fish, frogs, small mammals, reptiles, crustaceans, and insects. It typically forages in shallow water, standing still or slowly stalking its prey before impaling it with its sharp bill.

4-4-2025 NAGOMBO LAGOON, SRI LANKA - HOUSE CROW (Corvus splendens)

The House Crow, Corvus splendens, is a bird of moderate size, measuring about 40 cm in length, and presents a slimmer profile than its relatives, the jackdaw and the carrion crow. Exhibiting a striking contrast in its plumage, the bird's head, throat, and upper breast are adorned with a rich, glossy black, while the neck and lower breast are cloaked in a lighter grey-brown. Its wings, tail, and legs are of a deep black, completing its distinctive appearance.

To identify the House Crow, look for the combination of its black and grey plumage, with the grey extending around the neck forming a collar. This collar's shade varies among subspecies, ranging from pale to dark grey. The bird's bill and plumage coloration also show regional variations.

The House Crow is closely associated with human settlements, thriving in environments ranging from small villages to bustling cities. It has adapted remarkably well to urban life, often seen foraging in marketplaces and garbage dumps. 

Native to southern Asia, the House Crow's range includes Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, the Laccadive Islands, southern Myanmar, south Thailand, and coastal southern Iran. It has been introduced to East Africa, Australia, and Europe, with a notable breeding population in the Dutch town of Hook of Holland.

The House Crow is a highly opportunistic and flexible species, thriving in close proximity to humans. It has shown a remarkable ability to utilize a variety of resources, which has contributed to its success as an invasive species in tropical regions.

The House Crow's call is a distinctive and harsh "kaaw-kaaw," which is a familiar sound in its urban habitats.

Breeding requires the presence of trees, although the House Crow may also nest on structures like telephone towers. It lays 3-5 eggs in a stick nest, and in South Asia, it is often parasitized by the Asian koel. The breeding season peaks from April to July.

An omnivorous scavenger, the House Crow's diet includes refuse, small reptiles and mammals, insects, other invertebrates, eggs, nestlings, grain, and fruits. It is known to forage on the ground and in trees, taking advantage of a wide range of food sources.

3-4-2025 GOATFELL LODGE, SRI LANKA - RHINO HORN LIZARD (Ceratophora stoddartii)

The rhino-horned lizard (Ceratophora stoddartii), also commonly known as Stoddart's unicorn lizard and the mountain horned agama, is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is endemic to Sri Lanka. It is called kagamuva angkatussa-කගමුව අං කටුස්සා in Sinhala.

The specific name, stoddartii, is in honor of Charles Stoddart, who was a British army officer and diplomat.

C. stoddartii is found widespread in montane forests of central Sri Lanka. Localities from which it has been recorded include Nuwara Eliya, Hakgala, Pattipola, Ohiya, Horton Plains, Hewaheta, Dimbula, Agarapathana, and Adam's Peak.

The head of C. stoddartii is oval, and longer than wide. The rostral appendage is long, horn-like, about two thirds the length of the snout in males, but is reduced or even absent in females. The lamellae under the fourth toe number 23–27. The dorsum is brownish green or yellowish brown. The tail is marked with 10–16 dark brown crossbands. The venter is light brownish gray.

A slow moving, arboreal species, C. stoddartii is found on trees from 1 to 2 m (3.3 to 6.6 ft) above the ground. When threatened, it opens its mouth wide, revealing the bright orange lining of the oral cavity.

The presence of relatively larger trees as well as plants with low to medium levels of DBH is an important factor for C. stoddartii which spends most of its time resting vertically on a tree trunk or a branch. When weather conditions are too harsh they tend to take refuge inside the mosses that are abundant in the Cloud Forests. Tree barks with different shades (grays and browns) and mosaics of lichens & mosses provide the ideal background for C. stoddartii to merge with. Higher perch height of the adult males can be assigned as a feature of territorial defense and attracting the females.

The ground is less frequently used by adult C. stoddartii except for the occasional hunting sprints to catch the escaping prey. However, it has been observed on the ground feeding on caterpillars and even on earth worms (Pheretima taprobenia). When it descends to the ground it changes its green and brown colors into more shades of brown and becomes well camouflaged with the leaf-litter.

C. stoddartii is oviparous. Egg laying takes place in July, and clutch size is about 2–5 eggs, each measuring 7.6-8.1 by 13.5–14.5 mm (.31 by .55 inch). The eggs are deposited in a hole, and hatch after 81–90 days. However, hatchlings have been founded in the wild also during colder months such as December and January. Hatchlings which emerge from eggs laid in humus or among leaf litter can be observed frequently occupying the ground where dead branch sticks and leaf litter well camouflaged them from the possible predators.

3-4-2025 GOATFELL LODGE, SRI LANKA - SPOTTED DOVE (Spilopelia chinensis)

The Spotted Dove, known scientifically as Spilopelia chinensis, is a small, long-tailed pigeon that graces the Indian subcontinent and parts of East and Southeast Asia with its presence. This bird, with its gentle buff brown plumage and distinctive white-spotted black collar patch, is a familiar sight in many urban and rural landscapes. The tail tips are a contrasting white, and the wing coverts are adorned with light buff spots, adding to its delicate appearance.

To identify the Spotted Dove, look for the unique black collar on the back and sides of the neck, which features white spots. The bird's underparts are a rosy buff that transitions to grey on the head and belly. Both sexes are similar in appearance, but juveniles can be distinguished by their duller coloration and lack of neck spots until maturity. The length of these doves ranges from 28 to 32 centimeters.

The Spotted Dove thrives in a variety of environments, including light forests, gardens, and urban areas. It has a preference for the ground, where it forages for seeds, or low vegetation.

Native to Asia, the Spotted Dove has spread its wings far and wide, establishing feral populations across the globe, including Hawaii, southern California, Mauritius, Australia, and New Zealand.

These doves are sociable creatures, often seen in pairs or small groups. They exhibit a quick, fluttering flight from the ground and may glide gracefully to a perch. During the breeding season, males engage in cooing and aerial displays to court females.

9-4-2025 RACO DE OLLA, VALENCIA - BLACK WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus)

The Black-winged Stilt, Himantopus himantopus, is a slender wader known for its strikingly long, pink legs and contrasting black-and-white plumage. This elegant bird is a member of the avocet and stilt family, Recurvirostridae.

Adult Black-winged Stilts measure 33–36 cm in length. They possess a long, thin black bill and display a distinctive black and white coloration. The head and neck are predominantly white, with variable black markings depending on the sex and subspecies. Males typically have a glossy or greenish sheen on their black backs, while females exhibit a more brownish tinge. During flight, their long legs trail behind, and their wingbeats are steady.

These birds favor marshes, shallow lakes, and ponds as their breeding grounds. They are also known to inhabit coastal areas during migration and in the winter months.

The Black-winged Stilt has a wide range, extending across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Some populations migrate to coastal regions in winter, while others in milder climates may remain resident or engage in short-range movements.

Black-winged Stilts are often seen foraging in shallow waters, gracefully picking insects and crustaceans from the surface. They are known to nest in small groups, sometimes alongside avocets, and exhibit a variety of courtship behaviors, including intricate displays and duets.

9-4-2025 RACO DE OLLA, VALENCIA - BLACK HEADED GULL (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

The black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) is a small, nimble gull with a wingspan ranging from 94 to 110 cm and a body length of 37 to 44 cm. It weighs between 190 and 400 grams. Despite its name, the adult's summer plumage features a chocolate-brown head, which can appear black from a distance. The body is pale grey, and the primary wing feathers are tipped with black. The bill and legs are a striking red. In winter, the brown head is replaced by a white one with dark spots. Juveniles are mottled with brown spots and have a black band on the tail. There is no sexual dimorphism in plumage.

In flight, the white leading edge of the wing is a distinctive field mark. The summer adult's brown head, red bill, and legs are key identifiers, while the winter plumage features two dark spots on the head. Juveniles can be recognized by their mottled brown pattern and black tail band.

This species nests in colonies on the ground in large reed beds, marshes, or islands within lakes. It is not pelagic and is seldom seen far from coasts.

The black-headed gull breeds across much of the Palearctic, including Europe and coastal eastern Canada. It is migratory, wintering further south, but some remain in the milder westernmost areas of Europe. It is also present in northeastern North America and occasionally seen as far south as Virginia and some Caribbean islands.

Highly gregarious in winter, the black-headed gull is an opportunistic feeder, consuming a wide range of food from insects to carrion. It is known for its "kree-ar" call and displays various behaviors such as eggshell removal from the nest, which is believed to reduce predation risk.

9-4-2025 MUNTANYETA DEL SANS, VALENCIA - BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)

The barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) is a migratory passerine bird, recognized as the most widespread species of swallow in the world. It is a distinctive bird with blue upperparts and a long, deeply forked tail, known for its graceful flight and agile maneuvers. The adult male of the nominate subspecies is 17–19 cm in length, including elongated outer tail feathers, and has a wingspan of 32–34.5 cm. It is adorned with a rufous forehead, chin, and throat, which are set apart from the off-white underparts by a broad dark blue breast band. The outer tail feathers are elongated, contributing to the iconic "swallow tail."

The barn swallow can be identified by its steel blue upperparts, a rufous face, and a dark blue breast band that separates the rufous from the off-white underparts. The deeply forked tail is a key characteristic, with a line of white spots across the upper tail's outer end. Females resemble males but have shorter tail streamers and less glossy blue coloring. Juveniles are browner with paler rufous faces and whiter underparts, lacking the adult's long tail streamers.

The barn swallow favors open country with low vegetation, such as pastures, meadows, and farmland, often near water. It avoids heavily wooded or steep areas and densely built-up locations. The species typically nests in man-made structures like barns and stables, or under bridges and wharves.

This bird has a vast global range, breeding across the Northern Hemisphere and wintering in much of the Southern Hemisphere. Its distribution spans Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

Barn swallows are semi-colonial and may settle in groups. They exhibit site fidelity, often returning to the same location annually for breeding. The species is known for its aerial insectivory, catching insects in flight with remarkable agility.

9-4-2025 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - GREY HERON (Ardea cinerea)

The Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) is a statuesque wading bird belonging to the family Ardeidae. It is a familiar sight in both rural and urban settings, often seen standing stoically along the water's edge. An adult Grey Heron is a large bird, reaching up to 100 cm in height, with a wingspan between 155 to 195 cm. It weighs between 1 to 2 kg. The plumage is predominantly ashy-grey above, with a greyish-white underbelly and some black on the flanks. A striking feature is the white head and neck adorned with a broad black stripe that extends from the eye to the black crest. The beak is pinkish-yellow, long, and sharply pointed, while the legs are a brown hue.

When identifying the Grey Heron, look for the white head with the black supercilium and crest, the long grey neck, and the ashy-grey wings and back. The underparts are lighter, and the legs are long and brown. Juveniles can be distinguished by their duller grey neck and smaller crest. The beak is a useful indicator of age, being brighter in breeding adults.

Grey Herons are highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of watery habitats including lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, and coastal environments. They require shallow waters for foraging or areas with shelving margins where they can wade.

Native to temperate Europe and Asia, as well as parts of Africa, the Grey Heron has a broad range. Northern populations may migrate southwards in autumn, while others remain resident year-round. Vagrant sightings have occurred in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and parts of North America.

The Grey Heron exhibits a slow, deliberate flight with its neck retracted in an S-shape. It is known for its solitary foraging habits, often standing motionless or stalking prey through shallow waters. It is also a communal rooster, often found in trees or cliffs at night.

3-4-2025 GOATFELL LODGE, SRI LANKA - ORIENTAL MAGPIE ROBIN (Copsychus saularis)

The Oriental magpie-robin (Copsychus saularis) is a small, striking passerine bird, once grouped with thrushes but now classified among the Old World flycatchers. Males are characterized by their black upperparts, head, and throat, contrasted with a white shoulder patch and white underparts extending to the sides of their long tail. Females, on the other hand, display a more subdued greyish black above and greyish white below. Juveniles bear scaly brown upperparts. This species is known for its long tail, typically held upright, and its melodious song, which has made it a favored cagebird in the past.

The Oriental magpie-robin measures about 19 centimeters in length, including its distinctive long tail. The male's black and white plumage and the female's greyish tones are key identification features. The tail is often cocked upright when the bird is active on the ground, but it assumes a normal position during singing.

These birds are adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats, from urban gardens to forests. They are often seen close to the ground, foraging in leaf-litter or perching conspicuously.

The Oriental magpie-robin is widespread across the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia, including Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Magpie-robins are territorial, especially during the breeding season when males sing from high perches. They are known to be aggressive in defending their territory and may even respond to their own reflections. Their foraging behavior includes hopping along branches and rummaging through leaf-litter.

The Oriental magpie-robin is celebrated for its varied and melodious song, which includes imitations of other bird species. Calls range from territorial to distress signals, with a distinctive harsh mobbing call sounding like a hissing 'krshhh'.

Breeding season varies by region, with nests typically found in tree hollows or wall crevices. The female is primarily responsible for nest building and incubation, which lasts 8 to 14 days. Eggs are pale blue-green with brown speckles, and clutches usually consist of four to five eggs.

2-4-2025 CONCORDIA ESTATE GOATFELL, SRI LANKA - NATAL LILY (Clivia miniata)

Clivia miniata, the Natal lily or bush lily, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Clivia of the family Amaryllidaceae, native to woodland habitats in South Africa (Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces) and Eswatini. It is also widely cultivated as an ornamental.

Clivia miniata has a fleshy, mostly underground stem (rhizome) to 2 cm (1 in) in diameter, with numerous fleshy roots. The stem produces long, arching, strap-like leaves growing to about 45 cm (18 in) long, arranged in two opposing rows (distichous). The showy, funnel-shaped flowers are produced in an umbel-shaped inflorescence, colored red, orange or yellow, sometimes with a faint, but very sweet perfume. The fruit is a bright-red spherical berry to 5 cm (2 in) in diameter, producing one to a few seeds.

It is sometimes known in cultivation as "Kaffir lily" (a term considered extremely offensive in South Africa). The same derogatory name is also applied to the genus Hesperantha (formerly Schizostylis).

It contains small amounts of lycorine, making it poisonous.

The genus Clivia, was named after the Duchess of Northumberland, Lady Charlotte Clive, who first cultivated the plant in England and provided the flowers for the type specimen. The Latin specific epithet miniata means “cinnabar", the color of red lead, referring to the flowers.

2-4-2025 CONCORDIA ESTATE GOATFELL, SRI LANKA - INDIAN BLACKBIRD (Turdus simillimus)

The Indian blackbird (Turdus simillimus) is a member of the thrush family Turdidae. It was formerly considered a subspecies of the common blackbird. It is found only in India and Sri Lanka. The subspecies from most of the Indian subcontinent, simillimus, nigropileus, bourdilloni and spencei, are small, only 19–20 centimetres (7.5–7.9 inches) long, and have broad eye-rings. They also differ in proportions, wing formula, egg colour and voice from the common blackbird. 

Dark thrush with a bright orange bill. Male is slightly darker than the female. Plumage varies slightly throughout range, Sri Lanka birds being midnight-black and central Indian “Black-capped” birds being brown with a black head and wings. Note the small teardrop-shaped patch of bare orange skin around the eye. Beautiful fluting song often heard from foothill forests, forest edge, and orchards; winters at lower altitudes, often in closer proximity to people, though typically not in outright urban areas like Chinese and Eurasian Blackbirds.

2-4-2025 CONCORDIA ESTATE GOATFELL, SRI LANKA - NILGIRI TIGER BUTTERFLY

Parantica nilgiriensis, the Nilgiri tiger, is a butterfly found in the Western Ghats of India south of the Konkan. It belongs to the danaid group of the brush-footed butterflies family.

Parantica nilgiriensis is a near-threatened (IUCN 2.3), butterfly endemic to the high altitudes of the Western Ghats of southern India, belonging to the family Nymphalidae and sub-family Danainae. It is restricted to the shola forests, south of Nilgiri Hills, in the temperate zones of the mountains, above 1500 m, though the species occasionally shows up in home gardens and open country to visit flowering plants. It rarely flies as low as 1000 m (Larsen 1987). Though Mark Alexander Wynter-Blyth (1957) mentions it as a common species, it has seen a rapid decline in the density of its population over the last few decades, owing to rapid destruction of its habitats, mostly due to tea-monocultures in the mountain ranges.

Species that closely resemble P. nilgiriensis are P. fumata (Butler), a Sri Lankan endemic and P. aglea (Stoll), a common species of low elevations of India, Sri Lanka and other south East Asian countries.

2-4-2025 CONCORDIA ESTATE GOATFELL, SRI LANKA - SPOTTED DOVE (Spilopelia chinensis)

The Spotted Dove, known scientifically as Spilopelia chinensis, is a small, long-tailed pigeon that graces the Indian subcontinent and parts of East and Southeast Asia with its presence. This bird, with its gentle buff brown plumage and distinctive white-spotted black collar patch, is a familiar sight in many urban and rural landscapes. The tail tips are a contrasting white, and the wing coverts are adorned with light buff spots, adding to its delicate appearance.

To identify the Spotted Dove, look for the unique black collar on the back and sides of the neck, which features white spots. The bird's underparts are a rosy buff that transitions to grey on the head and belly. Both sexes are similar in appearance, but juveniles can be distinguished by their duller coloration and lack of neck spots until maturity. The length of these doves ranges from 28 to 32 centimeters.

The Spotted Dove thrives in a variety of environments, including light forests, gardens, and urban areas. It has a preference for the ground, where it forages for seeds, or low vegetation.

2-4-2025 CONCORDIA ESTATE GOATFELL, SRI LANKA - THREE STRIPED PALM SQUIRREL

The Indian palm squirrel or three-striped palm squirrel (Funambulus palmarum) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae found naturally in India (south of the Vindhyas) and Sri Lanka. In the late 19th century, the palm squirrel was introduced to Madagascar, Réunion, Mayotte, Comoro Islands, Mauritius, and Seychelles. The closely related five-striped palm squirrel, F. pennantii, is found in northern India, and its range partly overlaps with this species.

The palm squirrel is about the size of a large chipmunk, with a bushy tail slightly shorter than its body. The back is a grizzled, grey-brown colour with three conspicuous white stripes which run from head to tail. The two outer stripes run from the forelegs to the hind legs only. It has a creamy-white belly and a tail covered with interspersed, long, black and white hair. The ears are small and triangular. Juvenile squirrels have significantly lighter coloration, which gets progressively darker as they age. Albinism is rare, but exists in this species.

The Indian palm squirrel exhibits a variety of reproductive behaviors; some display cyclical periodicity activity while others show continuous reproductive activity. The gestation period is 34 days; breeding takes place in grass nests during the autumn. Litters of two or three are common, and average 2.75. The young are weaned after about 10 weeks and are sexually mature at 9 months. The adult weight is 100 grams. Little is known about their longevity, but one specimen lived 5.5 years in captivity.

The Indian palm squirrel is a solitary animal, spending a majority of its life without interaction with others their own species, with the exception of mating and child rearing. While nuts and fruits make up a majority of its diet, the Indian palm squirrel will also eat insects, other smaller mammals, and reptiles. They are fairly vocal, with a cry that sounds like "chip chip chip" when danger is present. They are opportunists in urban areas, and can be easily tamed and trained to accept food from humans. Naturally active, their activity reaches levels of frenzy during the mating season. They tend to be very protective of their food sources, often guarding and defending them from birds and other squirrels.

2-4-2025 CONCORDIA ESTATE GOATFELL, SRI LANKA - COMMON MYNA (Acridotheres tristis)

The common myna, also known as the Indian myna (Acridotheres tristis), is a member of the starling family Sturnidae. This bird is distinguished by its brown body, black hooded head, and the striking bare yellow patch behind its eye. The bill and legs are a vivid yellow, and there is a notable white patch on the outer primaries. The wing lining on the underside is white, and both sexes appear similar, often seen in pairs.

To identify the common myna, look for the following characteristics:

Brown body with a black head

Yellow patch behind the eye

Bright yellow bill and legs

White patch on the outer primaries

White wing lining on the underside

The common myna is highly adaptable and thrives in a variety of habitats, including open woodland, cultivation, and urban environments. It has a strong preference for areas with tall structures and minimal ground cover, which are typical of city landscapes.

Originally from Asia, the common myna's range has expanded due to introductions across the globe. It is now found in many parts of the world, including North America, Australia, New Zealand, and various islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

9-4-2025 RACO DE OLLA, VALENCIA - WHITE CAMPION (Silene latifolia)

Silene latifolia, commonly known as white campion, is a dioecious flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae, native to most of Europe, Western Asia and northern Africa. It is a herbaceous annual, occasionally biennial or a short-lived perennial plant, growing to between 40–80 centimetres tall. It is also known in the US as bladder campion but should not be confused with Silene vulgaris, which is more generally called bladder campion.

The appearance depends on the age of the plant; when young they form a basal rosette of oval to lanceolate leaves 4–10 cm long, and when they get older, forked stems grow from these, with leaves in opposite pairs. The flowers grow in clusters at the tops of the stems, 2.5–3 cm diameter, with a distinctive inflated calyx and five white petals, each petal deeply notched; flowering lasts from late spring to early autumn. The entire plant is densely hairy. Occasional plants with pink flowers are usually hybrids with red campion (Silene dioica).

9-4-2025 ULLAL DE BALDOVI, VALENCIA - CETTI'S WARBLER (Cettia cetti)

The Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti) is a small, elusive bird with a rich chestnut or dark reddish-brown upperparts and pale grey underparts. It has a rounded head with a narrow pale grey stripe over its conspicuous black eyes, and short, rounded wings. The tail is notably longer and broader than many other warblers, and this species is unique among passerines for having ten tail feathers instead of the usual twelve.

Males and females of the Cetti's Warbler are similar in plumage, but males are significantly heavier and have longer wings. The male's wing length exceeds 60 mm, while the female's is shorter than 55 mm. Juveniles resemble adults but can be distinguished by their fresher plumage and two dark spots on the tongue.

Cetti's Warblers are typically found in damp environments such as ponds, lakes, marshes, and riversides, where they can be heard if not always seen.

This species breeds across southern and central Europe, northwest Africa, and eastward to Afghanistan and northwest Pakistan. Since 1990, their numbers have increased across Europe, with stable or growing populations in Italy and Turkey. The UK saw its first record in 1961, and it is now a rare vagrant in Ireland.

Cetti's Warblers are known for their skulking habits, making them a challenge to observe. They are territorial, especially during the breeding season, with males establishing their domains and attracting multiple females.

The song of the Cetti's Warbler is a loud, explosive burst of notes, which is distinctive and serves as a key identifier for the species.

The breeding season sees males defending their territories and attracting females with their song. Nests are built by the females in dense vegetation, with 4 to 5 chestnut-red eggs laid at daily intervals. The female incubates the eggs, which hatch after about 16 to 17 days. Fledglings are fed and cared for by the parents for an additional 15 days post-fledging.

Cetti's Warblers feed on arthropods, favoring small, soft-bodied insects and larvae which they can digest quickly.

The Cetti's Warbler is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, with a stable or increasing population in most of its range.

6-4-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - MOORISH GECKO (JUVENILE) (Tarentola mauritanica)

Tarentola mauritanica, known as the common wall gecko, is a species of gecko (Gekkota) native to the western Mediterranean area of North Africa and Europe. It has been introduced to Madeira and Balearic Islands, and the Americas (in Montevideo, Buenos Aires and California). A nocturnal animal with a predominantly insectivorous diet, it is commonly observed on walls in urban environments in warm coastal areas; it can be found further inland, especially in Spain where it has a tradition of cohabitation with humans as an insect hunter. A robust species, up to 15 centimetres (5.9 in) long, its tubercules are enlarged and give the species a spiny armoured appearance.

The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. It is also known as Moorish gecko, crocodile gecko, European common gecko, and, regionally, as osga (in Portuguese), salamanquesa (in Spanish) and dragó (in Catalan).

26-3-2025 LEOPARD TRAILS LODGE, SRI LANKA - INDIAN PARADISE FLYCATCHER (MALE) (Terpsiphone paradisi)

The Indian paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi) is a medium-sized passerine bird native to Asia, where it is widely distributed. As the global population is considered stable, it has been listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List since 2004. It is native to the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia and Myanmar.

Males have elongated central tail feathers, and a black and rufous plumage in some populations, while others have white plumage. Females are short-tailed with rufous wings and a black head. Indian paradise flycatchers feed on insects, which they capture in the air often below a densely canopied tree.

Adult Indian paradise flycatchers are 19–22 cm long. Their heads are glossy black with a black crown and crest, their black bill round and sturdy, their eyes black. Female are rufous on the back with a greyish throat and underparts. Their wings are 86–92 mm long. Young males look very much like females but have a black throat and blue-ringed eyes. As adults they develop up to 24 cm long tail feathers with two central tail feathers growing up to 30 cm long drooping streamers.

Young males are rufous and have short tails. They acquire long tails in their second or third year. Adult males are either predominantly bright rufous above or predominantly white. Some specimens show some degree of intermediacy between rufous and white. Long-tailed rufous birds are generally devoid of shaft streaks on the wing and tail feathers, while in white birds the shaft streaks, and sometimes the edges of the wing and tail feathers are black.

24-3-2025 GAL OYA LAKE, SRI LANKA - BAYA WEAVER (Ploceus philippinus)

The baya weaver (Ploceus philippinus) is a weaverbird found across the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Flocks of these birds are found in grasslands, cultivated areas, scrub and secondary growth and they are best known for their hanging retort shaped nests woven from leaves. These nest colonies are usually found on thorny trees or palm fronds and the nests are often built near water or hanging over water where predators cannot reach easily. They are widespread and common within their range but are prone to local, seasonal movements mainly in response to rain and food availability.

Among the population variations, five subspecies are recognized. The nominate race P. p. philippinus is found through much of mainland India while P. p. burmanicus is found eastwards into Southeast Asia. The population in southwest India is darker above and referred to as subspecies P. p. travancoreensis.

Baya weavers are social and gregarious birds. They forage in flocks for seeds, both on the plants and on the ground. Flocks fly in close formations, often performing complicated manoeuvres. They are known to glean paddy and other grain in harvested fields, and occasionally damage ripening crops and are therefore sometimes considered as pests. They roost in reed-beds bordering waterbodies. They depend on wild grasses such as Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) as well as crops like rice for both their food (feeding on seedlings in the germination stage as well as on early stages of grain) and nesting material. They also feed on insects (including butterflies[, sometimes taking small frogs, geckos and molluscs, especially to feed their young. Their seasonal movements are governed by food availability. Their calls are a continuous chit-chit-... sometimes ending in a wheezy cheee-eee-ee that is produced by males in a chorus. A lower intensity call is produced in the non-breeding season.

They are occasionally known to descend to the ground and indulge in dust bathing.

In captivity, individuals are known to form stable peck orders.

18-3-2025 WATER GARDENS LODGE SIGIRIYA, SRI LANKA - WHITE THROATED KINGFISHER (Halcyon smyrnensis)

The white-throated kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) also known as the white-breasted kingfisher is a tree kingfisher, widely distributed in Asia from the Sinai east through the Indian subcontinent to China and Indonesia. This kingfisher is a resident over much of its range, although some populations may make short distance movements. It can often be found well away from water where it feeds on a wide range of prey that includes small reptiles, amphibians, crabs, small rodents and even birds. During the breeding season they call loudly in the mornings from prominent perches including the tops of buildings in urban areas or on wires.

This is a large kingfisher, 27–28 cm (10.6–11.0 in) in length. The adult has a bright blue back, wings and tail. Its head, shoulders, flanks and lower belly are chestnut, and the throat and breast are white. The large bill and legs are bright red. The flight of the white-throated kingfisher is rapid and direct, the short rounded wings whirring. In flight, large white patches are visible on the blue and black wings. Sexes are similar, but juveniles are a duller version of the adult.

This species forms a superspecies with Halcyon cyanoventris and most major works recognize four geographic races. They vary clinally in size, the shades of blue on the mantle which is more greenish in smyrnensis and fusca and more blue or purplish in saturatior. H. s. gularis of the Philippines has only the neck and throat white. It is sometimes treated as a distinct species, H. gularis. Race fusca is found in Peninsular India and Sri Lanka and is slightly smaller, bluer and with a darker brown underside than the nominate race found in northwestern India. Race saturatior is found in the Andaman Islands and is larger with darker brown underparts. Race perpulchra (not always recognized) is found in northeastern India and is smaller than fusca with paler underparts. Albinism has been noted on occasion.