31-3-2025 GOATFELL LODGE, SRI LANKA - WOOLLY PLECTRANTHRUS (Coleus barbatus)

Coleus barbatus, also known by the synonyms Plectranthus barbatus and incorrectly Coleus forskalaei (and other spellings of this epithet), is a tropical perennial plant related to the typical coleus species. It is known by the common name woolly plectranthus. It produces forskolin, an extract useful for pharmaceutical preparations and research in cell biology.

The Brazilian name is boldo brasileiro (pronounced [ˈbowdu bɾaziˈlejɾu]), or boldo gaúcho, as opposed to the Chilean true boldo; boldo-da-terra (pronounced [ˈbowdu dɐ ˈtɛʁɐ]); boldo-de-jardim (pronounced [ˈbowdu dʒi ʒaʁˈdʒĩ]); or tapete-de-Oxalá (pronounced [tɐˈpetʃi dʒoʃaˈla]; 'Oxalá's carpet', because of its velvety texture).

In the French Caribbean, it is called "doliprane" (from the brand name of a paracetamol-based drug) because of its uses as a painkiller in folk medicine.

It is a semi-succulent plant that grows as a subshrub to 1.5 m high by 1.5 m wide. The oppositely arranged leaves are relatively large with serrated leaf edges. Purple-blue flowers grow on upright racemose inflorescences that are up to 25 centimeters long.

Coleus barbatus was first described by Henry Cranke Andrews in 1810 as Plectranthus barbatus. It was transferred to Coleus by Bentham in 1830. Although Coleus was previously sunk into Plectranthus, the original binomial was revived in a major study of the subtribe Plectranthinae in 2019.

The distribution area extends from tropical Africa across the Arabian Peninsula to parts of South Asia and East Asia. It is native to Burundi, China South-Central, East Himalaya, Eritrea, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Nepal, Oman, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Yemen and Zaïre.

Herbal teas made from Coleus barbatus contain rosmarinic acid and also flavonoid glucuronides and diterpenoids.

Forskolin, which derives its name from the incorrect binomial name of this plant, Coleus forskohlii, has been isolated from the roots.

31-3-2025 GOATFELL LODGE, SRI LANKA - AMERICAN BLACK ELDERBERRY (Sambucus canadensis)

Sambucus canadensis, the American black elderberry, Canada elderberry, or common elderberry, is a North American species of elderberry.

It is a deciduous suckering shrub growing to 6 metres (20 feet) tall. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, pinnate with five to nine leaflets, the leaflets around 10 centimetres (4 inches) long and 5 cm broad. In summer, it bears large (20–30 cm or 8–12 in diameter) corymbs of white flowers above the foliage, the individual flowers 5–6 millimetres (3⁄16–1⁄4 in) diameter, with five petals.

The fruit (known as an elderberry) is a dark purple to black berry 3–5 mm diameter, produced in drooping clusters in the fall.

It is closely related to the European Sambucus nigra. Some authors treat it as conspecific, under the name Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis.

The species is native to a large area of North America east of the Rocky Mountains, south throughout the mainland Americas to Bolivia. It is considered introduced in the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, and Asia. It grows in a variety of conditions including both wet and dry soils, primarily in sunny locations.

Inedible parts of the plant, such as the leaves, stems, roots, seeds and unripe fruits, can be toxic due to the presence of cyanogenic glycosides and alkaloids. Traditional methods of consuming elderberry includes jams, jellies, and syrups, all of which cook down the fruit and strain out the seeds.

Unpublished research may show that S. canadensis (American elderberry) has lower cyanide levels than apple juice, and that its fruit does not contain enough beta-glucosidase (which convert glucosides into cyanide) to create cyanide within that biochemical pathway. For comparison, assuming S. nigra has levels of no more than 25 micrograms of cyanogenic glycosides/milligram of berry weight, assuming all of the glycosides were converted to cyanide, and assuming a toxicity of 50 mg for a 50 kg vertebrate, one would need to eat 2 kilograms (~4.4 pounds) of berries in one sitting to reach the lower limits of lethal toxicity (1 mg cyanide/kg of weight). For the upper limits (3 mg/kg), one would need to eat 6 kg or ~13 pounds.

The flower called elderflower is edible, as are the ripe berries, although cooking may be preferred to inhibit intake of glycosides, which are associated with potential toxicity. A drink can be made from soaking the flower heads in water for eight hours. Other uses for the fruit include wine, jelly and dye. The leaves and inner bark can be used as an insecticide and a dye.

The boiled inner bark of the elderberry was used by the Iroquois of North America as a pain reliever in toothaches, being applied to the side of the cheek that was most virulent.

29-3-2025 YALA NAT PARK, SRI LANKA - SRI LANKAN SPOTTED DEER (MALE) (Axis axis ssp. ceylonensis)

The chital or cheetal (Axis axis; /tʃiːtəl/), also called spotted deer, chital deer and axis deer, is a deer species native to the Indian subcontinent. It was first described by Johann Christian Polycarp Erxleben in 1777. A moderate-sized deer, male chital reach 90 cm (35 in) and females 70 cm (28 in) at the shoulder. While males weigh 70–90 kg (150–200 lb), females weigh around 40–60 kg (88–132 lb). It is sexually dimorphic; males are larger than females, and antlers are present only on males. The upper parts are golden to rufous, completely covered in white spots. The abdomen, rump, throat, insides of legs, ears, and tail are all white. The antlers, three-pronged, are nearly 1 m (3 ft 3 in) long.

The vernacular name "chital" (pronounced /tʃiːtəl/) comes from cītal (Hindi: चीतल), derived from the Sanskrit word citrala (चित्रल), meaning "variegated" or "spotted". The name of the cheetah has a similar origin. Variations of "chital" include "cheetal" and "cheetul". Other common names for the chital are Indian spotted deer (or simply the spotted deer) and axis deer.

29-3-2025 YALA NAT PARK, SRI LANKA - GREY HEADED FISH EAGLE (Haliaeetus ichthyaetus)

The Grey-headed Fish Eagle (Icthyophaga ichthyaetus) is a robust raptor, cloaked in dark brown plumage with a contrasting pale grey head. Its underbelly is lighter, and it boasts white legs. The tail is white with a distinctive broad black subterminal band. This bird of prey exhibits sexual dimorphism, with females typically outweighing males.

Adults display a grey-brown back with a pale grey head and pale iris. The breast and neck are brown, while the wings are dark brown with blacker primaries. Juveniles are paler with brown heads and necks, greyer on the sides of the throat, and exhibit buff supercilia and whitish streaks. Their tails are marbled black and white with a broader dark subterminal band and a white tip.

Inhabiting lowland forests up to 1,500 meters above sea level, the Grey-headed Fish Eagle is found near water bodies such as rivers, lakes, lagoons, reservoirs, marshes, swamps, and coastal lagoons and estuaries. It is also known to frequent irrigation tanks in Sri Lanka.

This eagle's range extends from India and Southeast Asia to Malaysia, Western Indonesia, and the Philippines. It is generally uncommon, with varying local presence across its distribution.

A sedentary and often solitary bird, the Grey-headed Fish Eagle spends much time perched on bare branches overlooking water, swooping down occasionally to catch fish. Its flight appears heavy, with sharp wing-beats, and it rarely soars, likely due to its habitat.

Its vocal repertoire includes a gurgling "awh-awhr" and "chee-warr," an "ooo-wok," a nasally "uh-wuk," and a loud, high-pitched scream. These calls are typically emitted from a perch or in flight, becoming more vocal during the breeding season.

Breeding seasons vary across its range, with nests built high in trees near water. The clutch size ranges from 2 to 4 eggs, but typically only 2 white eggs are laid. Both parents share incubation and chick-rearing duties.

Specializing in piscivory, the Grey-headed Fish Eagle preys on live fish and scavenges for dead ones. It may also consume reptiles, birds, and small mammals. It hunts from perches or by quartering over water, using its recurved talons to snatch fish.

Listed as Near-Threatened, the Grey-headed Fish Eagle faces threats from habitat loss, deforestation, over-fishing, and pollution. Its population is estimated between 10,000–100,000 mature individuals, with a declining trend.

11-5-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WAVE MOTH (Idaea cervantaria)

Small moth of the Geometridae family; It is distributed in southeastern France, the Iberian Peninsula and northwest Africa; present in the warm areas of the Iberian Peninsula.

Geometric shape, with the front wings ending in a sharp edge and the rear wings with a wide and rounded shape; gray background color, this gray can be darker, lighter or with an ocher tone; Two irregular lines are drawn on the wings, one proximal and one distal on the wing dorsum, a dark dot on each wing, a subterminal dark line formed by small black strokes, unlike other Idaea, which only have a subterminal dotted line; long ocher fimbriae.

It lives in dry and sunny places, rocky slopes.

I do not know the food plants for the larvae, but this photograph corresponds to an open area of ​​dryland crops, where trees and shrubs are scarce and grasses and other wild herbaceous plants are abundant.

They fly in one generation a year, the months of May to July.

11-5-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - ROUND NECKED LONGHORN BEETLE (Stenopterus rufus)

Stenopterus rufus is a xerothermic Euro-Turanian species, widespread from Portugal to Turkmenistan, with two "real" subspecies (S. rufus transcaspicus Lazarev, 2008 and S. rufus syriacus Pic, 1892). The third one, S. r. geniculatus Kraatz, 1863), is illusory since specimens with the same characters are also frequently collected from Spain to Germany or the Netherlands, where they are even predominant. Moreover, perfectly typical ones are found in the Balkans, Anatolia and even in the typical series of geniculatus (excerpted from [✧]). The nominotypical subspecies is distributed in warm regions of Central and West Europe and almost whole Mediterranean region.

Larvae of S. rufus develop in dead branches of many deciduous trees and shrubs, pupation in pupal cell in the wood during spring. Life-cycle two years. Adults, active from late spring May to August, are diurnal and anthophilous (typically on Achillea or Apiaceae) [❖].

Body length: 7 - 16 mm

Life cycle: 2 years

Adults in: May - August

Host plant: polyphagous in deciduous trees (Quercus, Castanea, Robinia, Juglans, Prunus, Salix, Pistacia etc.)

Distribution: Austria, Belgium, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldavia, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Russia, Switzerland, Ukraine, Canary Islands

11-5-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - MEDITERRANEAN WHITE BANDED SPIDER (Evarcha jucunda)

Evarcha jucunda is a species of jumping spider.

It occurs naturally in the Mediterranean region, but was introduced to Belgium. It is also sometimes found in German greenhouses. Typically, it shows a large white or yellowish band surrounding the head region and a smaller one at the anterior end of abdomen. Males are black with a white line around their head and the top of their abdomen, which is brown.

The species name is derived from Latin jucundus "pleasant".

11-5-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - COMMON GARBAGE LINE WEB SPIDER (Cyclosa insulana)

The "Garbage-Line Web Spider," also known as a trashline orbweaver, is a spider belonging to the genus Cyclosa. These orb-weaver spiders are characterized by building webs that include a linear decoration of debris, often including prey remains and other materials, which likely aids in camouflage. The spider itself often rests in the center of the web, within this trashline, camouflaged by the debris. 

Genus Cyclosa of the orb weaving Areneidae family is also called the Garbage Line Spider because they have radial lines of thickened silk that contains the remains of their prey with the spider hidden in the line in the centre of the web. Perhaps the spider's lumpy shape helps it to look like the other detritus.

Here's a more detailed look at the Garbage-Line Web Spider:

Genus: Cyclosa. 

Common Name: Trashline orbweaver, Garbage-Line Spider. 

Web Structure: Cyclosa spiders build relatively small, circular orb webs. 

Web Decoration: They create a distinctive "garbage line" or stabilimentum by incorporating debris like prey remains, exuvia (shed skin), and other materials into their web. 

Camouflage: The spider itself often rests within the center of the web, within this trashline, blending in with the debris. 

Distribution: Cyclosa spiders are found worldwide. 

10-5-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WAVE MOTH (idaea cervantaria)

Idaea, sometimes called Hyriogona (among other synonyms), is a large genus of geometer moths. It was erected by Georg Friedrich Treitschke in 1825. They are found nearly worldwide, with many native to the Mediterranean, the African savannas, and the deserts of western Asia.

As of 2013, there were about 680 species in the genus.

29-3-2025 YALA NAT PARK, SRI LANKA - BLUE TAILED BEE-EATER (Merops philippinus)

The Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Merops philippinus, is a near passerine bird belonging to the family Meropidae. It is a slender bird with a rich palette of colors, predominantly green with a blue tail. The face features a narrow blue patch with a black eye stripe, and the throat is a mix of yellow and brown. Notably, the beak is black, and the three outer toes are fused at the base. Both sexes are similar in appearance, with a body length of 23–26 cm, including the elongated central tail feathers.

When identifying the Blue-tailed Bee-eater, look for the blue rather than green rump and tail, distinguishing it from the similar Blue-cheeked Bee-eater. The under-tail coverts are bluish, and the blue cheek patch is smaller. The chestnut on the throat and breast is darker and more extensive.

This species is typically found in open habitats near water bodies.

The Blue-tailed Bee-eater has a widespread distribution across South and Southeast Asia. It is migratory in many parts of its range, with breeding colonies often found in river valleys.

These birds are known for their colonial breeding habits, nesting in close proximity within vertical mudbanks or sloping land. They exhibit communal feeding and roosting behaviors and may have helpers assisting the breeding pair.

The Blue-tailed Bee-eater's call is a rolling chirping whistle, described as a "teerp," primarily heard during flight.

Breeding occurs from April to May in India, with nests tunneled into loamy sand banks. The species lays 5 to 7 near-spherical eggs, with both parents involved in care. They guard against brood parasitism and extra-pair copulation.

The diet consists mainly of flying insects such as bees, wasps, and hornets, which are caught in the air from an open perch. The insects are beaten on the perch to kill them and break the exoskeleton.

The Blue-tailed Bee-eater is listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), indicating a stable population.

29-3-2025 YALA NAT PARK, SRI LANKA - WHISKERED TERN (Chlidonias niger)

The Whiskered Tern, Chlidonias hybrida, is a member of the tern family Laridae, exhibiting a swallow-like appearance, as suggested by its genus name derived from the Ancient Greek khelidonios. This species is the largest of the marsh terns, showcasing a blend of features from both the white Sterna terns and the black tern.

Adult Whiskered Terns in summer plumage are characterized by their robust bill, measuring 29–34 mm in males and 25–27 mm in females, with a pronounced gonys. They possess a black cap and a short, forked-looking tail. The cheeks are white, and the legs and bill are a vibrant red. Juveniles display a white-flecked crown and a more uniformly blackish hindcrown, while the winter adult has a similar pattern with additional white flecking. The black ear-coverts create a C-shaped band when viewed from above. Throughout the year, the rump maintains a pale grey hue. The call of the Whiskered Tern is a distinctive "krekk."

Whiskered Terns breed in colonies on inland marshes, often in the company of black-headed gulls, which offer a degree of protection.

The Whiskered Tern has several geographical races, varying mainly in size and minor plumage details. The Eurasian Whiskered Tern (C. h. hybrida) is found in warmer parts of Europe and the Palearctic, while the African Whiskered Tern (C. h. delalandii) resides in east and south Africa, and the Australasian Whiskered Tern (C. h. javanicus) ranges from Java to Australia. The tropical forms are resident, but European and Asian birds migrate south to Africa and the Indian Subcontinent for wintering.

29-3-2025 YALA NAT PARK, SRI LANKA - INDIAN POND HERON (Ardeola grayii)

The Indian Pond Heron, known colloquially as the paddybird, is a modestly sized heron with a penchant for concealment. Its plumage is a mélange of streaked olive and brown, which serves as excellent camouflage against the marshy landscapes it frequents. However, when this bird takes flight, it reveals a striking contrast with its bright white wings, a feature that is otherwise hidden when at rest.

This stocky bird possesses a short neck and a robust, thick bill. The back is buff-brown, and during the summer, adults boast elongated neck feathers. When in flight, the Indian Pond Heron is unmistakable due to the white of its wings. It bears a resemblance to the squacco herons but is distinguished by its darker back. Observers should note that individuals may occasionally exhibit red legs during the breeding season, though this is not a common trait.

The Indian Pond Heron is often found stalking prey at the edges of small water bodies or roosting near human habitations. It is adept at utilizing floating vegetation to access deeper waters and is known to frequent marshy wetlands.

This heron has its origins in the Old World, with a breeding range that extends from southern Iran across the Indian subcontinent to Burma and Sri Lanka. It is a widespread and common species, yet its cryptic coloration often renders it invisible until it is nearly underfoot.

Typically solitary in its foraging habits, the Indian Pond Heron may gather in numbers during the dry season when prey is concentrated in shrinking wetlands. It is a semi-colonial breeder and has been observed foraging in diverse environments, including garbage heaps and well-watered lawns. The bird's tendency to allow close approaches by humans is notable, and it may form communal roosts in urban areas.

The Indian Pond Heron is generally a silent bird, but it may emit a harsh croak when alarmed or near its nesting sites.

The onset of the monsoons marks the beginning of the breeding season for these herons. They nest in small colonies, often alongside other wading birds, constructing platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. The nests are typically built at heights of 9 to 10 meters. The male collects materials while the female assembles the nest. Clutches usually consist of three to five eggs, which hatch asynchronously after 18 to 24 days. Both parents are involved in feeding the young, primarily with fish.

The Indian Pond Heron is similar to the squacco heron but can be differentiated by its darker back. To the east of its range, it is replaced by the Chinese Pond Heron.

The diet of the Indian Pond Heron is varied, including crustaceans, aquatic insects, fishes, tadpoles, and occasionally leeches. Outside of wetlands, these herons will also consume terrestrial insects, fish, and amphibians. They have been observed using innovative techniques such as bait-fishing with bread crumbs to attract fish.

The Indian Pond Heron's habit of remaining motionless until the last possible moment has given rise to several folk beliefs about its vision. In Sri Lanka, it is referred to as the "half-blind heron," and in Hindustani, the phrase "bagla bhagat" likens the bird to a wolf in sheep's clothing. The bird has also featured in Indian folklore and literature, often noted for its surprising transformation from dull to bright colors upon taking flight.

29-3-2025 YALA NAT PARK, SRI LANKA - BENGAL MONITOR (Varanus bengalensis)

The Bengal monitor (Varanus bengalensis) is a large terrestrial monitor lizard. Young monitors, however, may be more arboreal, but adults mainly hunt on the ground. Although large Bengal monitors have few predators apart from humans who hunt them for meat, younger individuals are hunted by many predators.

Young Bengal monitors are more colorful than adults. Young have a series of dark crossbars on the neck, throat, and back. The belly is white, banded with dark crossbars, and is spotted with grey or yellow (particularly in the eastern part of the range). On the dorsal surface of young monitors, there are a series of yellow spots with dark transverse bars connecting them. As they mature, the ground color becomes light brown or grey, and dark spots give them a speckled appearance. Bengal monitors have external nostril openings (nares) that are slit-like and oriented near horizontally and positioned between the eye and the tip of the snout. 

The nares can be closed at will, especially to keep away debris or water. The scales of the skin are rougher in patches and on the sides, they have minute pits, especially well distributed in males. These scales with micropores have glandular structures in the underlying dermal tissue and produce a secretion that may be a pheromone-like substance. Like other monitors, Bengal monitors have a forked tongue similar to snakes. The function is mainly sensory and is not very involved in the transport of food down the throat.

 Bengal monitors have fat deposits in the tail and body that serve them in conditions when prey are not easily available. The lungs have spongy tissue, unlike the sacs of other saurians. This allows for a greater rate of gas exchange and allows a faster metabolic rate and higher activity levels. Like all monitors, they have subpleurodont teeth, meaning the teeth are fused to the inside of the jaw bones. While monitor lizards are venomous, there are no reports of the effects of venom in Bengal monitors other than a very controversial case report of fatal renal failure as a result of envenomation from this species.

10-5-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SCARCE CRIMSON AND GOLD MOTH (Pyrausta sanguinalis)

Pyrausta sanguinalis, the scarce crimson and gold, is a moth of the family Crambidae. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1767 12th edition of Systema Naturae.

The wingspan is 14–18 mm. The forewings are brownish ochreous, basal and dorsal areas deep yellow, disc yellow mixed; markings purple-crimson; a streak along costa to 3/4; a fascia before middle; an oblong discal spot, connected above with costal streak, and sometimes beneath with preceding fascia; a subterminal fascia. Hindwings in male light grey, darker terminally, in female grey; termen crimson in middle. The larva is greenish-grey, reddish tinged; subdorsal and spiracular lines whitish; head brown.

The moth flies from June to August depending on the location.

The larvae feed on common sage, rosemary and thyme.

The scarce crimson and gold moth is one of the UK’s rarest moths with a known distribution limited to the north coast of Northern Ireland and the northern tip of the Isle of Man. It is also known from the Burren in the Republic of Ireland. The moth itself is a member of the Pyralid group of moths and is classed as a micro-moth. It is very distinctive with a bright yellow background colour to the forewings with a strong dark pink border and crossline. It can be found relatively easily on warm sunny days by sweeping vegetation in its sand dune haunts.

 

8-5-2025 GANDIA SERPIS, VALENCIA - 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.

7-5-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - GOLDWING MOTH (Synthymia fixa)

Synthymia is a genus of moths of the family Noctuidae. It contains only one species, Synthymia fixa, The Goldwing, which is found in southern Europe and North Africa.

Forewing ash grey in the male, darker, slightly greenish grey in the female the outer half of wing suffused with brownish, the whole speckled with black; orbicular stigma oval, grey in a whitish ring, placed vertically at the edge of the grey basal space; reniform also vertical, an elongate figure of 8, white with dark grey centres; space between them crossed by a deep brown band, sometimes velvety brown in cell, the median vein showing white across it; inner and outer lines brownish, ill-defined; the inner waved, nearly vertical, the outer sinuous edged by grey and on the costa whitish; subterminal line thick, whitish; fringe dark-mottled; hindwing orange, deeper in female than in male; the base diffusely dark; terminal border olive brown, broad at apex, with traces of a submarginal line on inner margin; in the male more fuscous tinged, with traces of outer and submarginal lines; in the ab. griseofusa ab.nov. (= ab. 2. Hmps.) the whole of the hindwing is fuscous. Larva dark green, the dorsum lighter; dorsal and subdorsal lines pale yellow, edged with dark green; lateral stripe white, broad, with dark upper edge; head small, yellowish; thoracic plate black; anal plate brown. The wingspan is 37–40 mm.

Adults are on wing from April to July. There is one generation per year.

The larvae feed on the flowers of Psoralea bituminosa.

29-3-2025 YALA NAT PARK, SRI LANKA - WHITE BELLIED SEA EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

The White-bellied Sea Eagle (Icthyophaga leucogaster), also known as the White-breasted Sea Eagle, is a majestic and large diurnal bird of prey belonging to the family Accipitridae. It is characterized by its striking white head, breast, under-wing coverts, and tail, contrasting with its grey upper parts and black under-wing flight feathers. The tail is notably short and wedge-shaped, a common feature among Haliaeetinae species. Females are typically larger than males, reaching up to 90 cm in length, with a wingspan of up to 2.2 meters, and can weigh as much as 4.5 kg. Immature birds are cloaked in brown plumage, which gradually transitions to white over several years.

Adult White-bellied Sea Eagles are unmistakable with their white and grey plumage. The black flight feathers are prominent when viewed from below. The bill is a leaden blue-grey with a darker tip, and the eyes are dark brown. The legs and feet are yellow or grey with long black talons. Juveniles are predominantly brown with pale cream streaks on their head and neck, and their plumage slowly whitens with age.

This sea eagle is often found in coastal regions but can also be seen inland near large bodies of water. It prefers areas with tall trees or pylons for nesting, with a clear view of the surrounding landscape.

The species is widespread, ranging from India and Sri Lanka through Southeast Asia to Australia. It is a common sight along coastlines and major waterways, and although generally sedentary, it can travel considerable distances.

29-3-2025 YALA NAT PARK, SRI LANKA - COMMON IORA (Aegithina tiphia)

The common iora (Aegithina tiphia) is a small passerine bird found across the tropical Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, with populations showing plumage variations, some of which are designated as subspecies. A species found in scrub and forest, it is easily detected from its loud whistles and the bright colours. During the breeding season, males display by fluffing up their feathers and spiral in the air appearing like a green, black, yellow, and white ball.

Ioras have a pointed and notched beak with a culmen that is straight. The common iora is sexually dimorphic, males in the breeding season have a black cap and back adding to a black wing and tail at all seasons. Females have greenish wings and an olive tail. The undersides of both are yellow and the two white bars on the wings of the male are particularly prominent in their breeding plumage. The males in breeding plumage have a very variable distribution of the black on the upperparts and can be confused with Marshall's iora, however, the latter always has white tips to the tail. The nominate subspecies is found along the Himalayas and males of this population are very similar to females or have only a small amount of black on the crown. In northwestern India, septentrionalis is brighter yellow than others and in the northern plains of India humei males in breeding plumage have a black cap and olive on the upper mantle. In southwestern India and Sri Lanka multicolor has the breeding males with a jet black cap and mantle. The forms in the rest of southern India are intermediate between multicolor and humei with more grey-green on the rump (formerly considered as deignani but now used for the Burmese population).

Ioras forage in trees in small groups, gleaning among the branches for insects. They sometimes join mixed species feeding flocks. The call is a mixture of churrs, chattering and whistles, and the song is a trilled wheeeee-tee. They may sometimes imitate the calls of other birds such as drongos.

During the breeding season, mainly after the monsoons, the male performs an acrobatic courtship display, darting up into the air fluffing up all his feathers, especially those on the pale green rump, then spiralling down to the original perch. Once he lands, he spreads his tail and droops his wings. Two to four greenish white eggs are laid in a small and compact cup-shaped nest made out of grass and bound with cobwebs and placed in the fork of a tree. Both male and female incubate and eggs hatch after about 14 days. Nests predators include snakes, lizards, crow-pheasant and crows. Nests may also be brood-parasitized by the banded bay cuckoo.

Ioras moult twice in a year and the plumage variation makes them somewhat complicated for plumage based separation of the populations.

29-3-2025 YALA NAT PARK, SRI LANKA - MUGGER CROCODILE (Crocodylus palustris)

The mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) is a medium-sized broad-snouted crocodile, also known as mugger and marsh crocodile. It is native to freshwater habitats from south-eastern Iran to the Indian subcontinent, where it inhabits marshes, lakes, rivers and artificial ponds. It rarely reaches a body length of 5 m (16 ft 5 in) and is a powerful swimmer, but also walks on land in search of suitable waterbodies during the hot season. Both young and adult mugger crocodiles dig burrows to which they retreat when the ambient temperature drops below 5 °C (41 °F) or exceeds 38 °C (100 °F). Females dig holes in the sand as nesting sites and lay up to 46 eggs during the dry season. The sex of hatchlings depends on temperature during incubation. Both parents protect the young for up to one year. They feed on insects, and adults prey on fish, reptiles, birds and mammals.

29-3-2025 YALA NAT PARK, SRI LANKA - SRI LANKAN SWALLOW (Cecropis hyperythra)

This bird has been  recently recognized as a distinct species and added to the Sri Lankan endemic list. Sparrow sized and stockier than our other swallows, it is unmistakable with purple-blue glossed upperparts and rusty underparts and rump. Both sexes are alike. Young are duller.

The species is well distributed throughout the island up to about 1500 metres elevation. The birds associate in pairs or more often in scattered groups and spend their time flying after the insect prey they feed on. The usual habitat is open areas such as paddy fields, roadsides, grasslands, grass covered hillsides etc. The flight is typical swallow type with the wings being open and shut at the wrist joint. The birds flutter the wings rapidly and then glide gracefully before fluttering the wings again. The flight is however not as fast as the other swallows’. This species commonly associates with other swallows as well as swifts. They fly high as well as within a few feet from ground level. When not flying the birds sit in an open perch like a bare twig or power cable and preen themselves. The call is a pleasant muffled t’lee easily recognized when once heard. The birds also utter a loud twitter accompanied by a shuffling of wings. 

29-3-2025 YALA NAT PARK, SRI LANKA - SRI LANKAN CHITAL (SPOTTED DEER) (FEMALE) (Axis axis ssp. ceylonensis)

The Sri Lankan axis deer (Axis axis ceylonensis) or Ceylon spotted deer is a subspecies of axis deer (Axis axis) that inhabits only Sri Lanka. The name chital is not used in Sri Lanka. Its validity is disputed, and some maintain that the axis deer is monotypic (i.e., has no subspecies).[1]

Sri Lankan axis deer are active primarily during early morning and again during the evening, but they are commonly observed near waterholes anytime. The Sri Lankan axis deer eats primarily grasses, but it also eats fallen fruits and leaves. The Sri Lankan axis deer graze closely with langur, peacock, wild buffalo, and sambar deer. They usually live in groups of between 10 and 60 animals, though herds may include up to 100 animals.

Axis deer are important prey for the Sri Lankan leopard. It is also prey for sloth bears, jackals, and crocodiles.

29-3-2025 YALA NAT PARK, SRI LANKA - CHANGEABLE HAWK EAGLE (Nisaetus cirrhatus)

The Changeable Hawk-Eagle, scientifically known as Nisaetus cirrhatus, is a large bird of prey belonging to the family Accipitridae. This raptor is characterized by its slender build and a notable crest of feathers that can vary in presence and size among individuals. The species exhibits a wide range of plumage variation, from pale to dark, which changes with age and moult, hence the name "changeable."

Adult Changeable Hawk-Eagles are typically dark brown above with bold streaking below. They possess a strong bill and a crest that can be prominent or nearly absent. Their wings are relatively short, and their tail is long and thinly barred. Juveniles are generally darker with more conspicuous white edges on the mantle and wings. The eyes of adults are yellow to orange-yellow, while juveniles have grey-brown to pale greenish eyes.

This species is found in a variety of habitats, including savannah woodland, forest villages, and even suburban areas. They are also present in open or less dense parts of evergreen or deciduous forests, as well as second growth and wetlands.

The Changeable Hawk-Eagle is widely distributed across the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, including Sri Lanka, the Himalayan foothills, and various islands such as Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and the Philippines.

Changeable Hawk-Eagles are known for their agile flight, which includes powerful shallow beats interspersed with glides. They are primarily ambush predators, using concealing foliage to still-hunt from hidden branches, pouncing quickly to capture prey on the ground.

During the breeding season, the Changeable Hawk-Eagle may call frequently, emitting a high-pitched scream that varies in pattern depending on the region. Calls can range from a shrill ringing "yeep-yip-yip-yip" to a penetrating "klee-leeuw."

Breeding season varies by region, with nests built in large trees and lined with green leaves. The species typically lays a single egg, which is incubated by the female for an estimated 40 days. Nestlings are brooded intensively for about 25 days and fledge at around 60-68 days of age.

The diet of the Changeable Hawk-Eagle is varied and includes birds, mammals, reptiles, and other vertebrates. They are opportunistic hunters and may take prey ranging from small lizards to large mammals and birds.

30-3-2025 LEOPARD TRAILS LODGE, SRI LANKA - PALE BILLED FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum erythrorhynchos)

The Pale-billed Flowerpecker, also known as Tickell's Flowerpecker, is a diminutive avian species, measuring a mere 8 cm in length. It is one of the smallest birds found across southern India and Sri Lanka. Exhibiting a rather unassuming plumage, the bird is cloaked in shades of brownish to olive green, with the underside presenting a buff olive hue that seamlessly blends with the upperparts.

Distinguishing this species from its congeners can be done by noting its pinkish, curved beak, which is a unique feature within its range. Unlike the Nilgiri Flowerpecker, it lacks a pale supercilium and is not streaked like the Thick-billed Flowerpecker. The Sri Lankan subspecies, known as ceylonense, is slightly greyer and smaller than the nominate race found in peninsular India.

The Pale-billed Flowerpecker is a versatile inhabitant, thriving in both forested areas and urban gardens, particularly those that are adorned with berry-bearing trees.

This species is widely distributed across India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and western Myanmar. It is a common sight, especially in urban settings where it has adapted remarkably well.

8-5-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - GEOMETER MOTH (Charissa mucidaria)

Charissa mucidaria, the coppery taupe, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It was described by Jacob Hübner in 1799. It is found in southern Europe and North Africa (including Morocco).

The wingspan is 20–30 mm. Adults are on wing from March to May and again from July to September.

The larvae feed on Sedum, Anagallis, Polygonum and Rumex species.

8-5-2025 GANDIA SERPIS, VALENCIA - HOUSE SPARROW (FEMALE) (Passer domesticus)

The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a member of the sparrow family Passeridae. This small bird typically measures around 16 cm (6.3 in) in length and weighs between 24–39.5 g (0.85–1.39 oz). The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with females and young birds displaying pale brown and grey plumage, while males are characterized by more vibrant black, white, and brown markings.

Males can be identified by their bright black, white, and brown markings, with a distinctive black bib, white cheeks, and a grey crown. Females lack the striking head patterns of males and are predominantly buffish with softer coloration. Juveniles resemble adult females but are generally paler with less defined markings.

The house sparrow is highly adaptable and can thrive in both urban and rural environments. It is commonly found in close association with human habitation and avoids dense forests, grasslands, polar regions, and deserts far from human development.