Avifaunal Survey in the Kalpitiya – Karaitive Area in Sri Lanka

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IMPORTANT NOTE: Conservation Research is a dynamic process where although the research goals are planned for years in advance the monthly and daily activities to achieve these goals depend on the local situation and can change dramatically. All information herein should be treated in this manner.
“ Surveying and gathering ecological data on the migrant and resident birds in the “at risk” Kalpitiya-Karaitive Coastal ecosystem in the Western Province of Sri Lanka ”

Overview: This project is based at the Kalpitiya peninsular in the tropical island of Sri Lanka . You will work with the field scientists of the Sri Lankan Wildlife Conservation Society to conduct surveys, ecological studies of the migrant and resident birds, and help develop a bird map using both direct and non-direct observational methods, remote sensing and GIS. All of these efforts will help to develop a checklist of the birds and their densities, identify endangered and threatened species as well as habitats critical for the birds' survival. Your assistance and participation will help to develop a sustainable conservation program for this vital area for migrant and resident birds. Strategies resulting from this effort will be applied for the conservation and management of this unique and threatened coastal environment.

Skills Required: No specific skills are required, but an interest in birding is encouraged. The volunteers will be trained in the skills they need to conduct the fieldwork. The project staff will prepare each group for their fieldwork. They will explain the research methods and the goals of the research.

Training/Qualifications: The process to integrate new volunteers to the research work will be done on the first two days at the field site.

Location: The project is based at the Kalpitiya Peninsular in the Western Province of Sri Lanka in the Puttalam District. Approximately 3 hours north of the International Airport

Partners: This program is being conducted jointly by the SLWCS and Sri Lanka Escape Tourism who is a partner company to SLWCS. Escape Tourism's pioneering “SciEscapes” program will be providing all the ground logistics plus covering some of the initial costs of setting up and running this important census.

Field Conditions: The project base is a tented camp that consists of individual tents for sleeping, a large central dining/meeting tent, kitchen, western toilets/showers and a small library cabinet. Volunteers will stay in tents (2 per tent) and will share a row of communal toilets. Limited generator powered electricity will be available at the base. There is GSM (what is GSM?)coverage in some of the project area. All meals will be prepared for the team at the base and vegetarians can be catered for. Clothes can be washed at base.

Team Size: Maximum 14 volunteers plus staff (Researcher, assistants and camp staff). We will not run a slot if we have less than 4 people for a given time period .

Duration: 2-12 weeks broken up into 9 “two-week” 12 day slots. There are 9 ‘two week' (12 day) slots. Volunteers are able to participate in multiple slots of the program at a discount.

Project Summary:
Aims & Objectives

  • To conduct a census of the migrant and resident bird species
  • Compile a complete bird checklist for the Kalpitiya–Karaitive area
  • Document the distribution and abundance of resident and migratory birds
  • Develop a better understanding of the temporal and spatial distribution of birds
  • Gather data on bird population density
  • Identify rare, endangered or threatened bird species
  • Describe existing bird habitats in the Kalpitiya–Karaitive area
  • Identify critical bird habitats
  • Ascertain the number and the composition of bird fauna in a particular habitat
  • Develop a bird map for the whole area of interest.
  • Identify existing and potential threats on bird life
  • Evaluate the potential for ORNI–TOURISM in the Kalpitiya–Karaitive area
Background

Sri Lanka has over 450 species of birds recorded of which nearly 27 species are endemic to the island. A large number of migrant birds arrive during the winter of which waders and other coastal birds make up a significant proportion. Unfortunately, there is not enough data in regard to the migrant species that come to west coast of Sri Lanka – especially to the Kalpitiya peninsular.

The Kalpitiya region is one of the most beautiful coastal areas located in the Western Province of Sri Lanka. Kalpitiya is a peninsular that separates the Puttalam lagoon from the Indian Ocean and is a marine sanctuary with a diversity of habitats ranging from bar reefs, flat coastal plains, saltpans, mangroves swamps, salt marshes and vast sand dune beaches. There is little information available about this region. Nearly twenty-four species of cetaceans are found along the coastal waters and five species of marine turtles nest in its beaches. Dugongs inhabit the lagoon and the coastal habitats provide nesting and feeding grounds for hundreds of species of resident and migrant birds. Recently the Sri Lanka Tourist Board earmarked Kalpitiya as its next beach resort development site. It would be unfortunate to let Kalpitiya get devastated similar to the coastal habitats of the southern half of the island, which had some of its most important turtle and bird nesting beaches destroyed by the building of unregulated tourist resort hotels.

The total project area is approximately 3,000+ square miles and covers the coastal belt of the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka. The climate is tropical and temperatures can range from 21oC to 34oC. This area supposedly provides a home to over 240 species of migrant and resident bird species. This is also an area that has seen an increasing human presence. This has resulted in an increased threat to birds and their habitats. Currently, there is not enough data to develop strategies for the conservation and management of this region. From a conservation standpoint it makes sense to invest resources designed to develop management strategies for this incredibly unique coastal region over the long-term.

Study Animals:
  • All species of birds.
  • Other animals (mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates) will be observed and documented opportunistically

  Project Life and Volunteer Opportunities

You will conduct land and water based surveys in the ocean, lagoon, coastal plains, saltpans, mangroves swamps, salt marshes and sand dune beaches.

 

During a typical week the team will be divided into groups to carry out the following research activities in 2 daily sessions (morning - 06:00 - 11:00 , evening 15:00-19:00 and night 18:00 to 07:00 ):

 

1. Ground Surveys

-Line transects

For coastal shores 100m-200m transects will be used. Care must be taken not to disturb the habitat and the behavior of the birds.

-Point counts

Upland forest birds will be studied implementing point count methods.

 

2. Boat Surveys

Line transect method will be adopted.

 

Special attention will be given to counting roosting and foraging bird flocks

All opportunistic observations will be recorded and incorporated in the inventory.

Other faunal groups such as mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and butterflies will also be documented opportunistically.

 

3. Data Entry/Other work – you will be expected to help in the data entry so that all observations are digitized within 2 days of collection and you will be responsible for cleaning and maintaining in good order the equipment you are given to use for the research.

 

3. Other research

SLWCS is initiating a long term study of the area which includes conducting socio-economic studies, community development through English teaching, capacity building and marine/terrestrial surveys of other fauna and flora. You may help in these activities when possible.

 

For more information

SLWCS Kalpitiya Project Website

For availability info@escapetourism.com