Sinharaja with Matt Jones, 1-3 Mar, 2007

Matt Jones is an Englishman living in Spain. He had come to do volunteer work with Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society’s (SLWCS) field camp in Wasgomuwa (doing Elephant Conservation work mainly) and was referred to me by its Operations Director, Chandeep Corea. We stayed overnight in Martin’s Simple Lodge. A non-birder, Matt was rather lucky to see day time views of two high-profile owls in the form of Bay Owl (my last sighting) and Serendib Scops Owl—two dream birds on the list of wants on most serious birders visiting Sri Lanka. The other top highlight has got to be a pair of Sri Lanka Scaly Thrush which "guided" us for 200 metres along the track, giving great scope views during a cloudy late afternoon.