In celebration of the Lunuganga gardens 75th anniversary, Tree Talks podcast explores the lives of flora and ecosystems within the gardens. Bought on the eve of independence in 1948, Lunuganga is Geoffrey Bawa’s first and longest running architectural endeavour, join us as we unravel the intricacies of this living archive.
The strength of an ecosystem can be measured by the diversity of the birds that call it home. Prof. Sarath Kotagama takes a casual stroll through the varying sculpted landscapes of Lunuganga, and highlights active birds that have formed their habitats in and around the garden. This episode highlights the wonder and adaptability of birds to their environment and how humans too can learn to live in alignment with nature.
Sarath Kotagama is a Sri Lankan ornithologist and environmentalist. He holds a BSc from the University of Colombo and a PhD from the University of Aberdeen, focusing on the behavioural ecology of the rose-ringed parakeet. Kotagama served as a lecturer at the University of Colombo and the Open University of Sri Lanka, and as Director of the Department of Wildlife Conservation. He was appointed Professor of Environmental Science at the University of Colombo and later became Professor Emeritus. Kotagama has been a consultant to various organisations and held leadership roles in conservation societies. He received the "2003 Distinguished Service Award for Environment Education and Journalism" from the International Society for Conservation Biology. The endemic toad species Duttaphrynus kotagamai was named in his honour. In 2017, he was awarded the title of Vidya Jyothi by the Government of Sri Lanka.
Legend
1. Ha ha
Spotted Dove (alu kobeiya)
Bronzewing Pigeon
Black-crested Cuckooshrike
Rose-ringed Parakeets
White-browed Bulbul
2. Main House
Fantail Flycatcher
Sri Lanka Junglefowl
Crimson-fronted Barbet
Tickell's Flowerpecker
3. Roman Pavilion
Koha/Asian Koel
Brahminy Kite
Crested Hawk-Eagle
Tailorbird
Red-backed Flameback
Black-crested Cuckooshrike
White-breasted Waterhen
Brown-headed Barbet
Black-capped Bulbul
Crimson-throated Barbet
Stork-billed Kingfisher
Yellow-billed Babbler
Red-vented Bulbul
4. Broadwalk
White-breasted Waterhen
Brown-headed Barbet
Black-capped Bulbul
Crimson-throated Barbet
Stork-billed Kingfisher
Yellow-billed Babbler
Red-vented Bulbul
Compendium of Species Mentioned in this Episode
Flora
Ixora
Loranthus
Areca
Fauna
Spotted Dove (Western)/Alu Kobeiya (Spilopelia chinensis suratensis/ceylonensis)
Common Bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera)
Pale-billed Flowerpecker/Tickell's flowerpecker (Dicaeum erythrorhynchos)
Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri)
Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius)
White-browed Bulbul (Pycnonotus luteolus insulae/Pycnonotus luteolus)
Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer)
Black-capped Bulbul (Pycnonotus melanicterus/Rubigula melanictera)
Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus)
Sri Lanka Junglefowl (Gallus lafayettii/Gallus lafayettii)
White-spotted Fantail (Rhipidura albogularis)
Brown-headed Barbet (Psilopogon zeylanicus)
Crimson-fronted Barbet (Psilopogon rubricapillus)
Stork-billed Kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis)
Yellow-billed Babbler (Argya affinis taprobanus/Argya affinis)
White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus)
Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus)
Changeable Hawk-Eagle/Crested Hawk Eagle (Nisaetus cirrhatus)
*There are variations in naming conventions, many bird species are known by several names.
Additional References
lena/Indian Palm Squirrel (Funambulus palmarum)
Alexandrine Parakeet (Psittacula eupatria)
Drongo
Canopy Bids
Minivet
Monarch flycatcher
Birds That Nest On The Ground (Ground Dwelling Birds)
Dark-fronted Babbler (Dumetia atriceps)
Magpie
Lorikeet
Endemic Species of Sri Lanka: Avifaunal List of Sri Lanka (168): Sri Lanka Swallow (Cecropis hyperythra), Yellow-fronted Barbet (Psilopogon flavifrons), Crimson-fronted Barbet (Psilopogon rubricapillus), Red-backed, Flameback (Dinopium psarodes)
Midday Birds: Barbet, Hornbill
Sunbirds
Credits
Produced by: Geoffrey Bawa Trust
Supervising Producer: Aneesha Mustachi
Coordinator: Dhaneesha Tharakie
Audio Engineer: Shamin De Silva
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Geoffrey Bawa Trust.