Diurnal avifaunal diversity, species richness and density along the Bolgoda canal in the Bellanwila- Attidiya sanctuary, western Sri Lanka

Abstract

Diurnal Avifaunal diversity, density and species richness were studied along the Bolgoda Canal inBellanwi la- Attidiya Sanctuary (70 42/ N, 79° 49!E) of Western Sri Lanka from June 2005 to February2006. Six lines transect (length 500m) totaling 3.00 km and positioned along the Bolgoda canal weretravelled slowly on foot three times per month. The day was divided into three time periods as 0700-1000 (morning), 1200 - 1500 (noon) and 1500 - 1800 (evening). Data were collected three times permonth for each time period. All birds seen within one hundred meters on either side of each transectwere recorded. Fifty-two bird species were recorded including globally endangered spotted billedpelican (Pelecanus philippensisi and four migratory species (Actitis hypoleucos,Burhinusodicnemus, Gelochelidon nilotica, Terpsiphone paradisi). Species diversity was significantly highin December 2005 and low in August 2005. (ANaYA, F= 17.00, p<0.05) Species density wassignificantly high in September 2005 and low in June (ANaYA, F =15.00, p>0.05) Highest speciesrichness was recorded in the morning session (Species richness 26.32 ± 0.021) and the lowest speciesrichness was recorded in the noon session (Species richness 18.82 ± 0.031). Species richness variedfrom33.12 ± 0.023 in August47.54 ± 0.31 in December 2005. Relative abundant indicated that HouseCrow (Corvus splendenss was the most abundant species while Lesser Wh istling Duck (Dendrocyonajavanica) was the least abundance species. Present study revealed that although the study site is inclose proximity to densely populated residential area; it still provides a vital habitat to large number ofbird species and therefore warrants protection.