|
 |
Bird Watching, Sri Lanka. |
 |
|
 |
|
Sri lanka is truly a paradise for birds, especially around the bird sanctuaries and wetland reserves in the south east of the island. More than 400 species have been spotted with 21 endemic to Sri Lanka, while some have been found only in south India. Any visit to a nature reserve, garden, or wetland area will be rewarded with an astonishing variety. Most of the endemic species can be seen in protected areas.
Bird Sanctuaries
The sanctuaries at Kumana 312 km. from Colombo, Wirawila 261 km. Bundala 259 km. and Kalametiya 224 km. are all lagoon locations in Sri Lanka's extreme south eastern coast. The Giant's Tank in the north western corner of the island is a huge ancient irrigation reservoir of 3,800 hectares. The coastal sanctuaries are exotically picturesque with combinations of lagoon, swamp, river, jungle, lake and plain. Large flocks can be found here of both resident and migrant aquatic birds. The highland sanctuaries at Udawattakele 118 km. from Colombo and the Peak Wilderness 141 km. are quieter but equally picturesque with wooded hills and secluded streams and have the added bonus of rare flora such as our unique Wesak Orchid as well as numerous species of rare butterflies. The Udawattakele Sanctuary is in the suburbs of Kandy, our picturesque and fascinating hill capital. The Peak Wilderness is situated on the slopes of Adam's Peak (Sri Pada), Sri Lanka's sacred mountain.
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
Hotels related to
Bird Watching |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Highlights of
Ahangama |
|
|
|
» Udawattekele Bird Sanctuary
About lkm (0.6 miles) east of Trinity College, off Wewelpitiya Road, this is one of Sri Lanka's more accessible bird sanctuaries.It is a stretch of wilderness only a stone's throw from the city center with towering forest giants and creepers giving shelter to bird species including Layard's parakeet, Sri Lanka hanging parrot, yellow-fronted barbet, black capped bulbul, emerald dove, three species of kingfisher, chestnut-headed bee eater and Tickells's blue fly catcher. It is also the home of scores of macaque monkeys, and huge, vividly painted butterflies float across the paths.
|
» Kandalama Sanctuary
There is 55 acre forest with a variety of trees, some 100 years or more in age, around the Kandalama tank including medicinal plants and a rich and varied bird life. Kandalama offers one of the best bird watching opportunities in the north central province.
The diversity in habitat and the tank provides the visitors the opportunity to observe more than 145 species, which is almost one third of total number of bird life in Sri Lanka. This population consists of the arboreal, terrestrial and aquatic birds. One can also observe many waders and raptors too.
|
» Horton Plains National Park
Within the Nuwara Eliya district and the only National Park located in the Hill Country, this boats some superb panoramic scenery, with the famous 'World's End' a major attraction. Endemic loris and purple monkey are among the important animal species, as well as sambhur and endemic avifauna.
|
» Knuckles Range/Corbet's Gap
Some of the endemics birds encountered here are the Sri Lanka yellow-eared bulbul ( Iole indica ) Sri Lanka mynah ( Gracula philogenys ) and Sri Lanka dull-blue flycatcher ( Eumyias sordida ).
|
» Kithulgala Forest Reserve
The Kithulgala forest is a secondary rain forest situated beside the Kelani River, one of our longest rivers. There is a tributary flowing through the forest to this river. The forest reserve has a high biodiversity. Though it is mostly secondary forest, it's faunal and floral diversity is very similar to a primary forest. Wild boar, Toque Macaque, Purple faced leaf monkey, and Barking deer are some of the interesting mammal species.Among the interesting bird species Red faced Malkoha, Ceylon Blue Magpie, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, Frog Mouth and Layard's Parakeet are outstanding
|
» Bodhinagala (Dombagaskanda)
Situated surrounding a Buddhist monastery, this tropical rain forest is rich in fauna and flora and is a good birding venue in the western province, close to Colombo. There are close to 150 species of birds recorded including several endemics such as Legge's Flowerpecker, Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Spot-winged Thrush and the endangered Green-billed Coucal. . Some of the other birds recorded here include Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, Large Cuckooshrike and Indian Blue Robin. Some of the reptiles recorded here are Earless Lizard and Humped-nosed Lizard. You can also see a wide diversity of butterflies which includes Yamfly, Malayan, Tawny Rajah and Cingalese Bushbrown. You could also see many fish species such as Giant Danio, Smooth-breasted Snakehead, Horadandiya and the rare Jonklaas's Loach. |
» Birdwatching - Colombo
Situated 11 km. from the Colombo, the Zoo has a fine collection of animals, birds, reptiles and fish from all over the world. The aquarium is the only one of its kind in Asia and displays over 500 varieties of aquatic life. Also walk in through Aviary, Reptilium, Butterfly Park. There are daily elephant performance at 5.15 p.m. |
» Kalmateiya Bird Sanctuary
A mature mangrove swamp, home to a variety of water birds. The best time to see birds is from November to March. You can also see herds of elephants.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
