Birding in Ceylon

Kithulgala is a small town belonging to the wet zone of the country partially being in the rain forestry area with two monsoons per year. The small rainforest consists of a limited range of rainforest bird species and lush green vegetation. This small wetland is famed in water-based activities native to its premises. Famous excursions playing in the river, jungle walks, waterfall jumps, slides, white water rafting, Mountain biking on the roads or in the forest, Bird Watching, Visit pre historic Beli Lena caves, in which the 32000-year-old skeletal remains of the prehistoric ‘Balangoda man’ (Homesepiens Balangodensis) and delicious Sri Lankan lunch at the end of all. Kithulgala is more widely known as the location for the filming of ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’

The Makandawa Forest Reserve is one of Sri Lanka’s richest and most unspoiled rainforests. It covers an area of 1155 hectares and lies close to the village of Kithulgala, the reserve hosts a plethora of rare and endemic flora and fauna. For those interested in the flora and fauna; there are a number of rare species to be observed here. These include 54 rare bird species such as the endemic Sri Lankan Orange-billed Babbler, Green billed Coucal, the Chestnut-backed Owlet, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Ceylon jungle & spur fowl, Layard’s Parakeet, Ceylon Lorikeet, Common Hill Mynah, the Black-rumped Flameback, Sri Lankan Crested Drongo, Ceylon Grey Hornbill, and the Sri Lankan Brown-capped Babbler; and several species of endemic butterflies, dragonflies and reptiles. The most commonly seen mammal is the Grizzled-tailed giant squirrel, while the Red Slender Loris is more rarely seen.

Sinharaja is the country’s last viable area of primary tropical rainforest. More than 60% of the trees are endemic and many of them are considered rare. 50% of Sri Lankan’s endemics species of animals (especially butterfly, amphibians, birds, snakes and fish species). It is home to 95% endemic birds. Because of the dense vegetation, wildlife is not as easily seen as at dry-zone national parks such as Yala. There are about 3 elephants, and 15 leopards. The most common larger mammal is the endemic purple-faced langur. Birds tend to move in mixed feeding flocks, invariably led by the fearless Sri Lanka Crested Drongo and the noisy orange-billed babbler. Of Sri Lanka’s 26 endemic birds, the 20 rainforest species all occur here, including the elusive red-faced malkoha, green-billed coucal and Sri Lanka blue magpie. Reptiles include the endemic green pit viper and hump-nosed vipers, and there are a large variety of amphibians, especially tree frogs. Invertebrates include the endemic common birdwing butterfly and leeches.

Sinharaja is the country’s last viable area of primary tropical rainforest. More than 60% of the trees are endemic and many of them are considered rare. 50% of Sri Lankan’s endemics species of animals (especially butterfly, amphibians, birds, snakes and fish species). It is home to 95% endemic birds. Because of the dense vegetation, wildlife is not as easily seen as at dry-zone national parks such as Yala. There are about 3 elephants, and 15 leopards. The most common larger mammal is the endemic purple-faced langur. Birds tend to move in mixed feeding flocks, invariably led by the fearless Sri Lanka Crested Drongo and the noisy orange-billed babbler. Of Sri Lanka’s 26 endemic birds, the 20 rainforest species all occur here, including the elusive red-faced malkoha, green-billed coucal and Sri Lanka blue magpie. Reptiles include the endemic green pit viper and hump-nosed vipers, and there are a large variety of amphibians, especially tree frogs. Invertebrates include the endemic common birdwing butterfly and leeches.

Udawalawa National Park is located on the border of Uva and Sabaragamuwa provinces in Sri Lanka. The main purpose of owning the national park is to provide a sanctuary for wild animals that have lost their habitat due to the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River. National Park definitely the best place to see elephants in Sri Lanka: there are about 500 elephants in the park. National Park is also home to Sri Lankan other wild animals such as birds including Grey Hornbills and Brown-capped Babblers as well as birds of prey such as the White-bellied Sea Eagle and the Crested Serpent-eagle. rusty cats, fishing cats and Sri Lankan leopards, and other species include Sri Lankan Sambar deer, Sri Lankan Axis Deer Sri Lankan Spotted Chevrolet, Wild Boar and Buffalo. The figures of golden jackal, Asian palm civet, short-tailed macaque, tufted gray languor and Indian hare are also recorded. There are a large number of palm musk deer here, as well as five species of mice, Indian jungle rats and three types of mongooses.

Bundala National Park is an internationally important wintering ground for migratory water birds in Sri Lanka. Bundala harbors 197 species of birds, the highlight being the greater flamingo, which migrate in large flocks. which often include over 1,000 birds are quite prominent among the avifauna. The lagoons at the park attract a great variety of aquatic birds: among them are ibis, pelicans, painted storks, Black-necked Stork, terns, gulls, sand-pipers, snipes, teals, egrets, and spoonbills. Endemic birds include the Brown-capped Babbler, Ceylon Woodshrike, and Ceylon Junglefowl. Bundala is home to 32 species of mammals. Among them are civets, wild boars, Grey & Ruddy mongoose, porcupine, giant Indian palm squirrels, black-naped hares, Spotted Deer, Wild buffalo, the endemic, jackal and fishing & Rusty Spotted cats. While most commonly seen mammals are the hordes of grey langur and Toque Macaque.

The Yala National Park is the second largest national park in Sri Lanka. Situated in the south- eastern corner of the island. It is famous for its high density of leopards, perhaps the highest in the world. Yala is also home to a plethora of reptilian species and platoons of crocodiles. Common in Sri Lanka, there is a huge diversity of spectacular birdlife, including migratory species such as the flamingo. It is also one of the few places in the world where you can still see the severely endangered black-necked stork. The Yala National Park is famous among visitors as the best place to view large mammals within one territory. The park’s uniqueness is the sheer diversity of the habitat: dense jungles suddenly give way to lagoons and open plain areas, and the park has a simply beautiful seafront.

Nuwara Eliya – “The City of Light” was the favorite hill station of the British, a scenic town 2500 m above sea level surrounded by misty mountain ranges, pine forests and tea cultivations. Nuwara Eliya has a much cooler climate, which is in stark contrast to the tropical climate experienced in other parts of the island. This is probably why Nuwara Eliya is also known as ‘Little England’. The areas around Nuwara Eliya also provide the main output of tea in Sri Lanka. A trip to the highlands of Sri Lanka is never complete without witnessing the age-old traditional tea plucking and sipping a cup of “Ceylon Tea”. Nuwara Eliya has a fair assortment of British Country style houses and an 18-hole Golf Course, which is a real beauty with its scenic location considered to be one of the finest in Asia and a picturesque Race Course where horse races are held.

Horton Plains National is a national park in the central highlands of Sri Lanka that was designated in 1988. It is located at an elevation of 2,100–2,300 m and encompasses montane grassland and cloud forest. It is rich in biodiversity and many species found here are endemic to the region. It is also a popular tourist destination and is situated 6 km from the world-famous Ohiya Gap and 32 km from Nuwara Eliya. The plains’ vegetation is grasslands interspersed with montane forest and includes many endemic woody plants. Large herds of Sri Lankan sambar deer feature as typical mammals and the park is also an Important Bird Area with many species not only endemic to Sri Lanka but restricted to the Horton Plains. The sheer precipice of World’s End and Baker’s Falls are among the tourist attractions of the park.

Tea Plantation & Factory – Proceed to a tea plantation and factory in the mountains where you will have the unusual opportunity of joining tea pluckers in picking the signature ‘two leaves and a bud’ which are later processed as tea for export around the world. This is a fine art and you will have the chance to learn it from the experts as they pluck these tender buds with precision and speed. Make your way to the factory where you will observe the process that transforms the raw green leaf in to the familiar brown particles of made tea. After experiencing tea production participate in a tea tasting session to sample some of the various grades of tea produced at the estate’s factory.

Kandy is an ancient hill capital and the last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings before the island was finally ceded to the British in 1815. It bears strong influence of the influence of Buddhism in the country and is revered by Buddhists as a sacred city because of the ‘Dalada Maligawa” Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. Kandy is the venue of the annual glittering pageant each August where the Buddha’s Tooth Relic in a golden casket is paraded on a majestic elephant accompanied by over 100 elephants, fire dancers, and ceremonial whip crackers, dancers and drummers.

Kurulu Kele Bird Sanctuary is a park which is situated in Kegalle. Located in the lowland wet zone it was declared as a sanctuary in the year 1941 because of its variety of bird species and plant diversity. The best seasons to visit the park is August, September, December, January or February. This is when the monsoonal rains are not active and visitors will be able to enjoy the scenic beauty of the many birds of the park. It is a rich and diverse bird sanctuary with both typical and migrant birds to be seen.