Worldnature55

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is home to the finest wild animals in South Asia and a wildlife hotspot with countless national parks and forest reserves. The small island of Sri Lanka has wonder of forest and wild animals such as birds, reptiles and home to large population of elephants,sloth bear and leopards.
The bird life of Sri Lanka is very rich for its size and about 433 species have been recorded, of which 33 are endemic.
And if you happen to be here in the paradise island, an experience that you cannot miss is a visit to a national park. Safaris can be arranged from any hotel or you can simply hire one of the many safari jeeps to take a wild ride into a park to see, up close the many amazing beasts that roam the island.

Kithulgala Forest Resere

Being situated in the wet zone Kitulgala receives rainfall from two monsoons every year, giving the region its lush green vegetation, verdant mountains and the impressive Kelani River's cascading waters.
The Kitulgala Forest Reserve covering 1.155 ha was established with the objective of protecting the catchment of the Kelani River. It is a secondary lowland rainforest gradually moving towards higher elevations and is accessible by crossing the Kelani River by boat (usually a traditional dugout canoe with an outrigger) and it is sometimes possible to wade across during the dry seasons.
The bird species found here include 54 rare species; this includes the Green Billed Coucal, the Chestnut-backed Owlet, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Ceylon Jungle & Spur Fowl, Layard's Parakeet, Ceylon Blue Magpie and many migrant waders who visit the forest reserve during the migration season. The mammals commonly seen here are the Grizzled-tailed Giant Squirrel and the rarely seen Red Slender Loris.

Sinharaja Rainforest
The forest steeped in deep legend and mystery. The word Sinharaja means, lion (sinha) king (raja) and the popular belief is that the legendary origin of the Sinhala people in Sri Lanka is from the descendants of the union the lion king who once lived in the forest and a princess.
Sinharaja Forest Reserve is one of the least disturbed and biologically unique lowland rain forests now remaining in Sri Lanka.
Bird Watching in this ecosystem is particularly interesting because it is home to 95% of the endemic birds of Sri Lanka.

Udawalawe National Park
It is most famous for the many Elephants that live there (about 400 in total). During a visit, it is not unusual to see whole herds of adults and young Elephants feeding or bathing and playing in the water! In addition to this main attraction, the park is home to many Water Buffalo, Water Monitor Lizards, Sambar Deer, Monkeys and the occasional Leopard, as well as being an exciting location for bird enthusiasts.

Mirissa
Whale and Dolphin watching in Mirissa is one of the most exciting water activities you can do in Sri Lanka during your holiday.
Mirissa is the best place to start your Whale and Dolphin watching tour in Sri Lanka. In warm Indian ocean you can see Blue Whales, Bryde s Whales, Sperm Whales, Fin Whales, sometimes Killer Whales, and Common Dlphins, Bottlenose Dolphins, Spinner Folphins, Risso's Dolphins and Striped Dolphins. Sometimes you can see Turtles and various fish species, for example Bluefin Tuna and Flying Fish.

Yala National Park
Of all the National Parks in Sri Lanka, Yala National Park gives the best opportunity to witness Sri Lanka's broad variety of wildlife: colorful Painted Stork in troops are seen perched at the shores of lagoon where the Crocodiles too have chosen to doze off; lovely Fantailed Peacocks in their resplendent blues and

greens parade about amidst the woods where Monkeys hang, leap and chatter; in the bush jungle are the Elephants; crossing the tracks and wandering off into the thorny scrub jungle is the star attraction of the park: the Leopard.

Bundala National Park
Bundala National Park is an internationally important wintering ground for migratory water birds.
Bundala harbors 197 species, the highlight being the Greater Flamingo, which migrate in large flocks.
In 1991 Bundala became the first wetland to be declared as a Ramsar site in Sri Lanka.
Other water birds which are present in large numbers include Lesser Whistling Duck, Garganey, Little Cormorant, Indian Cormorant, Grey Heron, Black-headed Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbill, Asian Openbill, Black-necked Stork and Lesser Adjutant. The forest is an important habitat for the endangered Sri Lankan Elephant, Sri Lankan Sambar Deer, Indian Gray Mongoose, Sri Lankan Axis Deer and Golden Jackal are the other mammals found in the park.

Horton Plains National Park
Horton Plains National Park, a World Heritage Site perched on the southern edge of the Central Highlands, consists of montane forests, where the land rises to 2.500 meters above sea-level. Horton Plains is home to an extraordinary range of flora and fauna, including several endangered species such as the Western-purple-faced Langur, Sambar Deer and Giant Squirrel. This is one of the best places in the island for bird watching. Montane endemics include Sri Lanka White Eye, Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon, Ceylon Hill Munia & Dull-blue Flycatcher.

Udawattakele Forest
Udawattakele Forest Reserve, is a historic forest reserve on a hill-ridge in the city of Kandy. It is 104 hectares large. The reserve contains a great variety of plant species, especially lianas, shrubs and small trees. The rich vegetation of the forest is home to many wild animals. The park hosts 80 bird species including endemic birds like Sri Lankan Myna, Layard s Parakeet, Sri Lankan Horn Bill, Yellow Fronted Barbet.

Sigiriya Bird Sanctuary
Surrounding Sigiriya Rock Fortress is a forest reserve which is a very good bird watching destination. It is a well-protected beautiful area with waterways and thick green forests making it a heaven for birds. Home to over 65 species of endemic, resident and migratory birds both familiar and rare, raptors such as the Shaheen Falcon, White Bellied Sea Eagles, Grey Headed Fish Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle and Crested Hawk Eagle are found here.

Trincomalee
Trincomalee is arguably one of Sri Lanka's most underrated destinations. While plenty of tourists flock to the beautiful south coast of the island, only a few have started to venture to the northeast. With a laidback attitude, long stretches of white sand and clear water, interesting Hindu culture, and delicious fresh seafood, Trincomalee has the perfect combination for a beach holiday.

Trip Report

This trip was made in november 2017. The main focus was on Birds (207 species) but i did manage to find about 210 other species. (Butterfly/Mammals/Reptiles/Plants/Others).
On my first day in Negombo I did a walk along the shoreline southwards to the vegetable/fish-market. On that way i found a couple off Common Terns/Common Redshank and some nice ghost-crabs (Ocypode brevicornis). On the way back i passed a small wetland area with some nice birds. (Red-wattled Lapwing, Indian Pond Heron, Little Cormorant, Purple Heron).
At Kithulgala we had a very nice hotel along the Kelani Ganga River and with a a beautiful green garden. Birds seen here are: Sri Lanka Swallow, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Black-hooded Oriole, Yellow-billed Babbler and Spot-winged Thrush.
The next morning we used a suspension bridge to cross the river and stayed there a couple of hours. Birds seen are: Chestnut-backed Owlet, Green Imperial Pigeon, Orange Minivet, Golden-fronted Leafbird and Tickell's Blue Flycatcher. Other species include Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Toque Macaque, Common Green Forest Lizard and a dozen butterfies (Common Rose, Clipper, White Four-ring, Lemon Emigrant and Dark-branded Bushbrown).
Later on that day we visisted the spot where the famous movie "Bridge on the River Kwai" was shooted. Here i found some dragonfly (Black-tipped Flashwing, Green's Gem, Pied Parasol) and some new bird-species (Black-capped Bulbul, Layard's Parakeet, Greater Coucal).
The next morning we did a stroll along the river seeing: Spotted Dove, Pale-billed Flowerpecker, Square-tailed Bulbul, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater and Yellow-fronted Barbet.
The Sinharaja Rainforest has very dense vegetation, so it's hard to fotograph wildlife here. But we found a mixed-species feeding flock leaded by Orange-billed Babbler and the Sri Lanka Drongo. The flock included: Red-faced Malkoha, Crimson-backed Flameback, Dark-fronted Babbler, Ashy-headed Laughingthrush and Black-naped Monarch. Later that day we encouterd a pair of Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Malabar Trogon and Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill. Mammals seen where: Layard's Palm Squirrel, Ruddy Mongoose and Purple-faced Leaf Monkey.
Just outside the park there is a family living who managed to attract some special species at there feeding tabels; Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Slaty-legged Crake,
Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Green-billed Coucal, Legge's Flowerpecker and Sri Lanka Scimitar Babbler. They also know the spot where the recently discovered Serendib Scops Owl can be found. Sinharaja is not an aesy place to see birds; Just take time and you will be rewarded with very nice species.
The main purpose of having Udawalawe National Park was to provide a sanctuary to the wild animals that lost their habitat due to the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River. The park has large areas of open grasslands and bushy forest, so it's a great spot for game-driving. Beside seeing a dozen Sri Lankan Elephants on our first drive we also have seen: Jungle Prinia, Orange-breasted Green Pigeon, Yellow-eyed Babbler, Ashy Prinia, Barred Buttonquail, Jerdon's Bush Lark, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle and Malabar Pied Hornbill.
The next morning we made a drive more closely to the resevoir. Animals seen include: Sri Lankan Jackal, Chital, Bengal Monitor, Indian Rat Snake, Marsh Crocodile, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Spot-billed Pelican, Woolly-necked Stork, Painted Stork and Oriental Darter.
Mirissa is a beautiful little fishing village with a nice beach. On arrival i went to the port where the fisherman where unloading ther tuna-fish into large refrigerated trucks. Still there where some nice things to see: Mottled Lightfoot Crab, Indo-Pacific Sergeant, Moorish Idol, Stellate Puffer, Convict Surgeonfish.
The next morning within an hour's boat ride we saw our first Blue Whale. Becourse the waters are shallow overthere the whale was just driving around. An hour later (about 20 km out off coast) we saw our second whale and due to the deeper waters it made several dives, showing its tail beautifuly.

Sri Lanka

This list, give's you a nice idea of the things I h've photographed. So explore the list, to see nice picture's of different familie-goups; there are also detailed list available of the different species.

Trip List

• Birds
• Butterflies & Moths
• Plants
• Others

• 207
• 051
• 071
• 091

There are also some pictures available of the

• Scenery

When you want to know more about this region, you have to visit my travelpages.

This trip is made possible by

There were not much birds to see on see (in fact none) but i photographed three species of flying fish. (Backspot Flyingfish, Stained Flyingfish, Backspot Flyingfish) Finding the Blue Whale was one off my main objects of this trip, but be aware; it's TOURISTIC overthere.
The evening before going to Yala whe visited Debarawewa Lake, where our guide found some great species. (Black Bittern, Yellow Bittern, Grey-headed Swamphen, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Cotton Pygmy Goose) and some nice vieuws of Jungle Owlet, Indian Scops Owl, Brown Fish Owl. In a nearby three there where loads off Indian Flying Fox.
Yala National Park is the most visited national park in Sri Lanka with record-breaking numbers every passing year, so we went early, but stil have to wait about an hour to get the entance-ticket. We had lunch at the primary beach spot open to public; it's the place which was wiped out by the Asian Tsunami killing 47 people. Remnants of the devastation and a memorial for the dead gives a profound moment of silence and solitude.
Beside Sri Lankan Elephant, we had good vieuws of Indian Wild Boar, Sri Lankan Sambar, Tufted Gray Langur. Birds seen: Crested Treeswift, Indian Paradise Flycatcher, Indian Robin, Black-headed Ibis, Lesser Whistling Duck, Great Stone-curlew and White-browed Bulbul.
The Bundala National Park has a landscape of marshes, lagoons, salt pans and forest. From the dikes we had good vieuws of waders (Small Pratincole, Lesser Sand Plover, Kentish Plover, Little Stint) and feeding terns (Caspian Tern, Greater Crested Tern, Gull-billed Tern). Furtermore we saw Watercock, Baya Weaver, Lesser Cuckoo and Clamorous Reed Warble.
The Horton Plains form an plateau, covered by wild grasslands and interspersed with patches of thick forest, rocky outcrops, filigree waterfalls and misty lakes. Birds seen here: Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher, Yellow-eared Bulbul, Sri Lanka White-eye, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Hill Swallow and Pied Bush Chat. In the garden around the hotel I found Indian Palm Squirrel, Indian Brown Mongoose, Dull-blue Flycatcher, Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon and Common Tailorbird. Victoria Park is a 27-acre public park situated at the centre of Nuwara Eliya. We found some wonderful tropical birds perched on the trees around. (Indian Pitta, Kashmir Flycatcher, White-breasted Waterhen, Brown-breasted Flycatcher). It is very pleasant here; nice (thanks to the high altitude) and many special birds; note that it can be foggy overthere.
Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhalese monarchy and is the home of the Temple of the Tooth Relic, one of the most sacred places of worship in the Buddhist world. Behind the temple you can find the Udawattakele Forest Reserve. In the reserve we found: White-bellied Drongo, Common Hawk-Cuckoo, White-rumped Shama, Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Toque Macaque, Northern Red Muntjac, Indian Black Turtle and a Water Monitor. It is definitely recommended to visit the temple and go to a cultural dance performance at the Kandy Lake Club.
We made a couple off walks in and around the Sigiriya Bird Sanctuary. Birds seen here: Common Lora, Sri Lanka Woodshrike, Crimson-fronted Barbet, Coppersmith Barbet, Red-backed Flameback, Small Minivet, Black Drongo, Stork-billed Kingfisher and Asian Koel. I did also made some good pictures off butterfly: Common Grass Dart, Common Indian Crow, Pioneer and Common Gull.
There was a lot of rain and a strong winds in Trincomalee, so it was impossible to do some snorkling. Walking along the beach, i did seen some terns (Lesser Crested Tern, Little Tern), some waders (Greater Sand Plover, Grey Plover, Eurasian Whimbrel) as well as Loten's Sunbird, Brown-headed Barbet, White-throated Kingfisher and Brahminy Kite.