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Bird migrations
Giving it the bird!
Nearly 200 migrant birds conveniently follow the traditional tourist season, though for different reasons . Some arrive from Northern Himalayas heralded by the call of the Indian Pitta. Around a hundred species like Shrike, purple- capped Kingfisher return each year. The rest are visiting or vagrant birds which join 233 resident species making this island a bird watchers dream. In addition Sea birds and waders like Shearwaters, Petrels, storm Petrels who migrate to the warmer waters during the southern winter months are seen off shore.
Kalamatiya Bird Sanctuary is a mature mangrove swamp with an extraordinary collection of avifauna. Bundala is good for water and shore birds like coromants, water snakes and flocks of resident Flamingo while Sinharaja is a biodiversity hotspot ideal for endemics. Up at high altitude the black Eagle, Mountain hawk eagles, Brahminy Kites (even glimpsed in the middle of Colombo) Serpent Eagles and the occasional majestic White-bellied Sea Eagle usually seen along the coast, prey on smaller mammals and birds.
Alfred Hitchcock eat your heart out.
Making bird watching part of your Sri Lanka holiday.
The Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary is located 20 minutes east of Tangalle. All the accommodation around Tangalle area is within easy reach of the Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary.
Bundala National Park is situated further east in the southeast part of the country in the
semi arid zone. Park belongs to Southern Province. The park consist of four lagoons, salt pans, marshes, thorny scrub lands, sand dunes, dry mixed ever green forests and dry grass lands. Bundala National Park is located approximately one hour east of Tangalle. All the accommodation around Tangalle is suitable.
Kumana is one of the best locations to see migratory and aquatic birds including flamingos, herons, ibis and many others nesting in the mangrove swamps. May and June are the best months. Kumana is located north of Yala National Park and can be reached easily from Arugam Bay.
In Yala National Park over 140 bird species have recorded. Changeable Hawk Eagle, Crested serpent Eagle, Malabar pied Hornbill, Jungle fowl, painted Stork, White Ibis and Black necked Stork are frequently seen. In Yala National Park stay with Kulu Safaris or Leopard Safaris.
Uda Walawe is also well known for its birdlife. The main raptors found in the park are crested serpent eagle, changeable hawk eagle, white-bellied sea eagle & grey-headed fishing eagle. Painted stork, open bill, little & Indian cormorant, Indian darter, many species of waders are also common. Among the forest birds are the warblers, Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Malabar pied hornbill, Sikir Malkoha, Blue face Malkoha, common Caucal, and grey hornbill. In Uda Walawe, again stay with Kulu Safaris or Leopard Safaris.
Sinharaja is one of the most biologically diversified Natural Rain Forests in
the world recognized as a world heritage by UNESCO in 1990. Its rich avifauna consists of
435 species out of which 25 are endemic. If you want to base yourself around Sinharaja we recommend Boulder Garden.
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