Why Sri Lanka is a Best Travel Destination in the World - The most welco...

Birds of Sri Lanka - Pale Billed Flowerpecker

Pale Billed Flowerpecker is the smallest bird in Sri Lanka.

Some helpful tips to be an ethical wildlife photographer

 

Wildlife photography is an essential tool to inspire the desire to protect wildlife. It has the power to turn people on to the wonder of nature. But we must remember to put the welfare of the subject first. Even though there are no clear guidelines a few basic principles that can help make the way clearer.

·         Know the signs of the stress of your subject species – There is always a stress for the animals when we flock around their natural feeding and gathering places but we have to be very aware of our effects so that it can be minimized.

·         Take special care at breeding season – Special care needs during this season. We have to avoid actions that might result in driving parents away from the young allowing them more vulnerable to predators.

·         Not to destroy or alter the habitat for a better view or scene.

·         Do not feed wildlife for a better shot and honor their wildness.

·         Be transparent on how a photograph was made

Build your reputation as a wildlife photographer by doing it in a more responsible manner.

Why Sri Lanka is a top priority for bird watchers around the world?

 

Having 33 endemic bird species with a total number of 509 bird species including the migrant birds Sri Lanka provides an unparalleled birding experience for any serious bird watcher.  With its rich bio diversity and various climatic conditions it never fails to satisfy any bird watcher who comes to Sri Lanka from any part of the world. Whether you are a serious bird watcher or a casual bird watcher it always has options. During the migration season more than 200 species arrives Sri Lanka from India, Siberia, Scandinavia, and Western Europe. The latter part of the year is the best time for bird watching in Sri Lanka. In my naturalist life, some of our clients have become serious bird watchers and nature lovers after having a casual walk with me because of the diversity of nature we have here. Even in the capital city of Colombo provides greater opportunities for bird watching in places like Diyasaru Park – Thalawathugoda and Baddegana Wetland Park.

Some of the popular destinations for bird watching in Sri Lanka are

·         Sinharaja Rain Forest

·         Bundala National Park

·         Kumana National Park

·         Horton Plains National Park

·         Anawilundawa Ramsar Wetland

·         Wilpattu National Park

·         Kitulgala

·         Galsway Forest – Nuwaraeliya

·         Minneriya National Park

·         Kaudulla National Park

Victoria Park Nuwara-eliya - නුවරඑළිය වික්ටෝරියා උද්‍යානය

Originally Victoria Park Nuwara Eliya was the research center of the Hakgala Botanical Garden and subsequently it was renamed after Queen Victoria in 1897. It covers about 27 acres of land and best to visit during the flowering season from March to May and August to September.

The Nanu Oya River runs through the park, creating number of small lakes.

Number of bird species can be observed in the park. Velvet fronted nuthatch, grey head canary fly catcher are some of them.

Small children's play ground is at the far end of the park.

Littering is a major problem inside the park. So please be respectful to take only the memories and not to leave anything in the park.

Crested serpent eagle attacked by Black Hooded Orioles

#Naturalist #NishanthaKamburugamuwa #TravelSriLanka

Crested Serpent Eagle - Spilornis cheela spilogaster - සිලූ සරපකුස්සා

Even though the name suggests that its a reptile eater, it is prey on birds, amphibians, mammals, and fishes. Commonly can be observed where there is forest or tree cover. Crested serpent call is very distinctive and can be heard from a distance. #crestedserpenteagle #naturalist

Little Green Bee Eater - Merops orientalis

Little green bee eater can be commonly observed in the open land areas and cultivation areas of the dry zone. #littlegreenbeeeater

Diyasaru park, Thalawathugoda

Diyasaru park, Thalawathugoda offers a great  opportunity for the nature lovers in the heart of Colombo including a butterfly garden. Most of the birds including some migrants, butterflies, dragonflies, reptiles, and some mammals like purple faced leaf monkey can observed in this park. In addition, it is the home for some fishing cats and otters. This valuable 65 acres of land is a hidden gem in the capital city of Sri Lanka.

#DiyasaruparkThalawathugoda #Wetlands  #SriLanka

Restart Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Natural Attractions

Comorants

Long Billed Sunbird (Loten's Sunbird)

Glimpse of Sri Lanka

Jaffna , The awakening island

Mervin invited me for this 4.5 days trip headed to Jaffna just two days prior to the departure, which impressed me to join without leaving me to think twice as everybody loves to visit this part of the island especially after the war, which dragged for nearly 30 years or more.



Transport has come to normalcy and people have started their day-to-day life. This is Jaffna – Kareyngar road.



Birding is one of the most encouraging activities in and around Jaffna and certainly no one who loves bird watching will not be disappointed. Large flocks of pelicans can be observed in the lagoons.



This lovely picture of the Crested Serpent Eagle was photographed while it was sitting on a lamp post near Kilinochchi.





People in Jaffna are more religious and all the temples are full of devotees.





Flamingos are seen in most the lagoons and I am sure all bird watchers love to hear this news.




Lagoons in Jaffna are famous for fishing a number of people makes their livelihood by catching fishes in the lagoon.




A fisherman is selling crabs....



Black Kite is sitting on a post.

Black Eagle's Nest

This Black Eagle's nest was observed by Thilanka Ranathunga, A naturalist who works for the Nature Odyssey at the moment, in the suburbs of Kandy somewhere near to his residence.






Read More

Touring with James,Alison and Jimmy

The first wildlife tour of Jetwing Eco Holidays came to me as a result of meeting Mr.Gehan De Silva Wijeratne at Sinharaja in last December. Mr. James Naylor a British who works in Singapore at the moment with his wife Alison a biology teacher and his twelve years old son Jimmy arrived Sri Lanka on 30th evening for a 10 nights/11 days tour. Meeting them at Talangama villa on 31st morning, the last day of the year 2009 we started the tour to reach our first destination the Light House Hotel, Galle to celebrate the dawn of the year 2010. Jimmy is a photographer and enjoyed all the photographic opportunities so en route had few stops in places like Kalutara temple etc.

New year celebrations were fantastic at Light House hotel it was filled with full of fireworks that created a dramatic sky over the hotel with the dawn of the year 2010. The first naturalist greeted me for the New Year was none of the other than Anoma Alagiyawadu, the most experienced naturalist for whale watching in southern Sri Lanka currently working in the Light House Hotel as the resident naturalist.



First destination for the New Year was Yala village and managed to get over there by 1.00 PM. Our first game drive to the Yala National park on the same evening, infact my first safari for the new year, was very successful with the observation of elusive leopard for few times and the tusker, jackal, crocodiles, sambar deer and number of bird species including few raptors. The second game drive to the park on 02nd morning also was very successful to spot the leopard for a good look over 15 minutes and the experience left behind our clients was remarkable.

Having had a memorable stay at Yala village left for Centuria hotel, Ambilipitiya on 3rd morning and managed to reach there by 12.30 daytime. Starting our safari to Udawalawe National Park around 2.30 PM managed to spot a herd of elephants more the 50 in numbers near mawu-ara around 4.00 PM including number of baby elephants.




Responding to the special request made by Alison to visit the Ath-Athuru-Sevana in the morning, reached there before they start feeding around 9.00 AM without disappointing them to capture all the interesting moments in Jimmy’s camera. Making a little amendment to the stop off for the 04th night, reached the Tea Bush Hotel, Nuwara eliya around 5.00 PM.

Rewarding a bonus day in Nuwara Eliya, few ideas came from our boss James to spend the day in a meaningful way and respecting to his ideas first we visited the Victoria Gardens and then we started to visit the Kadapola tea factory. Passing all these panoramic views and record plenty of stunning photographs in Jimmy’s camera we reached the Tea factory around 11.30 am. Visiting the organic tea factory Alison had some tea testing after the demonstration. On our way to the Warwick Gardens, had a visit to the Hakgala Botanical Garden.



On 6th Morning we started our journey to the Horton plains national park to see the cloud forest through the scenic Ambewela and Pattipola. Surely this 9km circular nature walk provided us an excellent trekking experience while offering marvelous views to the south including a photographic record of the Adam’s peak in Jimmy’s camera. While returning to the Warwick Garden we didn’t miss the opportunity to visit the Pattipola railway station, the highest railway station in Sri Lanka, which is 6204 feets above from the sea level and the Summit level, the highest point of the Sri Lankan railway track.




Labookale tea factory were visited on 07th morning to explore an active tea factory in our way to Kandy from Nuwara Eliya and then the Royal Botanical Garden, Peradeniya before we reach the Suisse Hotel, Kandy. In the evening visited the sacred Dalada Maligawa, the temple of tooth relic of Lord Buddha.



Ended up this tour by transferring them to The Beach Hotel, Negombo on 08th January with remaining ample time to relax on the beach before they transfer to the Airport on the following morning.

Camping in Sinharaja with a group of students from UK

A group of eleven students with two lecturers from UK led by Mr. Joss joined the camp site organized by the Eco Team on 24th October 2009 for a one night camping. Filled with full of fun they made this night remarkable by having dance with the light of camp fire and at the end of their dance there was a special request to Upali (the guide) present a Sri Lankan dance with Joss since he has been in Sri Lanka for three years. All these activities followed by the B.B.Q. dinner despite that Joss requesting rice and curry because he has a special taste in that as a result of working three years in Sri Lanka for an international school in Colombo.



Having all that fun last night the nature walk to Sinharaja forest was started around 9.00 am with sunny weather conditions by rewarding us not to worry too much about the leeches.



By not having rain for two weeks the forest was little dry and not provided much opportunities for birding. Once again Joss became the main actor by expressing his views that he is keen to see a snake and quenching his thirst we were able to spot two green pit vipers so that he became the happiest man in the group.



Purple faced leaf monkey, giant squirrel, Sri Lanka Kangaroo lizard, green pit viper, praying mantis are some of the sights that this group of students seems to be impressed.
Ceylon tree nymph, common blue bottle, blue morman, crimson rose, Ceylon bird wing, blue glassy tiger, commander are some of the butterfly species that were recoded during this nature walk.

Bird Watching Tips

For those who haven't gone bird watching, it can look like an odd past time. Yet for ones who have tried it, it can be very rewarding. Bird watching (aka birding) is an opportunity to grasp a closer look of nature. Discover a new way of looking at the world by examining the lives of birds -- including mating behaviors, feeding, and protecting their young.

Learn the best tips on how to enhance your birding experience so you can have the best time possible.

Beginning Bird Watching:

If you are just starting, going with professional bird watchers can be helpful. There are groups you can join, such as the Audubon Society or American Birdwatching Association. They offer such amenities such as lists of birds in the local area, birding books, magazines and articles. Sometimes, they have field trips you can go on to get some experience in bird watching.

When and Where To See Birds:

You can see birds at different times of the day, but certain birds have times they are more active. For example, songbirds start singing and eating two to three hours before sunset. Shortly after sunrise, hawks and eagles become more active as they soar in the warmer, thermal air currents. Owls are more active at night when they are looking for food with their night vision, and shorebirds feed after high tide.

Watching Birds At Feeding Time:

You can offer bird seed, water and shelter for birds in your backyard or garden and attract birds to watch. You can also find them in their natural habitat, eating the foods they would normally eat. Songbirds like seed and many bird types like niger, millet and sunflower seeds. Peanut butter attracts a lot of birds like cardinals, woodpeckers and nuthatches, although they also like suet. Hummingbirds are attracted to red colors and feed on a mixture of sugar and water. Some people add a drop of red food coloring. Birdbaths are a place to see many birds, because not only do they use them for a drink, but enjoy splashing on hot days.

Looking For Breeding Birds:

Unlike humans, birds breed according to specific seasons. Additionally, some migrate before having their young. The majority of birds breed in the spring and summer so that the babies are ready for fall migration. In the fall, some birds are more difficult to identify as some get heavier feathering and duller colors for migration.

Spotting and Identifying Birds:

Birds are easily alarmed, so you need to move stealthily. Basic clues to look for and listen for when identifying a bird are: its habitat, plumage and color, behavior, silhouette and the songs or calls it makes. Also, looking at the beaks can give you a clue and watching what they are doing with it. Woodpeckers have rigid beaks for chipping wood, while hawks, eagles and owls have sharply hooked beaks for tearing up prey. Most backyard birds like cardinals, finches and sparrows have conical beaks while shorebirds have long, slender bills for digging in the sand and prying open shells.

Bird Watching Gear To Bring and Wear:

Of course, binoculars, cameras and something for taking notes is something you need. You may want to keep track of the time of day and activity you witnessed particular birds. You may also want to write down characteristics of the birds you are not familiar with so that you can look them up later, or take along a bird identification guidebook.

You will want to dress in dull colors so that you blend into the surroundings. Camouflage is the thing to keep in mind to see the most birds. Also, fabrics that rustle, snag or squeak will scare birds off. You may want to have boots, warm clothing and rain gear. Owls are best seen and heard at night, so a flashlight might come in handy. You might want to consider a hand-held recorder for songs and chirps of birds that you don't recognize to look up later.

After Your Bird Watching Experience:

Take advantage of the time after birding to review your notes and try to identify the birds you were unable to name during your outing. You may want to get a tape of different bird songs and calls to assist with identification. Using a field guide can be extremely helpful for matching what you saw with detailed pictures and specific characteristics.

You can spend many enjoyable hours birding without spending very much on special equipment.

------------------------

Use the best birding binoculars: http://www.how-to-buy-binoculars.com/best-birding-binoculars.html They help you get the most out of your experience


Source: http://www.submityourarticle.com

Permalink: http://www.submityourarticle.com/a.php?a=59592

Umbrella birding

For my second tour of the month of August to Sinharaja organized by the Eco team with 18 people from UK including many dead scaring children for leeches we started our nature walk on 26th morning with raining conditions compelled us to put on our umbrellas and rain coats. Not to mention the rain was continued until we end of our walk in the forest specially leaving a life long experience to the children because of the blood thirsty leeches.

Compared to other days the sightings were less but we were lucky to observe a feeding flock which includes most elusive Red faced Malkoha, Malabar Trogon, Sri Lanka Blue magpie, Crested drongo, Orange billed babblers etc. Some of the main highlights were the green pit viper we observed during the middle of the nature walk. Ultimately this gave me a different experience of birding with an umbrella instead of binocular, camera and field guides as usual.