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

Why Sri Lanka is considered as a best wildlife destination in the world?

 

A blend of game drives, marine life, and diverse of landscapes, all packed into a compact area Sri Lanka provides an unparalleled experience for wildlife enthusiasts.  Sri Lanka has become the easiest place in the world to see the blue whales; the largest mammal ever lived on the planet. On top of that Yala National Park has become the most popular park to see Leopards in the world as it has the highest density of leopards in a compact area.

·         Highest rates of the biological endemism – 16% of its fauna and 23% of its flora are endemic to the country.

·         Abundance of birdlife – According to the last known records more than 500 bird species are recorded in Sri Lanka including the migrants. Out of that more than 30 species are endemic to Sri Lanka.

·         The largest gathering of the Asian Elephants on the bed of the Minneriya Lake during the months of September and October. Hundreds of elephants congregate around the reservoir.

·         Sri Lanka’s very own big five – Elephants, Leopards, Sloth Bears, Blue Whales, and Sperm Whales

·         Stunning accommodation options are available adjacent to the popular wildlife destinations.

Why you should not feed wild animals?

 

Feeding wildlife can lead to cause a number of serious problems.

 

They do not need food from humans to survive, and that food is not healthy for them. They have specialized diets and they can become malnourished or die if fed wrong foods. Also animals cannot distinguish food from wrappers or foil and can get sick eating these items.

 

Increase the chances of disease transmission by gathering too many animals in one place. Also it will lead to unnecessary crowding and competition and increase the chances of having fights and injuries among animals.

 

Lose the natural fear of humans and can be aggressive. Once they learn that they can panhandle for food they can become a nuisance. This is a common problem in Sri Lanka as most of the people feed wild elephants on roadside cause to lead attacks and Toque Macaques has become a nuisance in most of the places because of human feeding.

 

Increase the chances of road accidents as they tend to stay near the road.

Polonnaruwa - The second kingdom of ancient Sri Lanka

 

Rich with sea like irrigation reservoirs, magnificent monuments reflecting workmanship in ancient Buddhist culture, the city of Polonnaruwa is full of graceful sceneries. It is the second kingdom of ancient Sri Lanka. In addition, Angagammadilla, Dimbulagala, Somawathi Chethiya, are picturesque sites.

By capturing the king Parakrama Pandu and removing his eyes alive and torturing him to death, the invasive South Indian king Kalinga Magha destroyed and burnt the mediaeval capital to the ground.  Many ancient books were dragged out, piled up and burnt. The Portuguese who came after 1505 too looted, what was left in the city.

Polonnaruwa was known to have had human settlements, long before Prince Vijaya landed on the shores of the island.

Kings of Polonnaruwa

Vijayabahu 1 (Vijayaba)                                                                    1055 – 1110

Jayabahu                                                                                            1110 – 1111

Wickramabahu                                                                                   1111 – 1132

Gajabahu                                                                                            1132 – 1153

Parakramabahu                (The Great)                                                1153 – 1186

Vijayabahu 11                                                                                     1186 – 1187

Nissankamallala                                                                                  1187 – 1196

Wickramabahu                                                                                    1196

Chodaganga                                                                                        1196 – 1197

Leelawathi queen (Queen of Parakramabahu)                                    1197 – 1200

Sahassamallala                                                                                     1200 – 1202

Kalyanawathi (Queen of Nissankamallala)                                         1202 – 1208

Dharmashoka                                                                                       1208 – 1209

Anikanga Mahadipada                                                                         1209

Queen Leelawathi                                                                                1209 – 1210

Lokeshwara                                                                                          1210 – 1211

Queen Leelawathi                                                                                1211 – 1212

Parakrama Pandu                                                                                 1212 – 1215

Kalinga Magha (Kalinga Vijayabahu)                                                 1215 – 1236

The King Parakramabahu was an erudite person, an expert statesman, and great ruler of mankind and a warrior, with an extra ordinary energy and discernment, and also a brilliant physician. He established the peace and harmony in the country. It was a golden era of architecture and many of his architectural creations have not yet identified.

 

The Vatadage (Circular Relic House)

Vatadage is one of the most remarkable architectural monuments to be seen in Polonnaruwa.  

Siva Devale

The South Indian architecture Cola style kovil built in the 13^th century.

Parakramasamudraya (Sea of Parakrama) is the unique creation of king Parakramabahu the Great.

Butterflies of Sri Lanka - Red Pierrot

This video was published by me in my YouTube channel. Its about the Red Pierrot butterfly. 

The Kandy Esala Perahera 2020 Fourth Kumbal Procession | කන්ද උඩරට ඇසළ ප...

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.

Hakgala Botanical Garden - Sri Lanka

Nuwara-eliya Post office - නුවරඑළිය තැපැල් කාර්යාලය

This iconic building was built in 1894 by the British according to Tudor style. Its a red brick two storied building with a clock spire.