There is nothing quite like a blue whale fluking in front of you especially for someone as crazy about marine life as I am. First an exhalation as the whale gets ready to dive, the spout misting the blue horizon as its bulk moves seamlessly, grey through the water. After a few breaths at the… Read More »
It is that time of year again where one of the most amazing wildlife spectacles take place in the dry zone jungles of Sri Lanka. On the shores of Minneriya and Kaudulla National Park, elephants from all parts of the north-central jungles ‘gather’ to feed on lush grass from the tank beds to quench their… Read More »
For those of you that have a bird watching bug in you this news will get you all excited, The Comb Duck known to be a very rare migrant to Sri Lanka was spotted by a water hole in the Yala National Park last week – outside its migrant season! The discovery was made by… Read More »
Sri Lanka has just completed the first nationwide survey of its elephant population, aimed at better protecting the animals and their habitat. Thousands of volunteers counted the elephants from watchtowers at 1,500 watering holes and ancient irrigation lakes. Elephants are classified age and sex, and more knowledge is sought on their movements and distribution. This… Read More »
I have not been out in the jungles for a while due to an uncommonly rainy spell, so when Wilpattu, Sri Lanka’s largest national park, was reopeaned t the public I had to get my jungle dose. The lovely Anawila bungalow was going to be our base for 3 days. I had heard great things about… Read More »
I have long dreamt of the day I would get a chance to visit the eastern part of the famous Sinharaja Rainforest. Since access to this section is quite remote with a 4WD jeep is a must and the only place to stay being a forest department bungalow, getting there has been a challenge. However,… Read More »
Having finally had the chance to visit the North of Sri Lanka after many years, some of my birding pals planned a trip to experience and enjoy the bounty of bird life in the other half of Sri Lanka. First on the list was Mannar Island. Mannar Island and the strip of land on the… Read More »
Wild life enthusiasts will be happy to note that Wilpattu National Park finally reopened last week after being closed for 25 years due to terrorism in the North. After extensive mine clearing operations, the army has now declared it safe for the public to visit. Fans of Wilpattu’s leopards have once again started making… Read More »
The naturalist for Mahoora camping, Thilak Obeysekera, who has been based in Udawalawe Mahoora Camp for more than a month now, informs us that Leopard sightings in Uda Walawe are on the rise. The highlight has been the sighting of two leopards on June 7 at Habakagala Rock. This is good news for all wildlife… Read More »
Horton Plains comprises a gently undulating highland plateau at southern end of the central mountain massif of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s second and third highest peaks, Kirigalpotha (2,395m) and Thotupola Kanda (2,357m), are found here. Three important rivers, the Mahawali, Kelani and Walawe originate from the Horton Plains.
