Tissa Wetlands

The late afternoon was spent birding the Tissa Wetlands, fairly close to the hotel. A Mugger Crocodile was the first thing we set eyes on, followed by a pair of Ring-necked Parakeets, Black-winged Stilts, White-throated Kingfisher and Brahminy Kite.

Tissa Wetlands – A huge area of open water, marsh and low lying islands. 

What you cannot see from these photos was that the place was full of birds! 

A Black Bittern was creeping through some reeds and a Plain Prinia eventually showed well. 

 

Black Bittern – Doing it’s best to hide in the Palm tree!

White-throated Kingfisher – A stunning albeit common species.

Our first 3 Green Bee-eaters of the trip appeared alongside the track, a Sri Lanka Woodshrike gave brief views, a White-bellied Sea Eagle flew across the marsh causing a bit of havoc and further on a group of Grey Langur Monkeys were teasing a couple of local dogs.

After chatting to a couple of locals Ashoka led us to a tree next to a side road where a pair of Oriental Scops Owls were roosting amongst the higher branches. On the way back to the hotel as the sun was going down we stopped off next to a roost of Flying Foxes , watching as they took off and flew around the trees. An amazing sight.

 

Indian Pond Heron

Pacific Golden Plover

Pheasant-tailed Jacana