Birdwatching in Sri Lanka is highly rewarding. The best places for birdwatching in the east of Sri Lanka are the national parks – Kumana National Park and Gal Oya National Park – and other protected wildlife areas such as the Kokkilai Bird Sanctuary.
Kokkilai Lagoon is surrounded by mangroves on one side and scrubland and open forests on the other. Many different types of water and wading birds are found here, including various species of cormorants, egrets, herons, ibis, storks and pelicans. It is a haven for migratory birds in particular.
Birdwatching at Kumana National Park is highly gratifying, as Kumana is one of the most vital areas in Sri Lanka for bird nesting and breeding grounds. Between April – July thousands of migratory birds journey to Kumana’s swamps including rarities such as Great Thick-Knee and Black-Necked Stork and large flocks of herons, egrets and cormorants. Look out for other rare species including plovers, malkohas and sandpipers, Yellow-Footed Green Pigeon and Common Snipe. Kumana National Park is truly a birdwatcher’s paradise.
Over 150 bird species have been sighted at Gal Oya National Park, including Lesser Adjutant, Red-Faced Malkoha and Spot-Billed Pelican which have made their home here. The park borders the Senanayake Reservoir, one of the largest water bodies in Sri Lanka, which is frequented by common water birds including Indian Cormorant, Grey Heron and Lesser Whistling Duck, as well as While-Bellied Sea Eagle and Grey-Headed Fish Eagle.
