Ranweli Resort, Sri Lanka

After an overnight direct flight with Sri Lankan Airlines four of our group arrived in Colombo for our transfer to Ranweli Resort a beach side hotel (Rock Dove, House Crow, Asian Openbill and many Egrets along the way) with lovely grounds, just ripe for some birding.    We met up with the couple who had been enjoying a pre-trip holiday and went off in search of some avian delights.

Ranweli Beach

The beach held a group of waders; Sanderlings with Greater and Lesser Sandplover - excellent to see whilst Barn Swallow and Blue-tailed Bee-eater perched on driftwood nearby adding splashes of colour.

Half-flower plant Scaevola, originally from Hawaii

Along the Gin River or Oya Gin (meaning small Gin River) which runs behind the beach we found White-breasted Waterhen, Red-wattled Lapwing, Black-crowned Night-heron, and many Indian Pond Heron.

Common Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Grey Heron and Great White Egret all added a more "homely feel" but then glamour returned with Pied Kingfisher, Stork-billed Kingfisher and White-breasted Kingfisher.

Flying Fox Pteropus giganteus

We were in the true realm of Rose-ringed or Ring-necked Parakeet, and for once the group were pretty dismissive of such an exotic species!   White-bellied Drongo gave us good views, along with Brown Shrike and Common Myna.

As the light faded we had Flying Fox overhead, coming out of their day roosts in the top of the palm trees.

Then it was off to dinner!

Some of the delights at dinner