Sri Lanka Day 9 - Sinharaja to Uda Walawe

Before we left Sinharaja we were to visit a local home where Sri Lanka Spurfowl are known to come into the garden in the early morning.   This was to be one of those birding highlights that creeps up on you and takes you completely by surprise.   We set off in the dark and once again the bumpy jeep ride stirred up the body.   We arrived at the allotted home before the sun rose and waited quietly for the owner to let us in.

Sri Lanka Spurfowl

We were taken to the back of the house where a small yard sloped down to forest.  It took some time for our eyes to adjust to the lack of light, and we were looking through ornamental bars which did not help.   As we waited the lady of the house started to make breakfast for the family - torture for us who had forgone breakfast to get here so early.   They are missing a commercial trick there.

We were slightly worried as the day before a Sri Lanka Junglefowl had been fighting with the male Spurfowl, and although it proved to be great for the spectators present, we were concerned that it might stop the Spurfowl from coming in today.

Rakwama Mountain Valley

On queue, we heard Spurfowl call, then the Junglefowl shot off to defend his territory, leaving his four ladies to continue scratching the ground and feeding.   After a couple of forays, the owner of the house decided to put some food out for the Junglefowl so that once they had had their fill hopefully the Spurfowl would have the chance to come in un-molested.

Brilliant deduction from our host - it worked a treat and after waiting with bated breath for what seemed like an absolute age, the delightfully small, but beautiful male Spurfowl came into view, with its equally lovely female following behind.   We watched for ages and were stunned into silence only broken by the clicking of camera shutters. 

Asian Elephant

Fantastic views, with the added drama of male junglefowl defending the feeding territory and delaying the arrival!   

So delighted was I, I can barely remember the rest of the morning, save to say we travelled on after breakfast through the Rakwama Mountains, which was a stunningly beautiful landscape.   Stopped at a viewpoint we were delighted with several birds of prey including: Black Eagle, Booted Eagle, and Rufous-bellied Eagle.  Brahminy Kite also made another appearance, but in good light and flying close we had probably the best views I have ever had.

Black-winged Kite

In the afternoon, we move off to Uda Walawe, and a brilliant jeep safari.

The highlight (apart from lots of new bird species to enjoy) has to be JUNGLE CAT.  Spotted on a sandy beach at the back of a large pool - and given away by the mobbing of Red-wattled Lapwing.

Many water birds, waders, larks and pipits made it onto our trip list and using the cover the jeep provided we managed to get very close to several species including Jerdon's Bushchat.   White-browed Fantail showed off on a low branch just in front of us, and Ruddy Mongoose were seen several times.   A flock of Indian Silverbill were another new trip bird. 

Indian Peafowl

And at last there was . . . . . . . NO RAIN!!