Dawn arrives. In the coolness of the air and with the sun just beginning its ascend, a stillness passes over the waters. As day break begins to unfold the first early morning warbles of bird song drift lazily in the wind. Nature is coming alive and with it, Mother Nature’s winged choir as it were are coming to life, experts in providing the perfect soundtrack for the mornings. As a reward for your patience, since the dawning of the day, you will get a chance to spot some truly fascinating feathered wonders wading in the water or perhaps sitting happily in the tree tops, surveying the world below and this curious new visitor who is watching right back!
Bird watching is indeed a fun outdoor activity and in Sri Lanka one has many opportunities to see a wide range of species, both endemic and migratory. While the country’s national parks are home to many varieties of birds, the commercial capital, Colombo, is also home to a small yet thriving reserve where one can view avifauna. The Attidiya Bird Sanctuary located on the outskirts of the city offers a perfect place for some bird watching and those looking to head to the site on their own time can look to rent a car. Sri Lanka has much to offer nature lovers in general so hiring a vehicle does give you flexibility when it comes to travelling to these sites. Online Rent Car is a good option to consider for car rentals.
Get off to an early start at the Attidiya Bird Sanctuary and come prepared with good footwear especially if you plan to traverse the marshy grounds which can get quite muddy. The Bolgoda canal which runs through the site adds to the charm and the mangrove swamps, freshwater ponds and grassland that gets flooded during the rainy season make ideal bird watching hotspots.
Keep your eyes peeled, your binoculars focused or your telephoto lens camera at the ready, for you never know what sort of bird you may come across; maybe a painted stork, Indian shag, blue breasted banded tail, spot billed pelican or even the rare to see glossy ibis, all of which are known to visit this protected sanctuary.
Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.