Paradise for bird watching in Sri Lanka

The bird diversity is one of the most important ecological indicators to evaluate the quality of the habitats. In addition, its avifauna reviews Sri Lanka’s biodiversity. There can be birds, which are endemic to Sri Lanka, migrants, vagrants as well as breeding residents. Glamping Ceylon, which is situated in pallemalala, at South East corner of the island of Sri Lanka, is also a diversified place for many bird species as well as others. Four major National Parks and a wild elephant corridor surround it. The national parks that consisted here are the Yala national park, lunugamwehera national park,Udawalawa national park and the Bundala national park.

 Glamping Ceylon reflects nature’s beauty is popular as a tourist destination, which has attracted both international and local people. In addition, it is famous for bird watching. This place is consisted of a lake, which helps the Mother Nature to run the biodiversity hotspot. And an open forest a place where human interactions were taken. This place consists of various species diversity. Moreover, it is especially popular for Avifaunal diversity. The avifaunal diversity is high in glamping Ceylon pallemalala area because avifaunal species that can be found in the major National Parks, also can be found in this area. 

In addition, most of the avifaunal species that could be found in glamping Ceylon are, endemic to Sri Lanka. In addition, the area is also common for migration and dwelling of certain bird species. Therefore, this place was chosen as the study site for our group project. We selected three places in that area. The lake, open forest and the place where people interactions were taken.

Fifty-five bird species belonging to thirty orders and thirty-four families were identified in Glamping Ceylon, Pallemalala. As the materials DSLR camera and bird guide book were used to identify the bird species. The study was conducted for 3 months. The population diversity was calculated according to Shannon – Weiner index. And relative Abundance was calculated according to its equation.  Black wing stilt, yellow-wattled lapwing and Yellow-billed Babbler are the most abundant species around this area. Because these birds were found near the lake and birds such as Blacked Winged Stilt are prefer aquatic environment such as freshwater areas and saltwater areas. Also these birds prefer to breed, feed and make nest in or near the water, therefore these birds were found in a high abundancy in Bundala pallemalala area (Glamping Ceylon). Birds, which are, prefer to lives in an open forest, dry scrubs and cultivation areas were found near the open forest area. Such as red vented bull bull, blue tailed bee-eater. Migratory birds such as large cuckoo shrike and Indian paradise flycatcher were found in low abundancy in this area. Because migratory species only arrive in migratory seasons for foods and for breeding and nesting.

Figure 2: Black wing stilled © Sachith Peiris

A least number of birds were recorded near the place that where human interaction were taken. Because due to human interactions such as garbage dumping, instruction and domestic dogs. In this habitat other than bird species, many species of animals can be seen here.  Such as mugger Crocodile, wild cats, rabbits and various fish species.

Figure 3: Yellow wattled lapwing © Sachith Peiris

 

While this place is giving more advantages to the Mother Nature in other side, effects of some anthropogenic activity on this habitat were threats for the birds. The vegetation play a vital role in bird species richness and density in this area such as plants can provide place for nesting food and shelter for birds. But spreading of invasive flora such as invasive cactus or Prickly pear Cactus (Opuntia) in Bundala Pallemalala area was effected the population of birds. This invasive flora can spread fast in the environment and it can make threat to the birds, which are endemic to Sri Lanka as well as for other birds. There was a dry environment in glamping Ceylon pallemalala area due to the affects of these cactus plants, that they can absorb the water from the environment, which can be helpful for the avian diversity for their behavior.

Figure 4: Prickly pear Cactus (Opuntia)

 © Thejan Ratnayake

 

 Moreover, invasive plants such as Katu andara (Prosopis Juliiflora) can be an effect to bird diversity. Moreover, they can damage the quality of soil nutrients. In addition, those invasive floras also can change the conditions of the environment, temperature levels nest sites water availability and they can lead to soil erosion.

During the study period in pallemalala, some fecal matter and steps marks of wild cats were identified and it proves apart from birds wild cats also can found in glamping Ceylon. Wild cats are predators by nature they will learn to hunt in order to eat and hunt. They are taught this from a young age. As an evidence for this some parts of the sight found birds parts which are similar to Indian peafowl. This was a main threat for birds in glamping Ceylon pallemalala. The throw net fishing near the pallemalala area also another huge threat for the bird’s diversity. It can affect the nesting sites and other behaviors of birds.

 

Glamping Ceylon is an amazing area for bird watching and for other leisure activities, which is not famous as Yala, Udawalawa and bundala national park. The area surrounding the site has large populations of Avian, Mammalian and reptilian species making tracking on foot an easy way to spot wildlife.  Moreover Birds are one of the most important species that helps Mother Nature to prevent the biodiversity and make the environment perfect.  In addition, bird watching and living in a neighborhood with lots of birds can help people to boost their mental health. Therefor as future nature protectors, we should make our responsibility to protect the environment, bird species as well as other species.