Birding in Kandy

 

Perched just above The Temple of The Tooth in Kandy is one of the country’s loveliest bird forests - Udawattakele Forest Reserve. Despite being so accessible it feels remote and wild, a trick many would wish to emulate.

 

All of God’s creatures and plants seem to live in its 104 hectare space, including orchids and ferns, 460 plant species, some endemic; butterflies, snakes, snails, lizards, toads, frogs, insects, toque macaque, golden palm civet, mouse deer, slender loris, the dusky palm squirrel, muntjac, Indian boar, porcupine, the ruddy mongoose, giant flying squirrels, bandicoots, and bats.

 

But it is of course the birds that draw most of all. Over 80 species have been recorded to date, many endemic, including Layard's parakeet, the yellow-fronted and brown-capped babblers, the Sri Lanka hanging parrot, the three-toed kingfisher, mynas, golden-fronted and blue-winged leafbirds, spotted and emerald doves, Tickell's blue flycatcher, the white-rumped shama, the crimson-fronted barbet, the serpent eagle, and brown fish owl

 

Nearby stand the crumbling remains of a British garrison post, a memorial of sorts to the soldiers killed on 24 June 1803 when the forces of King Sri Wickrama Rajasingha massacred them.

 

To arrange a visit, please contact the Hotel Office.