Birds of Sri Lanka

Bundala National Park

January 3, 2011 Nilu Leave a comment

Bundala sits in the coastline of Hambanthota District approximately 260 km from Colombo and 25 km from Hambanthota. An internationally significant location for migratory birds entertaining upto 197 species, Bundala is also famous for the Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) and many other exotic species. Although largely ignored by most tourists, the park attracts birding experts from all over the world to witness many seasonal events in the birding calendar.
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Distances (approx.)
Colombo to Bundala: 260 Km
Hambanthota to Bundala: 25 Km
Tissamaharama to Bundala: 15 Km

My first encounter with the beauty of Bundala was in December 2004, sadly amidst the tragedy of the Boxing-day Tsunami. To say that Bundala saved our lives that day would not be an exaggeration, and the others who were there would surely agree. Had we not decided by chance to visit Bundala on the way back to Colombo from Tissamaharama instead of taking the coastal route to Colombo, the chances of me writing this account would have been quite slim. Hence, I can’t recall Bundala without mixed feelings. Feelings of terror, deepest sorrow and humble gratitude.

According to Wikipedia, Bundala was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1969 and was upgraded as a National Park in 1993. In 2005, Bundala was identified as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO. Originally the park had covered 6,216 hectares (24.00 sq mi) but since 2004 it only covers 3,698 hectares (14.28 sq mi). In January 2006, an area adjacent to Bundala covering an area of 3,339.38 hectares (12.8934 sq mi) was declared as the Wilmanna Sanctuary. A significant and interesting geographical feature of the park is its height above sea level and its sand dunes, which protected it from the 2004 Tsunami.

Some species sighted in Bundala in December 2008:

Yellow Wattled Lapwing (Vanellus malabaricus)