NOTES ON FIELD TRIPS TO WILPATTU NATIONAL PARK

2.10pm Entered the park with safari jeep driver Dilum accompanied by my friends Bathiya & Enoka Senadhipathy, Sujeewa & Hemantha Senadipathy
2.42pm one leopard between Divulgas Mandiya and Palukola Wala.  N 08.36354, E 080.09956
As the vehicle came to a halt the young leopard moved into the jungle. I managed to get few images of its left flank and left hind leg. Later upon comparing the spot pattern with the images in my data base I was pleased to note that it is Palu Kola Wala Leopard 2, a leopard that I had listed under Leopards of Wilpattu – Guest section as I had not photographed it before. I named it Palukola Wala Female 2 with a code (PKWFC 2) for the purpose of my study.

4.10pm one leopard at Kudapatessa. N 08.43123, E 079.99348
The female leopard was lying out in the open and was looking away from us. After some time, she stood up and walked to the edge of the water and started to drink. The beautiful Lunu Wila Flowers and Horsefly’s Eye flowers (Bim Savan) in the foreground and background permitted me to get a few good images of the leopardess. Upon examination of her spot-pattern I noted that this is Manikrala Uraniya Female 1 (MRUF 1).

5.45pm at Palu Kola Wala a Large Egret was perched on a Water Buffalo that was in the water. Egrets and Herons are often seen with Water Buffalo. They feed on the insects that get disturbed when these large bovids move about. They also perch on the buffalo when they are in water. Once while waiting for a leopard to arrive at Thammmanna Wala, I had the opportunity of observing this interesting behaviour. A buffalo arrived at the water body, diminishing the likelihood of a leopard visiting the water, walked to the middle of the pool, and settled down. As in this situation only its head was out of the water. Almost immediately an Egret that was at the edge of the water body flew on to the buffalo. While perched on this newly created island the bird was able to catch a few unsuspecting fish that approached the buffalo for a nibble. The egret also caught a few insects that perched on the buffalo. So, the advantage for the bird was quite apparent. But I wondered why the Buffalo should tolerate the bird on its nape and head. I had the reasoning after about half an hour. The bird started looking intensely at the neck at the level of the water and below the ears of the buffalo. Within a few minutes it started picking a few ticks. Upon reading a few articles on studies done on cattle I learnt that smaller species of ticks die off almost within 5 minutes of the animal being submerged in water whereas some bigger species survive for almost 15 - 20 minutes. Only a few larger were able to survive periods longer than 30 minutes. While I have no knowledge of the types of parasites that live on these buffaloes it is almost certain that a similar situation must take place. Also, when the animal is submerged in the water the parasites close to the exposed areas are forced to move up to areas of the body out of water. It is interesting that the birds appear to have figured this out and have learnt to have an easy meal.

6.10pm left the park

Mammals and Reptiles observed during the day.
Mammals - Leopard 2, Indian Buffalo 12, Spotted Deer 34, Wild Boar 8, Barking Deer 1, Ruddy Mongoose 1, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 1, Black Turtle 2, Star Tortoise 2, Land Monitor, Common Garden Lizard, Low-land Kangaroo Lizard, Devaka’s Fan-throat Lizard.

5th March 2023
7.05pm entered the park with safari jeep driver Pathum Neeliya.
10.20am one leopard on the Maha Wewa Road at Maradanmaduwa. N 08.37772, E 080.08114
It was an adult female and was walking in our direction. Pathum immediately turned off the engine and I started to photograph. I was pleased to note that it was the Maradanmaduwa Female 1 (MMFC 1) who is having her fifth litter. Despite my anxious expectations there were no signs of her cubs. She had left them and ventured out to hunt. She crouched down on the road and started to look up at the trees. There was a troop of Grey Langur and they had not detected her on the road. After almost one hour a few safari jeeps arrived from the direction of Maradanmaduwa and the Langur’s, upon detecting the leopard, started making alarm calls. The leopard walked in our direction and moved into the forest.

11.45am a Sloth Bear between Maradanmaduwa and Maha Wewa. It was at the edge of the road but moved into the forest upon the arrival of the vehicle.
12.39pm safari jeep drivers at Kumbuk Wila informed us of a leopard sleeping by the side of the road at Kokkare Villu.
12.41pm one leopard at Kokkare Villu. N 08.41702, E 079.99769
At a distance we observed a few vehicles parked at Kokkare villu but as we got close, they indicated that the leopard was on the move. I told Pathum to reverse the vehicle and park the vehicle giving adequate space for the animal. In less than a minute the leopard crossed the road ahead of us and moved into the forest. It was Kumbuk Wila Male 1 (KWMC 1) one of the two male cubs of Kumbuk Wila female 2 (KWFC 2) popularly referred to as Cleopatra.

12.55pm two Brown Fish Owls at Kokkare Villu.

3.07pm a Sambhur antler drinking at Kokkare Villu. The degree of salinity of the water in this villu is greater than some of the others. However, over the years, I have observed many species drinking at this water body during the wet season. When the water level is quite low animals appear to avoid drinking here perhaps due to the salinity level increasing even further.

4.48pm a Sloth Bear at Galwanguwa.

6.00pm one leopard at the open glade between Thammanna Wala and Maha Wewa. N 08.35631, E 080.12292

Around 5.35pm few jeep drivers and guides informed us of a female leopard that they had spotted with a Mouse Deer kill at the large glade between Thammanna Wala and Maha Wewa. We parked at the spot for some time but as there was no signs of the leopard decided to leave. Just as we were driving off received information that a leopard was . We turned back and managed to get a few images of the leopards before leaving to reach the park entrance in time. Upon examining the spot pattern, I noted that it is Maha Wewa Female 1 (MHWF 1). This female was observed with two cubs at this location on the 7th of January 2023.

6.27pm 89 Spotted Deer at Hunuwilagama tank.

Mammals and Reptiles observed during the day.
Mammals - Leopard 2, Sloth Bear 2, Indian Buffalo 74, Sambhur 3, Spotted Deer 334, Wild Boar 22, Barking Deer 2, Golden Jackal 1, Ruddy Mongoose 1, Black-naped Hare 1, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Purple-faced Leaf Monkey, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 3, Flapshell Turtle 1, Black Turtle 3, Land Monitor, Common Garden Lizard, Low-land Kangaroo Lizard, Devaka’s Fan-throat Lizard.

6th March 2023
6.45am entered the park with safari jeep driver Pathum Neeliya.
10.28am Black-capped Kingfisher at Kumbuk Wila. The bird was perched on a decaying log at the edge if the water.

11.35am an Orange-headed Thrush on the road at Kuruttupandi. The bird was surprisingly quite tolerant of our presence and hopped up to almost 5 feet from the parked vehicle.  On a closer examination through the binoculars, I noted that its gape line close to the head is still swollen indicating it’s a very young bird. This is a rare but regular migrant to the lowlands and foothills of the country. It is regularly seen around Wilpattu during winter months.

11.45pm It is the butterfly season in Wilpattu. There were continuous columns of Lesser Albatross butterflies flying along many roads. This species lay their eggs on the leaves of Weera Drypetes spiaria, a tree which is quite common in the park. With the approach of a vehicle, those settled on the ground fly up creating quite a beautiful spectacle. During this season when large numbers of Lesser Albatrosses can often be observed on the damp ground or close to pools of water, all species of Bee-eaters enjoy a time of plenty. They would perch on a chosen branch and would periodically dart at the butterflies settled on the ground. As the bird approaches, the insects instinctively fly up. The bird then has a split second in which to pick on one individual and pursue it. About one in three attempts of these acrobatic flights ends up in a capture with an audible snap of its beak. Upon a successful hunt, the bird would return to its favorite perch with the luckless insect in its beak and batter it to death prior to swallowing its body. The battering results in the wings of the butterflies to drop off. After a few minutes of fast flight, the butterflies would settle down again on the same location prompting another attack. Even though sometimes dead butterflies can be observed on the ground where they gather, bee-eaters have not been observed feeding on them.

I noted that these butterflies were flying in our direction when driving down to Kanjuran Villu from Kumutu villu but was flying away from us towards Kaali villu from Kanjuran villu. Thus, when you drive from Kumutu Villu they fly towards the oncoming vehicles resulting in many perishing because of collision with vehicles and when continuing from Kanjuran towards Kaali they fly in the same direction ahead of you. During the season Lesser Albatross flights are known to be in the direction of south. But these flights from Kanjuran towards Kaali Villu are in the direction of north.

4.25pm one leopard at Borupan Wila N 08.42564, E 080.02268
The leopard was sleeping in one of the islands of bushes found at Borupan Wila. It was hardly visible. We arrived at the location around 3.30pm. Many of the jeeps that arrived left as there was no view of the leopard. Around 4.25pm the leopard broke cover and I managed to get a few images. Thereafter the young leopard walked through the grass on to the opposite side of the villu. Upon examination of the spot pattern, I was happy to note that it is Borupan Wila Female 3 (BWFC 3).

4.55pm another leopard on Kokkare Villu upper road N 08.41255, E 079.98985
It was a big male leopard and was sleeping about 20 feet from the edge of the road. I managed to get a few images to identify the leopard and left as we had to reach the park entrance by 6.15pm. Later upon examination of the spot pattern I noted that it is the dominant male in the core are of the park the Nelum Wila Male 5 (NWMC 5).

5.32pm a Sloth Bear at Maradanmaduwa.
6.15pm left the park.
Mammals and Reptiles observed during the day.
Mammals – Elephant 2, Leopard 2, Sloth Bear 1, Indian Buffalo 14, Sambhur 2, Spotted Deer 58, Wild Boar 17, Barking Deer 2, Golden Jackal 2, Ruddy Mongoose 2, Black-naped Hare 1, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 4, Flapshell Turtle 1, Black Turtle 3, Land Monitor, Common Garden Lizard, Low-land Kangaroo Lizard, Devaka’s Fan-throat Lizard.

7th March 2023
6.40am entered the park.
7.30am One adult male leopard with a large Sambhur kill across the water body at Borupan Wila. N 08.42402, E 080.02402
The carcass was lying in an open patch of Pipeworts (Kok Mota) by the water’s edge. It was likely that the leopard killed the Sambhur very close to dawn as the carcass was mostly intact except for the stomach area. Usually when a leopard makes a “kill” of a large animal it would start feeding from the stomach and feed on the soft organs of the animal. It was an adult male leopard but not the dominant male in this area. Upon examining its spot pattern, I was thrilled to note that this is the leopard I had listed under Leopards of Wilpattu – Guest section as Walas Wala Leopard 3. As this is my first sighting of this male, I named it Borupan Wila Male 3 with a code BWM 3. Other than for a quick drive to Kokkare villu we stayed at this location until around 5pm and observed. As I have been requested to write an article by the Wildlife & Nature Protection Society to the Loris magazine on my observations on this day long sighting which included a confrontation between a Sloth Bear and the leopard, I would hold back the images and descriptions here and attach the article and the images upon its publication in May this year.

6.10pm left the park.
9.45am Upon hearing the alarm calls of a Barking Deer and the Jungle Fowl we drove towards the road to Lunu Wewa and spotted a female leopard. N 08.42612, E 080.02448
She crossed the road and moved in the direction of Borupan Pitiya. Upon checking her spot pattern, I noted that it was Borupan Wila Female 4 (BWFC 4).

10.15am We were informed of a leopard on a Madan Tree at Kokkare Villu and decided to go check it out. While on the way at the Thimbiri wila end of Borupan Wila spotted another mature male leopard seated at the edge of the forest. N 08.42697, E 080.02013
It was Nelum Wila Male 5 (NWMC 5) popularly referred to as “Neluma” by the jeep drivers. Having taken a few images, we decided to quickly check the leopard at Kokkare Villu and return as I expected this leopard to move in the direction of the kill.

11.00am we arrived at the road that leads to Kokkare Villu sand dune and observed the leopard lying on a low horizontal branch of a Madan Tree. N 08.42293, E 079.98325
But unfortunately for me as the vehicle came to a halt the leopard stood up and walked up to a upper branch and was out of sight. I decided to stay as this is the first litter single female cub of the famed Manikrala Uraniya female 1 commonly referred to as the “Kuruttupandi female” by the jeep drivers and had eluded me from the time it was seen with its mother while most other “regulars” to the park had seen it on many occasions. Thankfully the leopard climbed down from the tree, and I managed to get a few good images this young female. I had listed this leopard under Leopards of Wilpattu – Guest section as Kuruttupandi Leopard 1. As this is my first ever sighting, I named it Kokkare Villu female 1 with a code KKVF 1, for the purpose of my study.

1.25pm Two Elephants that were feeding on the water plants growing at the bottom of Borupan Wila walked out of the water and moved into the forest.

Mammals and Reptiles observed during the day.
Mammals – Elephant 2, Leopard 4, Sloth Bear 1, Sambhur 1, Spotted Deer 15, Wild Boar 27, Ruddy Mongoose 2, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile, Flapshell Turtle, Black Turtle, Star Tortoise, Land Monitor, Common Garden Lizard, Low-land Kangaroo Lizard, Devaka’s Fan-throat Lizard.
Birds, Butterflies & Flora observed during the field trip.
Birds – Lesser Adjutant, Painted Storks, White-necked Stork, Orange-headed Ground Thrush, Painted Snipe.
Butterflies - Blue Mormon, Great Orange Tip, Lesser Albatross, Blue Mormon
Wild Orchids – Vanda tessalata
Fruiting Trees - Kudu Mirissa, Kiri Kone trees in bloom
Wildflowers – Cadaba trifoliate Indian Cadaba (E), Irawara (S), Capparis brevispina Indian Caper (E) Wal Dehi, Wellangiriya (S), Crossandra infundibuliformis Firecracker Flower (E), Dopatrium nudicaule Small Horsefly’s Eye (E) Heen Bim Savan (S), Osbeckia zeylanica Ceylon Osbeckia (E) Lanka Bovitiya (S) , Bacopa monnieri Waterhyssop (E) Lunu-wila (S), Solanum sp.  Wild Nightshade (E), Wal Thibbatu (S)

6.05am 48 Spotted Deer and 3 Elephants at the Hunuwilagama Tank.
7.10am arrived at the park entrance. The heavy shower in the early morning had made the whole area quite wet.
An immature Black-winged kite was perched on an electricity cable, less than 20 feet from the ground at the park entrance. The young bird was wet and looked bedraggled. It made a screeching call. I noticed that its iris was pale olive in colour and lacked the characteristic crimson red of the adults.

7.40am a troop of Purple-faced Leaf Monkey Semnopithecus vetulus at Diulgas Mandiya. This species is seldom seen in the main villu areas of the park.

11.31am one Elephant feeding at Kanjuran Villu.

12.32pm the slight drizzle that started at Kumutu villu tuned in to a heavy shower by the time I reached Manik Wila.
2.15pm one leopard at Kuruttupandi villu. N 08.43656, E 079.98228
I drove down to Kuruttupandi villu from Manik Wila. The vehicle which was behind me turned on to the Kuruttupandi upper road. Having checked the villu I drove on to the upper road. A vehicle was stopped, and the guide signaled that a leopard had been on the road and moved in the direction of the villu. I reversed and drove down to the villu again. Despite there being no leopard in view the frantic alarm calls of a Giant Squirrel and the alarm calls a few Indian Palm Squirrels indicated that the leopard was close. After some time one vehicle parked across the villu signaled me to come over. I arrived at the spot to see a young leopard lying on a patch of white sand at the edge of the forest. It was Kumbuk Wila Male 2 (KWMC 2), one of the two male cubs of Kumbuk Wila Female 2 (KWFC 2), referred to as Cleopatra. Around 2.50pm with sunlight becoming strong the leopard moved under a Madan tree and was only visible with the help of binoculars. Most safari jeeps left but I decided to wait. At 3.27pm he moved out again and was watching the Spotted Deer feeding in the villu until 3.47pm and moved back under the tree again.
On the 4th of November 2022 I photographed both these cubs with their mother at Madangaha Wala at Kokkare Villu, which was the last occasion they were seen with their mother.
The young male was looking intently at the Spotted Deer feeding on the plains. The deer did not detect the leopard lying at the edge of the villu.

3.02pm while waiting for the leopard to move out I noticed a lovely specimen of a female Brown Shrike perched on a small dried-up branch on the ground at Kuruttupandi Villu. The scaling pattern on the female’s flank was very clearly visible.

4.20pm left Kuruttupandi to reach the park entrance by 6.00pm.
6.00pm left the park.
Mammals and Reptiles observed during the day.
Mammals – Elephant 4, Leopard 1, Indian Buffalo 13, Sambhur 2, Spotted Deer 263, Wild Boar 1, Barking Deer 2, Golden Jackal 2, Ruddy Mongoose 1, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Purple-faced Leaf Monkey, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 4, Flapshell Turtle 1, Black Turtle 4, Land Monitor, Common Garden Lizard, Low-land Kangaroo Lizard, Devaka’s Fan-throat Lizard.
7th January 2023
7.23am entered the park.
7.24am as I was handing over the entry permit at the gate, I noted that the herd of Spotted Deer at a distance were making alarm calls indicating the presence of a leopard. I advanced about 50 meters when I saw a leopard move from the road into the forest. There was no opportunity for any photography. I parked and waited for some time, but the leopard did not appear again. The Spotted Deer herd had one female with parts of its face covered in white fur.

8.39am a Brown-breasted Flycatcher between Boaralu Wala and Walas Wala. This is a common migrant species that can be seen in suitable habitat during the migrant season from the lowland forests up to about 2000 meters in the hills except in the extreme north. The Layard’s flycatcher breeds in north-eastern India, central and Southern China, northern Burma, and Thailand. The entire population is known to winter in southern India and Sri Lanka.

10.12am a Pacific Golden Plover at Tala Wila. This species breeds in the Arctic tundra in Western Alaska and Siberia. It winters on islands across the Pacific Ocean through South-East Asia to North-Eastern Africa. A small population is known to winter in California and Hawaii in the United States of America. This is a common species at Wilpattu during the migrant season and can be regularly seen at most open fields around the Villus and water bodies such as Mahapatessa, Kudapatessa, Panikkar Villu, Tala Wila, Borupan Wila, Thimbiri Wila and Kuruttupandi Villu. They can be seen at these localities feeding on the ground sometimes in scattered flocks of up to 20-40 birds.

10.45am photographed two Tricoloured Munias perched on an exposed branch accompanies by an immature bird. As seen in the image the young birds are olive brown in colour with a whitish head and are very different in colouration to the adults. This striking bird is a breeding resident found throughout the country. It is also found naturally in India, Bangladesh and southern China and has been introduced to Trinidad, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela. Even though not as common as the White-backed or the Spotted Munia this species can also be seen throughout the country. It is even found in the wetlands just outside the city of Colombo. One of the best places to observe and photograph this species is around Pomparippu. Like other munias they feed on paddy and may species of gras seeds.

11.00am a troop of Purple-faced Leaf Monkey at Uththamadaaru Bridge in Pomparippu. Unlike the Torque Monkey and the Grey Langurs which are quite common in the park, this species is seldom seen. Four races of this endemic leaf monkey have been recognized. Race vetulus in the Wet Zone, race nestor in the Lowland Western parts, North Central Province philbricki and Hill Country Monticola. The race that is found in Wilpattu is Semnopithecus vetulus philbricki. This species is regularly seen around the Uththamada aru bridge.

11.14am the beautiful Scarlet Mallow Pentapetes phoeniceaflowers in bloom at Pomparippu. This is an indigenous species that grows in swamps, marshy areas, paddy fields and grassy bunds of tanks in the dry lowlands. These beautiful flowers are referred to as “Bandu vada” in Sinhala. Scarlet Mallow is also found in India, Myanmar, Thailand, Bangladesh, Indochina, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Australia and New Guinea. The fruits and the roots of this species are used in India as an herbal remedy to treat Fever, skin deceases and even snake bite. Indian literature often draws similarity between the striking red colour of these flowers and female lips.
I have observed and photographed the beautiful flowers of this species in open moist fields, in the northern parts of the country, including Mannar, Kilinochchi and Vidaththalthivu during the months of January and February. They are never found in large communities. A few plants will bloom in suitable places after the rains. The striking red colour of the flowers among other green herbage makes it easy for anyone with an interest in wildflowers to detect it even from a fair distance. In Wilpattu these flowers can be seen at Pallekandal Pitiya in January where the fields contain a fair amount of water after the rains. By end February there was no trace of these flowers as the flied had dried up.

12.30pm by the time I reached Kokkare Villu the drizzle that started at Nelum Wila had developed into a very strong shower. Despite being midday, the visibility became very poor. When it rains so hard usually it does not last very long. Thus, I decided to park by the side of the Villu and have lunch. By the time I was done the rain had stopped.
1.12pm one leopard at Thimbiri Wila. N 08.42680, E 080.01279
It was a young male leopard and was stalking a herd of Spotted Deer. I managed to get some images as he moved quickly from one bush to another. Despite his efforts to conceal himself some Spotted Deer detected him and started making alarm calls. After some time, he broke cover and emerged through a large bush. There after he walked out and permitting us to get a few good images. It was Boralu Wala Male 1 (BRWMC 1). This leopard was often seen, with its mother, the Boralu Wala Female 2 (BRWFC 2), between Ibba Wala and and Boralu Wala from April 2021. On the 10th and 11th of December 2022 I saw him at Borupan Wila and Borupan Pitiya respectively. This is the first time he was seen at Thimbiri Wila. Later, that day I was told that he had moved back to Borupan Wila by evening.

3.49pm a flock of 69 Lesser Sand Plover, 12 Black-tailed God Wits and a Curlew Sandpiper at Mahapatessa.

5.20pm the Grey Orchid Vanda tessellata in bloom at Maha Wewa. Unlike many species of wild orchids which produce uniformly coloured odorless flowers, the flowers of this orchid are quite fragrant and carry a wide variety of coloures. I have photographed flowers with pink petals and dark pink lips and many with different shades of grey to yellow petals and blue-purple lips at Wilpattu.  

5.21pm a Malabar Pied Hornbill feeding on Veldt Grape Cissus quadrangularis leaves at Maha Wewa. The bird picked leaves with its beak and tossed them into its gullet in their typical feeding pattern.The bird swallowed 9 leaves and took one in its beak when flying off.
In Sinhalese this plant is referred to as Heerassa and has been recognized from ancient times for its medicinal use. It is used in Ayurveda and Sidda medicine to treat broken bones, relive pain, injured ligament, Hemorrhoids ect. The high contents of vitamin C and many antioxidant compounds such as carotenoids, tannins and phenols found in this plant is said to be the reasons for its healing abilities. This is my first observation of these Hornbills feeding on the leaves of any plant.  Veldt Grape is a common species in Wilpatu and it produces flowers in October and November.

5.30pm an Osprey at Maha Wewa. This is where in March 2019 I recorded this specie for the first time at Wilpattu. There were no records of this species prior to that from the park.

5.32pm an Orange-headed Thrush between Maha Wewa and Thammanna Wala.

5.42pm one leopard between Maha Wewa and Thammanna Wala. N 08.35631, E 080.12292
Safari jeep driver Jagath told me that he had seen a female leopard and a cub at this location, and they moved into the forest less than 30 seconds before my arrival. As he left, I moved forward, and spotted a leopard seated ahead of me on the road. While photographing I observed that she was calling out to her cub. Unfortunately for me the cub did not move back on to the road and I had to leave to reach the park entrance by 6.00pm. I drove off thinking how great it would have been if I had arrived a few minutes before. Upon checking her spot pattern, I was pleased to note that the female was Maha Wewa Female 1 (MHWF 1).

6.00pm left the park.
Mammals and Reptiles observed during the day.
Mammals - Leopard 3, Indian Buffalo 19, Sambhur 1, Spotted Deer 512, Wild Boar 16, Barking Deer 5, Golden Jackal 1, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Purple-faced Leaf Monkey, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 6, Flapshell Turtle 2, Black Turtle 3, Land Monitor, Common Garden Lizard.

8th January 2023
7.44am entered the park. The overnight heavy rains had resulted in all the water bodies close to the park entrance to be filled to the brim and overflow.
10.56am an Indian Pygmy Woodpecker at Borupan Wila. We have ten species of Woodpeckers recorded in the country of which nine are resident with two endemic species. The tenth species, the Eurasian Wryneck is a migrant. As its name suggests this is the smallest of our Woodpeckers. It is a breeding resident throughout the country. Other than in Sri Lanka it is only found in India and Nepal. This is a seldom seen species as it usually occupies the canopy. It is equally common in the wet and dry lowlands and is also found up to mid hills. The highest altitude at which I have seen it so far has been at Pitawala Pathana in the Knuckles Forest reserve at an altitude of 1200 meters. It is still found in the rubber plantations in the outskirts of Colombo in Malabe and Athurugiriya. It is a fascinating little bird to observe due to its miniature appearance as they hammer dead twigs with their tiny beaks in search of grubs. While foraging a pair will regularly “keep in touch” by making tinkling, trill call. It is a common but very difficult bird to capture in Wilpattu as it occupies the topmost branches of tall trees. I was fortunate enough to locate a nest of this species once at the park entrance, which allowed me to get some good images of this tiny bird. This bird was perched on a dead tree by the side of the villu and was close to a few Common Swallows.

12.44pm a White-bellied Sea Eagle perched on a dead tree at the edge of Kudapatessa. This grand eagle is the largest eagle species in the country with a wingspan of 2.2 meters. Despite its name this species is found in most inland tanks far away from the sea.

1.41pm a Lesser Adjutant at Mare Villu. This is the second largest Stork in the country. It is 4 feet in height with a wingspan of 8 feet and is only second to the rare, Black-necked Stork which is almost 5 feet in height with a wingspan of 7.5 feet.

1.46pm a male Ruddy Mongoose at Avathara Motte. He was quite bold and was not disturbed by the presence of my vehicle.  The small hunter was engrossed in marking its scent by rubbing its face against a small piece of dried wood on the ground. Thereafter he walked a short distance and was doing the same with some dried twig.

2.06pm Chestnut-headed Bee Eaters at Mila Villu. This species is seldom seen in the main villu areas of the park during these months.

2.30pm reached Kudiramalei point. All the safari jeeps had left, and the location was devoid of people. I decided to spend some time enjoying the view of the sea and the landscape. There were footprints of an Elephant and the hoof marks of a Sambhur clearly visible on the ground. This is one location where people are permitted to get off their vehicles. I photographed a few species of wildflowers growing at this location. The most prolific speceis was Common Small Justicia Jucticia procumbens, a very common species found from the lowlands up to an altitude of 2000 meters from sea level. This common shrub is found along roads, forested areas, grasslands, and most open areas. In Wilpattu I have observed these tiny flowers throughout the year at most open locations of the park.

I also spotted a single flowering plant of Thyme Java Tea Orthosiphon thymiflorus, a species which is difficult to spot in the park. This is a species that is native to Tropical Asia from India to Sri Lanka, China, Indonesia, Tropical Africa, South Africa, and Madagascar and is found in shady forested area of the dry lowlands. The flowers emit a very pleasant fragrance. Prior to this I have seen this species between Kanjuran Villu and Kali Villu. The flowers are observed during the month of September - January.
I also observed the tiny white flowers of a species of  Buttonweed Spermacoce sp.

4.15pm one leopard between Mahapatessa and Thimbiri Wila. N 08.42938, E 080.00560
The big male leopard was lying on the road with vehicles parked about 30 meters ahead of him and behind him. Safari jeep driver Sandun was polite enough to move his vehicle which permitted me to get some images despite there being two other vehicles ahead of me. The leopard was Nelum Wila Male 5 (NWMC 5), the dominant big male leopard occupying the main villu area of the park and popularly referred to by the jeep drives as “Neluma”. After a few yarns the leopard moved into the forest.

Mammals and Reptiles observed during the day.
Mammals – Elephant 1, Leopard 1, Indian Buffalo 19, Sambhur 2, Spotted Deer 259, Wild Boar 11, Barking Deer 2, Ruddy Mongoose 5, Black-naped Hare 1, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 4, Flapshell Turtle 5, Black Turtle 2, Star Tortoise 1, Land Monitor, Common Garden Lizard, Low-land Kangaroo Lizard, Devaka’s Fan-throat Lizard.

Birds, Butterflies & Flora observed during the field trip
Birds – Black-winged Kite, Orange-headed Thrush, Black-tailed Godwit, Lesser Sand Plover, Osprey, Layard’s Flycatcher, Lesser Adjutant, Painted Storks, White-necked Stork,
Butterflies - Blue Mormon, Crimson Rose, Lesser Albatross, Blue Wanderer
Wild Orchids – Vanda tessalate & spathulata
Wildflowers –

1. Drosera burmannii Tropical Sundew (E)  Watessa (S)
2. Cadaba trifoliate Indian Cadaba (E), Irawara (S)
3. Crotalaria pallida Smooth Rattlebox (E) Andanahiriya (S)
4. Dopatrium nudicaule Small Horsefly’s Eye (E) Heen Bim Savan (S)
5. Hibiscus eriocarpus Maple-leaved Mallow (E) Kapukinissa (S) Wal Wada (S)
6. Jucticia procumbens Common Small Jucticia (E), Maha nai (S)
7. Pentapetes phoenicea Scarlet Mallow (E) Bandu-vada (S)
8. Plumbago zeylanica Ceylon Leadwort (E) Wild Plumbago(E) Ela Nithol(S)
9. Orthosiphon thymiflorus Chilantippatam (S), Thyme Java Tea (E)
10. Solanum sp.  Wild Nightshade (E), Wal Thibbatu (S)