NOTES ON FIELD TRIPS TO WILPATTU NATIONAL PARK

I arrived at my house in Wilpattu around 10.30pm on the 9th. A Fishing Cat and a few Spotted Deer were on the Hunuwilagama Tank bund between the park entrance and my house.

10th July 2026

6.30am 47 Spotted Deer and 3 large Mugger Crocodiles at Hunuwilagama Tank.

A few Ruddy Mongooses regularly visit the feeding stations in the garden during the day, while Common Palm Civets and Small Indian Civets visit them at night. Only natural foods found in the area are placed at these stations twice a day.

One intelligent female Ruddy Mongoose used to watch the caretaker take rice, bananas, and other food from the kitchen and gradually began frequenting the kitchen area. She has now become quite friendly with the caretaker, Sisira, and boldly walks through his room and the kitchen. Sisira has named her “Kiree.” She responds to her name and takes bananas from his hand. This time, I was thrilled to see that she had arrived with a pup. In return for the handouts they receive, both provide useful pest control around the house.

7.17am entered the park

A Barking Deer at the park entrance.

7.27am a Ruddy Mongoose at Percy Bendi Wewa.

The nesting colony of Painted Storks at Percy Bendi Wewa, which first occupied a tree growing in the centre of the water body, has now expanded to the surrounding trees. Many water birds build nests on trees growing in water, or on dead tree stumps, because these sites offer three main advantages.

The first and most obvious advantage is protection from predators, such as mammals and reptiles, that climb trees to prey on eggs and chicks. Secondly, because the nests are directly exposed to the sun, their proximity to water helps keep the chicks cooler during the midday heat. Thirdly, nesting close to feeding grounds reduces the energy adults must spend bringing food to their growing young.

I recorded a few pairs of these birds nesting here for the first time in June 2024. I have been visiting the park almost every month since 2011 and had not observed nesting here untill mid 2024. The colony has now expanded to more than 45 pairs nesting here.

7.46am a herd of 7 Buffalo between Palukola Wala and Gal Wanguwa.

8.21am the endemic Sphenocarp Uvaria Uvaria sphenocarpa vines had produced bright orange clusters of fruit. In Sinhala, these fruits are referred to as “Pata Bambara.” This woody climber belongs to the Soursop family (Annonaceae). The sweet pulp of the ripe fruits is eaten by Giant Squirrels, fruit-eating birds, fruit bats, and civet cats. Two butterfly species frequently seen in the park, the Common Jay and the Tailed Jay, lay their eggs on the leaves of this vine, and their larvae feed on the foliage.

9.09am photographed a fruiting Calaba Tree Calophyllum calaba between Mahapatessa and Nelum Wila. This tree, known in Sinhala as “Guru Keena” or “Heen Keena,” thrives mainly in the sandy areas of the park. Its fruiting season is during June and July. The sweet pulp of the reddish-maroon fruit is edible and provides food for many species of birds, bats, and small mammals.

9.12am a Rosary Pea vine Abrus precatorius, commonly referred to in Sinhala as Olinda, was in bloom at Nelum Wila. This is a slender, perennial climbing plant indigenous to the country. The vine plays an important role in Sri Lankan culture, as its bright red and black glossy seeds are used in the traditional April New Year game known as “Olinda Keliya,” played mostly by women. The game is played on a specially crafted wooden board called an “Olida Poruwa.” These seeds contain abrin, a deadly toxin, but several parts of the plant, including the leaves, bark, roots, and seeds, are used in Ayurvedic medicine after rigorous processing to reduce their toxicity.

9.30am a herd of 5 Buffalo and a pair of Great Stone Plover at Nelum Wila Pitiya.

9.48am 12 Spotted Deer at Ilanda Motte.     

10.20am a male White-rupmed Shama between Down Hall Pitiya and Mana Wila.

10.27am 6 Spotted Deer at Mana Wila.        

10.59am 4 Spotted Deer between Kattarambu Wila and Kok Motte.

11.25am photographed a fruit-laden Three-leafed Walsura Walsura trifoliolata tree at Kattarambu Villu. Its English name refers to its trifoliate leaves. This common tree fruits throughout the park in June and July, producing abundant small, globular, brownish-yellow berries. I have seen many frugivorous birds, including pigeons and hornbills, feeding on them, while fruit bats visit the trees at night. The berries are sweet and sour, unlike the much sweeter fruits of Palu, Weera, and Madang. This may explain why I have not observed Sloth Bears feeding on them in Wilpattu, although they are known to do so elsewhere.

12.17pm photographed a colony of  Sri Lankan Prossessional Termites Hospitalitermes monoceros at Illanda Motte. These fascinating lichen feeding insects build charcoal-black nests in tree crevices using their own excreta. In Sinhala, they are known as “Geriya,” while the nest material is called “Geri Pas.” It is said to be used in some traditional medicinal preparations. I have observed these termites moving across the forest floor and along tree trunks in the early mornings and evenings. Most of the colony consists of smaller worker termites, which travel in long lines, while the larger soldiers stand guard along the route. The paths they use gradually become blackish.

12.28am On the Ilanda Motte to Uraniya road, I noticed a tree bearing dark brown fruits that I had not previously recorded in the park. After I shared the images with Dr. Samantha Suranjan, he identified it as False Chaulmoogra Hydnocarpus venenatus, an endemic species known in Sinhala as Makulu or Makulla. Its seeds are used to produce an oil locally called “Kave Thel,” which is used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine to treat several skin diseases, including leprosy. The fruits and seeds contain compounds with narcotic properties. Indigenous communities use the chopped fruits as fish poison to harvest fish trapped in pools of water.

3.25pm the woody climbing shrub Ceylon Uvaria Uvaria zeylanica, referred to in Sinhala as “Palu Kan” or “Palanga,” was in fruit at many locations in the park. I photographed a bush bearing clusters of ripe fruit on the road from Mahapatessa to Nelum Wila.

3.46pm a few Malabar Pied Hornbills shuffled and rolled in the fine sand at Nelum Wila Pitiya. I have frequently observed these birds dust-bathing in the late afternoon. This behaviour is known to help remove tiny parasites from their feathers and skin, as the fine dust can suffocate and dislodge mites and ticks. Hornbills also use oily secretions to waterproof their feathers, and dust helps absorb excess oil. The friction between sand particles helps remove dirt and keeps the feathers in good aerodynamic condition.

4.15pm a herd of 10 Buffalo, including a newborn calf, was at Borupan Wila. The adult females in the herd showed strong protective behaviour towards the calf. Last week, one of the calves in this herd had been attacked and killed by the dominant male leopard in the area. As a result, the herd was especially protective of the remaining calf, which stayed surrounded by the adult buffaloes.

5.10pm a Sloth Bear at Maradanmaduwa.

5.35pm 2 Elephants at Paalu Wilandawa Tank.

6.00pm left the park.

Mammals - Elephant 2, Leopard, Sloth Bear 1, Indian Buffalo 12, Sambhur, Spotted Deer 79, Wild Boar, Barking Deer 1, Fishing Cat 1, Ruddy Mongoose 4, Toque Monkey, Grey Langur, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.

Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 3, Flapshell Turtle 1, Black Turtle 6, Land Monitor, Common Garden Lizard, Green Garden Lizard, Low-land Kangaroo Lizard,  Devaka’s Fan-throat Lizard.

11th July 2026

6.20am I counted 65 Spotted deer and 4 large Mugger Crocodiles at the Hunuwilagama Tank.
7.27am entered the park.
7.34am The Banded Button Orchid Acampe primorsa, in bloom between the park entrance and Ranawara Pitiya.

7.40am 3 Spotted Deer between Percy Bendi Wewa and Paaluwilandawa Tank.
7.55am 3 more Spotted Deer between Thamanna Wala and Kukulkatuwa junction.
8.07am a Ruddy Mongoose on Maha Wewa road.
8.15am a herd of 12 Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
8.16am 3 Buffalo at Maha Wewa.
8.20am 16 more Buffalo at Maha Wewa.
8.21am 12 more Spotted deer and two more Buffalo at Maha Wewa.
9.24am 4 Spotted Deer on Maha Wewa road.
9.26am 15 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
9.30am am 9 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
9.35am 7 Spotted Deer at Thambioluwa.
9.45am a Painted Lip Lizard on the new road from Mahapatsessa to Kudapatessa road.

1.23pm one leopard on the new road from Kudapatessa to Nelum Wila. N 08.41229, E 079.99941
The adult male leopard was sleeping under a bush and was partially covered by foliage. Later, upon examining the spot pattern, I noted that this was the dominant male in the main villu area, Nelum Wila Male 5 (NWMC 5), popularly referred to as “Neluma” by guides and safari jeep drivers. There were many safari jeeps on this narrow road, and I managed to get only a few record images, which enabled me to identify the leopard.

2.16pm 3 Spotted Deer between Mana Wila sand patch and Mana Wila.
2.20pm one more Spotted deer at Mana Wila.
4.30pm 2 Black-naped Hare at Kumbuk Wila pitiya.
4.32pm one Elephant at Thimbiri Wila.
4.39pm 2 Mugger Crocodiles and a herd of 12 Buffalo at Borupan Wila.
5.02pm 8 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
5.41pm a Ruddy Mongoose between Ranawara Pitiya and Kone Gaha Ela.
6.00pm left the park.
Around 10.45pm and Elephant walked through the garden while I was seated on the balcony.

Mammals - Elephant 2, Leopard 1, Sloth Bear 1, Indian Buffalo 21, Sambhur, Spotted Deer 142, Ruddy Mongoose 5, Black-naped Hare 2, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Indian Crested Porcupine, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.

Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 2, Flapshell Turtle 1, Black Turtle 8, Land Monitor, Common Garden Lizard, Green Garden Lizard, Painted-lip Lizard, Low-land Kangaroo Lizard,  Devaka’s Fan-throat Lizard.

 12th July 2026
6.15am a young tusker visited Hunuwilagama Tank. He drank water and retreated into the jungle. The usual herd of 57 Spotted Deer and a small sounder of 5 Wild Boar were also seen across the tank.
Malabar Pied Hornbills and Ceylon Grey Hornbills frequently visit the bird feeding tray in the garden. A pair of White-naped Woodpeckers were examining a tree hole on a nearby Kapok Tree tree.

I left Wilpattu  around 12.30pm.

Birds, Butterflies & Flora observed during the field trip
Birds – Lesser Adjutant, Painted Stork, White-necked Stork, White-naped Woodpecker, Golden-backed Woodpecker, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Ceylon Grey Hornbill, Coppersmith Barbet, Ceylon Small Barbet, Brown Fish Owl, Crested Honey Buzzard, Little Ringed Plover.

Butterflies - Blue Mormon, Banded Peacock, Redspot Duke, Common Mormon, Tailed Jay.

Wild Orchids – Vanda tessellate, Acampe primorsa, and Vanilla walkerae.

Fruiting trees -  Kiri Kone, Moona Mal, Guru Keena, Palu Kan, Weera, Pulima and Bole Pana

Wildflowers - Abrus precatorius Rosary Pea (E) Olinda (S), Canavalia virosa Sword Bean (E) Jack Bean (E) Mudu Awara (S), Crossandra infundibuliformis Firecracker Flower (E) , Hibiscus eriocarpus Maple-leaved Mallow (E) Kapukinissa (S) Wal Wada (S) Plumbago zeylanica Ceylon Leadwort (E) Wild Plumbago(E) Ela Nithol(S)