NOTES ON FIELD TRIPS TO WILPATTU NATIONAL PARK
- Wilpattu National Park 31st December 2014
7.10am entered the park.
7.11am 8 Spotted Deer between park entrance and Weli Ela.
7.15am 1 Mouse Deer (White-spotted Chevrotain) at Weli Ela.
7.20am 1 Spotted Deer and 1 Barking Deer just before the turn off to Paalu Wilandawa Tank.
7.32am 2 Spotted Deer before Palu Kola Wala.
7.42am 7 Wild Buffalo with a new born calf at Maradanmaduwa.
7.53am 3 Sambar with one antler and 1 Barking Deer between Ibba Wala and Humbas Wala.
8.01am 1 Mugger Crocodile at Walas Wala.
8.03am 2 Golden Jackal between Borupan Junction and Borupan Wila.
8.05am 24 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
8.10am 3 Spotted Deer at Thimbiri Wila.
8.14am a partly eaten Wild Boar carcass where the road from Mahapatessa enters Thimbiri Wila. As it was only a few feet from to the road the stench was unbearable. A leopard was lying inside the forest across the road but was not possible to identify.
8.41am 15 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu.
8.44am 2 Mugger Crocodile at Kokkare Villu.
8.45am 4 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila Uda Para.
9.00am 4 Spotted Deer at Panikkar Villu.
9.01am 1 Spotted Deer and 1 Black-naped Hare ran across the road on Panikkar Villu uda Para.
9.06am 2 Spotted deer at Kombansanchipooval sand patch.
9.21am 7 Spotted Deer at Aalam Villu.
9.33am 12 Spotted Deer and I Elephant at Nelum Wila.
9.37am a troop of Grey Langur at Kokkare Junction.
9.39am 1 Barking Deer down Kumbuk Wila Uda Para.
9.45am 8 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila Uda Para.
10.20am 1 Spotted Deer between Mahapatessa and Kudapatessa.
11.03am 1 Green Vine Snake at Downall Pitiya.
11.20am troop of Grey Langur between Manikkapola Uttu and Kuruttupandi Villu.
11.22am 1 Spotted Deer at Kuruttupandi Uda Para.
11.25am 1 fast flying Dragonfly known as the Rapacious Flangetail at Kudapatessa.
11.45am observed and photographed a group of Blue, Dark Blue and Common Tiger butterflies feeding on Podi Singgo Maran bushes at Kumbuk Wila.
12.15pm 2 Parker’s Black Turtles at Humbas Wala.
12.20pm 1 Barking Deer at Thambi Oluwa.
12.50pm arrived at the park entrance.
1.20pm upon being informed of a Pygmy Woodpecker digging a nest hole on a decaying branch of a Margosa tree at the park entrance by DWLC Officer Bimal, I located a nest hole on a slender decaying branch with the aid of my binoculars.
2.10pm 1 Pygmy Woodpecker arrived at the nest hole and started to dig. I took a few photographs the bird and left, as I needed to get to Colombo by evening.
- Wilpattu National Park 14th December 2014
10am entered the park with guide Dinesh.
10.05am a Brown Fish Owl at Weli Ela.
10.43am 18 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa
11.02am 1 Mugger Crocodile and a Parker’s Black Turtle at Walas Wala.
11.45am 1 Lesser Adjutant at Borupan Wila.
11.47pm 1 Grey Heron and a Great Stone Plover at Borupan Pitiya Wala.
12.06pm1 Crested Honey Buzzard at Demata Wila.
12.15pm 1 Ruddy Mongoose between Mahapatessa and Kumbuk Wila.
12.34pm 14 Spotted Deer and a troop of Grey Langur at Kumbuk Wila Uda Para.
12.50pm 9 Black-tailed Godwits at Mahapatessa.
12.57pm 1 Leopard between Mahapatessa and Kumbuk Wila. I followed the pugmarks towards Kumbuk Wila and noted that the leopard had moved in to the forest. Even though I was able to see the animal inside the forest briefly there was no possibility of photographing the same.
1.45pm 1 Leopard, KSPMC 2 sleeping inside a bush at Kokkare Villu. As the animal was resting we decided to come back after a game drive. N 08.41699, E079.99355
2.20pm 1 Adult male antler Sambar walking on Kumbuk Wila Uda Para beyond Madangaha Wala.
2.45pm As we arrived at the location where KSPMC 2 was lying down it moved out of the bush and walked across the open glade. Stopped to defecate and continued its walk I to the forest.
3.24pm 9 Spotted Deer between Kuda Boralu Wala and Maradanmaduwa.
3.55pm 1 Mugger Crocodile at Kumbuk Wila.
3.56pm 1 Black-naped Hare at Kumbuk Wila Pitiya.
4.29pm 1 Mugger Crocodile at Borupan Wila.
5.02pm 1 Mugger Crocodile at Palu Kola Wala.
5.15pm 8 Spotted Deer at Weli Ela.
5.17pm 2 Spotted Deer at the park entrance.
5.18pm left the park.
- Wilpattu National Park 6th -7th December 2014
I was informed of a pair of Woodpeckers excavating a nest hole on a dead tree stump at “Wana Mal Gama”, a village, on the road to the park entrance.
7.15am as I arrived at the site observed a pair of Crimson-backed Woodpeckers visiting the nest hole on the dead tree stump. The birds left after a few minutes.
8.02am the pair arrived again and the female moved in to the hole while the male stayed at the entrance. After a while a Common Myna perched on the top of the stump and the male was quite agitated. Instantly the female came out of the nest hole and both performed a threat display with their wings spread out. The display resulted in the intruder flying off to another tree.
8.55am observed and photographed the Black-backed Yellow Woodpecker nesting on a dead coconut stump at a Chena bordering the National Park at Habawew. During the half hour that I spent at the nest site the male, on two occasions, brought what looked like the larva of a wood-boring beetle. The female was seen in the vicinity but did not bring any food for the chicks.
9.36am entered the park with guide podi Danushka.
9.38am 1 Barking Deer at the turn off the Hunuwilagama Tank.
9.46am 10 Spotted Deer at Percy Bendi Wewa.
9.59am 1 large Mugger Crocodile at Palu Kola Wala.
10.10am 2 Golden Jackal at Maradanmaduwa.
10.11am 8 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa “Kukul Katu” plains.
The beautiful “Kapukinissa” Hibiscus eriocarpus flowers were in bloom at Borupan Wila.
11.00am 1 Black-naped Hare at Kumbuk Wila.
11.03am the Flame Lily Gloriosa superba in bloom at may locations.
11.05am 1 Mugger Crocodile at Kumbuk Wila.
11.10am a troop of Grey Langur at Mahapatessa.
12.00pm 1 female Barking Deer between Nelum Wila and Panikkar Villu junction.
12.05pm 1 Elephant feeding on the fresh growth of reeds at Aalam Villu moved hurriedly in to the forest upon our arrival. This is the same bull that charged at us during my previous visit at Panikkar Viilu. Perhaps he was in Musth.
12.12pm 1 Spotted Deer stag at Panikkar Villu uda para.
12.18am 3 Spotted Deer between Panikkar Villu and Tala Wila.
12.40am 1 male Barking Deer between Panikkar Villu and Nelum Wila.
12.48pm 12 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu.
1.47pm 1 male Sambar with an impressive pair of antlers at the sand patch near Kumbuk Wila uda para.
1.53am 1 Mugger Crocodile and a Flapshell Turtle at Sudu Muwa Wala.
2.06pm 1 Mugger Crocodile at Borupan Wila.
3.06am 18 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu.
3.10pm 2 Ruddy Mongoose sprinted across the open grasslands at Kokkare Villu.
3.18pm 1 immature Black-naped Hare ran across the rod at Kumbuk Wila summer hut.
3.25pm 1 Leopard, KSPMC 2 at Kumbuk Wila uda para. N 08.41903, E080.00941
It was lying down about 30 meters inside the forest. Its stomach was full. Around 4.45pm it started to rain and we decided to head towards the park entrance.
5.02pm 14 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
5.30pm the wild ground orchid Habenaria Plantaginea in bloom on the Mahawewa road.
5.37pm 14 Spotted Deer at Percy Bendi Wewa.
5.45pm left the park7th December 2014
6.24am arrived at the Crimson-backed Woodpecker site.
6.40am the pair arrived at the nest. The male entered the nest hole and started to excavate. It would disappear in to the hole and poke his head out every minute or so to dispose small pieces of chipped wood. The female remained out of the nest, preening.
After a few minutes a Dinopium Woodpecker called from a near by tree and both the woodpeckers were quite agitated. The female flew off to another tree nearby and the male listened to the call with its crest erect. After a few minutes when the calls stopped it continued with the excavation.
7.55am entered the park with guide Dinesh.
7.56am 1 Spotted Deer near the park entrance
7.58am 5 Spotted Deer near Weli Ela.
8.02am 1 Brown Fish Owl at Percy Bendi Wewa.
8.22am 1 female Barking Deer close to Palu Kola Wala.
8.39am 28 Spotted Deer in a few scattered herds at Maradanmaduwa.
8.59am the Common Ink Cap mushrooms Coprinus achnous was observed growing on a ant hill at Borupan Wila.
9.15am 16 Spotted Deer at Thimbiri Wila.
9.43am 4 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa.
9.56am 3 male spotted Deer between Kuruttupandi junction and Kuruttupandi Villu.
10.05am 4 Mugger Crocodile at Kokkare Villu.
10.13am 207 Lesser Sand Plover along with a few Curlew, Marsh, Wood and Common Sandpipers, Green Shanks and one Red Shank. Black-tailed Godwits and Pin-tailed Snipe were seen at Mahapatessa, Kudapatessa, Panikkar Villu and Kuruttupandi Villu.
10.20am 1 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila.
10.24am a pair of Barking Deer between Nelum Wila and Panikkar Villu.
10.34am 2 Spotted Deer at one hard Shell Terrapin at Aalam Villu.
10.58am 3 Spotted Deer at Kombansanchipooval.
11.36am 1 Star Tortoise at Erenapala Mottai.
11.43am 1 Ruddy Mongoose beyond Nawaladi Uttu
12.06pm 9 Wild Boar at Illanda Mottai.
12.10pm 1 Flapshell Turtle at Illanda Mottai.
12.20pm the wild orchid Habenaria pantaginea in bloom at Manikkapola Uttu sand patch and down Manikrala Uraniya road.
1.02pm 1 Leopard, KSPMC 2, at Mahapatessa. N 08.43294, E 079.99944
It was lying down behind some bushes at the point where the road from Kudapatessa enters Mahapatessa.
2.15pm the leopard moved in to the forest. The alarm call of the Grey Langur indicated that it had moved to the edge of the Villu. I spotted him lying down beneath a bush across Mahapatessa. It was too far for any photography. As it started to rain I decided to head towards the park entrance.
3.30pm left the park.
- Wilpattu National Park 14-16 November 2014
Three days at Lunu Wewa bungalow. My friend Palitha Antony accompanied me during the first two days.
6.13am entered the park with guide podi Danushka.
6.20 a Water Monitor at Weli Ela. This is my first sighting of this species inside the park.
6.21am 1 Star Tortoise at the same location.
6.24am 8 Spotted Deer at the first Glade.
6.30am 1 Barking Deer at Paluwilandawa Junction.
6.50am 2 Lesser Adjutants at Maradanmaduwa.
6.51am 15 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
6.54am 8 Spotted Deer at “Kukul Katu” glade at Maradanmaduwa.
7.01am 5 Spotted Deer at Ibba Wala.
7.05am 1 Barking Deer between Ibba Wala and Humbas Wala.
7.15am 1 Ruddy Mongoose between Borupan junction and Borupan Wila.
7.17am 1 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
7.19am 1 Mugger Crocodile and 1 Flapshell Turtle at Borupan Wila.
7.21am a troop of Grey Langur at Borupan Wila.
7.25am 1 Grey Mongoose at Borupan Wila.
7.30am 2 Lesser Adjutant at Thimbiri Wila.
7.32am 33 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila.
7.34am troop of Grey Langur at Kumbuk Wila uda para junction.
7.50am 12 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila.
7.54am 1 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila pitiya.
8.27am 23 Spotted Deer at Kuruttupandi Villu.
8.33am 1 adult male Wild Boar at Kudapatessa.
8.40am 1 Mugger Crocodile at Mahapatessa.
8.42am 8 Spotted Deer at Demata Wila.
8.47am 1 Mugger Crocodile at Mahapatessa. It was few feet from the edge of the water and was partly submerged. Every now and then the reptile would lunge forward with a big slash to catch fish. Each time the Crocodile attempted to catch fish a few Black-winged Stilts would eagerly pick off tiny fish that gets displaced by the splashing of the water.
8.48am 1 Ruddy Mongoose between Mahapatessa and Kumbuk Wila summer hut.
9.34am 1 Grey Mongoose at Thimbiri Wila pitiya.
10.40am 1 female Indian Blue Chat between Lunuwewa (Salt Lake) Bungalow and Borupan Wila.
10.49am troop of Toque Monkey at Lunu Wewa junction.
11.29am 1 Ruddy Mongoose at Kudapatessa.
11.40am 1 large male Sambar with a very impressive pair of antlers crossed the road between Kudapatessa and Kokare Weli Kanda.
11.48am 2 Golden Jackal at Kokare Villu.
12.17pm adult male Sambar that was seen earlier had walked up to Kokkare Weli Kanda.
12.36am 9 Spotted Deer at Thimbiri Wila.
2.07pm 2 Golden Jackal at a troop of grey Langur at Lunu Wewa bungalow.
2.22pm troop of Grey Langur between lunuwewa junction and Borupan Wila.
2.24pm 1 Black-naped Hare feeding on the fresh grass shoots in an open glade at Borupan Wila.
2.30pm 15 Spotted Deer at Thimbiri Wila.
2.38pm 1 Wild Boar at Kumbuk Wila.
2.42pm 10 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa.
2.50am 8 Spotted Deer at Kudapatessa.
3.02am female jungle fowl with 6 tiny chicks crossed the road between Kokkare Weli Kanda and Kudapatessa.
3.07am 8 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Weli Kanda.
3.10am 12 Spotted Deer and 1 Grey Mongoose at Kokkare Villu.
3.12pm 28 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu.
3.24pm 1 Mugger Crocodile at Nelum Wila pitiya.
4.13am 1 Grey Mongoose between Thimbiri Wila and Borupan Wila.
4.45p. 1 White-necked Stork at Lunu Wewa.
4.45pm as I was informed by the bungalow keeper that a large tusker had visited the water body at Lunuwewa the previous day, we arrived at the bungalow. The tusker did not arrive as expected.
The park had received good amount of rain and all the water bodies were full. Borupan Wila had started to overflow. The Flame Lily was in bloom at a few locations in the park.
15th November 2014
5.30am left the bungalow.
5.44am 22 Spotted Deer at Thimbiri Wila.
5.50am 27 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa.
5.52am 1 Mugger Crocodile at Mahapatessa.
5.55am 22 Spotted Deer at Kudapatessa.
6.00am 9 Spotted Deer and 1 Lesser Adjutant at Kuruttupandi Villu.
6.04am 1 Lesser Adjutant at Illanda Mottai.
6.10am 11 Spotted Deer at Kumutu Wila.
6.17am 32 Spotted Deer at Kanjuran Villu.
6.20am 1 Barking Deer between Kanjuran and Kali Villu.
6.27am 66 Spotted Deer, troop of Grey Langur and 3 Mugger Crocodile at Kali Villu.
7.14am 1 Barking Deer between Illanda Mottai and Kuruttupandi Villu.
7.24am 1 Barking Deer between Kudapatessa and Kokkare Weli Kanda.
7.33am 23 Spotted Deer and 1 Barking Deer at Kokkare Villu.
7.34am 1 Grey Mongoose at Kokkare Villu.
7.36am 42 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu.
7.44am 13 Spotted Deer and 1 Grey Mongoose at Kumbuk Wila pitiya.
7.53am 1 Grey Mongoose at Thimbiri Wila.
8.41am troop of Grey Langur at Mahapatessa.
8.53am 1 Barking Deer at Borupan Wila.
10.10am 1 Ruddy Mongoose between Lunuwewa bungalow and Borupan Wila.
10.34am 1 Barking Deer at Thambi Oluwa.
10.36am 2 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
10.40am 1 Barking Deer at Kohombagaha pitiya.
10.54am 1 Orange-headed Ground Thrush at Percy bendi Wewa.
11.02 left the park to look for a pair of nesting woodpeckers just out side the park.
11.45am to 2.00pm I informed of a pair of nesting Black-backed Yellow Woodpeckers in a Chena bordering the park. Having visited the location I was able to locate the nest hole on a dead coconut tree. After some time the male arrived with an insect in its beak and the female left the nest hole. The insect prey was not fed to the female and the male moved inside the nest hole with the prey. After about 40 minutes the female arrived again with an insect in its beak and the male left. Perhaps the eggs have hatched and the birds are feeding a very young chick. I managed to photograph both the male and the female.
2.15pm entered the park.
2.28pm 1 Spotted Deer at Thammanna Wala.
2.40pm the Nodding Swamp Orchid Geodorum densiflorum in bloom at Maradanmaduwa.
2.47pm 5 Spotted Deer close to Kuda Boralu Wala.
3.00pm 3 Flapshell Turtles at Borupan Wila.
3.24pm 1 large Mugger Crocodile in a pool of water on the road at Thimbiri Wila.
3.27pm 2 Golden Jackal at Kumbuk Wila.
3.35pm 1 Leopard, KSPMC 2 at Kokkare Villu. N 08.41714, E 079.99405
The leopard was lying down on a sand patch studded with a few bushes. Around 4.28pm a Land Monitor entered the glade and was searching for food. The sounds made by the lizard digging the earth alerted the leopard. As the Lizard walked pass a bush it noticed the leopard and puffed up its throat and the leopard watched its movements intently. After a few anxious moments the lizard made a dash across the glade with its tail raised and dived in to a pool of water. The leopard continued to watch but did not give charge and after a few minutes went back to sleep.
5.09pm left the leopard and decided to do a drive.
5.40pm 1 Flapshell Turtle between Kudapatessa and Kokkare Weli Kanda.
5.42pm 1 Star Tortoise at Kokkare Weli Kanda.
5.44pm 1 Barking Deer at Kokkare Weli Kanda.
5.48pm drove back to where the Leopard was lying down at the same location.
Around 6.00pm we decided to drive back to the bungalow.6.09pm 1 Black-naped Hare between Kumbuk Wila and Thimbiri Wila.
6.10pm 1 Black-naped Hare between Thimbiri Wila and Borupan Wila.
6.15pm 1 Black-naped Hare at Borupan Wila.
6.20pm arrived at the Lunuwewa bungalow.
16th November 2014
5.50am left the bungalow with guide podi Danushka.
6.14am 2 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila.
6.16am 22 Spotted Deer close to Kumbuk Wila summer hut.
6.20am 1 Barking Deer at Kokkare Pitiya.
6.28am 28 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu.
6.32am 8 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu.
6.37am 1 Barking Deer between Kokkare Villu and Kuruttupandi junction.
6.45am 13 Spotted Deer, 1 Mugger Crocodile and 1 large adult male Wild Boar at Mahapatessa.
6.50am 1 Leopard walking towards Mahapatessa from Thimbiri Wila. It was KSPMC 2. N 08.42719, E 080.00929
Having seen the leopard I reversed the vehicle about 50 meters to allow it to walk. As I was trying to angle the vehicle to take a few photos the leopards sprinted towards us and stopped few feet from the vehicle. After looking n the direction of the forest for a few minutes it moved in to the forest. I believe the leopard having seen a few Peafowl beyond the vehicle tried to make an ambush attack by taking cover of the vehicle. However the Peafowl detected the leopard and moved in to the forest. I reversed further expecting the leopard to re appear on the road and after a few minutes it started to walk towards me again. Having walked within few feet from the vehicle this bold leopard continued its walk passing the vehicle not more than a foot from the vehicle. It was marking the bushes along the road and the pungent smell of its urine was quite strong as we drove slowly passed them following the leopard.
7.19am I followed it up to Mahapatessa where it moved in to the forest towards Demata Wila. N 08.43058, E 080.00417
7.24am 2 Golden Jackal and 1 Giant Squirrel at Mahapatessa.
7.27am 12 Spotted Deer accompanies by a troop of Grey Langur at Mahapatessa.
7.55am 1 Barking Deer at Kudapatessa.
8.35am 5 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
8.40am photographed a White-rumped Shama vocalizing.
9.41am 1 Mugger Crocodile at Thimbiri Wila.
10.32am 3 Spotted Deer at Eriyakkulam pooval.
10.50am 1 Mugger Crocodile at Walas Wala.
11.07am 1 Ruddy Mongoose at Kokkare Villu.
12.31pm 1 Mugger Crocodile at Sudu Muwa Wala.
2.42pm 1 male Tawny Raja photographed between Mahapatessa and Kudapatessa.
2.51pm 2 Spotted Deer at Thimbiri Wila.
3.06pm 1 Sloth Bear at Borupan junction. It was feeding in side the jungle and moved in to the forest towards Sudu Muwa Wala. We drove passed the Bear to ensure that the sighting was not disturbed for some visitors who were photographing the animal.
3.43pm 1 Female Sambar at Kokkare Villu.
3.50pm 1 Black-naped Hare at Kumbuk Wila Pitiya.
4.17pm a male Indian Peafowl displaying to another male with no female was in sight at Kudapatessa.
4.25pm 1 Barking Deer between Kuruttupandi junction and Kuruttupandi Villu.
4.30pm 2 Sambar crossed the road between Kuruttupandi junction and Kokkare Villu.
4.50pm 1 Barking Deer between Boralu Wala and Humbas Wala.
5.00pm 1 Female Leopard between Humbas Wala and Ibba Wala. N 08.40205, E 080,05078
It was marking the bushes on the road and moved in to the forest. Having driven to the point where it entered the forest we spotted it lying down among the foliage about 20 feet from the road. It was a very shy animal and moved in to the forest upon the approach of another vehicle. I estimated its age to be around 3 years. Having checked its spot pattern I realized that I had not photographed this leopard earlier. I named it after the location where it was first seen as Humbas Wala Female 1 ( HWF 1).
5.11pm 4 Sambar (large antler and three females) and 5 Spotted Deer at Thambi Oluwa.
5.15pm 1 Spotted Deer stag close to Maradanmaduwa.
5.12pm 6 Spotted Deer at Kukulkatu glade at Maradanmaduwa.
5.35pm 2 Spotted Deer at the first glade.
5.48pm left the park.
- Wilpattu National Park 24th -26th October 2014
10.43am entered the park with my guide podi Danushka.
10.52am 6 Spotted Deer at Percy Bendi Wewa.
11.02am 6 Wild Buffalo at Palukola Wala which is full after the recent rains.
11.08am 26 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
11.17am 7 Spotted Deer at Ibba Wala.
11.21am 3 Spotted Deer at Humbas Wala.
11.40am 1 Leopard, Kombansanchipooval Male 2 (KSPMC 2) at Kokkare Villu. N 08.41736, E079.99368
It was sleeping under a fallen bow shaped log covered by bushes and no photography was possible. 12.59pm the Leopard climbed on to the log and lied down. 1.07pm a short burst of heavy rain made the Leopard sit on its hind legs and stayed still. It continued its sleep at the same locality even at 4.19pm.
2.11pm 2 Spotted Deer close to Panikkar Villu junction.
2.18pm 4 Lesser Adjutant at Panikkar Villu.
The fruiting season of the Bol-Pana Glycosmis angustifolia bushes had started. These bushes all over the park were covered with their beautiful pink fruits.
7.14am 2.27pm 7 Spotted Deer at Tala Wila.
2.38pm 1 Brown Fish owl at Kombansanchi Pooval. It was perched at the edge of the water and few up on to a tree upon our arrival.
2.49pm 5 Spotted Deer at Aalam Villu.
2.53pm 7 Spotted Deer at Panikkar Villu junction.
2.59pm wild orchid, Vanda spathulata in bloom at Nelum Wila.
3.00pm 6 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila.
3.06pm a pied Kingfisher at Kokkare Villu.
4.05pm 1 Black-naped Hare and a Golden Jackal a short distance away from each other at Kumbuk Wila.
4.23pm 2 Golden Jackal at Kokkare Villu pitiya.
4.36pm 5 Spotted Deer and 1 Mugger Crocodile at Kudapatessa.
4.40pm 1 Mugger Crocodile and about 250 waders which included Curlew Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, Lesser sand Plover, Little Stint, Black-winged Stilt, Wood, Common and Mash Sandpipers, Asiatic Golden Plover, Pin-tailed Snipe at Mahapatessa.
4.56pm 1 Leopard, Kudapatessa Male 1 (KPMC 1) at Kokkkare Villu near the road that lead s to Kumbuk Wila Uda Para. N 08.41374, E079.99130
It was sleeping on the edge of the forest and was not disturbed by the few vehicles that had gathered a short distance from where it was sleeping. I observed and photographed the leopard until 5.22am and left to reach the park entrance.
6.20pm 2 Black-naped Hare on the road at Weli Ela.
6.22pm 7 Wild Boar between Weli Ela and the park entrance.
6.25pm left the park.
A large number of Butterflies were seen after the rains. There was a large number of Common Mormons and Lemon Migrants “mud sipping” at many locations. There were few Lesser Albatross and Common Jay’s as well. A large colony of Fruit Bats had taken up residence around Kumbuk Wila and their screeching calls can be heard throughout the day. Perhaps they have had young.25th October 2014
6.06am entered the park with my guide podi Danushka.
6.13am 6 Spotted Deer at Percy Bendi Wewa.
6.18am 1 Flapshell Turtle and 3 Spotted Deer at Thammanna Wala.
6.23am 6 Spotted Deer and a Brown Fish Owl at Maradanmaduwa.
6.34am 2 Sambar at Thambi Oluwa.
6.37am 1 Spotted Deer at Ibba Wala.
6.38am 1 Barking Deer before Humbas Wala.
6.41am 2 Spotted Deer close to Boralu Wala.
6.51am 15 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila.
6.57am 1 Leopard, Kombansanchipooval Male 2 (KSPMC 2) at the same location where it was observed the previous day at Kokkare Villu. N 08.41736, E079.99368
No photography was possible as the locality was covered with bushes. When I checked around 11.35am it was not to be seen and was not seen at this locality during the rest of the day.
6.59am 12 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu where the Kudapatessa Male 1 (KPMC 1) was seen yesterday.
7.03am 10 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu.
The Ivory Flowers Pavetta gleniei referred to as Maharathambala in Sinhala and the Climbing Flax Hugonia mystax referred to as Gini Kitiya was in bloom at many localities of the park.
7.12am 1 Grey Mongoose at Kokkare Villu pitiya.
7.19am 12 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu Pitiya.
7.22am 1 Flapshell Turtle in a pool of rain water on the road at Nelum Wila.
7.24am 12 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila pitiya. This herd showed great interest in a Mugger Crocodile that move out a small water body close to where they were feeding. Few of them followed the crocodile with their raised tails but kept a safe distance from the large reptile.
7.29am 1 Leopard at Nelum Wila pitiya. It was lying behind a bush across the open filed and moved in to the forest before I was able to take any photographs.
7.55am 1 Spotted Deer between Kokkare Villu and Kuruttupandi junction.
8.24am 8 Spotted Deer at Manikrala Uraniya.
9.11am 2 Golden Jackal among the Yellow-eyed Grass flowers at Kokkare Villu.
10.05am 2 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila.
10.14am 1 Barking Deer close to Panikkar Villu junction.
11.13am 2 Spotted Deer between Tala Wila and Kombansanchipooval sand patch.
11.18am 1 Ruddy Mongoose at Panikkar Villu.
12.04pm troop of Grey Langur between Kokkare Villu and Kumbuk Wila.
12.15pm 9 Wild Boar at Thimbiri Wila.
12.18pm 2 Lesser Adjutant at Thimbiri Wila.
1.03pm troop of Grey Langur between Kudapatessa and Kuruttupandi Junction.
1.09pm 4 Spotted Deer between Kuruttupandi Villu and Manikkapola Uttu.
1.14pm 1 Brown Fish Owl perched on an exposed branch between Manikkapola Uttu and Kumutu Wila.
2.16pm 1 Mugger Crocodile at Mahapatessa.
2.25pm the 2 Golden Jackals observed around Kokkare Villu were seen seated in a pool of water on the road.
2.57pm 1 Black-naped Hare at Nelum Wila.
3.28pm 1 Flapshell Turtle between Mahapatessa and Kudapatessa.
3.53pm 1 Elephant at Panikkar Villu. The elephant that was feeding in the middle of the villu and charged requiring us to make a hasty get away.
4.17pm 1 Leopard, KPMC 2 at Kokkare Villu. N 08.41407, E079.99105
It was lying down very close to where it was seen the previous day evening. Around 4.45pm it was alerted by a Spotted Deer stag that trotting across the pitiya and moved in to the forest about 100 meters from the where the leopard was sleeping. As the Deer moved close to the forest the Leopard sat on its hind legs and started to walk in that direction and along the road to Kumbuk Wila uda para. I left in order to reach the park entrance on time.
5.19pm 1 Mugger Crocodile at Walas Wala.
5.27pm 1 Sloth Bear at Thambi Oluwa.
5.55pm left the park
26th October 2014
6.06am entered the park.
6.44am 1 Grey Mongoose at Kumbuk Wila.
6.45am 22 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila.
6.54am 1 Mugger Crocodile at Kokkare Villu.
7.32am 4 Spotted Deer at Kali Villu.
7.36am 13 Mugger Crocodiles at Kali Villu.
7.40am 1 Mugger Crocodile at Kuda Marai Villu.
7.42am 9 Spotted Deer at 1 Mugger Crocodile at Marai Villu
7.48am 4 Spotted deer, 1 Flapshell Terrapin and a Lesser Adjutant at Paya Mottai.
8.10am 1 Sambar at Pukkulam.
9.02am The beautiful magenta tipped white-winged butterfly, Crimson Tip was observed and photographed close to the Pukkulam Tank. This is my first sighting of this species in the park.
9.48am 1 Lesser Adjutant at Maila Villu.
10.15am observed a displaying Fan-throat Lizard Sitana ponticeriana at Kudiramale Point.
10.38am 18 White-bellied Sea Eagles between Kudiramale point and the sand dunes passing the location where visitors are permitted to have a sea bath.
10.56am walked on to the beach at Kudiramale and photographed many Hermit Crabs.
11.54am 2 Spotted deer at Maila Villu.
12.23pm Vanda tessalata in bloom between Maila Villu and Kollankanatte.
12.42pm photographed the remains of the urns in which human remains have been buried during pre-historic times. These urns have been unearthed due to sea erosion and the remains have been removed.
12.59pm 1 Common Bronze-back Dendrelaphis tristis at Kollankanatte.
1.15pm 1 Wild Boar between Kollan Kanatte junction and Maila Villu.
1.18pm 1 Cobra Naja naja crossed the road at Maila Villu.
1.27pm 1 Ruddy Mongoose between Palugahathurei junction and Maila Villu.
2.12pm 15 Spotted Deer at Maila Villu.
2.56pm 1 Ruddy Mongoose Maila Villu.
3.16pm 3 Spotted Deer between Kollan Kanatte junction and Periya Villu.
3.20pm 8 Wild Buffalo between close to Sinna Uppu Villu.
3.46pm 33 Elephants with a small Tusker of about 3 years at Pomparippu. I named it the Pomparippu Tusker after the locality where I saw him for the first time.
4.27pm 1 elephant at Pallekandal Pitiya.
4.32pm 15 Spotted Deer arrived at Pomparippu pitiya.
5.26pm 8 Wild Boar at Pomparippu.
5.34pm pair of Bustard Quail sand bathing at Pomparippu.
5.45pm left the park from the Eluwankulama entrance.
Butterflies Crimson Tip, Large salmon Arab, Small Salmon Arab, White Orange Tip, Yellow Orange Tip, Little Orange Tip, Lesser Albatross, Indian Sunbeam, Zebra Blue, Chocolate Soldier, Blue Tiger, Dark Blue Tiger, Common Crow, Common Tiger, Plain Tiger, Lemon Migrant, Mottled Emigrant, Tawny Coaster, Great egg Fly, Joker, Peacock Pansy, Lemon Pansy, Angled Castor, Danaid Eggfly, Common Gull and Stripped Albatross seen between Mollikulam and Eluwankulam.
- Wilpattu National Park 04th - 05th October 2014
6.38am entered the park with Mendis Wickramasinghe, Nethu Wickramasinghe and their children Amatha and Gagana. Our guide for the day was podi Danushka.
6.45 am 1 Barking Deer at Weli Ela.
6.52am 2 Barking Deer just beyond Percy Bendi Wewa.
7.01am 1 Wild Boar close to Thammanna Wala.
7.10am the wild flower Forest Spider Lily Pancriatum biflorum in bloom between Thammanna Wala glade and Maradanmaduwa.
7.14am 1 Mugger Crocodile at Palu Kola Wala.
7.33am 3 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
8.01am 4 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
8.07am 2 Mugger Crocodile at Thimbiri end of Borupan Wila.
8.12am 8 Spotted Deer at Thimbiri Wila pitiya.
8.20am 5 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila pitiya.
9.30am 1 Rat large Snake was observed in a pool of water on the road. I stopped the vehicle as the snake was making very quick movements and moved its body vigorously in the mercy water. It appeared that it was searching for something. After about 5 minutes of search the snake moved off the pool and slithered in to the grass. Thinking that the snake may have searched the pool for some prey I drove forward. As we approached the pool we detected a large Jerdon’s Bullfrog Hoplobatrachus crassus with fresh wounds on its left hind leg hiding in the grass. It was found only a few inches from the pool. The snake, most probably, caught the frog but it had managed to save itself with a few injuries.
9.46am 1 Barking Deer at Nelum Wila.
9.54 2 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila.
10.16am 2 Spotted Deer at Kuruttupandi Villu.
10.29am 4 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa.
11.01am 2 Spotted Deer at Illanda Mottai.
11.40am a female Toque Monkey with a newly born baby at the Kali Villu bungalow premises.
12.09pm 1 Flapshell Turtle at Kali Villu.
12.11pm 4 Spotted Deer at Kali Villu.
12.18pm 9 Spotted Deer at Marai Villu.
1.10pm Fossilized snails at Kudiramale Point.
1.20pm 1 Star Tortoise and many Fan-throat Lizards at Kudiramale Point.
1.31pm Black Kite at Kudiramale. My first sighting of this species in the park.
2.40pm a flock of 12 Grey Partridge close to Kudiramale. This is my first sighting of this species within the park.
3.32pm 79 Spotted Deer and 1 adult male Wild Boar at Maila Villu.
3.43pm 4 Spotted Deer and 1 Mugger Crocodile at Avatara Mottai.
3.44pm 3 Spotted Deer at Paya Mottai.
3.47pm 13 Spotted Deer at Kaya Mottai.
3.55pm 46 Spotted Deer and 2 large Mugger Crocodile at Marai Villu.
3.57pm 1 adult male Wild Boar at kuda Mara Wila.
4.02pm 13 Mugger Crocodile at Kali Villu.
4.09pm 56 Spotted Deer at Kali Villu.
4.18pm 11 Spotted Deer at Kanjuran Villu.
4.23pm 8 Spotted Deer and 1 Lesser Adjutant at Kumutu Wila.
4.27pm 9 Spotted Deer between Kumutu Wila and Manikkapola Uttu.
4.38pm 15 Spotted Deer at Kuruttupandi Villu.
4.47pm 15 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa.
4.55pm 1 leopard, KSPMC 2 at Thimbiri Wila. Having driven from Mahapatessa a Leopard was spotted on a tree about 200 meters before arriving at Thimbiri Wila. N 08.42749, E080.00993
After a few minutes the leopard climbed down the tree. Expecting the leopard to walk to Thimbiri Wila we drove ahead and parked. After a few minutes the leopard broke cover and started to walk on the edge of the forest and reached the water. N 08.42723, E080.01084
After drinking for a few minutes it continued the walk in the direction of Kumbuk Wila, ignoring the frantic alarm calls of a few Spotted Deer, and entered the forest.
5.16pm considering the direction in which the leopard moved I drove around Thimbiri Wila and arrived on the road to Kumbuk Wila. As expected it was spotted walking towards Kumbuk Wila while “scent marking” the bushes along the road. After a short distance the young leopard moved to a side and started to bite off and swallow a species of grass by the side of the road. Thereafter it continued it’s walk to the Kumbuk Wila Pitiya. I kept a safe distance from the leopard ( 30 feet) to ensure that it would not walk off the road. Having walked to Kumbuk Wila pitiya the leopard sat by the side of the road at the turn off to Thimbiri road. After a few minutes with the increase in the number of vehicles and the level of noise it moved in to the forest in the direction of Kumbul Wila. N 08.42130, E080.01025
5.20pm 35 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila Pitiya.
6.00pm 14 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
6.04pm 6 Wild Buffalo between Maradanmaduwa and the grave.5th October 2014
6.45am entered the park with the same party accompanies by guide Saram.
6.51am 2 Ruddy Mongoose at Weli Ela Pitiya.
7.46am 1 juvenile Brahminy Myna at Maradanmaduwa. This is my first sighting of this species in side the park.
7.58am 7 Wild Boar at Maradanmaduwa, Kukul Kalu glade.
8.01am 28 Spotted Deer, 2 Grey Mongoose and 1 Lesser Adjutant at Maradanmaduwa tank.
8.05am troop of Grey Langur at Maradanmaduwa.
8.36am 5 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila.
9.36am 1 Leopard, KSPMC 2 sleeping on a Palu tree with a Wild Boar carcass on Kumbuk Wila uda para. N 08.41930, E080.00996
11.02am 12 Spotted Deer at Tala Wila
12.43pm 13 Spotted Deer and a heard of 23 Wild Boar at Panikkar Villu.
1.20pm Typlops sp. Snake, Bark Gecko and a Green Garden Lizard at Panikkar Villu.
2.29pm 5 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
3.11pm 1 male Sambar crossed the road between Palu Kola Wala and Kalagedi Bokkuwa.3.20pm left the park
- Wilpattu National Park 27th – 31st August 2014
5.55am entered the park with my guide Dinesh
6.15am the rare Forest Spider Lily Pancratium biflorum in bloom between Palu Kola Wala and Maradanmaduwa. The more common Ceylon Spider Lily Pancriatium zeylanicum was in bloom at many locations in the park including Mahapatessa, Eriyakkulampooval and Kumbuk Wila Uda Para.
6.16am 1 Black-naped Hare at Palu Kola Wala.
6.22am 2 Golden Jackals at Maradanmaduwa.
6.26am 4 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa
6.16am 5 Spotted Deer and 1 Barking Deer at Thimbiri Wila.
7.21am 1 Golden Jackal at Kumbuk Wila.
7.32am 1 Leopard, Kumbuk Wila Female 1 (KWFC 1) at Kumbuk Wila. N 08.42216, E 080.00647.
It was sleeping on a low branch of a massive Kumbuk Tree. After a few minutes the young leopard got off the tree and climbed on to another branch.
8.15am the Leopard climbed down from the tree crossed the road and moved in to the forest.
9.22am 7 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
9.36am 3 Spotted Deer at Kudapatessa.
9.44am 1 Leopard at Kuruttupandi Villu. It was lying on a horizontal branch of a large Madan Tree across the villu. I was not able to identify the leopard.
10.47am 1 Spotted Deer drank water at the pool at Kuruttupandi Villu.
11.50am 1 Wild Boar at Kuruttupandi Villu.
12.53pm the leopard is still lying on the branch. I left to Mardanmaduwa to have lunch with my friend Palitha Antony.
1.45pm 1 Rat Snake slithered across the road.
2.11pm 16 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
3.09pm 1 Grey Langur just beyond Maradanmaduwa.
3.37pm the Spotted Deer at Kudapatessa has increased to 7 in number from 3.
3.38pm troop of Grey Langur between Kudapatessa and Kuruttupandi Junction.
4.05pm the Leopard is still on the tree at Kuruttupandi Villu.
4.07pm 1 Barking Deer drank at Kuruttupandi Villu.
5.37pm herd of 12 Wild Boar crossed the road at Kuruttupandi Junction.
5.41pm 18 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa.
5.51pm 4 Spotted Deer at Thimbiri Wila.
6.14pm a herd of about 15 Wild Boar at Maradanmaduwa Kukul Katu Glade.
6.35pm left the park.
7.30pm 1 Beddome’s Cat Snake at Hunuwilagama. This is my first record of this rare species at Wilpattu.
28th August 2014
5.37am 1 Black-naped Hare at the park entrance.
6.01am entered the park with my guide podi Danushka.
6.06am 3 Spotted Deer at the first glade from the park entrance.
6.17am 1 Barking Deer at Thammanna Wala glade.
6.30am 4 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
6.48am 2 White-necked Stork at Sudu Muwa Wala.
6.57am 7 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
7.00am 5 Spotted Deer at Thimbiri Wila.
7.11am 26 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa.
7.16am 14 Spotted Deer at Kudapatessa.
7.28am 18 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu.
7.40am 12 Spotted Deer at Eriyakkulampooval.
7.53am 21 Spotted Deer and 1 Barking Deer at Kokkare Pitiya.
8.01am 12 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila.
8.47am 1 Leopard. Kombansanchipooval Male 2 (KSPMC 2) between Kuruttupandi junction and Kuruttupandi Villu. N 08.43531, E 079.98296
The injury to the tip of its tail had not healed as yet and the tail is shorter than usual. It walked down the road and every few meters “sent marked” the bushes long the road. There after it lied down at the entrance to the villu for a while before walking across the villu to the water hole at the center. It was followed by a group of about 15 Indian Peafowl that was out in the open. The leopard drank for about 5 minutes and walked in the direction of the Madan tree across the villu permitting us to take some good photographs. After a few minutes it was seen on the same tree where a leopard was seen the previous day. Perhaps it’s the same leopard.
9.03am 8 Spotted Deer and 178 Painted Storks at Demata Wila.
9.48am 3 Spotted Deer between Lunu Wila and Borupan Wila.
9.55am 6 Spotted Deer at Borupan Pitiya.
10.03am 1 Barking Deer at Borupan Wila.
10.33am 1 Barking Deer at Kudapatessa.
10.45am 3 White-necked Stork at Manikkapola Uttu.
11.11am 4 Spotted Deer, 1 Hoopoe at Kali Villu.
The waders observed were Marsh, Common, Curlew and Wood Sandpiper, Kentish, Golden and Little Ringed Plover and Black-tailed Godwit at Kali Villu.
11.45am 1 Green Garden Lizard Calotes calotes at Kanjuran Villu. It was completely dry.
11.53am 5 Spotted Deer at Kumutu Wila.
11.58am 1 Barking Deer at Manikkapola Uttu.
12.10pm 1 adult male antler Sambar between Kuruttupandi junction and Kokkare Villu.
12.15pm 14 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Pitiya.
12.18pm 1 Barking Deer and 2 White-necked Stork at Kumbuk Wila.
12.36pm 22 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
1.07pm 43 Spotted Deer, 3 Wild Buffalo, 3 Lesser Adjutant and 15 Spot-billed Pelican and a troop of Grey Langur at Maradanmaduwa Tank.
4.07pm 2 Wild Boar at Manikrala Uraniya.
4.21pm 3 Mugger Crocodile at Mahapatessa.
4.26pm 1 Ruddy Mongoose between Kudapatessa and Kokkare Welikanda.
6.00pm herd of 14 Wild Boar, 1 Barking Deer and 18 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa “Kukul Katu” glade.
6.09pm 1 Black-naped Hare at Palu Kola Wala.
8.30-10.00pm observed Kandyan Geckos and Sri Lanka Bullfrogs at Hunuwilagama
29th August 2014
6.05am entered the park with my guide podi Danushka.
6.12am herd of 8 Elephants at Percy Bendi Wewa.
6.24am 1 Golden Jackal at 3 causeways Maradanmaduwa.
6.28am 2 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa “Kukul Katu” glade.
6.47am 3 Leopards at Borupan junction. N08.41673, E 080.02476
Walas Wala Female 3 (WWFC 3), Walas Wala Male 2 (WWMC 2) and an adult female leopard, which could not be photographed well as she was walking towards Kumbuk Wila. The two cubs did not follow the mother and walked in to the forest in the opposite direction towards Walas Wala.
7.00am 1 Barking Deer between Borupan Junction and Kumbuk Wila.
7.03am 1 Sloth Bear crossed the road ahead of the vehicle close to Kumbuk Wila uda para sand patch.
7.14am 2 White-necked Stork and 1 Painted Stork at Sudumuwa Wala.
7.22am 3 Spotted Deer between Kumbuk Wila uda para and Kumbuk Wila.
7.31am 2 Golden Jackal and 2 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila pitiya.
7.38am 37 Spotted Deer in scattered herds at Mahapatessa.
7.43am a troop of Grey Langur at Kudapatessa.
8.16am 4 Spotted Deer at Kudapatessa.
8.22am 12 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu
8.24am 14 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Pitiya.
9.32am 1 Barking Deer between Demata Wila and Mahapatessa.
9.38am 4 Spotted Deer at a flock of about 100 Painted Stork resting at Demata Wila.
9.44am 6 Spotted Deer at Eriyakkulampooval.
9.47am 1 adult male Wild Boar at Mahapatessa.
9.49am troop of Grey Langur between Mahapatessa and Kudapatessa.
9.51am 1 Barking Deer and 6 Spotted Deer at Kuruttupandi Villu.
11.15am 1 Barking Deer drank at Sudu Muwa Wala.
12.59pm 1 Grey Langur at Ibba Wala.
1.52pm 1 Ruddy Mongoose between Borupan junction and Kumbuk Wila.
2.16pm 2 Spotted Deer between Borupan Pitiya to Lunu Wewa.
2.31pm Stork-billed Kingfisher, White-bellied Sea Eagle and Common Kingfisher at Lunu Wila.
2.52pm 2 Lesser Adjutants at Manikrala Uraniya.
2.57am 1 Barking Deer at Illanda Mottai.
3.14pm number of Spotted Deer has increased to 14 at Kudapatessa.
3.27pm 1 Grey Mongoose at Kumbuk Wila.
3.30pm 1 Sloth Bear at Kumbuk Wila pitiya.
4.33pm 2 Leopards, KPF 1 with a small cub of about 3 moths, between Mahpatessa and Kudapatessa. They were walking towards Kudapatessa. I was able to get some record photos with which I managed to identify the adult female . KPF 1 had its tail bent to a side at the tip.
5.44pm 2 Golden Jackal at Kumuk Wila.
5.54pm 1 Leopard cub, Walas Wala Male 2 (WWMC 2) on the Sudu Muwa Wala road at Borupan junction. As I drove pass the Borupn junction I noticed a leopard on the Sudu Muwa Wala road. I reversed and the leopard was still seated on the road. After a few minutes the young leopard started to walk towards the junction and managed to get some good photos. It was quite interesting as this cub was seen at the same spot with its sibling and the mother at the very same spot to day in the early morning.
6.20pm 4 Wild Buffalo at Maradanmaduwa.
30th August 2014
5.58am entered the park with my guide Thisara.
5.59am 1 Black-naped Hare at the park entrance.
6.04am herd of 8 Elephants and 1 Spotted Deer at Percy-bendi Wewa.
6.09am 3 Spotted Deer and 1 Brown Fish Owl at Thammanna Wala.
6.13am 1 Black-naped Hare at Palu Kola Wala.
6.18am 1 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa Kohomba Gaha glade
6.19am 2 Spotted Deer and 2 Wild Buffalo at Maradanmaduwa.
6.46am 1 Leopard, Kumbuk Wila Female Cub 1 (KWFC 1) seated on the road at Kumbuk Wila Pitiya. N 08.42061, E 080.01152
After a few minutes it moved in to the forest towards Thimibiri Wila.
7.08am 2 Spotted Deer and 2 Lesser Adjutant at Borupan Wila.
7.10am 1 Grey Mongoose between Borupan Wila and Thimbiri Wila.
7.15am 30 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa.
7.25am 9 Spotted Deer at Kudapatessa.
7.46am 38 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Pitiya.
7.55am 4 Mugger Crocodile at Nelum Wila.
8.08am 9 Spotted Deer at Aalam Villu.
8.26am 31 Spotted Deer at Tala Wila.
8.31am 1 Golden Jackal between Tala Wila and Kombansanchipooval.
9.18am 9 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila.
9.39am 1 Grey Mongoose between Manikkapola Uttu and Kumutu Villu.
9.42am 1 Lesser Adjutant at Kumutu Villu.
9.54am 5 Spotted Deer at Kali Villu.
10.06am 1 Barking Deer and 1 Mugger Crocodile at Kali Villu.
11.11am 1 adult male Wild Boar at Manikrala Uraniya.
1.05pm 1 Cobra crossed the road between Walas Wala and Boralu Wala.
2.24pm 1 Leopard cub crossed the road between Borupan junction and Sudu Muwa Wala junction.
2.35pm 3 Leopards, (mother and two cubs) Walas Wala Female 2 (WWF 2), Walas Wala Male 2 (WWMC 2) and Walas Wala Female 3 ( WWFC 3) crossed the road towards Sudu Muwa Wala between Borupan junction and Walas Wala. N 08.41602, E 080.02642.
Even though I photographed these two cubs at Walas Wala on the 19th of July 2014 and yesterday morning I had no knowledge of the identity of their mother until this sighting. Having photographed them together I was able to identify the adult female as the Walas Wala Female 2 (WWF 2) that I had photographed at Walas Wala on 12th October 2013. The three leopards having crossed the main road crossed the Sudu Muwa Wala road and moved in to the forest. They were not seen thereafter.
4.04pm 1 Leopard at Kumbuk Wila Pitiya and moved in to the forest. I was not able to identify the leopard or take any photos.
4.34pm 1 Leopard, KSPMC 2 at Kokkare Villu. N 08.41744, E 079.99359
It was lying on the middle of the road and was not disturbed by the many vehicles that had gathered around about 15 feet from where it was sleeping. After a few minutes the leopard stood up belched a few occasions, which ended up in the animal vomiting out about a half a bottle of liquid. It lied down there after and slept. I moved my vehicle to permit some others to have a view of the sleeping leopard. I left the sleeping leopard at 4.56pm.
5.52pm 4 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
6.03pm 2 Barking Deer at Palu Kola Wala.
6.11pm 1 Leopard between Kalagedi Bokkuwa and Thammanna Wala. N 08.35566, E 080.11540.
It was to the right of the road and moved in to the forest upon being detected. However fortunately for me it moved out of the forest patch again briefly permitting me to take a few photos for identification. This is my first sighting of this leopard. It’s a young female and I estimated its age to be around 2 years. I named it Thammanna Wala Female 1 ( THWF 1).
6.30pm left the park.
31st August 2014
5.32am 1 Black-naped hare at the park entrance.
6.05am entered the park with my guide Thisara.
6.18am 1 Barking Deer at Thammanna Wala.
6.31am 4 Wild Buffalo at Maradanmaduwa.
6.33am 9 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
7.06am 25 Spotted Deer and 4 Mugger Crocodiles at Nelum Wila.
7.25am 1 Leopard, Kombansanchipooval male 2 (KSPMC 2) between Kumbuk Wila summer hut and Kokkare Villu. N 08.41717, E 079.99796.
It was lying down inside the forest about 10 feet from the road. After a while the leopard kept its head down and slept. Having taken a few photos to confirm its identification I left.
7.59am 4 Lesser Adjutants at Borupan Wila.
8.15am 1 Lesser Adjutant at Manikrala Uraniya.
8.23am 5 Spotted Deer at Manikkapola Uttu.
8.27am 9 Spotted Deer at Kumutu Wila.
Considering that Kumutu Villu had a reasonable amount of water I decided to park at this water hole till evening to study the game that would come to drink. The following observations were made of animals that drank at this water hole during my 9-hour stay from 8.27am to 5.34pm.
11.05am 3 Spotted Deer
12.30pm 9 Spotted Deer
1.11pm 1 Barking Deer
1.20pm 1 Barking Deer
1.34pm 1 Barking Deer
2.18pm 1 adult antler Spotted Deer
2.43pm 1 Spotted Deer
2.54pm 6 Spotted Deer
4.00pm observed 1 Mugger Crocodile.
4.11pm 1 Barking Deer and many Green imperial Pigeons, Emerald Doves, Rose-ringed Parakeets and Black-capped Bulbuls.
5.34pm left the water hole to reach the park entrance.
5.47pm 5 Spotted Deer and 1 Barking Deer at Thimbiri Wila.
5.51pm 1 Leopard, Kumbuk Wila Female 1 (KWFC 1) lying by the side of the road to Borupan junction at Kumbuk Wila Pitiya. It was at the same locality where I observed this leopard on the 30th early morning. A little while late another leopard was observed at the same locality but could not be photographed as it moved in side the forest. Having photographed the leopard I drove up the road from Kumbuk Wila to Thimbiri Wila and observed a leopard walking towards Thimbiri Wila. It was a very shy animal and moved in to the forest before I could take any photographs.
6.30pm 32 Spotted Deer at Borupan Pitiya.
6.52 left the park.
6.41pm 4 Wild Buffalo between Palu Kola Wala and Kalagedi Bokkuwa. - Wilpattu National Park 09th-10th August 2014
On the 8th of August 2014 I drove to Wilpattu after work. Around 9.45 p.m. close to the 9th km post on the Puttalam-Anuradhapura road, I observed two elephants by the side of the road.
9th August 2014
5.55 a.m. Entered the park with my guide Podi Danushka.
5.57 a.m. 1 adult male Sambar (Antler) crossed the road close to Weli Ela.
6.03 p.m. 1 Black-naped Hare ran across the road about 100 meters from Percy Bendi Wewa.
6.22 a.m. 2 Spotted Deer & 2 Wild Buffalo at Maradanmaduwa.
6.49 a.m. 9 Spotted Deer & 1 Mugger Crocodile at Thimbiri Wila.
6.54 a.m. 11 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa.
6.59 a.m. 1 Leopard- KPMC 1 lying on the road about 30-40 meters from Mahapatessa on the road to Kudapatessa. N 08.43274, E 079.99815.
Having spotted the leopard, I angled the vehicle keeping about 10 meters from the leopard and stopped. It rolled over on its back and slept with its eyes tightly closed. After a about 15 minutes with other vehicles approaching from both sides of the road, the leopard stood up and walked in the direction of Mahapatessa. I reversed the vehicle on to Mahapatessa, along with the other vehicles, expecting the leopard to break cover and walk to water but it was not sighted thereafter. Having waited for about an hour I drove off.
8.04 a.m. 1 Grey Mongoose at Mahapatessa.
9.50 a.m. 1 Spotted Deer and 2 Spoonbill at Mahapatessa.
10.10 a.m. 2 Barking Deer on the road just passing Walas Wala.
10.20 a.m. A troop of Grey Langur at Ibba Wala.
10.47 a.m. Arrived at Thammanna Wala to observe and photograph the animals that come to water.
The following sightings are of interest at this waterhole:
11.02 a.m. & 11.50 a.m. 2 female Barking Deer drank at the receding pool.
11.59 a.m. 1 adult male Grey Langur.
12.03 p.m. 1 female Barking Deer.
12.05 p.m. 1 Spotted Deer arrived on the bund and was surveying the area. Before it could walk to the edge of the water to drink, deer alarm calls were heard resulting in the animal dashing into the forest.
1.20 p.m. Another female Barking Deer arrived at the waterhole.
1.30 p.m. A male Barking Deer (Antler) drank water. It is quite interesting to observe the amount of caution and patience exercised by these small deer to satisfy themselves that it is safe, prior to drinking. Not a single animal will just walk to the water’s edge. They would take a few steps forward, look around, walk back or sometimes make a quick dash into the edge of the forest. Even having arrived at the water’s edge, they would look around for a number of times before lowering the head to drink. Even the slightest of sounds will make them dash into the forest.
1.57 p.m. Another female Barking Deer arrived at the waterhole.
2.06 p.m. A troop of Toque Monkeys arrived at the waterhole. One female had a newborn. Unlike the troop at Kumbuk Wila, these monkeys were extremely shy.
There was a continuous stream of birds that visited the waterhole and the locality was alive with their calls. Flocks of Orange-breasted and Pompadour Green Pigeons, Black-capped and White-browed Bulbuls, Magpie-Robins, Black-naped Monarchs and Brown-headed Barbets were the most common visitors. An Indian Three-toed Kingfisher darted out from the forest, plunged into the water and flew off.
2.32 p.m. Drove off from Thammanna Wala upon being informed of a leopard at Thimbiri Wila.
3.38 p.m. 7 Spotted Deer between Thimbiri Wila and Mahapatessa.
3.40 p.m. 4 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa.
3.48 p.m. A herd of about 32 Wild Boar at Kuruttupandi Villu.
3.57 p.m. 1 Ruddy Mongoose between Kuruttupandi Junction and Kokkare Villu.
4.02 p.m. A troop of Grey Langur at Kokkare Villu.
4.45 p.m. 1 Elephant at Percy Bendi Wewa.
4.50 p.m. Arrived at the Hunuwilagama Tank with the expectation of photographing elephants that had visited this tank the previous day.
5.02 p.m. 2 Ceylon Swallow and a flock of about 7 Cotton Teal at Hunuwilagama Tank.
6.30 p.m. No elephants were seen and we left the park.10th August 2014
5.49 a.m. Entered the park.
5.56 a m 2 Spotted Deer at Percy Bendi Wewa.
6.03 p.m. 1 Spotted Deer between Thammanna Wala and Kalagedi Bokkuwa.
6.05 a.m. 1 Barking Deer on the road entrance to Andaragollawa Tank.
6.16 a.m. We observed two Indian Peafowl on the road at Maradanmaduwa. Both had their neck feathers puffed up. A closer look resulted in spotting a leopard, which unfortunately trotted into the forest before I was able to get any photos.
6.21 a.m. 1 male Wild Boar at Kukul Katu Pitiya at Maradanmaduwa.
6.37 a.m. 11 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
6.42 a.m. 5 Spotted Deer at Thimbiri Wila.
6.44 a.m. 1 Ruddy Mongoose between Thimbiri Wila and Mahapatessa.
6.46 a.m. 27 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa.
7.20 a.m. 1 Leopard, KPMC 1, sleeping across the water body at the Kudapatessa end of Mahapatessa.
N 08.43326, E079.99982. After a few minutes the leopard stood up and walked into the forest.
7.42 a.m. 1 Barking Deer at Demata Wila.
8.06 a.m. 1 Grey Mongoose between Borupan Wila and Thimbiri Wila.
8.20 a.m. 2 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu.
8.27 a.m. 1 Barking Deer just beyond Nelum Wila.
9.19 a.m. 2 Barking Deer at Boradiya Wala.
9.30 a.m. 1 Mugger Crocodile at Thimbiri Wila.
9.47 a.m. 2 Spotted Deer at Kudapatessa.
9.51 a.m. 3 Spotted Deer at Kuruttupandi Villu.
10.04 a.m. 1 Barking Deer between Illanda Mottai and Downall Pitiya.
10.25 a.m. Ruddy Mongoose between Kokkare Villu and Kokkare Villu Junction.
10.27 a.m. 1 Barking Deer between Kokkare Villu and Kokkare Villu Junction.
10.45 a.m. A troop of Grey Langur drinking at Aalam Villu.
10.55 a.m. Troop of Grey Langur, 7 Spotted Deer and 2 Golden Jackal at Tala Wila.
11.03 a.m. 12 Spotted Deer between Tala Wila & Galge Viharaya.
12.11 p.m. 1 adult male Wild Boar at Panikkar Villu.
12.35 a.m. We were on the Kumbuk Wila-Mahapatessa road and observed fresh pug marks of a leopard walking towards Mahapatessa and spotted the leopard walking. I was not able to photograph or identify the leopard as it moved into the forest upon seeing the vehicle.
1.19 p.m. A herd of about 12 Wild Boar including 4 young between Mahapatessa and Kudapatessa.
1.20 p.m. 11 Spotted Deer at Kudapatessa.
2.56 p.m. 1 Leopard, WWF 2, at Sudu Muwa Wala.N08.41041, E080.02647.
Having arrived at the waterhole, the cautious female leopard remained in the bush without breaking cover. I only managed to get a few record photos. Having examined its markings I identified it as WWF 2. After a few minutes of observing the vehicles parked on the road and quite visibly being disturbed by the voices emanating from these vehicles, much to my annoyance, the leopard walked back into the forest without coming out to drink.
5.08 p.m. 1 Barking Deer at Sudu Muwa Wala.
5.52 p.m. 1 Barking Deer at Nelum Wila Pitiya.
6.04 p.m. 1 Leopard at Nelum Wila Pitiya. N 08.40588, E079.98785.
As we drove into the “pitiya” Danushka said “sir kotiya, kotiya”. It had been out and moved behind a patch of dried grass and was not visible. I turned the vehicle and waited for a few minutes. The leopard walked out permitting me to get enough photos for identification. It was a young female leopard of about 1 year and 3 months that I had not photographed earlier. Its feet and belly were covered in mud giving it a darker appearance. We left, as we were already late to reach the park entrance. This is my first sighting of this leopard. I named it Nelum Wila female 2 (NWFC 2).
6.16 p.m. 1 Barking Deer at Nelum Wila.
6.18 p.m. A herd of about 18 Wild Boar with young and 4 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu.
6.48 p.m. Left the park. - Wilpattu National Park 19 - 20 July 2014
On the 18th of July 2014 at 7.35pm while on my way to Wilpattu, observed three Elephants (a mother and two calves), by the side of the road between the 8th and 9th Km post beyond Puttalam.
19th July 2014
6.05am entered the park with my guide podi Danushka
6.26am 1 Sambar close to Humbas Wala
6.29am 1 female Barking Deer between Boralu Wala and Walas Wala.
6.37am 8 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa.
6.41am 1 Leopard lying at the edge of the water, across the villu at Borupan Wila. It was KWFC 1. N 08.42670, E 080.02088.
After a while it was alerted by an adult male Wild Boar that came to water. The boar did not see the Leopard and started to drink. The young leopard stalked and charged the boar. Even though the Wild Boar bolted in to the forest it appeared to be nothing but a mock charge as the cub was perhaps too young still to tackle such formidable prey. There after it was rolling on its back for some time and started to stalk again but it was not possible to identify the prey. All at once it charged with a long leap in to the forest. The sighting ended with the leopard running in to the forest at 7.24am.
7.33am as we drove down to Mahapatsessa spotted another leopard walking at the Kudapatessa end of the Villu. Upon arriving at the location I was able to identify the leopard. It was KSPMC 2. N 08.43441, E 080.00135.
It was lying under a Madan tree by the time we arrived. As usual it was not at all bothered by the safari jeeps that had gathered about 20 feet from where it was lying and was quite relaxed. After a while it walked even close to the jeeps and settled down on a patch of sand and slept. We left the sleeping leopard around 8.44am.
8.47am we arrived at Walas Wala. Danushka informed me in the morning that during the last two days two small Leopard cubs had been sighted at Walas Wala. As they were not seen in the morning I decided to park at Walas Wala awaiting their arrival.
9.38am 1 female Barking Deer after surveying the surroundings for almost 20 minutes finally gathered enough courage to walk I to the open and drink at Walas Wala.
10.27am 1 Barking Deer and a Ruddy Mongoose crossed the road ahead of the vehicle at Walas Wala.
12.12pm 1 Ruddy Mongoose at Walas Wala.
12.15pm 1 male Barking Deer arrived at Walas Wala.
2.20pm 1 Giant Squirrel giving out alarm calls at Walas Wala.
2.25pm 1 male leopard cub of about 5-6 months in age walked on to the Walas Wala bund and walked quickly in to the forest.
4.07pm my patience paid off when 2 Leopards cubs of about 5-6 months age walked on to the Walas Wala bund. N 08.41419, E 080.03077.
One cub cautiously walked on to the bund and was lying down when its sibling pounced on it and started to play. They were extremely playful. After a while they walked down to the grass on the dried up bed of the water hole. Their favorite game was to hide in the grass and pounce at each other, which ends up in a chase and a play fight until they break up and start all over again. While playing one found a dried up piece of Elephant dung and started to run around carrying it in its mouth followed by the other. The cubs played for more than an hour. They were not disturbed by the vehicles on the road. At 5.29 a male Sloth Bear walked on to the bund and the two Leopard cubs instantly ran in different directions in to the forest at great speed. After the bear had left one came on to the bund and started calling out. Later it walked in the direction where its sibling entered the forest. This is my first sighting of these cubs. I named the male as Walas Wala Male Cub 2 (WWMC 2) and the female Walas Wala Female Cub 3 (WWFC 3).
5.29pm 1 male Sloth Bear came on to the bund, walked down and drank at the water hole. Almost at the same time two other Sloth Bear, a mother and a cub walked on to the bund but ran away perhaps being disturbed by the vehicle parked on the road.
5.50pm 2 Spotted Deer at Ibba Wala.
5.55pm 4 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
5.57pm 1 Sloth Bear at the “Kukul Katu” plains at Maradanmaduwa.
6.07pm 1 male Sloth Bear at Palu Kola Wala.
6.21pm 3 Spotted Deer at Percy Bendi Wewa.
6.27pm left the park.
The wild Orchid Vanda tessalata in bloom at most localities. I was extremely sad to find out that a Vanda tessalata orchid that was growing on a big ‘Palu’ tree between Borupan Wila and Thimbiri Wila had been removed. I had photographed the flowers of this plant for two successive years. The park officials should consider checking the vehicles that leave the park at least on a random basis to minimize these illegal acts.
20th July 2014
6.05am entered the park with my guide podi Danushka
6.29am 1 Spotted Deer at Thambi Oluwa.
6.31am 1 Sloth Bear on the road between Maradanmaduwa and Kuda Boralu Wala. Having spotted the Bear at a distance of about 100meteres I parked the vehicle expecting it to walk towards me. After a while, as expected, it started to walk in our direction. As the Bear came close I noticed that it had a large scar of a healing wound on its head and that its left eye was also injured. Every now and then it would scratch the wound with its right paw. After having walked up to a few feet from the vehicle it moved in to the forest.
7.17am as we drove down to Borupan Pitiya a pair of Rufous Woodpecker flew across and disappeared in to the forest. A pair of White-necked Stork, 3 Painted Stork and a few White Ibis feeding in the Borupan Pitiya Wala. The water level of this exposed water hole had receded compared to my last visit.
7.20am 1 Sloth Bear walked hurriedly across the open plains in the direction of Boradiya Wala. I drove ahead and parked at the very end of the pitiya expecting to photograph the bear against the dried up grass. After few minutes the Bear entered the glade, stopped and looked in my direction permitting me to get a few nice shots against the light brown background and continued its walk.
7.35am a troop of Grey langur making alarm calls at Borupan Wila. A jeep driver informed us that a Leopard that had been at the edge of the forest had moved in to the forest.
7.42am 3 Spotted Deer at Thimbiri Wila.
7.44am an adult and a sub adult Grey Mongoose between Thimbiri Wila and Mahapatessa.
7.46am 7 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa.
7.49am 2 Spotted Deer at Demata Wila.
8.13am 1 Mugger Crocodile at Eriyakkulampooval. The reptile was at the shallow end of the water body with its body partly submerged in the water would stay motionless and as the unsuspecting fish swim within range lunge forward creating quite a splash. After a few attempts the Croc succeeded in catching a fish.
8.48am 4 Spotted Deer at Illanda Mottai.
9.17am 6 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila.
10.24am 1 Grey Headed Fish Eagle at Andaragollawa Tank.
As a tree had fallen across the road we had to park the vehicle and walk for a bout 500 meters to reach the tank. N 08.33970, E 080.09213
12.02pm 2 Spotted Deer and 24 Painted Stork at Maradanmaduwa Tank.
12.59pm a Tusker at Sudu Muwa Wala. It moved in to the forest as it was sighted. Thus no photography was possible. Even though we waited at this water hole for some time expecting it to return the tusker did not oblige.
2.34pm 1 Sloth Bear arrived at the water hole.
3.02pm 5 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
3.27pm 1 Ruddy Mongoose at Sudu Muwa Wala.
4.55pm 2 White-necked Stork and 1 Barking Deer at Nelum Wila.
5.25pm 1 Golden Jackal at Borupan Wila.
5.35pm 1 sub adult (approximately 1 year and six months) male Leopard of at Walas Wala. Having studied its spot pattern I realized that it is Borupan Wila Male Cub 2 (BWMC 2) N 08.41419, E 080.03077.
As I arrived at the water hole from Borupan Junction I spotted the leopard seated at the edge of the bund. After a while it moved down and started to sniff the localities where the two cubs had been playing the previous day. Its agitation was quite visible as it had its body close to the ground and was wagging the tip of its tail sideways. Thereafter it cautiously moved towards the water hole and drank. After quenching its thrust the young leopard settled down on the bund. I left, as we were already late to reach the park entrance.
6.10pm 1 adult male Wild Buffalo and 1 Sloth Bear at Maradanmaduwa.
6.44pm left the park - Wilpattu National Park 28-29 June 2014
On my way to the park on the 27th evening around 8pm a young tusker with about 1 ½ feet tusks crossed the road between Puttalam and Karuwalagaswewa just passing the 9th km post.
28th June 2014
6.10am entered the park with my guide Podi Danushka.
6.15am 6 Spotted Deer at Weli Ela.
6.20am 1 Wild Boar at Percy Bendi Wewa.
6.32am 1 sub adult Wild Buffalo and 1 Parker’s Black Turtle at Palu Kola Wala.
6.35am 2 Golden Jackal at the three culverts at Maradanmaduwa.
7.02am 4 Spotted Deer at Borupan Pitiya.
7.10am 3 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
7.15am 2 Spotted Deer and Vanda tessalata in bloom between Thimbiri Wila and Borupan Wila.
7.17am 2 Golden Jackals at Thimbiri Wila.
7.21am 1 Spotted Deer, 19 Painted Stork and one Spot-billed Pelican at Kumbuk Wila.
7.40am 2 Spotted Deer at Kudapatessa.
7.50am 1 Lesser Adjutant at Manikkapola Uttu.
8.02am 1 Golden Jackal between Illanda Mottai and Manikkapola Uttu.
8.25am 1 Leopard close to Kokkare Weli Kanda. We drove from Kudaptessa towards the Weli Kanda and the leopard was lying on the road just before where the vehicle that comes from Kokkare Villu across the sand dunes turn to go back. No photography was possible as it got up and moved in to the forest.
8.35am heard of 17 Wild Boar including 6 young at Kokkare Villu.
8.55am heard of 13 wild Boar including 5 young at Mahapatessa.
9.55am 3 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila.
10.00am 2 Sambar crossed the road between Kumbuk Wila and Borupan Wila Junction.
10.15am a Black Eagle sailing above the trees at Borupan Pitiya. This is my first record of this species from Wilpattu.
10.24am 1 Mugger Crocodile at Mahapatessa.
10.26am 1 Ruddy Mongoose between Kudapatessa and Kuruttupandi Villu Junction.
10.40am 1 Lesser Adjutant at Illanda Mottai.
10.45am 1 Sub adult Sambar between Manikkapola Uttu and Ilanda Mottai.
10.55am 1 Lesser Adjutant at Manikrala Uraniya.
11.00am a troop of Grey Langur between Manikrala Uraniya and Eiryakkulampooval.
11.05am 1 Wild Boar and a Brown Fish Owl at Eriyakkulampooval.
11.15am 13 Spotted Deer and 5 Spoonbills at Kumbuk Wila.
11.30am 1 Subadult Sambar between Nelun Wila and Panikkar Villu.
11.45am 2 Spotted Deer at Aalam Villu.
11.55am 1 White-necked Stork at Tala Wila.
12.01pm 2 Spotted Deer at Kombansanchipooval.
12.32pm 5 Spotted Deer at Kudapatessa.
Many sightings of the butterfly Banded Peacock.
1.15pm 1 Leopard ran across the road at the junction where the road from Borupan Pitiya towards Lunu Wila meets the road to Borupan Wila. I was not able to identify this leopard and no photography was possible.
1.20pm 8 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
2.20pm 3 Spotted Deer at Borupan Pitiya Wala.
3.00pm left the park
4.38pm 1 Tusker at Galkadawala. I was informed of a big tusker that had been observed yesterday at an abandoned Chena at the above location which is bordering the park. I was accompanied by my guide podi Danushka, safari jeep drivers Milinda, Hemantha, Bobby, Supun and Senevi. Having arrived at the location we had to park the vehicle and walk across many fields where Sesame had been harvested to a plot located at the edge of the park. After searching for some time we located the tusker at a location different from where it was seen the previous day. It was a majestic beast. The tusker feeding by a watch hut in an abandoned Chena. Unfortunately it was against the sun and was partly covered by some dead trees. I decided to walk across the field to have better light and a clear view. I had to walk up to the tusker as I only had a 70-200mm lens. After a few shots the direction of the wind changed and the tusker raised its trunk and moved in my direction indicating that it had detected me. After a few anxious moments where I stood still with the tusker looking in my direction only about 40 feet from me thankfully the standoff ended with the tusker hurriedly walking back to the forest. I decided to call it the Galkadawala Tusker after the location where I observed it first. Rajiv Welikala has photographed this tusker in 2003 at Percy Bendi Wewa and refers to it as ‘Wasantha’ after the great park warden Wasantha Pushpananda.
29th June 2014
5.30am arrived at the park entrance.
5.45am call of the Large Cuckoo Shrike herd for the first time in the park.
6.00am entered the park.
6.05am 1 Elephant about 100 meters from the park entrance.
6.10am 2 Barking Deer and 2 Spotted Deer at Percy Bendi Wewa.
6.20am 1 adult male antler Sambar at Thammanna Wala.
6.25am 2 Spotted Deer close to Palu Kola Wala.
6.28am 2 Golden Jackal and 4 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
7.13am 8 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
7.15am Grey Mongoose at Thimbiri Wila.
8.00am heard of 22 Wild Boar including 12 immature at Kudapatessa.
8.10am 2 Mugger Crocodile, White-bellied Sea Eagle at Eriyakkulampooval.
8.25am 1 antler Spotted Deer and a Lesser Adjutant at Manikrala Uraniya.
8.50am 1 Spotted Deer at Kudapatessa.
9.00am 1 Ruddy Mongoose between Kudapatessa and Mahapatessa.
9.25am 10 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila.
9.35am troop of Grey Langur between Kokkare Junction and Madan Gaha Wala.
9.50am 9 Spotted Deer and 1 Barking Deer at Aalam Villu.
10.05am 1 adult male Wild Boar and 2 Spotted Deer at Tala Wila.
10.43am an unidentified epiphytic wild orchid at Karamba Kulama.
11.15am we arrived at Galge Viharaya N 08.30315, E 079.97899. This is a locality with inscriptions belonging to 1 AD. There are remains of a Pagoda and a number of caves with drip ledges. In one cave the ancient brick walls can still be observed. The site over looks a tank. One has to park the vehicle on the bund and walk for a short distance to observe the site, which is covered, in thick jungle. Great care must be exercised while on foot, as there were fresh Sloth Bear and Elephant droppings and footprints all over the site.
511.50am 1 Star Tortoise at Galge Viharaya.
2.05pm heard of 10 Wild Boar including 4 immature at Mahapatessa
2.30pm 1 sub adult Sambar at Illanda Mottai.
3.20pm 2 Sambar at Borupan Wila.
Many sightings of butterflies Banded Peacock, Red Spot Duke and the Blue Wanderer at a number of localities.
3.50pm 19 Wild Boar at Kokkare Villu.
3.55pm 1 Brown Fish Owl at Kokkare Weli Kanda.
4.07pm 1 Barking Deer and 1 Elephant feeding at the marsh at Manikkapola Uttu.
4.35pm 17 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa.
4.45pm 1 Ruddy Mongoose between Kokkare Junction and Madan Gaha Wala.
5.05pm 2 Mugger Crocodile at Borupan Wila.
5.18pm 1 Leopard, KSPMC 2 at Mahapatessa. N 08.43349, E 080.00006
It was sleeping on the edge of the water at the end where the road to Kudapatessa enters the forest. After a while it raised its head and I was able to identify it as KSPMC 2. This is my first sighting of this leopard at this locality. We left at 5.32pm.
6.02pm 2 Spotted Deer about 100 meters from Maradanmaduwa.
6.25 left the park - Wilpattu National Park 23rd May 2014
6.00am entered the park with Namal & Jackie Kamalgoda in Hemantha’s Wimalasena’s vehicle. Our guide for the day is Podi Danushka.
6.05am 5 Spotted Deer at Weli Ela
6.07am a Black-naped Hare nibbled on the fresh grass shoots at the first open glade.
6.10am a female Barking Deer dashed in to the forest at Palu Illanda Gaha Wewa junction upon our approach.
6.20am an adult male Grey Langur bounced across the road ahead of the vehicle to join its troop at Palu Kola Wala.
6.34am 2 Spotted Deer and 3 Buffalo fed at Maradanmaduwa. The rest of the heard was not to be seen.
7.10am 4 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa.
7.12am 2 Spotted Deer alerted by some danger across the water body. One partially submerged Mugger Crocodile and two White-necked Stork at Eeriyakkulampooval.
7.53am 3 Lesser Adjutant Storks at Kumutu Villu.
8.20am 2 Lesser Adjutants, a Painted Stork and a few White Ibis at the waters edge at Kokkare Villu. The Kacchan winds had started.
9.10am one adult male Wild boar sprawled in a patch of mud across the water body at Borupan Villu.
9.16am 7 Spotted Deer at Thimbiri Wila. A Crested Honey Buzzard perched on the ground created some excitement but we had no opening through the bushed to get any photographs.
9.22am an adult male Sambar with a pair of impressive antlers fed at the edge of the water while a male Cotton Teal followed a female close by at Thimibiri Wila.
10.12am a male barking Deer looked at us for a few seconds before running in to the jungle down Manikrala Uraniya Road.
11.15am 3 Spotted Deer watering at Aalam Villu.
11.20am 2 Elephants fed on the reeds at Panikkar Villu.
11.30am 4 Spotted Deer rested close to the bungalow while a heard of 21 Wild Boar fed at the water edge across Tala Wila.
1.33pm while having lunch at Kumbuk Wila summer hut a slender snake fell on to the floor followed by a tree frog. Despite falling about 15 feet the snake instantly lunged forward and caught the frog by its head. We grabbed our cameras to capture the action.
I identified the snake as a Boulenger’s Bronze-back Dendrelaphis bifrenalis andthe unfortunate frog was a Spotted Tree Frog Polypedates maculatus.
Even though these fast moving snakes are known slither away from sight at great speed upon being detected, this individual was totally focused in overpowering its freshly caught prey and was not deterred by the crowd that had gathered only a few feet around. The desperate calls and the valiant efforts of the frog to extricate himself from the snake’s jaws proved fruitless and the small hunter triumphed. After swallowing its prey the snake moved out of the summer and disappeared in to the jungle.
2.25pm one Flapshell Turtle at Mahapatessa.
2.50am a Mugger Crocodile and one Flapshell Turtle at Illanda Mottai.
Ceylon Leadwort Plumbago zeylanica in bloom at several localities in the park including Kuruttupandi Villu.
4.10pm one Ruddy Mongoose trotting on the road between Mahapatessa and Kumbuk Wila.
4.20pm 7 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila Pitiya.
4.25pm 3 Mugger Crocodiles and one Flapshell Turtle at Thimbiri Wila
4.50pm 1 Spotted Deer at Eeriyakkulampooval Road.
5.10pm a Ruddy Mongoose between Kuruttupandi and Kudapatessa.
5.35pm a Flapshell Terrain walked along the Sudumuwa Wala road, crossed the Borupan Junction and move in the direction of Borupan Wila.
5.45pm one Mugger Crocodile moved slowly across the water at Borupan Pitiya Wala.
5.47pm 2 Spotted Deer ran across the road at Walas Wala.
6.00pm 2 Spotted Deer feeding by the road at Kuda Boralu Wala.
6.32pm left the park. - Wilpattu National Park 26-27 April 2014
Mr. Subash Madawa of Selikta ICT Solutions who designed and maintain this web site joined me on this filed trip.
6.02am we entered the park in Hemantha Wimalasena’s jeep with guide podi Danushka.
6.10am a Brown Fish perched at the edge of a pool by the road flew across the road and settled on a Palu Manilkara hexandra Tree.
6.15am about 100 meters before we reached Percy Bendi Wewa I was alerted by the high pitch call of an Indian Three-toed Kingfisher and spotted the bird on a branch few feet from the ground.
6.23am as we approached Thammanna Wala another Indian Three-toed Kingfisher made its characteristic high pitch call as it flew across the road.
6.45am 2 Spotted Deer and two Wild Buffalo grazed by the road at Maradanmaduwa. The rest of the herd was not in the vicinity.
6.49am 2 more Spotted Deer walked across the road just beyond Maradanmaduwa.
6.55am we drove pass Ibba Wala and before reaching Humbas Wala met with two more Spotted Deer antlers.
7.05am a female Barking Deer walked gingerly across the water hole at Walas Wala.
7.10am another Barking Deer ran across the road between Borupan Junction and Kumbuk Wila sand patch.
6.20am a herd of 21 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila pitiya.
7.30am a small herd of 6 Spotted Deer at Thimbiri Wila pitiya.
7.32am 6 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
7.37am 12 more Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
7.51am a male Barking Deer at Borupan junction.
8.06am 5 Spotted Deer and one Grey Mongoose at Kokkare Villu.
8.10am three Golden Jackals trotted towards us at Kokkare Pitiya. Danushka looked at me and made a “thumbs up” gesture, as many trackers at Wilpattu believe that Jackals bring the good fortune of having a good leopard sighting.
8.11am a herd of 17 Spotted Deer fed by the edge of the water at Kokkare Villu pitiya.
8.30am 2 Spotted Deer at Kuruttupandi Villu
9.56am a Giant Squirrel sprawled on a branch above the road at Nelum Wila was undisturbed as we drove under it.
9.57am 5 Spotted Deer moved off the road while a White-winged Black Tern in breeding plumage flew above the water with two Whiskered Terns at Nelum Wila.
10.28am a Wild Boar by the road at Nelum Wila on our return journey.
10.50am two Golden Jackal at Thimbiri Wila.
10.56am 2 Spotted Deer between Thimbiri and Borupan Wila.
11.58am a lone Wild Boar across the water body at Kokkare Villu.
12.15pm 2 Spotted Deer on Kokkare uda para.
12.30pm a White-winged Black Tern in breeding plumage flew over the water at Kudapatessa. It’s black under wings and above the rump contrast sharply against the pure white rump, tail and the white wings.
12.37pm a Lesser Adjutant walked in the shallow water at Mahapatessa. These birds are far more tolerant of vehicle compared to the previous year.
12.47pm upon arriving on the road from Mahapatessa to Kumbuk Wila we spotted fresh leopard pug marks towards Kumbuk Wila. As we slowly followed the pugmarks the alarm calls of a jungle fowl and Indian Palm Squirrel indicated that the leopard had just walked in to the forest. We stopped the vehicle and carefully examined the forest floor and Subash spotted the leopard lying on the ground about 30 feet from the road. No photography was possible as it was well camouflaged and we were only able to see it with our binoculars.
2.00pm two Red Spot Duke butterflies chased each other at Kumbuk Wila. I was happy see these pretty fast flying butterflies.
2.20pm a Ruddy Mongoose trotted along the road at Kokkare Villu uda para.
2.30pm 2 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila.
2.32pm I noticed a large butterfly while on Kumbuk Wila uda para and asked the driver to stop the vehicle to have a look through my binoculars. It was a female Common Bird Wing, the largest butterfly species in the country. This is my first sighting of this species in the park.
3.25pm 2 Mugger Crocodiles and one Lesser Adjutant at Eeriyakkulam Pooval.
3.42pm 4 Spotted Deer at Illanda Mottai.
3.59pm a Giant Squirrel between Downall Pitiya and Illanda Mottai.
4.06pm an adult Crested Hawk Eagle perched on a branch over the road at Manikkapola Uttu sand patch.
4.15pm a lone bull Elephant walked along the edge of the jungle and entered the forest at Kuruttupandi Villu.
4.24pm 1 Flapshell Turtle and 4 Spotted Deer at Kudapatessa.
4.30pm 6 Spotted Deer and a troop of Grey Langur at Mahapatessa.
4.33pm 6 Spotted Deer at Demata Wila.
4.55pm one Ruddy Mongoose ran across the road between Kumbuk Wila sand patch and Borupan Wila junction.
5.08pm a crested Serpent Eagle perched on a low branch offered me a good opportunity to get a pleasing photo.
5.34pm a magnificent adult male antler Sambar stood on the bund across the water hole at Humbas Wala.
5.47pm a herd of 19 Spotted Deer grazing at the ‘Kukul Katu’ glade at Maradanmaduwa.
5.51pm 4 Wild Buffalo at Maradanmaduwa.
5.59pm a Flapshell Turtle in a small pool of water by the road close to Palu Kola Wala.
6.04pm a Black-naped Hare stood still under a bush at Palu Kola Wala.
6.09pm one Star Tortoise ambled across the road beyond Kalagedi Bokkuwa.
6.20pm a Mugger Crocodile on the bund and two Spotted Deer across the water at Percy Bendi Wewa.
6.23pm another Flapshell Turtle in a small muddy pool by the road beyond Percy Bendi Wewa.
The heavy rains during the last two days had filled Percy Bendi Wewa to the brim. However the rains appear to have made no impact on the water levels of the large water bodies beyond Maradanmaduwa such as Borupan Wila, Mahapatessa or the Kokkare Villu.
The beautiful white flowers of the wild orchid Vanilla walkerai in bloom at many locations. However, I did not observe any flowers of Vanda spathulata or Vanda tessalata. Brown Shrikes and Indian Plaintive Cuckoos were seen.
27th April 2014
3.30am I was woken up by the long drawn intermittent hooting call of a Forest Eagle Owl.
6.04am entered the park with Subash Madawa and guide podi Danushka in Hemantha Wimalasena’s safari jeep.
6.10am 2 Spotted Deer fed at Weli Ela glade.
6.17am 1 Wild Boar crossed the road towards Thammanna Wala.
6.37am herd of 6 Wild Buffalo and 2 Spotted Deer grazed at Maradanmaduwa.
6.50am a female Barking Deer walked across to the water hole at Humbas Wala.
7.00am one male Barking Deer at Borupan Junction.
7.01am a Brown Fish Owl perched on the road flew up on to a tree while a short distance away a Ruddy Mongoose entered the forest upon our approach between Borupan Junction and Kumbuk Wila.
7.05am 25 Spotted Deer with a troop of Toque Monkey at Kumbuk Wila pitiya.
7.15am 10 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu pitiya.
7.25am herd of 33 Spotted Deer fed at Kokkare Pitiya.
7.30am 1 male Wild Boar at Kokkare Villu.
8.25am 2 Mugger Crocodile at Kokkare Villu.
8.26am troop of Grey Langur between Kokare villu and Kuruttupandi junction.
8.33am herd of 7 Wild Boar dispersed in to the jungle with our arrival down Kuruttupandi uda para.
8.40am 6 Spotted deer at Kuruttupandi Villu.
9.45am 9 Spotted Der at Borupan Wila.
9.47am 2 Spotted Deer at Thimbiri Wila.
10.03am one Golden Jackal trotted towards Nelum Wila.
10.45am one Ruddy Mongoose at Kudapatessa.
11.10am 1 Barking Deer between Downall pitiya and Mana Wila.
11.25am 1 Flapshell Turtle at and a troop of Grey Langur at Mana Wila.
12.05pm a Stork-billed Kingfisher at Kali Villu.
12.15am a large species of moth Antheraea singalesa photographed at Kali Villu.
12.35am 2 Ruddy Mongoose between Kali Villu and Kanjuan Villu.
12.37am 1 Lesser Adjutant and a lone adult male Wild Boar at Kanjuran Villu.
12.39pm Ceylon Leadwort Plumbago zeylanica (Ela Nithol) in bloom at Kanjuran Villu.
12.47pm Katu Imbul Bombax ceiba in bloom between Kanjuran and Kumutu Villu and at Mana Wila.
12.50pm 1 Mugger Crocodile ambled in to the water at Kumutu Villu.
1.00pm 1 Mugger Crocodile at Illanda Mottai.
1.15pm 8 Spotted Deer at Demata Wila.
1.21pm 1 Ruddy Mongoose between Mahapatessa and Kumbuk Wila.
2.05pm I observed a few tiny butterflies settling on a wet patch on the ground at Kumbuk Wila supper hut. There were three species. Malayan, Quaker and the Lime Blue.
3.34pm 8 Spotted Deer at Eeriyakkulampooval.
3.40pm a Stork Billed Kingfisher perched on a Madan Tree flew low across the water at Demata Wila.
4.25pm 3 Spotted deer at Kumbuk Wila uda para junction.
4.29pm 1 Ruddy Mongoose on Kumbuk Wila uda para.
4.50pm 1 White-necked Stork at Nelum Wila pitiya.
4.59pm few of the Asiatic Golden Plover at Kokkare Villu had started to acquire breeding plumage.
5.20pm 2 Elephants at Kuruttupandi Villu. The larger bull fed on the reeds at the center of the water hole while the other fed on grass removed by kicking with its front foot.
5.35pm a hepatic female Indian Plaintive Cuckoo at Kokkare Villu.
5.50pm we stopped at the Kumbuk Wila summer hut briefly to ease our selves and decided to drive towards Kokkare Villu as a last minute effort to see a leopard. As we turned the vehicle spotted a leopard walking towards the vehicle about 100 meters down the road. Much to my displeasure before I could get any photos it moved in to the forest. We drove ahead and turned the vehicle. As we turned we spotted the leopard again moving on to the road. As expected it walked towards the summer hut. We kept a distance of about 40 meters from the leopard and followed it. Having walked up to the summer hut it settled on the ground where the road leads to Mahapatessa. After about 10 minutes of liking its paws it stood up and walked in the direction of Mahapatessa.
Examination of the photos revealed that that this was the Kumbuk Wila Female Cub 1 (KWFC 1) N 8 25.308 E 80 00.250
6.07pm it started to rain as we approached Borupan Wila.
6.15pm 2 Sambar by the road in heavy rain at Mradanmaduwa.
6.42pm left the park. - Wilpattu National Park 5th -6th April 2014
5.56am: Entered the Park with my guide Podi Danushka. The heavy rain that I experienced from Saliya Wewa up to Hunuwilagama had not reached the interior of the Park as most areas were quite dry.
5.59am: 4 Spotted Deer on the road between the Park entrance and Weli Ela.
6.02am: 1 Star Tortoise at a glade close to Percy Bendi Wewa.
6.16am: 1 Barking Deer crossed the road close to Palu Kola Wala.
6.25am: 1 Spotted Deer just beyond Kohomba Gaha Pitiya.
6.29am: 1 adult female Sambar at Kukul Katu glade at Maradanmaduwa raised its head to look at us before moving into the forest.
6.36am: A male Barking Deer crossed the road in its characteristic measured strides to join a female that stood at the forest edge.
6.39am: A calf and an adult female Sambar grazed by the road between Ibba Wala and Humbas Wala.
6.46am: Two Barking Deer on each side of the road at Walas Wala looked startled by our approach.
7.01am: I was told that two leopards had been seen the previous evening at Borupan Pitiya. We drove towards Boradiya Wala and spotted one leopard about 100 meters from where one enters the forest to approach Boradiya Wala in the direction of the Lunu Wila road. It was KWFC 1. N 08.42485, E 080.02744. It was lying among the dried grass and was partly visible.
Around 7.25am the young leopard stood up and walked into the forest in the direction of the Lunu Wila road.
7.29am: We drove along the road that joins Lunu Wila road from Borupan Pitiya and spotted KWFC 1 lying among the dried grass. N 08.42624, E 080.02625.
The leopard was only visible from one location. I took a few photos and moved my vehicle for the others to have a look. By the time I returned, the leopard had moved out of sight. I was told by the jeep drivers that it moved in the direction of Boradiya Wala. However as it was too early for a leopard to drink, I drove off to explore the rest of the Park with the hope of returning by mid-morning to look for it again.
7.55am: 21 Spotted Deer in scattered groups of 4 to 5 animals at Borupan Wila.
8.03am: 1 Mugger Crocodile at Borupan Pitiya Wala.
8.04am: 4 Great Stone Plovers and one Grey Mongoose at Borupan Wila.
8.10am: 16 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila.
8.15am: 9 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu.
8.17am: 1 Mugger Crocodile at Kokkare Villu.
8.18am: 11 Spotted Deer and a few Black-tailed Godwit in early stages of acquiring their breeding plumage with their heads, necks and the napes reddish-rufous.
8.20am: 8 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila.
8.33am: 1 Barking Deer at Panikkar Villu Uda Para.
8.35am: A herd of 22 Wild Boar with about 12 young (the piglets have almost lost their yellow stripes) fed close at the edge of the villu close to the bungalow.
8.45am: 1 Spotted Deer at Tala Wila.
8.57am: 4 more Spotted Deer at Tala Wila.
9.00am: 2 Barking Deer dashed across the road between Panikkar Villu junction and Nelum Wila.
9.09am: While driving towards Nelum Wila I noticed a large bird flying through the canopy and was thrilled to locate a fine specimen of a male Ceylon Trogon. I have heard the call of this bird on a few occasions but this is my first sighting at Wilpattu. Unfortunately it flew off before I was able to take a photograph.
9.31am: We arrived at Borupan Pitiya and spotted KWFC 1 lying on a horizontal branch of a Madan tree close to where it was seen in the morning. N 08.42542, E 080.02596.It was observing a Peahen that was a short distance from the tree. After about 10 minutes the bird spotted the predator and flew off while giving out its characteristic loud alarm call.
9.54am: The leopard jumped off the tree, walked across the field and lay down under a bush.
10.07am: 1 male Barking Deer crossed the road between Borupan Wila and Borupan Junction.
10.09am: At Kumbuk Wila Uda Para sand patch, two Golden Jackals trotted towards my vehicle for a short distance and disappeared into the forest over the sand dunes.
10.10am: 1 Black-naped Hare sprinting across the open field at Kumbuk Wila.
10.17am: 3 Spotted Deer and one adult male Wild Boar at Mahapatessa.
10.21am: Great Egg Fly (Butterfly) flying at Eeriyakkulam Pooval.
10.28am: 5 Spotted Deer at Eeriyakkulam Pooval.
10.51am: 1 Ruddy Mongoose trotted along the road between Manikkapola Uttu sand patch and Kuruttupandi Villu.
10.55am: Herd of 13 Wild Boar fed at the edge of the Villu across the water body while a Golden Jackal drank at the edge close to me. A White-bellied Sea Eagle created quite a splash as it bathed prior to flying off to a nearby tree to dry itself at Kudapatessa.
11.10am: A Mouse Deer dashed cross the road as I approached Mahapatessa.
11.12am: 1 Flapshell Turtle sunning itself at the edge of the Villu, swam hurriedly into the murky water upon our approach.
11.14am: The carnivorous plants, Watessa are in bloom at Mahapatessa.
11.22am: 1 Spotted Deer at Thimbiri Wila.
11.59am: The wild orchid Vanilla Walkerae in bloom between Maila Wewa and Nelum Wila.
12.03pm: 1 Spotted Deer between Maila Wewa and Nelum Wila.
12.22pm: The herd of 28 Wild Boar feeding at the edge of Panikkar Villu where the road leaves to Tala Wila included 13 half grown piglets. I took a few shots of the herd before they started to trot towards the jungle. As they entered the forest, Danushka said “sir me Kotiya” and the next moment a leopard sprinted past my vehicle and entered the forest following the herd. Sounds emanating from the forest indicated that the leopard had caused great panic and confusion in the herd. In less than half a minute the pigs stopped snorting and some moved out of the forest and looked in the direction of the forest. The leopard took cover using my vehicle to ambush the Wild Boar. The leopard was not to be seen; I therefore drove towards Tala Wila.
12.53pm: 1 Spotted Deer drinking at Tala Wila.
1.15pm: I drove back to the same spot where the leopard was seen and spotted it on a Madan Tree where the Wild Boar had entered the forest. It was KPMC 1.N 08.39491, E 079.95237.It was panting heavily. There was no clear view of the leopard as it was concealed by the foliage. I parked the vehicle where I was able to see the animal and had lunch as it rested.2.45pm: The leopard moved to another branch and picked up a carcass of a small Wild Boar. The carcass was not visible to us until now. It had killed an immature Wild Boar the time it ambushed the herd. The leopard, after resting for almost 2 and half hours, started to feed.The foliage obstructed my view but I managed to get a few photos to capture the moment. It was quite dexterous in manoeuvering its prey to ensure that it does not fall off the tree as it fed. I was only about 30 feet away and the sounds of the young pig’s bones being crushed were quite audible as the leopard fed hungrily on the small carcass.
3.05pm: Having finished feeding, the leopard climbed down from the tree walked to the edge of the villu and drank for about 14 minutes. Thereafter, it moved under a shady tree and slept.
3.25pm: We spotted another leopard where the main road enters Panikkar Villu. It looked like a female and was quite shy. I was not able to get any photos.
4.07pm: A troop of Grey Langur at Kokkare Villu junction.
4.13pm: A subadult Ruddy Mongoose trotted alongside an adult between Kokkare Villu and Kumbuk Wila.
4.27am: A Mugger Crocodile swam towards deeper water upon our arrival at Eeriyakkulam Pooval.
5.08pm: As we drove into Kuruttupandi Villu from Manikkapola Uttu, I spotted a leopard lying on the grass close to the water body. It was KSPMC 2. N 08.43751, E 079.98187.
The slight drizzle that started at Manikkapola Uttu had now developed in to a stronger drizzle. Neither the shower nor the continuous thunder and lightning appeared to bother the leopard that was quite relaxed and lying out in the open.
6.00pm: We spotted a subadult Sloth Bear at Maradanmaduwa. I reversed the vehicle to allow the bear to cross the road and it ran across in a few gallops. 11 Spotted Deer huddled together in the rain at Kukul Katu Plains at Maradanmaduwa.
6.08pm: A Golden Jackal ran across the road in the strong rain between the “Grave” and Palu Kola Wala.
6.21pm: The rain gradually reduced to a drizzle by the time we reached Percy Bendi Wewa.
6.23pm: One Black-naped Hare licking itself dry while seated on the middle of the road between Percy Bendi Wewa and the Park entrance.
6th April 2014
5.57am: Entered the Park with my guide Podi Danushka.
6.04am: 1 Subadult Sambar fed by the side of the road about 100 meters from Percy Bendi Wewa.
6.06am: 2 Spotted Deer walked along the road at Percy Bendi Wewa.
6.28am: 2 Spotted Deer and 1 adult male Wild Boar close to the three causeways at Maradanmaduwa.
6.29am: 10 Spotted Deer crossed the road at Kukul Katu plains.
6.34am: Two Forest Wagtails flew off the road upon my arrival at Kuda Boralu Wala.
6.37am: A small herd of 5 Spotted Deer was extremely cautious in entering the forest at Ibba Wala.
6.55am: 1 Leopard, KWFC 1, was spotted sitting at the edge of the forest at Borupan Pitiya, closer than where it was seen yesterday. N 08.42453, E 080.02679
After a few minutes the young female moved towards me. Its attention was on a White-breasted Waterhen that moved in the grass. As the leopard approached, the bird flew up onto a bush. Thereafter the leopard moved through some bushes in the direction of two Indian Peafowl feeding at the center of the pitiya. It moved towards the birds along a dark patch of shade and bent down as the unsuspecting Peafowl walked quite close. I expected the leopard to pounce at the birds any moment but other than staying perfectly still and watching them intently, she did not attack the birds. After the birds moved some distance away from the leopard it moved into the forest.
7.43am: 22 Spotted Deer grazing at Borupan Wila. One White-winged Black Tern flew up and down above the water body.
7.48am: 9 Spotted Deer at Thimbiri Wila Pitiya.
7.53am: 11 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa.
7.55am: 1 Mugger Crocodile with its head above the water at Mahapatessa.
7.58am: 6 Spotted Deer fed across the Villu at Kudapatessa.
8.05am: 1 Spotted Deer at Kuruttupandi Villu.
8.14am: An adult male Wild Boar that was feeding among the reeds trotted into the forest upon our arrival at Illada Mottai.
8.15am: 6 Spotted Deer close to the bund at Illanda Mottai.
8.25am: 6 Spotted Deer at Manikrala Uraniya.
8.57am: A Barking Deer walked across the road between Kumbuk Wila sand patch and Borupan Wila Junction.
9.10am: One Parker’s Black Turtle walked into the water at Borupan Pitiya Wala.
9.41am: 3 Spotted Deer at Panikkar Villu.
10.01am: I stopped the vehicle upon spotting a Brown Fish Owl perched on the ground. It moved into a small puddle and started to move the mud out with backward movements of its feet to make it deeper prior to having a bath. It bathed in the typical style of any bird by dipping its head and flapping its wings to create a splash. After a few dips and splashes flew off to a near by branch to shake itself dry.
10.19am: A Great Orange Tip (butterfly) bud sipping at Panikkar Villu.
6.15pm: Left the Park.
10.48am: 2 male Spotted Deer at Manikkapola Uttu. Most males have now developed “velvet” covered antlers.
10.51am: One subadult Sambar between Manikkapola Uttu and Illanda Mottai.
11.05am: At Eeriyakkulam Pooval, one Mugger Crocodile moved slowly in the direction of a few Little Cormorants that were perched on branches just above the water.
11.18am: A troop of Grey Langur at Mahapatessa.
11.30am: 1 Golden Jackal at Borupan Wila.
12.15pm: I observed a Toque Monkey and a few Grey Langurs bouncing across the road ahead of the vehicle. Both species were in one group between Borupan Junction and Kumbuk Wila sand patch.
12.18pm: Butterflies- Banded Peacock and Great Eggfly flying at many locations in the Park.
12.56pm: Spotted Deer at Kudapatessa have increased from 6 to 12.
1.43am: 1 Black-naped Hare at Kumbuk Wila.
2.16pm: We arrived at Lunu Wewa and observed a herd of 12 Wild Boar with one half grown piglet.
2.50pm: 2 Black-naped Hare at Kumbuk Wila.
3.02pm: 13 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila.
3.30pm: 7 Spotted Deer at Panikkar Villu.
3.16pm 10 Spotted Deer at Aalam Villu.
3.29pm: 2 Ruddy Mongoose, one following the other, between Panikkar Villu junction and Nelum Wila.
3.33pm: 1 Wild Boar at Nelum Wila.
3.39pm: 1 Barking Deer at Kokkare Villu Uda Para.
4.09pm: 1 Ruddy Mongoose between Manikkapola Uttu and Illanda Mottai.
4.45pm: The number of Spotted Deer has increased to 16 at Mahapatessa.
5.14pm: 1 Ruddy Mongoose at Borupan Villu.
5.21pm: An adult male Sambar sporting an impressive pair of antlers sprinted through the forest lowering its head to avoid its antlers striking the branches and vines at Boralu Wala.
5.32pm: A group of four adult Sambar including one antler about 100 meters from Kukul Katu plains at Maradanmaduwa. - Wilpattu National Park 28th – 30th March 2014
2.19pm entered the park with my wife Dilki Gunawardena, Dr. Srinath Seneviratne, Vasanta Seneviratne, Kissani Liyanage and guide podi Danushka.
2.39pm 3 Spotted Deer at Thamanna Wala.
2.44pm 1 Golden Jackal at Palu Kola Wala.
3.10pm large numbers of flying butterflies (mostly Lesser Albatrosses) from Maradanmaduwa to Borupan Wila.
3.19pm 2 Spotted Deer between Humbas Wala and Boralu Wala.
3.23am 2 Sambar, a calf accompanied by an adult female at Walas Wala.
3.47pm 1 Barking Deer and 1 Mugger Crocodile at Thimbiri Wila.
4.04pm 8 Spotted Deer and 3 Golden Jackal at Kumbuk Wila.
4.27pm 6 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa.
4.43pm 3 Spotted Deer and 1 Crested Hawk Eagle drinking at Kurutupandi Villu.
5.10am 1 Elephant at Manikkapola Uttu.
5.47pm 2 Barking Deer between Kumbuk Wila and Borupan Wila junction.
6.44pm left the park.
29th March 2014
2.38pm entered the park
2.50pm troop of grey Langur between Percy Bendi Wewa and Thamanna Wala.
3.24pm troop of Grey Langur at Ibba Wala.
3.49pm Ruddy Mongoose between Borupan Wila and Thimbiri Wila.
3.52pm 1 Barking Deer at Thimbiri Wila.
3.54pm butterfly Tamil Lace Wing between Thimbiri Wila and Kumbuk Wila.
3.56pm 12 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila.
4.30pm 1 Leopard, KSPMC 1 resting on the road between Eeriyakkulam Pooval and Manikrala Uraniya. N 08.44028, E 079.99901. It was lying on the road for about 7 minutes, stood up and walked passed the vehicle towards Eeriyakkulam Pooval. The left eye is still quite dark in colour.
5.15pm 1 Leopard, KPMC 1 at Kuruttupandi Villu. It was lying on the edge of the forest across the Villu. N 8 26.263 E 79 58.917
6.10pm 1 Purple-faced Leaf Monkey at Boralu Wala.
6.32pm 1 Golden Jackal at the Grave.
6.40pm 1 Sloth Bear Between Thamanna Wala and Percy Bendi Wewa
6.59pm left the park. - Wilpattu National Park 8th – 9th March 2014
6.07am entered the park with my guide Tharidu
6.22am a Brown Fish Owl flew across the road at Thammanna Wala.
6.28am 2 Painted Stork at Palu Kola Wala.
6.33am a Bustard Quail close to the Grave.
6.44am 2 male Spotted Deer at Thambi Oluwa
6.46am 2 Wild Boar at Ibba Wala.
6.59am 6 Spotted Deer between Borupan junction and Borupan Wila.
7.03am 1 Mugger Crocodile at Borupan Wila pitiya wala.
7.16am 15 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
7.19am 2 Golden Jackal at Thimbiri Wila.
8.19am one adult male Wild Boar walked up to the water hole and drank at Kumbuk Wila pitiya.
8.24am Indian Shag with Little Cormorants at Nelum Wila.
8.40am a Black-naped Hare between Kokkare Villu and Kuruttupandi Junction.
8.41am troop of Grey Langur between Kokkare Villu and Kuruttupandi Junction.
8.52am 2 Spotted Deer at Kudapatessa
9.27am 18 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila pitiya.
9.45am one Ruddy Mongoose between Borupan Wila and Thimbiri Wila.
10.47am 5 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila pitiya.
10.59am a Red-winged Crested Cuckoo with a pair of Brown-capped Babblers.
11.10am one Lesser Adjutant at Aalam Villu.
11.54am a male Common Kingfisher perched on a branch overlooking the water. A Giant Squirrel on the same tree at Boradiya Wala.
12.09pm a White-bellied Sea Eagle that was circling glided down to perch on an exposed branch of a Madan Tree overlooking Thimbiri Wila.
1.20pm 2 Rudy Mongoose at Kokkare Villu Pitiya.
2.17pm 1 Spotted Deer at Pallekandal Pitiya.
2.19pm 1 Elephant at Pomparippu Pitiya.
2.30pm 1 Ruddy Mongoose crossed the Puttlam Marichchkaddi road between Pomparippu and Kollan Kanatta road.
2.43pm 7 Spotted Deer, 6 Lesser Adjutant, 85 White Ibis and 30 Elephants at Peiya Villu.
3.30pm a House Swift flying low above Periya Villu.
3.58pm 3 Spotted Deer at Pallekandal Pitiya.
4.20pm 16 Spotted Deer at Tala Wila.
4.41pm 1 Elephant at Aalam Villu.
4.45am a small mix feeding flock comprising of a Racket-tailed Drongo, Golden-backed Woodpecker, Brown-capped and Black-fronted Babblers between Panikkar Villu junction and Kumbuk Wila.
5.00pm 1 Elephant at Nelum Wila.
5.05pm one Ruddy Mongoose between Kokkare Villu junction and Madan Gaha Wala.
5.14pm 4 Spotted Deer between Borupan Villu junction and Kumbuk Wila.
5.25pm 11 Spotted Deer and one Black-naped Hare at Borupan Pitiya.
6.20pm left the park.
Vanda spathulata in bloom at Borupan Wila and Vanda tessalata in bloom close to the grave. The fires Cracker Flowers are bloom along most shady roads of the park.9th March 2014
6.08am entered the park with my guide Tharidu
6.23am 1 Sambar before Palu Kola Wala.
6.24am 3 Painted Storks and a baby Mugger Crocodile at Palu Kola wala.
6.32am 2 White-necked Stork at Maradanmaduwa.
6.36am 2 Sambar. A sub adult following an adult female at Thambi Oluwa.
6.39am 7 Spotted Deer at Thambi Oluwa.
6.54am 1 adult male Wild Boar between Borupan Wila junction and Kumbuk Wila uda para sand patch.
7.18am 1 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu.
7.27am the carnivorous plant Watessa Drosera burmannii in bloom at Kudapatessa, Kurutupandi Villu and Mahapatessa.
8.30am 2 Spotted Deer. A pair of Blue-faced Malkoha flew from a tall Madan tree in to a bush with thick foliage upon our arrival. Green Imperial Pigeon feeding on the fruits of Lunu Warna Crataeva adansonii at Borupan Wila.
8.40am 12 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila pitiya.
9.07am 1 female Barking Deer close to Kumbuk Wila uda para sand patch.
9.33am 1 Ruddy Mongoose between Thimbiri Wila and Borupan Wila.
10.02am “Wal Dehi” Atalania monophylla in bloom between Maradanmaduwa and Kimbula Ketu Gala.
10.35am 1 Baby Mugger Crocodile at the rock pool at Kimbula Ketu Gala.
11.12am 1 Spotted Deer at Walas Wala.
11.17am 1 Barking Deer crossed the road close to Kumbuk Wila uda para sand patch.
11.37am 1 Elephant feeding on the reeds at Nelum Wila.
11.42am 2 Mugger Crocodile at Kokkare Villu.
11.56am 1 Golden Jackal at Demata Wila.
12.15pm a Large-billed Leaf Warbler heard and a Red-winged Crested Cuckoo at Manikrala Uraniya.
1.33pm 1 adult male Wild boar at Kokkare Pitiya.
2.04pm 2 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Pitiya.
2.25pm 1 Mugger Crocodile at Kudapatessa.
2.28pm a White-winged Black Tern flying along with a few Whiskered Terns at Mahapatessa.
2.30pm 1 Mugger Crocodile at Eriyakkulampooval.
2.37pm troop of Grey Langur between Eriyakkulampooval and Manikrala Uraniya.
3.31pm 7 Spotted Deer feeding on the fresh grass and one Elephant feeding on the reeds at Aalam Villu while a single Lesser Adjutant at the center of the water body.
4.18pm 1 Leopard at Nelum Wila. N 08.40277, E 079.98154.
I spotted fresh pugmarks from Nelum Wila sand patch towards Nelum Wila and spotted the leopard walking ahead of the vehicle close to the culvert. It was a female. As I noticed that it was quite vary I followed it keeping a distance of about 50 meters. I only managed to get a few photos as the leopard turned back to look in my direction. As the leopard approached a bend an on coming vehicle resulted in it disappearing in to the forest. This is my first sighting of this shy animal and I named it Nelum Wila Female 1 (NWF 1).
5.06pm 1 Sambar close to Ibba Wala.
5.13pm 5 Spotted Deer at Thambi Oluwa.
5.23pm 5 Spotted Deer between the grave and Palu Kola Wala.
6.10pm left the park. - Wilpattu National Park 14th - 16th February 2014
8.08am entered the park with my guide Sanath.
8.11am 1 Spotted Deer about 100meters from the park entrance.
8.14am 1 Giant Squirrel close to Weli Ela.
8.17am 1 Barking Deer at the first glade after Weli Ela.
8.22am Grey-headed Fish Eagle at Percy Bendi Wewa.
8.43am 1 Parker’s Black Turtle, Flapshell Turtle and a baby Mugger crocodile at Palu Kola Wala.
8.45am a male Indian peafowl displaying to a few females at Ranawara Pitiya.
8.49am 1 Sloth Bear on the road between Palu Kola Wala and the grave.
9.07am 8 Wild Buffalo at Maradanmaduwa.
9.17am 1 hepatic phase Indian Plaintive Cuckoo and three Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
Wild Flower Ceylon Osbeckia in bloom at Maradanmaduwa.
9.20am 6 Spotted Deer at between Maradanmaduwa and Kuda Boralu Wala.
9.28am at Ibba Wala an adult male Sambar and a pair of Barking Deer.
9.48am 1 Ruddy Mongoose at Boradiya Wala.
11.06am 1 Spotted Deer at Demata Wila.
11.11am 1 Mugger crocodile at Mahapatessa.
Wild Flower Fire Cracker Flower is in bloom along the shady roads of the park.
11.32am 2 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu Pitiya.
12.05pm herd of 18 Wild boar with a brood of 22 tiny piglets at Aalam Villu. The behavior of the piglets was quite interesting. They moved from place to place as one tightly packed group.
12.09pm 1 Lesser Adjutant at Panikkar Wila.
1.31pm 1 Large Prinia at Pallekandal Pitiya.
1.35pm 1 Mugger Crocodile at a culvert at Pallekandal Pitiya.
1.44pm 2 Spotted Deer at Pomparippu Pitiya.
1.59pm 1 Ruddy Mongoose between Pomparippu and Periya Villu.
2.15pm 1 Mugger Crocodile at Sinna Uppu Villu.
2.31pm 1 Cobra on the road.
2.33pm we spotted a herd of elephants as we approached Periya Villu. They were on their way through the jungle to cross the road. I reversed the vehicle permitting them to cross on to the Villu. After a few minutes the heard hurriedly crossed the road. I counted 20 elephants with a few small calfs.
2.45pm along with the herd that crossed the road we counted 41 Elephants at Periya Villu in two herds. They were feeding on the reeds. Among them I spotted the Kollankanattha Tusker and another small baby tusker.
3.01pm 1 Yellow Bittern at Periya Villu.
4.18pm 1 Elephant, Watercock and Little Ringed Plover at Pallekandal Pitiya.
4.46pm 2 Golden Jackal at Tala Wila.
4.47pm 5 Spotted Deer at Tala Wila.
5.10pm 1 female leopard at Panikkar Villu Uda Para N 08.39644, E 079.95659
We drove on to this road and about 10 meters before it falls on to the road from Panikkar Villu spotted a leopard lying on the sand behind some bushes on the sand patch to the right. I observed this leopard for about 30 minutes. This is my first sighting of this leopard and I named it Panikkar Villu Female Cub 1 (PVFC 1)
5.38pm Wild Flower Indian Cadaba in bloom between Panikkar Villu and Nelum Wila.
5.54pm 1 Elephant and 4 Spotted Deer at Kuruttupandi Villu.
6.04pm 1 Leopard at Kudapatessa N 08.43271, N 079.99158
It was a male leopard and was sleeping on the edge of the villu on the Kuruttupandi Villu end. As it was late we had to leave to reach the park entrance. This was an adult male leopard and it was my first sighting of this male. I named it Kudapatessa Male 2 (KPM 2)
6.14pm 5 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa.
6.18pm 1 Ruddy Mongoose at Kumbuk Wila summer hut.
6.19pm 2 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila pitiya.
6.48pm left the park.
15th February 2014
6.02am entered the park with my guide podi Danushka
6.06am 2 Black-naped Hare at Weli Ela.
6.25am 1 female Sambar on the bund across the water body.
6.29am 3 Spotted Deer between Palu Kola Wala and the Grave.
6.33am 4 Spotted Deer at Kohomba Gaha Pitiya.
6.36am 1 Golden Jackal at Maradanmaduwa.
6.37am 4 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
7.02am 4 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila Pitiya.
7.11am 8 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
7.12am 1 Grey Mongoose and wild orchid, Vanda spathulata in bloom at Borupan Wila.
7.13am a Black Drongo mobbing a sub adult crested Hawk Eagle at Borupan Wila.
7.18am 7 Spotted Deer at Thimbiri Wila.
7.30am 1 Barking Deer between Borupan Junction and Kubuk Wila sand patch.
7.38am 5 Spotted deer at Mahapatessa.
7.41am 3 Wild Boar at Demata Wila.
7.49am 1 Lesser Adjutant at Kudapatessa.
7.54am 4 Spotted deer and 2 Golden Jackal at Kuruttupandi Villu
8.11am 6 Mugger Crocodile and 1 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu. The crocodiles have been attracted to the show to feed on the fish trapped in the small pools of water left by the receding water level of the Villu. Their method of fishing was quite interesting. The reptile would get in to one of these pools and move side ways towards one end thereby trapping the fish in to an even smaller area of water. It would continue to disturb the water by moving its tail from side to side as well. The terrified small fish could be seen jumping over the crocodiles body and some times become easy prey to the opportunistic herons and the egrets gathered by these pools. Periodically the crocodile would lunge forward with a big splash and catch a bigger size fish and swallow it. After about 10 minutes it would move to another pool followed by the egrets and the herons to repeat the same procedure.
8.20am 1 Ruddy Mongoose between Kokkare Weli Kanda and Kudaptessa
At Kokkare Villu and Mahapatessa the carnivorous plants, Watessa (Tropical Sundew Drosera burmannii) and Kandulessa (Indian Sundew Drosera indica) in bloom.
8.48am 1 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Pitiya.
8.51am 4 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Pitiya.
9.52am 11 Wild Boar at the water hole at Nelum Wila Pitiya.
10.13am 2 Golden Jackal close to Mila Wewa.
10.27am 1 Ruddy Mongoose between Mila Wala and Sudu Muwa Wala.
10.39am 1 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila Pitiya.
10.57am 1 Ruddy Mongoose at Kokkare Villu Uda Para.
11.01am 1 elephant at Nelum Wila.
11.17am 11 Spotted Deer at Panikkar Villu.
11.21am 1 Wild Boar crossed the road at Panikkar Villu Uda Para.
11.28am one Red-winged Crested Cuckoo flew across the road at Kombansanchi Pooval.
11.54am 3 Wild Boar, troop of Grey Langur, 6 Black-tailed Godwits and a White-bellied Sea Eagle at Panikkar Villu.
12.30pm many pairs of Chestnut-headed Bee-eaters excavating nesting holes on the sand dunes.
12.33pm 1 Mouse Deer (White-spotted Chevrotain) ran across the road between Kokkare Weli Kanda and Kuda patessa.
12.35pm 2 Spotted Deer at Kudapatessa.
12.55pm wild flower Ceylon Osbeckia in bloom at Borupan Pitiya.
1.10pm 1 Barking Deer at Kumbuk Wila Pitiya.
2.18pm troop of Grey Langur making alarm calls at the Thimbiri Wila end of Borupan Wila 4 Spotted Deer across the water body.
2.30pm we spotted one leopard, a sub adult male across the water body. N 08.42696, E 080.02039
The young leopard walked on the edge of the forest and was alerted by the presence of an Indian Peafowl that flew off with the approach of the leopard. It walked for about 100 meters in the direction of Borupan Junction and entered the forest. This is my sighting of this animal. I named it Borupan Wila Male Cub 2 (BWMC 2).
2.46pm 1 Golden Jackal at Borupan Wila.
3.02pm 1 adult male Sambar with an impressive pair of antlers between Borupan Wila junction and Kumbuk Wila sand patch.
3.03 1 Barking Deer between Borupan Wila junction and Kumbuk Wila sand patch.
3.08pm 2 Sambar between Borupan Wila junction and Kumbuk Wila sand patch. The male that was seen a few minutes ago is now in the company of a female and was rubbing its antlers on the trees indicating its excitement.
3.10pm a leopard crossed the road between Borupan Wila junction and Kumbuk Wila sand patch. I was not able to identify or photograph. In all probability it is the young male leopard that I photographed at Borupan Wila short while ago.
3.31pm 2 Golden Jackal at Mahapatessa.
3.35pm 1 Ruddy Mongoose between Demata Wila and Mahapatessa
3.41pm 1 Stork-billed Kingfisher at Eriyakkulam Pooval.
4.27pm 2 Ruddy Mongoose at Kokkare villu pitiya.
4.35pm 4 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila.
4.46pm 4 Spotted Deer at Aalam Villu.
5.15pm 1 Leopard at Aalam Villu. N 8 24.092 E 79 57.238
I drove towards Nawaladi Uttu and came upon fresh pug marks on the road. The leopard was not to be seen. It was of a big leopard walking towards Aalam Villu. I drove ahead to give time for the leopard to come back to the road and returned after about 10 minutes and spotted the pugmarks again. It had come on to the road and was walking on my tire tracks towards Aalam Villu. I drove very slow expecting to the see the leopard walking ahead of me but did not succeed. However having arrived at Aalam Villu it was spotted resting at the edge of the forest across the villu. It was a big male in its prime. I estimated its age to be around six to seven years. As this was my first sighting of this animal I named it Aalam Villu Male 1 (AVM 1).
6.24pm Parker’s Black Turtle at Palu Kola Wala.
6.38pm left the park.
16th February 2014
6.00am entered the park with my guide podi Danushka.
6.01am 1 Black-naped Hare at the park entrance.
6.03am 1 Black-naped Hare about 100meters from the park entrance
6.04am 2 Black-naped Hare at Weli Ela.
6.05am 2 more Black-naped Hare about 100 meters from Weli Ela.
6.28am 1 adult male Sambar close to the grave.
6.30am 2 Spotted Deer at the 3 bridges at Maradanmaduwa.
6.34am 3 Spotted Deer and 1 Sub adult Sambar at Kukul Katu plains at Maradanmaduwa.
6.55am 1 Barking Deer between Borupan Junction and Kumbuk Wila sand patch.
7.57am 1 Ruddy Mongoose at Kumbuk Wila Uda para.
7.09am 11 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila.
7.22am 2 Wild Boar at Panikkar Villu. Many Jungle Crows close to the boar and some were perched on their backs. Perhaps they feed on worms and other small animals unearthed by the Wild boar.
7.52am 4 Wild Boar at Kanjuran Villu.
7.59am 4 Lesser Adjutant and 2 Spotted Deer at Kumutu Villu.
8.14am 2 Spotted Deer at Illanda Mottai.
8.29am troop of Grey Langur at Eriyakkulam Pooval.
8.31am 9 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa.
8.44am 2 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila Pitiya.
8.51am 1 Golden Jackal being mobbed by two Great Stone Plovers at Borupan Wila.
9.10am 1 Mugger Crocodile at Borupan Pitiya Wala.
9.12am 1 Wild Boar at Borupan Wila.
9.13am 6 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
9.16am 9 Spotted Deer at Thimbiri Wila.
10.00am 1 Elephant at Manikkapola Uttu.
10.12am 9 Spotted Deer at Kuruttupandi Villu.
10.24am 1 Elephant at Kokkare Villu.
10.43am 1 Ruddy Mongoose at Illanda Mottai.
11.04am 1 Green Garden Lizard between Downall pitiya and illanda Mottai.
11.35am 1 Mugger Crocodile at Kokkare Villu.
11.40am 1 Ruddy Mongoose between Kokkare Villu and Kumbuk Wila.
11.44am 3 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila.
1.03pm 3 Golden Jackal at Borupan Wila.
2.02pm 5 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
2.06pm 200+ Common Swallow perched on a leaf less tree at Thimbiri Wila
2.11pm 5 Spotted Deer and 1 Wild Boar at Mahapatessa.
2.26pm an adult Crested Hawk Eagle on the road with the rodent in its talons, flew on to a tree upon our approach between Manikrala Uraniya and Illanda Mottai.
2.49pm 1 Barking Deer between Kuruttupandi Junction and Kudapatessa.
2.58pm 1 Ruddy Mongoose between Mahapatessa and Kumbuk Wila.
3.00pm 3 Ruddy Mongoose, one sub adult following and adult , close to the Kumbuk Wila summer hut.
3.03pm 2 Grey Mongoose. Again a sub adult closely following an adult between Kumbuk Wila and Thimbiri Wila.
3.04pm 3 Mugger Crocodile at Thimbiri Wila.
3.44pm 1 Ruddy Mongoose between Nelum Wila and Borupan Wila junction.
3.56pm 21 Spotted Deer and 2 Golden Jackal at Tala Wila
3.59pm 1 Yellow Wattled Lapwing at Tala Wila.
4.28pm 18 Wild Boar with approximately 20 yellow-stripped piglets at Aalam Wila.
4.57pm 1 Ruddy Mongoose at Borupan Pitiya.
5.27pm 1 adult male Wild Boar at Illanda Mottai.
6.06pm 1 Sambar at Thambi Oluwa.
6.10pm 3 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
6.28pm left the park.
7.54pm 4 elephants by the side of the road between 20th and 21st KM post at Saliya Wewa. - Wilpattu National Park 3rd - 4th February 2014
10.35am entered the park with my mother Padmini Gunawardena, Nilushi Dissanayake, Nicholas Rolfe and guide podi Danushka
11.01am 2 Spotted Deer at Thammanna Wala.
11.08 am a Flapshell and a Parker’s Black turtle at Palu Kola Wala.
11.21am 17 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa
11.27am troop of Grey Langur at Thambi Oluwa.
11.31am 1 White-necked Stork at Ibba Wala.
11.58am 12 Wild Boar at Kumbuk Wila.
12.24pm 1 Ruddy Mongoose between Kumbuk Wila and Mahapatessa.
12.35pm 1 Mugger Crocodile at Mahapatessa.
12.37pm 1 Wild Boar at Mahaptessa.
12.47pm 1 Crested Hawk Eagle drinking at Kudapatessa.
12.55pm 2 Spotted Deer at Kuruttupandi Villu
1.06pm 8 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Pitiya.
1.33pm 1 Checkered Keelback Xenochrophis piscator (water snake) at Borupan Wila.
2.53pm 1 Spotted Deer, stag at Thimbiri Wila.
3.32pm 1 Ruddy Mongoose between Kudapatessa and Kuruttupandi Villu junction.
3.57pm 1 Leopard at Manikrala Uraniya. N 08.45133, E 079.99460
It was KSPMC 2. We drove towards Uraniya from Eriyakkulam Pooval . The leopard walked on to the road from the side of the water body watched us for a while and lied down on the road. It licked it self for about 08 minutes and walked in the direction of the sand patch.
4.49pm 1 Black-naped Hare, Grey Mongoose and 4 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Pitiya
5.41pm 2 Spotted Deer and 1 White-necked Stork close to the grave.
5.50pm 1 Spotted Deer at Palu Kola Wala.
5.57pm 1 Barking Deer close to Thammanna Wala.
4th February 2014
8.35am entered the park with Nilushi Dissanayake, Nicholas Rolfe, Chamara and guide podi Danushka
8.37am 1 Male Barking deer about 100meters from the park entrance.
8.43am 1 Spotted Deer, stag at Weli Ela.
8.44am 1 Grey-headed Fish Eagle at Percy Bendi Wewa
9.01am 1 baby Mugger Crocodile (1 ½ feet long) at Palu Kola Wala.
9.15am 5 Spotted Deer at Thambi Oluwa
9.24am 2 Spotted Deer between Boralu Wala and Walas Wala.
9.52am 7 Spotted Deer between Mahapatessa and Demata Wila.
10.01am 1 small Mugger Crocodile at Eriyakkulam Pooval.
10.03am 1 Sambar between Eriyakkulam Pooval and Manikrala Uraniya.
10.10am 3 Spotted Deer at Manikrala Uraniya.
10.18am 1 Leopard at Illanda Mottai. N 08.45775, E 079.98948
It was KSPMC 2. Having arrived at this location we turned towards Downall Pitiya and spotted the leopard laying on the bund across the water body covered with reeds. After about 6 minutes Spotted Deer alarm calls were heard from the direction of Downall Pitiya. The young leopard was alerted by the presence of another leopard and looked in the direction of the alarm calls. In a minute or so it got up and started to walk on the edge of the water body towards the Uraniya road and entered the forest. We reversed our vehicle and parked close to the junction expecting the leopard to walk across the open glade. After a few minutes we spotted the leopard again walking through the shrubs. It paused and sat on its hunches for a few minutes before entering the open glade. Thereafter it emerged from the forest and walked across the glade giving me an opportunity to photograph it at this scenic locality.
11.20am wild Flower Heen-tolabo –Crinum defixum in bloom at Kumbuk Wila
11.55am 1 Spotted Deer at Kalagedi Bokkuwa.
12.15pm left the park - Wilpattu National Park 1st -2nd February 2014
2.25pm entered the park with Dr. Srinath Seneviratne, Vasanta Seneviratne, John Anne and my guide podi Danushka.
2.27pm 1 Spotted Deer between park entrance and Weli Ela.
2.28pm 15 Spotted Deer close to Weli Ela.
2.38pm 6 Spotted Deer before Kalagedi Bokkuwa.
2.55pm 1 Male Sloth Bear before Palu Kola Wala. The Bear was quite relaxed and walked across an open glade and in to the forest.
2.58pm 1 Flap shell and 1 Dark Shell turtle at Palu Kola Wala.
3.14pm 18 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa
3.20pm 1 Female Sloth Bear at Thambi Oluwa. It walked across the road ahead of our parked vehicle and disappeared in to the forest.
3.28pm 3 Spotted Deer at Thambi Oluwa.
3.39pm 1 Ruddy Mongoose at Boralu Wala.
4.05pm 1 sub adult leopard between Borupan Junction and Borupan Wila. No clear view or photography was possible as it walked through the bushes.
4.14pm 1 Ruddy Mongoose between Borupan Junction and Kumbuk Wila sand patch.
4.18pm 11 Spotted Deer and a few Indian Pea Fowl at Kumbuk Wila pitiya.
4.45pm 1 Mugger crocodile at Mahapatessa.
4.55pm 2 Spotted Deer at Kudapatessa.
5.01pm 2 Golden Jackal and 11 Spotted Deer at Kurutupandi Villu.
5.14pm 1 Grey Mongoose and 20 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu pitiya.
5.25pm 1 Grey Mongoose at Kumbuk Wila pitiya.
5.27pm 21 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila pitiya.
5.53pm left the park.
7.30pm 1 Hump-nosed Viper at the eco lodge Palpatha close to Kala Oya.
2nd February 2014
8.15am entered the park with Dr. Srinath Seneviratne, Vasanta Seneviratne, John Anne and my guide podi Danushka.
8.52am 27 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa
9.13am 1 Brown Mongoose between Borupan Junction and Borupan Wila.
10.21am 9 Spotted Deer at Panikkar Villu.
10.30am 7 Spotted Deer at Tala Wila.
11.35am left the park. - Wilpattu National Park 18th January 2014
8.46am entered the park with Dr. Jacob de. Vlas, Mrs. de. Vlas, authors of the book “ Illastrated Field Guide to the Flowers of Sri Lanka” and my guide podi Danushka.
8.51am 1 Barking Deer at Weli Ela
8.56am 1 Spotted deer and a troop of Grey Langur at Percy Bendi Wewa.
9.27am 1 Parker’s Black Turtle at Palu Kola Wala.
9.30am 12 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa
9.44am 4 Spotted Deer at Thambi Oluwa
9.48am 1 Barking Deer feeding near Kuda Boralu Wala
9.52am 1 Parker’s Black Turtle and a Mugger Crocodile at Ibba Wala.
10.00am troop of Grey Langur between Boralu Wala and Walas Wala
10.26am 2 Mugger crocodile at Mahapatessa
10.29am 2 Lesser Adjutant and 7 Spotted Deer at Demata Wila
11.01am while photographing a Racket-tailed Drongo a Red-winged Crested Cuckoo flew across the road at Kuruttupandi Villu.
11.10am 1 Mugger Crocodile at Kokkare Villu.
11.17am 8 Spotted Deer Kokkare Villu
11.57am 1 Elephant feeding across the water body at Mahapatessa
12.35pm 1 Ruddy Mongoose between Madangas Wala and Kumbuk Wila para junction
1.37pm 14 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila pitiya
2.22pm 1 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila uda para.
2.25pm 2 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila.
2.41pm a troop of Grey Langur between Nelum Wila and Panikkar Villu
3.10pm 43 Spotted Deer and 1 Elephant at Tala Wila
3.30pm 2 Land Monitors engrossed in a combat between Tala Wila and Kombansanchi Pooval
3.40pm 6 Spotted Deer at Aalam Villu
3.45pm 2 Spotted Deer at Panikkar Villu junction.
5.25pm 2 Barking Deer between Kumbuk Wila and Borupan Junction
5.45pm 1Leopard, WWMC 1 about 50 meters from Boralu wala. N 08.40672, E 080.04447
It was walking towards Maradanmaduwa. On two occasions it marked the bushes on right hand side of the road. The leopard walked for about 30 meters along the road and walked in to the forest to the left to the left of the road.
5.52pm 22 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa Kukul Katuwa pitiya.
6.05pm 1 Star Tortoise at Palu Kola Wala pitiya.
6.27pm left the park.
Vanda spathulata in bloom between Panikkar Villu and Panikkar Villu junction - Wilpattu National Park 11 – 15 January 2014
6.06 entered the park with my guide podi Danushka
6.15am 2 Spotted Deer at Weli Ela- first glade after the park entrance.
6.18am Percy Bendi Wewa has filled up to the level of the road.
6.28am 2 Spotted Deer between Kalagedi Bokkuwa and the Glade.
6.36am 1 adult Sambar, antler watched us for a while and ran in to the forest.
6.37am Palu Kola Wala has filled up as well.
6.58am 4 Wild Buffalo t Maradanmaduwa.
7.31am 1 Mugger Crocodile at Kumbuk Wila pitiya.
7.35am 11 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila Pitiya.
7.41am 18 Spotted Deer, pair of Little Ringed Plover of the local race jerdoni and 1 Lesser Adjutant at Kokkare Villu Pitiya.
7.43am pair of Rufus Woodpecker flew across the road and settled on a Madan tree.
7.45am 15 Spotted Deer and 1 Mugger Crocodile at Kokkare Villu.
7.57am 4 Spotted Deer feeding at the far end and a small group of waders including Black-tailed Godwit, Lesser sand Plover, and Asiatic Golden Plover at Kuruttupandi Villu.
8.03am 1 Ruddy Mongoose between Kuruttupandi Junction and Kudapatessa.
8.08am 3 Mugger Crocodile, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Lesser Sand Plover, Common Sand Piper, Black-winged Stilts, Green Shank, Pin-tailed Snipe, Common Red Shank and Asiatic Golden Plover at Mahapatessa.
8.54am 1 Hard Shell Terrapin at Kumbuk Wila pitiya.
8.59am 2 Ruddy Mongoose between Kumbuk Wila uda para turn off and the sand patch.
9.28am 1 Mugger Crocodile at Borupan Pitiya Wala
9.29am 18 Spotted Deer and 1 Wild Boar at Borupan Wila.
10.00am 1 Leopard at Kumbuk Wila Pitiya. N 08.42170, E 080.00837
It was lying at the foot of a bush on the Thimbiri Wila side of the pitiya about 30meters from the road. It was a 7-8 month old female cub. The leopard appeared quite relaxed and after about 10 minutes rested it’s head on the ground and slept. After a few minutes it was alerted by something from the forest and quickly moved in to the forest. Perhaps it responded to the call of its mother. This is my first sighting of this leopard. I named it Kumbuk Wila Female Cub 1 (KWFC 1)
10.42am 2 Mugger Crocodiles at Kokkare Villu.
10.44am 1 Ruddy Mongoose crossed the road close to the Kokkare Villu junction.
10.50am 1 Barking Deer between Kokkare Villu and Kuruttupandi Junction.
10.55am 1 Golden Jackal at Kuruttupandi Villu.
11.16am 1 Ruddy Mongoose between Manikkapola Uttu and Illanda Mottai.
12.32PM 1 Sub Adult Sambar with about 4-5 inches of antlers between Boralu Wala and Walas Wala.
12.43pm 32 Little Grebe grouped together at the center of Thimbiri Wila.
1.50pm 1 Barking Deer between Kokkare Villu junction and Madan Gas Wala.
1.57pm butterfly, Tamil Lace-wing at Nelum Wila.
1.59pm 1 Elephant at Nelum Wila.
2.04pm 1 Red-winged Crested Cuckoo flew across the road between Nelum Wila and Panikkar Villu.
2.15pm 11 Spotted Deer at Aalam Villu.
2.19pm 2 Spotted Deer between Aalam Villu and Panikkar Villu.
2.21pm 3 Spotted Deer, 14 Black-tailed Godwit and 1 Lesser Adjutant at Panikkar Villu.
2.26pm 1 Spotted Deer between Panikkar Villu and Kombansanchi Pooval.
2.37pm 15 Spotted Deer and a troop of Grey Langur feeding together at Tala Wila. This symbiotic relationship not only provides greater security to both species from predators such as Leopards and Pythons but also results in the deer having the opportunity of feeding on the parts of tender shoots dropped by the monkeys.
2.56pm 1 Ruddy Mongoose at Kombansanchi Pooval.
3.07pm 1 Orange-headed Ground Thrush between Panikkar Villu and Nelum Wila.
3.15pm 1 Mugger Crocodile at Nelum Wila.
3.22pm 2 Ruddy Mongoose between Kokkare Villu junction and Madan Gas Wala.
3.25pm 1 Spotted Deer, antler at Madan Gas Wala.
3.28pm 2 Ruddy Mongoose at Kumbuk Wila Pitiya.
3.32pm 1 Black-naped Hare at Kumbuk Wila Pitiya.
3.58pm 1 Giant Squirrel between Kumbuk Wila uda para junction and Kumbuk Sand patch.
4.21pm 1 White-necked Stork and 4 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.4.30pm 1 Mugger Crocodile at Palu Kola Wala.
4.51pm Habenaria dichopetala, a rare endemic wild ground orchid in bloom on the Maha Wewa road. I observed 9 plants growing close to each other. This is my first record of this species in the park and the 9th species of wild orchid to be found at Wilpattu.
5.03pm 2 Golden Jackal, trotting along the road ahead of the vehicle close to Maha Wewa.
5.08pm 85 Spotted Deer in one herd at Maha Wewa pitiya.
5.15pm 45 Wild Buffalo at Maha Wewa.
5.34pm Yellow Wattled Lapwing and 1 Star Tortoise at Maha Wewa.
5.55pm about 20-30 plants of the wild ground orchid “Narilatha” Habenaria plantaginea in bloom together between Thammanna Wala and Palu Illanda Gaha Wewa road.
6.06pm 2 Spotted Deer at 2 White-necked Stork at Percy Bendi Wewa.
6.22pm 5 Black Drongos on the electricity cables between the park entrance and the 7th km post.
12.1
6.06am entered the park with my guide podi Danushka. The mist was stronger than usual.
6.13am 1 Brown Fish Owl flew ahead of the vehicle close to Weli Ela
6.16am 2 White-necked Stork at Percy Bendi Wewa.
6.37am 1 Sambar and 2 Spotted Deer at the glade before the Grave.
6.42am 1 Sambar at Maradanmaduwa.
6.48am 18 Spotted Deer in the mist at Maradanmaduwa
7.09am 2 Sambar at Thambi Oluwa.
7.29am 1 Mugger Crocodile at Kumbuk Wila pitiya.
7.43am 1 Brown Mongoose between Thimbiri Wila and Mahapatessa.
7.49am 4 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa.
7.59am 5 Spotted Deer at Kuruttu Pandi Villu.
8.10am 3 Spotted Deer at Manikkapola Uttu.
8.29am 2 Mugger Crocodile at Kokkare Villu.
9.03am 1 Black-naped Hare at Kumbuk Wila pitiya.
9.06am 3 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila pitiya.
9.14am 1 Mugger Crocodile at Mahapatessa.
9.35am 2 Lesser Adjutant at Kumutu Villu.
9.45am wild flower “ Ela Nithol” between Kumutu Villu and Kanjuran Villu.
9.48am 2 Spotted Deer at Kanjuran Villu.
10.05am 2 Mugger Crocodile at Kali Villu.
10.14am 1 Barking Deer between Kali Villu and Marai Villu.
10.16am 1 Mugger Crocodile at 1st Marai Villu.
10.18am 2 Mugger Crocodile and 4 Spotted Deer at Marai Villu.
10.32am 4 Little Grebe at Aya Mottai
10.52am 2 Ruddy Mongooses at Maila Villu
12.25pm 1 flap-shell Turtle at Mailagan Mottai.
12.42pm Acampe praemorsa and Vanda tessalata growing on a Palu Tree close to Modara Gam Aru at Mollikulam.
12.43pm 1 Black-winged Kite at Mollikulam. It was hovering over a patch of grass close to Modara Gam Aru. This is my first sighting of this species in the park.
12.52pm 2 collared Dove on the road to Pukkulam. This is my first sighting of this species in the park.
1.56pm Malabar Pied Hornbill between Pukkulama and Pukkulama junction.
2.11am 1 Spotted Deer at a water hole before Maila Villu.
2.32pm 1 Indian Stone Curlew Palugahathurai Road.
3.05pm 12 Elephants feeding at Periya Villu.
3.13pm photographed the Baobab tree on the Kollan Kanatta road.
3.16pm wild flower Cadaba trifoliate in bloom at Kollankanatta road.
3.33pm 1 Tusker at the turn off to Kollan Kanatta. We drove along the kollankannate road and turned right towards pomparripu and heard the trumpeting of an elephant but we were not able to see the animal. I drove head and stopped allowing it to come on to the road. I expected that the elephant might have been on its way to water at Sinna Uppu Villu, which is across the road. After about 10 minutes as the elephant stepped on to the road I was thrilled to find out that it is a young Tusker. Having feed for a few minutes if crossed the road again and disappeared in to the forest.
4.36pm a White-bellied Sea Eagle flew low over the canopy with a large snake dangling from its talons between Periya Uppu Villu and Pomparippu pursued by another.
5.05pm 1 elephant on the road at Pomparippu
5.11 pm 4 Wild Bore crossed the road between Pomparippu and Eluwankulama.
5.15 – 6.00pm herd of 8 elephants, another of 4, a sub-adult with its mother and a lone bull elephant at Pomprippu.
5.23pm 1 Lesser Adjutant and 2 White-necked Stork at one of the culverts between Pomparippu and Eluwankulam.
5.25pm 1 Bustard Quail crossed the road at Pomparippu.
5.36pm 3 Wild Boar at Pallekandal pitiya.
6.06pm 2 Pied King Fisher at Eluwankulama.
Ranawara, Puruk and Kapukinissa in bloom at many locations in the park. The Kapukinissa flowers observed on the road between Puttalam to Marichchakaddi is of a much darker pink than the flowers seen of the same species inside the park. The firecracker Flowers also have started to bloom at many locations.
Butterflies Blue Mormon and Crimson Rose commonly seen.
13.1
5.55am entered the park with my guide podi Danushka
6.23am 3 Spotted Deer and a Brown Fish Owl at the glade after Kalagedi Bokkuwa
6.26am 1 Sambar at Palu Kola Wala
6.35am 1 Spotted Deer at three cause ways, Maradanmaduwa
6.39am 9 Wild Buffalo at Maradanmaduwa. This herd now has two newly born calves.
6.49am 5 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa, Kukulkatuwa pitiya.
6.45am 1 adult Sambar at Thambi Oluwa. The antlers are quite slender with the girth similar to the antlers of a Spotted Deer antler. Perhaps it is a young adult.
6.47am 4 Spotted Deer at Thambi Oluwa
6.51am 2 Wild Boar crossed the road ahead of the vehicle beyond Ibba Wala.
7.01am 1 Sub Adult Sambar at Walas Wala.
7.04am 1 Barking Deer between Borupan junction and Borupan Wila
7.07am 1 Mugger Crocodile at Kumbuk Wila pitiya
7.17am 2 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila uda para
7.19am 1 Ruddy Mongoose at Madan Gas Wala
7.30am troop of Grey Langur between Kokkare Junction and Madan Gas Wala
7.45am 1 S potted Deer at Kumbuk Wila pitiya
7.49am 6 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa
7.52am 7 Spotted Deer and 2 Mugger Crocodile at Mahapatessa
7.56am 2 Spotted Deer at Kudapatessa
8.01am 3 Spotted Deer at Kuruttupandi Villu.
8.11am 2 Spotted Deer and a mature male Sambar antler at Illanda Mottai
8.39am 1 Barking Deer at Kokkare Junction
9.43am 1 Spotted Deer at Madan Gas Wala
9.54am 1 Ruddy Mongoose between Nelum Wila and Panikkar Villu junction.
9.58am 1 Barking Deer close to Panikkar Villu junction
10.06am 4 Spotted Deer at Panikkar Villu
10.15am 1 Elephant at Tala Wila
10.20am 1 Ruddy Mongoose on the Tala Wila Pomparippu road.
10.38am wild flower, Cadaba trifoliate in bloom close to Pallekandal pitiya.
10.48am 1 Bustard Quail at Pallekandal pitiya
10.57am 1 Lesser Adjutant at Pallekandal pitiya
11.02am butterfly Joker photographed.
11.08am 7 White-necked Storks, many Openbills, White Ibis, 4 Painted Storks and 2 Lesser Adjutants at Pllekandal pitiya
11.10am 1 Lesser Adjutant and 1 White-necked Stork at Pomparippu pitiya.
11.18am Black-capped Bul Bul at Pallekandal.
11.24am Large Salmon Arab (Butterfly) at Pallekandal pitiya
11.35am 1 Green Sandpiper at the water body between Pallekandal pitiya and Tala Wila.
11.45am few plants of the wild ground orchid Habenaria roxberghii was observed at a grass patch between Pallekandal pitiya and Tala Wila. No flowers were observed but the leaves and the dried up flower spikes were photographed. This is the second location in Wilpattu where I observed this rare orchid.
11.50am 1 Toque Monkey on the road close to Tala Wila.
The distance from Tala Wila to the Puttalam Road is 10 kilometers.
11.56am 11 Spotted Deer at Tala Wila
12.01pm Great Orange Tip (Butterfly) at Kombansanchi Pooval
1.36pm Indian Paradise Flycatcher between Panikkar Junction and Nelum Wila
1.56pm 12 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila
2.31pm 4 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila pitiya. One Grey Mongoose was observed trotting across the pitiya.
2.45pm 7 Spotted Deer between Borupan Wila and Thimbiri Wila.
2.50pm 1 Black-naped Hare at Kumbuk Wila pitiya.
2.56pm 4 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Pitiya
3.37pm 1 Ruddy Mongoose at Nelum Wila. It picked up a frog that had been run over by a vehicle.
3.57pm 4 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa
3.58pm 12 Spotted Deer on the road to Demata Wila
4.05pm 1 Leopard on the road from Mahapatessa to Kumbuk Wila. We observed its pugmarks on the road over the tire tracks of the vehicle and followed them to find the leopard walking towards Kumbuk Wila. As we arrived it moved in to the forest. No photography was possible.
4.28pm troop of Grey Langur between Kokkare junction and Madan Gas Wala
5.07pm 2 Ruddy Mongoose on the road from Kokkare Villu to Kumbuk Wila
5.13pm 1 Sambar between Kumbuk Wila and Borupan junction.
5.28pm 3 Sambar at Thambi Oluwa.
5.30pm 6 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa
5.46pm 1 Ruddy Mongoose on the road from Maradanmaduwa to Kimbula Ketu Gala.
5.57pm reached Kimbula Ketu Gala which is a large rocky out crop. Many rocks and boulders were observed on the way to this locality, which is not very common at Wilpattu.
6.15pm 2 Spotted Deer on the road from Kimbula Ketu Gala to Maradanmaduwa
6.28pm 4 Spotted Deer at Thammanna Wala glade.
6.39pm left the park.
14.1
6.09am entered the park with my guide podi Danushka.
6.11am 1 Elephant on the road at Weli Ela.
6.22am 2 Spotted Deer at Thammanna Wala pitiya
6.37am 13 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa Kukul Katu pitiya.
6.40am 4 Spotted Deer at Thambi Oluwa.
6.43am 2 Spotted Deer at Ibba Wala.
6.52am 1 Flap Shell Turtle in one of the puddles on the main road close to Borupan Wila junction.
6.55am 25 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila
7.01am 1 Golden Jackal at Kokkare Villu pitiya
7.15am Spotted Deer at Aalam Wila
7.24am 10 Spotted Deer and 17 Wild Boar at Panikkar Villu
9.39am 4 Wild Boar ran across the road at Panikkar Villu uda para
9.45am 1 Barking Deer at Panikkar Villu junction.
9.57am 1 Elephant at Tala Wila
10.57am 1 Leopard, KSPMC 2 at Kudapatessa. N 08.43192, E 079.99194
As I approached the location where many vehicles were parked they informed me that the leopard had moved in to the forest. As it had started to rain I presumed that the leopard would come out when it ceases. The vehicles that were gathered left one by one and after about 15 minutes only my vehicle was parked at the site. As the rain stopped and the leopard cautiously moved out in to the open and settled down at the edge of the forest. I observed and photographed it for almost two hours. It was in excellent condition and was quite relaxed. On a few occasions it rolled over and slept. Around 12.15pm the leopard started looking in the direction of some Spotted Deer feeding across the villu. Around 12.40pm with one adult male deer moving closer than the others the leopard moved behind the bushes and moved in the direction of the deer. Soon thereafter the alarm call of an Indian Palm Squirrel was followed by that of a Ceylon Jungle Fowl. The unsuspecting deer was alerted by the sudden alarm calls and ran back towards the further end of the Villu. After a few minutes an alarm call of a Barking Deer was heard from the forest in the direction of Kuruttupandi Villu indicating the leopard was moving in that direction.
12.48pm 1 Barking Deer between Kudapatessa and Kuruttupandi Junction.
1.03pm 29 Spotted Deer at Kokkare pitiya
1.49pm 8 Spotted Deer and 1 Ruddy Mongoose at Mahapatessa
1.52pm 1 Mugger Crocodile at Mahapatessa
1.54pm 3 Spotted Deer between Mahapatessa and Kudapatessa.
2.20pm 1 Barking Deer on the Nelum Wila- Panikkar Villu road close to the Panikkar junction.
2.22pm 1 White-spotted Chevrotain (Mouse Deer) dashed across the road between Panikkar Villu junction and the Bungalow.
2.45pm 1 Lesser Adjutant at Kombansanchi Pooval
2.59pmm 2 Barking Deer on the Nelum Wila- Panikkar Villu road close to Nelum Wila.
4.20pm 6 Spotted Deer at Demata Wila.
4.21pm 2 Ruddy Mongoose at Mahapatessa.
4.35pm 1 sub adult Grey Langur observed running across the Kumbuk Wila pitiya.
4.43pm 34 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila pitiya.
5.48pm 49 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
5.50pm 9 Wild Buffalo at Maradanmaduwa.
5.56pm 3 Spotted Deer close to the grave.
6.27pm left the park
15.1
6.04am entered the park with my guide podi Danushka
6.06am 1 sub-adult Sambar about 100meters from the park entrance
6.36am 52 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa
6.43am 2 Spotted Deer at Kuda Boralu Wala
6.46am 2 Spotted Deer crossed the rad as we drove pass Ibba Wala
6.49am 3 Hard Shell Terrapins at Humbas Wala
6.51am 1 Barking Deer between Humbas Wala and Boralu Wala
7.02am a Brown Fish Owl at Boradiya Wala
7.09am 26 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila
7.10am 8 Spotted Deer at Borupan Pitiya
7.13am 2 Cotton Teal at Borupan Wila
7.14am 1 Mugger Crocodile at Borupan Wila
7.17am 8 Spotted Deer at Thimbiri Wila
7.20am a Gray Mongoose at Kumbuk Wila pitiya
7.22am 32 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila pitiya
7.30am 21 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa
7.34am 1 Mugger crocodile at Mahapatessa.
7.39am 14 Spotted Deer at Kudapatessa
7.46am 5 Spotted deer at Kuruttupandi Villu
7.48am 1 Giant Squirrel between Kuruttupandi Villu and Kuruttupandi Junction
8.13am 11 Spotted Deer and 1 Lesser Adjutant at Aalam Villu
8.15am 17 Wild Boar and 1 Elephant at Panikkar Villu
8.26am Wild orchid Vanda spathulata in bloom at Panikkar Villu
8.29am 1 Barking Deer between Panikkar Villu and Nelum Wila
8.42am 1 Barking Deer between Kokkare Junction and Madan Gas Wala
8.49am 1 Barking Deer on the Kumbuk Wila uda para
9.29am 3 Golden Jackal at Kumbuk Wila pitiya. The drizzle that started in the morning has now turned in to a moderate shower.
10.49am 1 Stork-billed Kingfisher at Kumbuk Wila
10.55am 7 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila pitiya
11.12am 34 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu
11.17am 1 Barking Deer on the Kokkare Villu Kumbuk Wila road.
11.24am 1 Mugger Crocodile at Kumbuk Wila pitiya
11.27am 1 Sambar between Kumbuk Wila and Borupan Wila junction
11.33am 1 White-spotted Chevrotain (Mouse Deer) ran across the road at Panikkar Villu junction ahead of the vehicle.
12.35am left the park
