NOTES ON FIELD TRIPS TO WILPATTU NATIONAL PARK

7.23am entered the park with guide Gihan Sampath
7.29am 7 Spotted Deer between Weli Ela and Ranawara pitiya.
7.32am 5 Spotted Deer between Ranawara pitiya and Percy Bendi Wewa.
7.42am 3 Wild Buffalo at Thammanna Wala.
8.06am 12 Wild Buffalo at Maha Wewa.
8.07am 3 Spotted Deer stags at Maha Wewa.
8.11am an adult male Wild Boar at Maha Wewa.
8.14am 52 Wild Buffalo and 4 Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.

8.20am an Osprey at Maha Wewa. I observed an Osprey at this location in March 2019 as well.

9.08am 9 Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
9.42am a Mugger Crocodile at Palu Kola Wala.
9.49am a Spotted Deer between Sohon Pitiya pond and Galwanguwa.
10.07am 2 Sambhur between Ibba Wala and Humbas Wala.
10.33am 7 Spotted Deer on Kokkare Villu upper road.
10.40am a troop of Grey Langur at Kokkare Villu.
11.36am one Leopard between Herathhamy Wala and Kattarambu Villu. N 08.49915, E 079.99039
We spotted a male Leopard seated on the road, ahead of us, and looking intently in to the forest. I stopped the vehicle about 50 meters from the animal to give it adequate space. Within a few minutes the Leopard started to walk in the direction of Kattarambu Villu.  Every now and then he would stop and look in to the forest as if to pounce inside but then would commence the walk again. Every 30 meters or so he would sniff and scent mart the trees and bushes along the road. Even though we followed the animal he did not even once turn back to look in our direction.  After walking for about 100 meters he entered the forest.  But just before moving in, much to my surprise, he turned back and started to walk in our direction to inspect something on the road permitting me to get a few images of the animal facing us. Later upon examining the spot pattern I was able to identify the leopard as Herathhamy Wala Male 1 (HHWM 1).

12.26pm a Ruddy Mongoose at Mana Wila sand patch.
12.29pm 8 Spotted Deer at Mana Wila.
12.34pm a female Sambhur at the sand patch between Down Hall pitiya and Illanda Motte.
12.44pm 12 Spotted Deer between Manik Wila and Kumutu Villu.
1.06pm photographed a Spanish Cherry Tree Mimusops elengi in fruit at Down Hall pitiya. In Sinhala this tree is referred to as “Moonamal” and many parts of this tree is used in Ayurveda medicine.

1.26pm it started to rain.
2.33pm 7 Spotted Deer at Ilanda Motte.
2.40pm a Black-naped Hare hopped close to two male Ceylon Jungle Fowl and lowered its head with its eyes closed. At a distance I observed through my binocular that the Jungle Fowl pick the ticks off its ears. This is the first occasion that I observed this symbiotic relationship between these two species. By the time I drove close enough to photograph the Jungle Fowl walked away but the Hare continued in this position for a few minutes until he was disturbed by a Spotted Deer.

2.46pm 12 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila.
2.56pm a Barking Deer between Borupan junction and Kumbuk Wila.
3.05pm 2 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu.
3.07pm a Wild Buffalo and a Spotted Deer stag at Kokkare Villu.
3.36pm a male Sambhur with a pair of half grown antlers on Kokkare Villu upper road.
3.37pm 2 Ruddy Mongoose between Thammannagaha junction and Nelum Wila.
3.39pm 14 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila.
3.51pm a Spotted Deer at Aalam Villu.
3.53pm 23 Spotted Deer and a Lesser Adjutant Stork at Panikkar Villu.
4.16pm a Golden Jackal trotting in our direction between Kumbuk Wila and Borupan junction.
4.22pm a pair of Malabar Pied Hornbills fed on Lunu Warana Crataeva adansonii Leaves at Borupan Wila. The two birds picked the leaves with their massive casqued beaks and swallowed. While feeding the male intermittently fed the female the leaves picked. I have observed these birds feeding on fruits and small animals but this is my first observation of them feeding on leaves.

4.27pm a Sambhur and 8 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
5.12pm 2 Black-naped Hare at Divulgas Mandiya.
5.30pm left the park.

Mammals  - Leopard 1, Wild Buffalo 68, Sambhur 5, Spotted Deer 122, Wild Boar 1, Barking Deer 1, Golden Jackal 1, Toque Monkey, Black-naped Hare 3, Ruddy Mongoose 3, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 1, Land Monitor, Common Garden Lizard, Low-land Kangaroo Lizard, Devaka’s Fan-throat Lizard.

 12th November 2019
6.13am entered the park with Guide Gihan Sampath.
6.28am a Spotted Deer at Percy Bendi Wewa.
7.09am 14 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
7.30am 24 more Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
7.54am 14 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila.
8.13am 4 Spotted Deer at Kudapatessa.
8.40am 4 Spotted Deer at Kuruttupandi Villu.
9.00am 2 Spotted Deer stags at Kokkare Villu sand patch.
9.13am 3 Spotted Deer and a Ruddy Mongoose at Mahapatessa.
9.39am a Plumbeous Silverline butterfly was nectarine on “Podi Singho Marang” flowers at the sand patch between Illanda Motte and Down Hall pitiya.

10.01am a Brown Fish Owl was on the ground at waters edge and flew up on to a dead branch upon our arrival at Katarambu Villu.

10.14am a Flashell Turtle at Herathhamy Wala.
10.32am a Mugger Crocodile lying across the road hurriedly moved in to water upon our arrival at Illanda Motte.
11.02am a sub adult Mugger Crocodile moved out of a pool on the road at Kokkare Villu as I gently drove through the same.
11.56am a Flapshell Turtle in a pool on the road between Mahapatessa and Demata Wila.
12.06pm a Wild Buffalo at Mahapatessa.
12.09pm a Ruddy Mongoose between Mahapatessa and Thimbiri Wila.
12.15pm a Spotted Deer stag between Borupan Wila and Thimbiri Wila.
12.19pm another Flapshell Turtle at the edge of a pool of water at Borupan Wila.
1.04pm a Sambhur on Kokkare Villu upper road.
2.07pm a troop of Grey Langur between Kuruttupandi and Kokkare Villu.
2.25pm one Leopard lying on a horizontal branch of an old “Madang” tree at Kokkare villu. N 08.41927, E 079.99304
Upon being informed of a Leopard we arrived at Kokkare Villu and spotted a female Leopard on a tree. As we arrived at the location it started to rain. This was extremely frustrating as we were able to see the animal but was not able to photograph due to the rain. Thankfully the rain was quite brief and I was able to get a few images adequate enough to identify the Leopard. It was Kumbuk Wila Female 2 (KWFC 2) the second litter single cub of Borupan Wila Female 2 (BWF 2). As there were other vehicles at the back I got a few images and moved out permitting them to have a view.

3.01pm a Black-naped Hare at Kokkare Villu.
3.34pm 9 Spotted Deer at Panikkar Villu.
3.35pm 5 more Spotted Deer at Panikkar Villu.
3.56pm a Barking Deer between Kumbuk Wila and Borupan junction.
4.10pm 2 Sambhur between Humbas Wala and Ibba Wala.
4.25pm a Black-naped Hare at Maradanmaduwa.
4.41pm a lone bull Elephant between Percy Bendi Wewa and Ranawara pitiya. He was in musth and his imposing figure was blocking the road and my guide whispered that this Elephant usually charges at vehicles. We stopped the vehicle about 50 meters and waited for to move off the road. After a few minutes he started towards Ranawara pitiya and then moved in to the forest. But we passed he trumpeted and charged. Thankfully it was a mock charge.

5.20pm left the park.
Mammals  - Elephant 1, Leopard 1, Wild Buffalo 1, Sambhur 3, Spotted Deer 81, Barking Deer 1, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Black-naped Hare 2, Ruddy Mongoose 2, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 2, Flapshell Turtle 3, Land Monitor, Common Garden Lizard, Devaka’s Fan-throat Lizard.

Birds, Butterflies & Flora observed during the filed trip
Birds – Osprey, Lesser Adjutant, Painted Storks, White-necked Stork, Brown Fish Owl
Butterflies – Red Spot Duke, Blue Mormon, Leopard, Banded Peacock & Tawny Raja
Wild Orchids – Vanda spathulata
Fruiting trees - Thimbiri
Wild Flowers – Maha Bim Thal Curculigo trichocarpa, Maple-leaved Mallow Hibiscus eriocarpus (Kapukinissa), Bonduc Nut Caesalpinia bonducella (Kumburu), Ker Gawl Crinum defixum (Heen-tolabo) , Bird Flower Crotalaria laburnifolia (Yak-beriya), Flame Lily Gloriosa superba (Niyangala) , Ceylon Leadwort Plumbago zeylanica (Ela Nithol)

6.06am a Black-winged Kite was perched on a leaf less branch of tall tree at Wanamalgama.
6.21am entered the park with guide Tissa Ratnayake.
6.22am 5 Spotted Deer between the park entrance and Weli Ela.
6.24am 6 Spotted Deer just before Weli Ela.
6.25am 5 more Spotted Deer between Weli Ela and Ranawara pitiya.
6.26am 3 Spotted Deer between Ranawara pitiya and Percy Bendi Wewa.
6.30am the vegetation was fresh and green with most flora producing new shoots as the park had received heavy rains during the last two weeks.
6.35am a Sloth Bear between Percy Bendi Wewa and Thammanna Wala.
6.40am a Parkers Black Turtle at Thammanna Wala.
6.59am. 7 Spotted Deer feeding on the new grass shoots at “Kukul Katu”pitiya at Maradanmaduwa.
7.01am 5 Spotted Deer between Maradanmaduwa and Thambioluwa.
7.11am a Barking Deer between Humbas Wala and Boralu Wala.
7.18am a Ruddy Mongoose at Borupan junction.
7.20am another Barking Deer crossed the road between Borupan junction and Kumbuk Wila.
7.27am 2 Ruddy Mongoose on the road at Madangaha Wala on Kumbuk Wila upper road.
7.31am a Spotted Deer antler between Madangaha Wala and Thammanna Gaha junction on Kokkare Villu upper road.
7.35am 16 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila.
Most water bodies up to Nelum Wila have filled up to the brim due to the heavy rains. Others such as Paniikar Villu, Tala Wila, Mana Wila and Kattarambu Villu also have received a fair amount of rain.
7.37am a Lesser Adjutant Stork at Nelum Wila.
8.15am 2 Spotted Deer at Aalam Villu and Panikkar Villu.
8.16am 7 Spotted Deer at Panikkar Villu.
8.30am a Ruddy Mongoose between Kombansanchaipooval and Tala Wila.
8.35am a Mugger Crocodile at Tala Wila.
9.08am an adult male Wild Boar at Nelum Wila.
9.13am photographed a “Hondala” wine Adenia hondala bearing ripe orange fruits at Nelum Wila. These fruits are extremely poisonous to humans but the seeds and the tuber is used in Ayurveda to treat Skin deceases and snake bite. Two species of butterflies the Ceylon lace Wing and the commonly seen Tawny Coaster lays eggs on the tender leaves of this species and carry the poison in their bodies as adult butterflies enabling them to be not fear from attacks by predators such as birds and lizards. By the 20th all the ripe fruits had split and the seeds had been dispersed.

9.16m a Ruddy Mongoose on Kokkare Villu upper road.
9.22am 5 Spotted Deer at Kuruttupandi Villu.
9.33am a White-bellied Sea Eagle called out as he circled over Kumutu Villu. A lone Lesser Adjutant Stork hurriedly walked towards the further lakeshore and flew off as I drove down to the Villu.
9.35am a Ruddy Mongoose between Kumutu Villu and Kanjuran Villu.
9.38am another Ruddy Mongoose at Kanjuran Villu.
When the rains arrive after a long dry spell the winged insects (males and females) of most ant and Termite colonies take to the air in their thousands to pair up and start new colonies taking advantage of the soft earth. Most of these perish due to the predators such as birds, reptiles and small mammals. In Wilpattu I have observed that the sightings of Ruddy Mongoose in particular increase during this time.
9.52am 6 Mugger Crocodiles at Kaali Villu.
10.12am 2 Mugger Crocodiles and two Red Shanks at Mara Wila. One bird was darker indicating that it’s a young bird.

10.18am troop of Grey Langur between Mara Wila and Kaali Villu.
10.25am a female Sambhur ran across the road between Kuveni Palace and Mana Wila.
10.42am 7 Spotted Deer between Kuveni Palace and Mana Wila.
10.43am  7 more Spotted Deer between Kuveni Palace and Mana Wila.
10.57am a Ruddy Mongoose at Manan Wila.
11.04am a Leopard at Mana Wila sand patch. I spotted the leopard through the bushes but despite my reversing the vehicles extremely slow the shy animal moved in to the forest before I was able to get any images.
11.23am three Flapshell Turtle in a pool of water on the road at Illanda Motte.
11. 45am 4 Mugger Crocodiles at Kokkare Villu.
12.20pm a Black-naped Hare on Nelum Wila upper road.
12.34pm a White-bellied Sea Eagle feeding on some prey at Kokkare Villu.

12.35pm two Spoonbills at Kokkare Villu.
12.44pm 4 Spotted Deer on Kumbuk Wila upper road.
12.56pm 36 Painted Storks and two White-necked Storks at Borupan Wila.
12.59pm a troop of Grey Langur at Borupan pitiya.
1.22pm 16 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
1.28pm a Mugger Crocodile at Thimbiri Wila.
1.39pm I was observing and photographing a nest of the Common Hornets Vespa affinis between Mahapatessa and Kumbuk Wila. I was alerted by the noise of branches being broken and knew that an Elephant was in the vicinity. After a short while a young bull Elephant walked on to the road and started to walk towards Kumbuk Wila.

 1.56pm 4 more Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila
2.01pm a Barking Deer between Nelum Wila and Panikkar Villu.
 2.06pm an adult male Wild Boar trotted across the road between Panikka Wila and Aalam Villu.
2.32pm a male Sambhur with pair of growing antlers feeding on Kokkare Villu upper road.

2.37pm 5 Wild Buffalo at Kokkare Villu.
2.45pm it started to rain. It was a heavy shower.
3.01pm 6 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila.
3.03pm 12 more Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila.
3.04pm a Star Tortoise at Kumbuk Wila.
3.13pm a Land Snail commonly found at the park Cryptozona bistrialis was observed on Nelum Wila upper road. These animals are usually found in the leaf-litter or shady places during the dry season.

 4.27pm two Sambhur, a female with a small calf, between Humbas Wala and Ibba Wala.
4.28pm 2 more Shambhur between Humbas Wala and Ibba Wala.
5.18pm 28 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa Wila.
5.20pm 2 Black-naped Hare at “Eda Kohombagaha” pitiya.
5.29pm a Black-naped Hare between Palu Kola Wala and Thammanna Wala.
5.48pm left the park.
Mammals  - Leopard 1, Sloth Bear 1, Wild Buffalo 5, Sambhur 6, Spotted Deer 146, Wild Boar 2, Barking Deer 3, Grey Langer, Toque Monkey, Purple-faced Leaf Monkey, Black-naped Hare 4, Ruddy Mongoose 8, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 14, Flapshell Turtle 3, Parker’s Black Turtle 1, Star Tortoise 1,

18th October 2019
6.15am entered the park with guide Tissa Ratnayake
6.34am a Sloth Bear between Percy Bendi Wewa and Thamanna Wala.
There were about 5 vehicles parked ahead of me. The old male was busy rubbing his hind area against the rough surface of a “Weera” tree. After some time he started to walk in the direction of Thammanna Wala. Usually a Sloth Bear would walk along the road when not disturbed. However, perhaps as the vehicles ahead of me were too close to the animal, he turned and walked back which allowed me to get some good images despite being at the very end of the traffic block. By the time the others attempted to turn their vehicles he crossed the road and moved in to the forest.

6.50am a male Wild Buffalo between Thammanna Wala and Maha Wewa.
6.55am a sub adult Shikra at Maha Wewa.

7.00am a Ruddy Mongoose moved out of its tree hole and “sun bathed” at Maha Wewa.

7.15am 4 Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
8.07am an Indian Grey Mongoose at Maradanmaduwa.
8.14am a Black-naped Hare at Maradanmaduwa.
8.17am a Star Tortoise at “Eda Kohombagaha” pitiya.
8.20am a Spotted Deer stag trotted across the road between Galwanguwa and Palu Kola Wala.
8.40am left the park to attend Guide podi Saranga’s wedding.
1.18pm entered the park with Guide Tissa Ratnayake and Namal Kamalgoda
1.28pm 5 Spotted Deer between Weli Ela and Ranawara pitiya.
1.38pm 3 Spotted Deer at Thammanna Wala.
1.50pm 7 Wild Buffalo in a water hole by the road between Palu Kola Wala and Galwanguwa.
1.47pm a Flapshell Turtle at Borupan Wila.
2.22pm a Wild Buffalo, a Mugger Crocodile and a Spotted Black Turtle at Walas Wala.
2.36pm a large eagle flew up on to a tree ahead of the vehicle on Kumbuk Wila upper road. I noted that it was larger than Crested Hawk Eagle. Upon looking through my Binoculars I was surprised to note that it was a Mountain Hawk Eagle (now referred to as Legg’s Hawk Eagle). Thankfully Namal and I both managed to get a few images.  This is my first record of this species in the park. I have seen this species in the Peak Wilderness, Sinharaja, Morapitiya, Ytiyanthota (Dolosbage Forest), Gongala, Haldummulla, Horton Plains, and Knukles range and at Nuwara eliya. The lowest altitude at which I have seen it has been at the Kaleni Wally forest reserve at Kitulgala at 252 feet. However all my records of this species have been in the hills or foot hills in the wet zone. In May 1998 I along with Mr. Chandima Kahandawela observed a nest of this species for two days at the Kaleni wally forest reserve in Kitulgala. The nest had one grown immature. This species is not known to occur in the dry zone. However In May 2018 this species had been recorded and a stunning image had been captured by Dr. Kalana (unlike the images I have uploaded here) at Wilpattu near Wilanda Wala and there is also another reliable sight record by Uditha Hettige of the Ceylon Bird Club from Sigiriya.
Considering that this is the beginning of the migrant season and that the region experienced a few storms I wonder whether there is a possibility for this bird to be from the mainland.

2.41pm the heavy rains have created large pools of water on the roads. I one such pool on Kumbuk Wila upper road we observed a large Flapshell Turtle and a Mugger Crocodile hatchling. I have, on many occasions, observed Turtles, Crocodiles and even Rock Pythons in such pools. These predators are attracted to these pools to feed on Frogs and fish. These pools often serve as resting places for fish that move along the waterways in search of new water bodies. Thus one should always mindful to drive very slowly through such pools permitting such animals to move to safety.
3.15pm a Black-naped Hare at Down Hall pitiya.
3.32pm a Flapshell Turtle and a Lowland Kangaroo Lizard at Kattarambu Villu.
3.38pm 7 Spotted Der across the water at Kattarambu Villu.
3.40pm a Leopard at Kattarambu Villu. No photography was possible as there was a heavy shower.
4.02pm 4 Spotted Deer at Mana Wila.
4.20pm 11 Spotted Deer and three Golden Jackal at Manik Wila.
4.52pm 52 Spotted Deer and a large Mugger Crocodile at Kumbuk Wila pitiya.
5.07pm 5 Spotted Deer between Humbas Wala and Ibba Wala.
5.19pm a Black-naped Hare at Maradanmaduwa.
5.25pm one Leopard between Galwanguwa and Humbas Wala. N 08.36215, E 080.08836
The animal was partly covered by the bushes but much to our relief moved out after a few minutes. It was a young male cub of about 7 months. With the arrival of a few more vehicles the leopard moved back in to the forest. Later the examination of its spot pattern revealed that this is the Galwanguwa Leopard 1 that I had listed under “Leopards of Wilpattu Guest” section on my site. He is the first litter cub of Maradanmaduwa Female 2. This is my first sighting of this young Leopard and I named it Galwanguwa Male 1 (GWMC 1).

6.00pm left the park.
Mammals  - Leopard 2, Sloth Bear 1, Wild Buffalo 8, Spotted Deer 91, Golden jackal 3, Grey Langer, Toque Monkey, Black-naped Hare 3, Ruddy Mongoose 1, Indian Grey Mongoose 1, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 3, Flapshell Turtle 2, Spotted Black Turtle 1

19th October 2019
6.20am entered the park with guide Tissa Ratnayake.
4 White-necked Stork at the park entrance.
6.42am 3 Wild Buffalo at Divulgas Mandiya.
6.46am a Male Shikra perched on an exposed branch between Galwanguwa and Maradanmaduwa.

7.10am a single Spotted Deer between Ibba Wala and Walas Wala.
7.18am a Wild Buffalo at Walas Wala
7.22am two Ruddy Mongoose between Borupan junction and Borupan Wila.
7.26am an adult male Wild Boar at Borupan Wila.
7.30am 2 Ruddy Mongoose between Borupan Wila and Thimbiri Wila.
7.41am 11 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa.
7.42am photographed a clump of Mushrooms, which I have not been able to identify by the side of the road between Mahapatessa and Demata Wila.

7.45am a Flapshell Turtle in a “road pool” between Mahapatessa and Demata Wila.
7.55am a Mugger Crocodile at Mahapatessa.
8.35am a large Mugger Crocodile at Ilanda Motte.
8.40am a Sambhur at Down Hall pitiya. It was in the small sand patch and upon seeing the vehicle started to make alarm calls and stamp its front legs. Perhaps this animal is yet to get used to seeing vehicles in the park.

9.22am one Leopard close to Kattarambu Villu. N 08.50627, E079.99149
Having visited Kattambu Villu I was driving back towards Mana Wila when I noticed a movement of an animal off the road ahead of the vehicle. As we advanced saw a male Leopard just by the side of the road. It was very close to the vehicle and continued to move in to the jungle. I only managed to get a few images of its flanks as he quickly disappeared in to the thicket. We drove up to Herathhamy Wala and drove back expecting the Leopard to have moved back on to the road but had no success. Thus we drove in to the Kattarambu Villu and waited for about 10 minutes before driving back again towards Mana Wila.

9.35am I was thrilled when we spotted the Leopard on the road very close to Kattamabu Villu. He was walking in our direction and I was able to get a few images of the advancing animal before he moved back in to the forest. Upon examining the spot pattern I realized that this is the same Leopard that we observed earlier and it is Herathhamy Wala Male 1 (HHWMC 1) on my site. My last sighting of this male was in August 2016.

9.38am photographed a Beddomea trifasciatus land snail between Kattarambuwa and Herath Hamy Wala.

10.20am 5 Spotted Deer between Mana Wila and Mana Wila sand patch.
11.03am a Ruddy Mongoose on Kokkare Villu upper road.
11.06am a troop of Grey Langur on Kokkare upper road.
11.24am a single Lesser Adjutant Stork, one Spotted Deer and a bull Elephant feeding at Panikkar Villu.
11.56am 3 Wild Buffalo walked across the open field towards Nelum Wila.

11.59am a troop of Grey Langur at Nelum Wila.
12.04pm a Mugger Crocodile at Madangas Wala.
12.40pm started to rain. It was an extremely heavy down pour.
1.48pm 3 Spotted Deer and one Indian Grey Mongoose at Maradanmaduwa.
1.52pm 28 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
1.54pm 6 more Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
1.55pm a Star Tortoise at “Eda Kohombagaha” pitiya.
2.04am a Lime Butterfly was resting among the new shoots of an Ilapaththa tree between “Eda Kohombagaha” pitiya and Palu Kola Wala.

2.06pm  4 Spotted Deer at Palu Kola Wala.
2.10pm 7 Spotted Deer Divulgas Mandiya.
2.27pm a Black-naped Hare at “Eda Kohombagaha” pitiya.
2.33pm the Nodding Swamp Orchid Geodorum densiflorum in bloom at Maradanmaduwa.

3.31pm a Black-naped Hare between Palu Kola Wala and Divulgas Mandiya.
3.55pm left the park as it was raining quite hard.

Mammals  - Elephant 1, Leopard 1, Wild Buffalo 4, Sambhur 1, Spotted Deer 66, Wild Boar 1, Grey Langer, Toque Monkey, Black-naped Hare 3, Ruddy Mongoose 5, Indian Grey Mongoose 1, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 2, Flapshell Turtle 1,Star Tortoise 2,
20th October 2019
6.18am entered the park with guide Tissa Rtanayake
6.19am 2 Spotted Deer at the park entrance.
6.26am 6 Spotted Deer at Ranawara pitiya.
6.29am 7 Spotted Deer at Percy Bendi Wewa.
6.30am a Barking Deer between Percy Bendi Wewa and Paaluwilandawa junction.
6.32am an Elephant by the side of the road between Paaluwilandawa junction and Thammanna Wala.
6.51am a Ruddy Mongoose at Maradanmaduwa.
6.53am 26 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
7.03am a group of 5 Sambhur between Thambioluwa and Ibba Wala.
7.17am a Mugger Crocodile at Walas Wala.
7.25am 2 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
7.37am a Mugger Crocodile at Thimbiri Wila.
7.52am 7 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa.
8.03am a Mugger Crocodile at Kudapatessa.
8.09am 5 Spotted Deer at Kuruttupandi Villu.
8.35am Yellow Nicker Caesalpinia bonducella (Kumbukru Wel) in bloom on Kokkare Villu upper road. This is the host plant for the three Spot Grass Yellow and Nawab butterflies.

8.36am 3 Wild Buffalo and a sounder of 16 Wild Boar at Kokkare Villu.
8.57am a Ruddy Mongoose at Nelum Wila sand patch.
9.54am 3 large Mugger Crocodiles basking in the sub at Kumbuk Wila.

9.56am a Barking Deer on Kumbuk Wila upper road.
10.02am a Flapshell Turtle at Madangas Wala.
10.25am a nest hole of Common Kingfisher was observed between Kuruttupandi Villu and Manik Wila sand patch. The female was perched on a branch above the nest hole.

10.24am a herd of 27 Wild Buffalo at Kaali Villu.
10.57am 5 Mugger Crocodiles at Kaali Villu.
11.06am another Mugger Crocodile at Kuda Mara Wila.
11.39am a Giant Squirrel at Mara Wila.
12.06pm a number of Yellow Orange Tip butterflies and a few Lime Blue butterflies had settled on some dries Elephant dung. As in the case with “mud sipping” on damp ground butterflies often settle on animal droppings to extract other minerals.

2.46pm a Sloth Bear between Kalagedi Bokuwa and Thammanna Wala.
3.10pm left the park
Mammals  - Elephant 1, Sloth Bear 1, Wild Buffalo 33, Sambhur 5, Spotted Deer 55, Wild Boar 16, Barking Deer 1, Grey Langer, Toque Monkey, Ruddy Mongoose 1, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 12, Flapshell Turtle 1, Parker’s Black Turtles, Star Tortoise,
Birds, Butterflies & Flora observed during the field trip
Birds – Mountain Hawk Eagle (Legg’s Hawk Eagle), Lesser Adjutant, Painted Storks, White-necked Stork, Spoonbill, Green Leaf Warbler, Forest Wagtail,
Butterflies – Blue Mormon, Yellow orange Tip, Lime Blue, Red Spot Duke, Common Mormon, Blue Tiger, Glassy Tiger, Common Tiger, Plain Tiger, Monkey Puzzal, Blue Wanderer, Crimson Rose, Common Rose, Common Jay, Lesser Albatross, Chocolate Soldier, Common Crow, Tawny Coaster, Lemon Migrant, Great Eggfly
Wild Orchids – Geodorum densiflorum, Vanda spathulata, Vanilla walkerae
Fruiting trees – Madang, Ila Paththa, Bol Pana, Kiri Koone
Wild Flowers – Hibiscus eriocarpus Maple-leaved Mallow (Kapukinissa), Wal Thibbatu Solanum sp.  (Wild Nightshade), Pavetta gleniei Ivory Flower (Ela Terena)
Whether – North –East monsoon has begun  - heavy rains from midday.

7.13am entered the park with guide Tissa Ratnayake.
7.15am 2 Spotted Deer at the park entrance.
7.16am a Black-naped Hare between the park entrance and Weli Ela.
7.19am a lone bull Elephant on the road halted my journey. He was moving towards Percy Bendi Wewa. After a few minutes of refusing to move off the road the large pachyderm gave way permitting the traffic to pass.
8.05am Forest Spider Lily Pancratium biflorum was in bloom between Thammanna Wala and Maha Wewa. I observed this species for the first time in August 2013 and was very pleased to find out that it is a very rare species, which had been first described with a single specimen that had been collected from the Madu Road area. There had been no records of this species from any where in the country since then. The park provides a sanctuary for a large community of these plants, which can be observed during August to September from Thammanna Wala up to Maha Wewa and up to Maradanmaduwa. Other than this species Sri Lanka is also home to Ceylon Spider Lily Pancratium zeylanicum, the only other species of Spider Lily found in the country, which has a much wider distribution through out the lowlands including Wilpattu.

8.09am 15 Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
8.14am 35 Wild Buffalo at Maha Wewa.
8. 16am a Ruddy Mongoose at Maha Wewa.
8.17am 34 Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
8.19am another herd of 73 Wild Buffalo at Maha Wewa.
8.25am a large Mugger Crocodile at Maha Wewa.
8.28am another Ruddy Mongoose at Maha Wewa.
8.30am 13 more Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
9.12am a troop of Grey Langur drinking at Thammanna Wala.
10.05am a Black-naped Hare at Kokkare Villu.
10.20am one Leopard on Kokkare Villu upper road. N 08.42269, E 079.98274
The Leopard was lying behind a bush and was only visible from one point on the road. I was not able to get any clear images. Having taken a few images I moved off permitting visitors of vehicles also to have a view of the animal. Later upon studying the spot pattern I identified the Leopard as Nelum Wila Male 5 (NWMC 5).

10.31am a Crested Serpent Eagle was perched on a low branch between Kuruttupandi Villu and Manik Wila sand patch.

10.41am a Lesser Adjutant Stork at Manikkapola uttu.
11.01am a Spotted Deer at Kanjuran Villu.
11.03am an Elephant between Kanjuran and Kaali Villu.
11.09am  2 Spotted Deer between Kanjuran and Kaali Villu
11.12am 16 Wild Buffalo and a Mugger Crocodile at Kaali Villu.
11.13am 2 Mugger Crocodiles and a bull Elephant feeding on the water plants at Kaali Villu.

11.24am 2 Spotted Deer and a single Wild Boar at Mara Wila.
11.41am a Bachelor party of 5 Spotted Deer antlers between Kaali and Kanjuran Villu.
11.49pm I have been looking to photograph a Cicada at Wilpattu for some time but had no success. Even though these insects can be heard throughout the park they are rarely seen due to being very well camouflaged.  Upon hearing one make its screeching sound close to the road between Kanjuran and Kumutu Villu, I was determined to locate the elusive creature. Thankfully this time I managed to locate it and got a few images. There are 22 species of Cicada’s recorded from Sri Lanka. I have not been able to find any reliable literature to confirm the identity of these insects but most probably this belongs to the genus Platypleura sp.The Cicada’s feed on plant sap and spend most of their lives under ground as nymphs.

11.52am I observed a beautiful yellow flowering tree, which I had not noticed in the park before between Kanjuran Villu and Kumutu Villu.  The small tree was covered in yellow flowers and light green tender leaves.  I know of two species of wild flowers belonging to the genus Ochna sp in the park and I suspect this to be a third.

12.13pm a sub adult Shikra perched on a low branch between Kanjuran and Kumutu Villu permitted me get a few images.

12.21pm Wild Buffalo at Kurrutupandi Villu.
12.37pm one Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila pitiya.
12.54pm a Ruddy Mongoose at Nelum Wila pitiya.
12.55pm the dark clouds gathered over Wilpattu finally started their downpour. Such heavy rain is unusual in the height of the dry season. I was told that the park received such heavy rain about 2 days ago as well.
12.57pm 3 Wild Buffalo at Nelum Wila pitiya.
1.27pm a sounder of 11 Wild Boar, a Lesser Adjutant Stork and 7 Spotted Deer at Tala Wila.
1.39pm 4 Spotted Deer and one Ruddy Mongoose at Panikkar Villu sand patch.
1.40pm 2 Spotted Deer between Panikkar Villu and Nelum Wila.
2.19pm 2 Ruddy Mongoose on Kokkare Villu upper road.
2.25pm a juvenile Besra Sparrow Hawk at Kudapatessa.

2.28pm a male Malabar Pied Hornbill examined a tree hole at Kudapatessa.

2.39pm another Ruddy Mongoose between Kudapatessa and Mahapatessa.
2.40pm the unmistakable honking call of a pair of White Bellied Sea Eagles circling above Mahapatessa made me to stop to observe these magnificent raptors in flight. After some time they flew down and perched on an exposed leafless branch of a “Madan” tree permitting me to get a good image.

2.50pm 2 Golden Jackal trotting in our direction between Mahapatessa and Demata Wila.
2.52am 4 Spotted Deer at Demata Wila.
3.01pm a Spotted Deer antler at Thimbiri Wila.
3.06pm 5 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
3.13pm a Black-naped Hare at Borupan pitiya.
3.45pm 2 Mugger Crocodiles at Kokkare Villu.
3.47pm 10 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu.
3.50pm 6 more Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu.
3.56pm 34 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila pitiya.
4.35pm a Sloth Bear at Maradanmaduwa. The Sloth Bear was digging a Termite hill and feeding on the termites. Rain after a dry spell affords an excellent opportunity for these Bears to break in to the Termite Hills. I was only able to get a few bad images when the Bear moved out of cover due to the gloomy conditions and heavy drizzle.

5.35pm as it was raining continuously I decided to leave the park.

Mammals  - Elephant 2, Leopard 1, Sloth Bear 1, Wild Buffalo 128, Spotted Deer 148, Wild Boar 12, Golden Jackal 2, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Black-naped Hare 1, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 6, Land Monitor, Common Garden Lizard, Bahir’s Fanthroat Lizard

17th August 2019
6.18am entered the park with guide Tissa Ratnayake.
6.24am 5 Spotted Deer between Weli Ela and Ranawara pitiya.
6.27am 6 Spotted Deer between Ranawara pitiya and Percy Bendi Wewa.
6.41am one Black-naped Hare between Thammanna Wala and Kukulkatuwa junction.
6.52am a herd of 27 Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
6.53am a Leopard sprinted across the road from the side of the tank towards the jungle. There was no possibility of any photography.
6.58am 7 Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
6.59am 3 Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
7.01am something at the foot of the reeds had caught the attention of a group of 5 Purple Coot at Maha Wewa. These birds were perched on the vegetation and were intently looking below the reeds. Despite being a very common species else where in the country Purple Coot is rarely seen in Wilpattu.  Maha Wewa is one of the very few locations in the park where this species can be regularly seen.

7.02am 36 Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
7.10am 4 Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
7.12am 15 Spotted Deer and a sounder of 12 Wild Boar at Maha Wewa.
7.14am 14 Wild Buffalo and two large Mugger Crocodiles at Maha Wewa.
7.21am a Black-naped Hare at Maha Wewa.

7.34am a Ruddy Mongoose at Maha wewa.
7.36am a Barking Deer at Maha Wewa.
7.39am 2 Spotted Deer feeding on some “Weera” fruits fallen on the road between Maha Wewa and Kukulkatuwa junction. The fruiting season for “Weera” in Wilpattu is from May – July. A few trees will have the last crop until about mid August.
7.52am a Ruddy Mongoose between Kukulkatuwa junction and Thammanna Wala.
7.55am another Ruddy Mongoose between Thammanna Wala and Divulgas Mandiya. The heavy rains yesterday had resulted in the emergence of millions of Winged Termites. Land Monitors, Ruddy Mongoose, Toque Monkey and many species of birds including birds of prey, Indian Peafowl, Ceylon Jungle fowl were busy feeding on this abundant prey and enjoying a rare time of plenty.
8.08am a Ruddy Mongoose between Palu Kola Wala and Sohon pitiya.
8.15am another Ruddy Mongoose at Maradanmaduwa.
8.16am 34 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
8.17am 5 Spotted Deer at Kukulkatu pitiya.
8.18am 18 more Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
8.20am 8 more Spotted Deer between Maradanmaduwa and Thambioluwa.
8.21am a slight drizzle turned in to a heavy down pour. It was interesting to observe how the flora and the fauna would respond to this very unusual rain in what should have been the height of the dry season.
10.01am 9 Spotted Deer between Sohon pitiya and Maradanmaduwa.
10.17am 2 Sambhur between Ibba Wala and Humbas Wala.
10.44am 12 Spotted Deer at Borupan pitiya.
10.45am a few jeep drivers informed me that they observed a Leopard a short while ago at the Borupan pitiya. Upon observing that a herd of Spotted Deer feeding close by were also agitated we parked and waited. Within a short time a Leopard moved across the road about 100 meters ahead of the parked vehicles. It was stalking the Deer. After about 10 minutes of silence the Deer started to give alarm calls and I surmised that the Leopards hunt is over as it had been spotted. We were able to see the Leopard moving further in to the forest but had no opportunity for photography.
11.40am a Ruddy Mongoose at Borupan pitiya.
12.29pm 15 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
12.31pm a Ruddy Mongoose between Thmbiri Wila and Borupan Wila.
12.32pm 8 Spotted Deer at Thimbiri Wila.
12.45pm 10 Spotted Deer at Demata Wila.
12.48pm 9 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa.
12.53pm a Mugger Crocodile at Mahapatessa.
12.58pm 8 Spotted Deer and one Wild Buffalo at Kudapatessa.
1.37pm two Lesser Adjutant Storks and 6 Spotted Deer at Kanjuran Villu.
1.38pm 3 more Spotted Deer at Kanjuran Villu.
1.47pm 2 Spotted Deer at Manikkapolauttu.
1.53pm 5 Spotted Deer at Illanda Motte.
1.55pm a Black-naped Hare between Illanda Motte and Downhall pitiya.
2.00pm a Rudy Mongoose between Down Hall pitiya and Mana Wila sand patch.
2.04pm 22 Spotted Deer and a Lesser Adjutant Stork at Mana Wila.
2.38pm a Spotted Deer antler at Manikrala Uraniya.
3.45pm 12 Spotted Deer and Ruddy Mongoose at Nelum Wila pitiya.
3.56pm 19 more Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila.
4.09pm 14 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu.
4.26pm a Mugger Crocodile at Kokkare Villu.
4.28pm a herd of 9 Wild Buffalo at Kokkare Villu.
4.53pm one Elephant and a sounder of 11 Wild Boar at Kumbuk Wila.
5.18pm one Leopard at Borupan Pitiya. N 08.42470, E080.02704
It was a young female leopard and was lying down under a tree. We had no clear view of the animal. After some time, much to our relief, she stood up and moved across an open space permitting me to take a few images. She walked in the direction of Wilanda Wala and disappeared in to the forest. Upon checking its spot patterns I identified the Leopard as Borupan Wila Female 4 (BWFC 4), one of the two female cubs of Borupan Wila Female 2 (BWF 2). I have records of these cubs from the time she was a month old, “blue eyed” cub.

5.48pm a herd of 7 Wild Buffalo including a dominant bull between Sohon pitiya and Palu Kola Wala.
6.25pm left the park
Mammals  - Elephant 1, Leopard 2, Wild Buffalo 31, Sambhur 2, Spotted Deer 309, Wild Boar 23, Barking Deer 1, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Black-naped Hare 3, Ruddy Mongoose 9, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles –Mugger Crocodile 4, Land Monitor, Common Garden Lizard, Low-land Kangaroo Lizard, Bahir’s Fanthroat Lizard, Green Garden Lizard

18th August 2019
6.25am entered the park with Guide Tissa Ratnayake.
7.05am 67 Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa. It appears that the overnight rains have drawn large herds of Deer out in to the open.
7.06am 5 more Spotted Der at Maha Wewa.
7.09am 44 Spotted Deer at Maha Wew.
7.15am 3 Spotted Deer below the bund at Maha Wewa
7.16am 12 more Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
7.17am a bachelor party of 6 Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
7.18am a Common Coucal atop a fallen dead tree below the bund at Maha Wewa performed a display with its wings fanned out and turning from side to side to another, possibly its mate, while holding an insect in its beak.

7.19am  8 more Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
7.20am a large Mugger Crocodile at Maha Wewa.
7.28am a sounder of 7 Wild Boar, which include 5 piglets at Maha Wewa.
7.30am a Black-naped Hare at Maha Wewa pitiya.
7.53am 4 Spotted Deer between Kukulkatuwa junction and Thammanna Wala.
8.02am a troop of Grey Langur at Paaluwilanda Wewa.
8.37am a Giant Squirrel on Andaragollawa road.
8.47am 17 Spotted Deer at Andaragollawa tank.
8.53am 27 Spotted Deer at Andaragollawa tank.
9.05am we climbed the large rock at Andaragollawa. The short walk to the rock takes one past the abandoned structure where a cement platform had been made for a campsite. There were signs of fireplaces indicating the presence of poachers. This is a very desirable place to locate a camping site due to the availability of water and to discourage poachers.

9.34am 3 Spotted Deer at Divulgasmandiya.
9.39am 3 Flapshell Turtles at Palu Kola Wala. These turtles dig themselves in the mud when their water holes run dry in June and estivate until the arrival of rain in October. They use a small opening made in the mud to breath. In Wilpattu I have observed them emerging with the first few heavy showers fill the water bodies and moving long distances in search of new water bodies. However the unusual heavy rains received by the park in August had resulted in this water body being partly filled and the Turtles have been forced out of their holes. It would be interesting to observe how they will respond if the rains do not continue and the dry conditions return again until the usual heavy rains in October.
9.44am 4 White-necked Storks at Maradanmaduwa.
10.42am a Mugger Crocodile at Borupan Pitiya wala.
11.11 a Devaka’s Fanthroat Lizard at Demata Wila. These endemic Lizards

11.16am 2 Spotted Deer at Eriyakkulampooval.
12.25pm 18 Spotted Deer at Manik Wila.
12.46pm 6 Spotted Deer at Kumutu Wila.
1.29pm a Wild Buffalo and a Spotted Deer at Kudapatessa.
1.39pm an adult male Wild Boar ran across the road on Kokkare Villu upper road.
1.50pm 2 Spotted Deer, a lone male Wild Boar and 3 Wild Buffalo at Nelum Wila.
2.20pm 15 Spotted Deer at Nelumm Wila pitiya.
2.48pm an Indian Grey Mongoose looking down from a tree hole at Borupan pitiya.

2.51pm a male Golden-backed Woodpecker at Borupan pitiya.

3.19pm 2 Spotted Deer a sounder of 11 Wild boar and alone Wild Buffalo at Lunu Wewa.
3.40pm 2 Spotted deer at Thimbiri Wila.
3.43pm a Mugger Crocodile at Mahapatessa.
3.52pm 9 Wild Buffalo at Kokkare Villu.
4.17pm a Ruddy Mongoose at Kudapatessa.
4.30pm a large Mugger Crocodile at Borupan Wila.
4.39pm a troop of Grey Langur between Walas Wala and Humbas Wala.
5.06pm a Ruddy Mongoose between Sohon pitiya and Palu Kola Wala.
5.16pm 2 Wild Buffalo at Thammanna Wala.
5.18pm a Black-naped Hare between Thammanna Wala and Kukulkatuwa junction.
5.33pm 15 Wild Buffalo at Maha Wewa.
6.03pm a Mugger Crocodile at Percy Bendi Wewa.
6.11pm a troop of Grey Langur between Weli Ela and the park entrance.
6.28pm left the park.

Mammals  - Wild Buffalo 31, Spotted Deer 242, Wild Boar 20, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Black-naped Hare 1, Indian Grey Mongoose 1, Ruddy Mongoose 2, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 4, Flapshell Turtle 3, Land Monitor, Common Garden Lizard, Low-land Kangaroo Lizard, Bahir’s Fanthroat Lizard

Birds, Butterflies & Flora observed during the filed trip
Birds – Lesser Adjutant, Painted Storks, White-necked Stork,
Butterflies – Spot Swordtail, Common Jay, Blue Mormon, Banded Peacock, Blue Wanderer, Common Tiger, Common Mormon, Chocolate Soldier.
Wild Orchids – Vanda tessellate
Fruiting trees – Bol Pana, Pulima
Wild Flowers - Forest Spider Lily Pancratium biflorum , Blue Mist Memecylon umbellatum, Mal-kera Ochna lanceolata , Bird’s Eye Bush Ochna obtusata, Beautiful Crinum Crinum zeylanicum, Golden Shower Tree Cassia fistula, Heen Hatahwariya  Asparagus racemosus

7.27am entered the park with safari jeep driver Hemantha Wimalasena and guide Tissa Ratnayake.
7.35am 5 Spotted Deer and a Wild Boar at Percy Bendi Wewa.
7.44am a Lesser Adjutant and a White-necked Stork at Thammanna Wala.
8.15am the sub-adult Mugger Crocodile at Thammanna Wala would stay submerged in the water covered with a film of green algae and lunge forward to catch unsuspecting frogs that move within its strike range. Barking Deer, Toque Monkey, Grey Langur and large numbers of birds including Orange-breasted & Pompadour Green Pigeons, Green imperial Pigeons, emerald Doves and Black-capped bul buls arrive continuously at the waters edge to drink. As the pool had now shrunk and water is found only at the center, these animals now have to walk about 30 meters from the safety of the forest and the trees drink.  The ever-vigilant Barking Deer appear to be more relaxed and directly approach the water when in the company of the watchful Langurs.

9.10am 2 Barking and Grey Langur at Percy Bendi Wewa.
9.16am 2 Spotted Deer between Percy and Thammanna Wala.
9.25am 2 Barking Deer between Percy and Thammanna Wala.
10.25am 5 Spotted Deer, 2 Barking Deer, Grey Langur and Toque Monkey drinking at Thammanna Wala. 
11.20am a Ruddy Mongoose between Sohon Pitiya and Galwanguwa.
11.36am 6 Spotted Deer at Humbas Wala.
11.50am a Ruddy Mongoose and 2 White-necked Storks at Sudumuwa Wala.
12.00noon a Wild Buffalo at Borupan Wila.
12.10pm a Wild Boar Thimbiri Wila.
12.15pm 14 Spotted Deer and a sounder of 9 Wild Boar at Kumbuk Wila.
12.20pm 3 Wild Buffalo at Kokkare Villu.
12.25pm an immature Ceylon Grey Hornbill was seen at Kokkare villu sand dunes. The bird was not able to fly and hopped on the ground. This seems to be a bird that has left its nest hole prematurely.

12.37pm 23 Spotted Deer at Kudapatessa.
1.07pm 2 Wild Buffalo at Nelum Wila.
2.25pm Barking Deer crossed the road between Kumbuk Wila sand patch and Kumbuk Wila upper road junction.
2.45pm a sounder of 12 Wild Boar drinking at Mahapatessa.
2.50pm a single Spotted Deer stag at Thimbiri Wila.
5.50pm one Leopard at Divulgasmandiya. N 08.35962, E 080.10841
It was a female leopard and was lying on a horizontal branch of a “Palu” tree. Apparently she had drunk water from the pond at Divulgasmandiya prior to climbing on to the tree. Upon examination of her unique spot pattern I was able to confirm that this is Divulgasmandiya Female 1 (DGMF 1).

6.15pm 2 Spotted Deer at Thambioluwa.
6.20pm 4 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
Mammals  - Leopard 1, Wild Buffalo 6, Spotted Deer 62, Wild Boar 23, Barking Deer 7,  Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Ruddy Mongoose 2, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 1
28th July 2019
6.00am left Maradanmaduwa forest lodge on a game drive with safari jeep driver Hemantha Wimalasena and guide Tissa Ratnayake.
6.10am 3 Sambhur and a Barking Deer drinking at Thammanna Wala.
6.16am a Black-naped Hare between Thammanna Wala and Maha Wewa.
7.00am 2 Barking Deer at Thammanna Wala.
10.20am 2 Spotted Deer and a Barking Deer between Maradanmaduwa and thambioluwa.
Upon being informed of a Leopard sighting close to the Thambioluwa pond we decided to park at this water hole. 
10.30am A male Sloth Bear emerged from the forest, looked in our direction and walked up to the pond for a mid morning drink. Unlike a Leopard, which takes at least 6 minutes to drink a Bear will finish drinking in less than a minute. Having drunk its fill the Bear quietly moved back in to the forest. At the time these ponds were being built some scientists were of the view that this is an unnecessary interference with nature. I along with some others who visit the park regularly was firmly of the view that these are necessary to sustain life during the harsh dry season in Wilpattu. After much debate and deliberations and meetings with the line Minister it was decided that these should be built in suitable locations. On a number of occasions I have spent long hours at these ponds, during the dry months, to recording the animals that visit them and their frequency. While Elephants visit them occasionally during the day there were obvious signs of their visits during the night. I also observed that these ponds are frequently visited by species including Leopards, Sloth Bear, Wild Boar, Ruddy Mongoose, Spotted Deer, Sambhur, Barking Deer, Grey Langur, Toque Monkey and many species of birds including the endemic Black-capped Bulbuls, Ceylon Jungle Fowl and Pompadour Green Pigeons. The DWC staff at Hunuwilagama and Eluwankulama use the water bowsers provided to them to ensure that these kept filled through out the dry months. These ponds provide an important  “life line” to many species both along the main road from Hunuwilagama and on the Mannar road and has also increased the possibility for visitors to enjoy sightings of their preferred animals.   

10.55am 2 Sambhur between Kuda Boralu Wala and Ibba Wala.
11.50am 25 Spot-billed Pelicans at Borupan Wila.

12.10pm a flock of Cotton Teal at Kudapatessa.

12.35pm 20 Spotted Deer and 2 Wild Buffalo at Kumbuk Wila.
1.12pm we decided to park at “Sudu Muwa Wala” to have lunch. A Lesser Adjutant Stork, two White-necked Storks, a Painted Stork and a Large Egret were at this water hole. It was quite interesting to observe the different methods each species used to look for any form of life in this receding pool. During the 2 and half hours that we spent at this location the Large Egret was most successful in its pursuits and caught 3 fish including a Yellow Cat Fish Mystus zeylanicus (Path Ankutta), which is an endemic species.

3.30pm 15 Wild Boar and 2 Spotted Deer at Thimbiri Wila.
4.00pm a Barking Deer at Ibba Wala.
4.05pm a male Purple-faced Leaf Monkey between Ibba Wala and Kuda Boralu Wala.
4.35pm a Ruddy Mongoose between Sohon pitiya and Palu Kola Wala.
4.45pm 5 Spotted Deer between Kalagedi Bokkuwa and Thammanna Wala.
4.46pm a Barking Deer between Thammanna Wala and Maha Wewa.
4.57pm a Ruddy Mongoose between Kukul Katuwa junction and Maha Wewa.
5.44pm a large Mugger Crocodile and 6 Lesser Adjutant Storks at Percy Bendi Wewa.

5.55pm a Black-naped Hare at Ranawara pitiya.
6.10pm one Leopard about 100 meters from the park entrance. The elusive cat moved in to the forest before I was able to get any images.
6.25pm left the park.
Mammals  - Sloth Bear 1, Wild Buffalo 2, Sambhur 5, Spotted Deer 29, Wild Boar 15, Barking Deer 6, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Purple-faced Leaf Monkey, Black-naped Hare 1, Ruddy Mongoose 2, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 2
Birds, Butterflies & Flora observed during the filed trip
Birds – Lesser Adjutant, Painted Storks, White-necked Stork, Spot-billed pelicans, Cotton Teal
Butterflies – Blue Mormon, Banded Peacock, Common Mormon, Blue Wanderer
Wild Orchids – Vanda tessalate
Fruiting trees – Wood Apple
Wild Flowers – Ehela, Lunu Warana in bloom.

Upon being informed and receiving images of  Thammanna Wala Female 2 (THWF 2) with three cubs on the 2nd evening from my friend Namal Kamalgoda and guide Lahiru Dissanayake, I decided to make a day trip to Wilpattu and stay at Thammanna Wala until evening.

7.00am entered the park with guide Tissa Ratnayake.

7.02am 7 Spotted Deer at the park entrance.

7.05am a Barking Deer at Weli Ela.

7.09am 4 Spotted Deer and a Barking Deer at the waters edge at Percy Bendi Wewa. Large flocks of Orange-breasted Green Pigeons, Green Imperial Pigeons and Pompadour Green Pigeons were busy flying down and drinking.

7.17am arrived at Thammanna Wala.

7.46am two White-breasted Kingfishers kept flying to and fro from their nesting hole dug in to the bund across the water.

7.48am Pompadour and Orange-breasted Green Pigeons would arrive in ones and twos and settle on the trees growing at the edge of the water body. After some time one bird would gather enough courage or its thirst would over power its fear and would fly down to the edge of the water. Almost instantly many others would follow and hurriedly start to drink. Just as they come down they some times get disturbed for no apparent reason and fly up in to the trees again until another bird decides to take lead again.

7.50am two spotted Deer arrived at the water hole.

7.59am two more Spotted Deer and a Barking Deer walked down the small bund to drink.

8.05am three more Spotted Deer arrived and drank at the water hole.

8.13am I was thrilled when a male Sloth Bear made an appearance at the water hole. He moved to the edge of the water, had a quick drink and moved back in to the forest.

8.25am two Barking Deer arrived at the water hole and approached the water quickly perhaps being comforted by the presence of troops of Grey Langur and Toque Monkey.

8.30am there were troops of Grey Langur and Toque Monkey in the trees surrounding the water hole. Few individuals would come to the waters edge drink and hurriedly return back to the safety of the tress. It was quite interesting to observe the mutually beneficial relationship that existed between the two species while drinking at the water hole. The Grey Langurs would keep watch while the Toque Monkey drank and vise versa.

8.40am a Gold-fronted Chloropsis flew down to the waters edge to drink. This is my first sighting of this species in the park.

8.50am while monkeys of both the species drank by lowering their mouth to water one of the female Toque Monkeys used her right hand to scoop the water and drink.

1.03pm a male Barking Deer approached the water cautiously for a drink during midday.

1.35pm a small herd of Spotted Deer arrived at the water hole for a drink.

2.43pm 2 Spotted Deer drank while the Toque Monkeys kept of arriving at the pool to drink.

3.08pm 2 Wild Buffalo arrived at the pool for a drink. Having drunk their fill much to my relief they both moved back in to the jungle. When Buffalo are found at small water holes Leopards will avoid visiting such pools.

4.24pm a Flapshell Turtle moved out of the water.

4.36pm upon being informed of a Leopard at Percy Bendi Wewa we decided to drive back. We spotted a Leopard lying down at the end of the bund across the water. Even though I was able to get a few images the quality of the images were not adequate enough due to the long distance to positively determine the identify of the Leopard using its spot pattern.

4.42pm a large Mugger Crocodile moved out of the water and started sunning with its mouth open.

5.17pm a lone bull Elephant arrived at Percy Bendi Wewa.

5.41pm a herd of 10 Elephants walked in to Percy Bendi Wewa and started to drink. By 5.51 they moved back in to the forest.

6.08pm one Leopard at Percy Bendi Wewa. N 08.33393, E 080.12952

A group of Indian Peafowl started making alarm calls and we were able to soon spot a Leopard lying close to a bush across the water. Later upon examining its spot pattern I was quite pleased to note that this the female sibling of Percy Bendi Wewa Male 2 (PBWMC 2) which I have named as Percy Bendi Wewa Leopard 3 under “Leopards of Wilpattu – Guest” section in my site. This is my first sighting of this female and I named it Percy Bendi Wewa Female 1 (PBWFC 1). This female is now approximately 2 years and 4 months in age.

6.17pm we left, as we had to reach the park entrance by 6.30pm

6.25pm a Sloth Bear walking in the direction of the park entrance caused a traffic block. After some time the Bear moved in to the forest permitting the long line of vehicles it was holding up to move towards the park entrance.

6.31pm left the park.

11.30am at the Elephant corridor at Thabbowa Sanctuary in Ihalapuliyamkulama a Black Eagle.
12.12pm entered the park with guide Tissa Ratnayake.
12.23pm 12 Spotted Deer at Percy Bendi Wewa.
12.29pm a troop of Grey Langur between Percy Bendi Wewa and Thammanna Wala.
12.31pm 5 Spotted Deer and a troop of Toque Monkey between Percy Bendi Wewa and Thammanna Wala.
12.33pm 2 Wild Buffalo at Thammanna Wala.
12.54pm 57 Wild Buffalo at Maha Wewa.
12.55pm 4 Wild Boar at Maha Wewa.
12.57pm 19 Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
1.01pm 5 Lesser Adjutant Storks and 6 more Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
1.32pm we parked on the Maha Wewa bund to have lunch. As we were about to leave heard the alarm calls of Spotted Deer and stopped expecting a Leopard to arrive at the waters edge. But had no luck.
1.39pm a troop of Grey Langur at Maha Wewa.
2.11pm a Brown Fish Owl was perched on the ground at Thammanna Wala. The bird flew back on to a tree with the arrival of our vehicle. I have observed that these nocturnal birds some times fly down to water from their “day roosts” during midday to have a shower and cool off during the dry season.

2.27pm 6 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
2.46pm one Elephant between Humbas Wala and Boralu Wala.
2.56pm a Spotted Deer and a Mugger crocodile at Sudu Muwa Wala.
3.02pm a Mugger Crocodile at Maila Wala.
3.16pm a Spotted Black Turtle at Vilanda Wala.

3.38pm 5 Spotted Deer at Demata Wila.
3.41pm a Lesser Adjutant Stork at Mahapatessa.
3.53pm a Barking Deer at Kurrutupandi Villu.
3.55pm another Barking Deer between Kuruttupandi Villu and Kudapatessa junction.
4.21pm 22 Spotted Deer and 10 Wild Buffalo at Kumbuk Wila pitiya.
4.49pm one Elephant at Nelum Wila.
4.58pm one adult male Wild Boar crossed the road on Kumbuk Wila upper road.
5.01pm a Black-naped Hare and two White-necked Stork at Nelum Wila pitiya.
5.08pm a sounder of 15 Wild Boar drinking at Kokkare Villu.

5.12pm one Wild Buffalo at Madangaha Wala.
5.13pm 2 Spotted Deer on Kumbuk Wila upper road.
5.41pm one Sambhur at Humbas Wala.
5.53pm a Black-naped Hare at the “Kukukl Katu Pitiya” in Maradanmaduwa.
5.58pm a Sloth Bear between Maradanmaduwa and Palu Kola Wala.
6.17pm another Sloth Bear at Percy Bendi Wewa.

6.28pm left the park.
Mammals  - Elephant 2, Sloth Bear 2, Wild Buffalo 70, Sambhur 1, Spotted Deer 80, Wild Boar 24, Barking Deer 2, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Black-naped Hare 2, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 2, Spotted Black Turtle 1
30th June 2019
6.18am I was informed of a woodpecker nest in a village home garden by Isuru Dayananda and decided to photograph the same prior to visiting the park. Having arrived at the location I was please to see one chick with its beak out of the nest hole. I observed and photographed both the male and female feeding the chicks. It was a pair of Golden- backed Woodpecker Dinopium benghalense jaffnense.   Both birds had broad white facial markings characteristic of the species. Mantle and the back of the female was crimson red while the mantle and the back of the male was orange.

7.00am entered the park with guide Tissa Ratnayake.
7.13am a Barking Deer and a large flock of Orange-breasted Green Pigeons drinking water at Percy Bendi Wewa.
7.19am 3 Spotted Deer between Percy Bendi Wewa and Thammanna Wala.
7.29am one Sloth Bear on the road between Thammanna Wala and Maha Wewa.

7.40am 1 Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
7.41am a Black-naped Hare at Maha Wewa.
7.45am a 35 Spotted Deer and a Mugger Crocodile at Maha Wewa.

7.46am a troop of Grey Langur at Maha Wewa.
7.47am 59 Wild Buffalo, 2 Spotted Deer and two Black-naped Hare at Maha Wewa.
7.49am another 7 Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
7.55am a Lesser Adjutant Stork and a Large Mugger Crocodile moved in to the water at Maha Wewa.
7.56am 5 more Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
7.58am 12 Spotted Deer and 15 more Wild Buffalo at Maha Wewa.
8.23am 12 more Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
8.28am 9 more Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
8.43am 2 Spotted Deer at Thammanna Wala.
8.47am a Barking Deer at Divulgas Mandiya.
8.55am a Sloth Bear crossed the road, perhaps after drinking at the pond at Sohona Pitiya.
9.04am 4 Spotted Deer at Thambioluwa.
9.12am a few Red Spot Duke butterflies on Sloth Bear scat between Ibba Wala and Boralu Wala. Many species of butterflies settle on ripe fruit and animal scat to feed on the nutrients such as nitrogen, sodium and other minerals.

9.26am about 100 meters before arriving at Walas Wala I observed a large fast flying butterfly flying off from some scat on the road. I reversed, as it was not one of the usually seen butterflies in the park. After a few minutes the insect settled on the droppings again. I was so thrilled that it was a Black Rajah butterfly. This is a species that I had not seen in the park earlier.

9.31am a Flapshell Turtle and a Barking Deer at Sudu Muwa Wala.
9.58am an adult male Wild Boar at Kumbuk Wila.
9.59am 15 Spotted Deer grazing at Kumbuk Wila.
10.07am one Ruddy Mongoose on Kokkare villu upper road.
10.10am 4 Spotted Deer on Kokkare villu upper road beyond Thammanna Gaha junction.
10.32am one Sambhur at Down Hall pitiya.
10.57am a Sambhur and a Barking Deer at Mana Wila.

12.17pm 5 Mugger Crocodiles at Eriyakkulampooval.
12.27pm 5 Golden Jackal and a sounder of 8 Wild Boar at Kumbuk Wila.
12.29pm a herd of 12 Wild Buffalo at Thimbiri Wila.
1.30pm arrived and parked at a short distance from the Thambioluwa pond.
2.31pm a male Sloth Bear emerged from the jungle and drank at the pond.

3.33pm one Leopard at Humbas Wala. As we spotted it the animal moved under a nearby bush. It was not possible for me to get any images of this leopard.
5.23pm one Sloth Bear between Thammanna Wala and Maha Wewa.
5.27pm a Barking Deer crossed the road just before arriving at Percy Bendi Wewa.
5.28pm one Leopard at Percy Bendi Wewa. N 08.33393, E 080.12952
The Leopard was Percy Bendi Wewa Male 2 (PBWMC 2) and was lying on a small mound of earth. After some time upon spotting a Barking Deer the Leopard started to stalk and moved in the direction of the small Deer. After a few minutes he moved in to the forest.

6.11pm 5 Barking Deer at the waters edge at Percy Bendi Wewa.

Mammals  - Leopard 1, Sloth Bear 4, Wild Buffalo 86, Sambhur 2, Spotted Deer 96, Wild Boar 9, Barking Deer 10, Golden Jackal 5, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Black-naped Hare 3, Ruddy Mongoose 1, Indian Brown Mongoose, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 7, Flapshell Turtle 1
Birds, Butterflies & Flora observed during the filed trip
Birds – Golden-backed Woodpecker, Lesser Adjutant, Painted Storks, White-necked Stork,
Butterflies – Black Rajah, Blue Mormon, Common Mormon, Lime Butterfly, Red Spot Duke, Plain Tiger, Tailed Jay, Lesser Albatross, Blue tiger, Blue Wanderer
Wild Orchids – Vanda tessalate
Fruiting trees - Weera
Wild Flowers – Lunu Warana, Ehela

6.28am entered the park with guide Tissa Ratnayake for a tree night stay at the Maradanmaduwa forest lodge.
6.34am 6 Spotted Deer between Weli Ela and Ranawarapitiya.
6.36am 1 more Spotted Deer at Ranawara pitiya.
6.38am a Wild Buffalo at Percy bendi Wewa.
6.43am one Sambhur between Percy Bendi Wewa and Thammanna Wala.
6.52am 2 Black-naped Hare between Kala Gedi Bokkuwa and Palu Kola Wala.
6.54am a Mugger Crocodile seen in a burrow dug in to the Palu Kola Wala bund. I have observed and photographed a single Mugger Crocodile in this burrow during the months of May, June, July and October. It is interesting to note that from end June until the heavy rains in October this water hole becomes completely dry. Thus the Crocodile appears to use this burrow for hibernation during the dry months. As the incubation period of this “hole nesting” species is 55 to 75 days the female Mugger seen at this water hole should be laying eggs in the beginning of the rainy season with the expectation of the water hole filling up by October. I have observed hatchlings here in December and January.

6.55am a Black-naped Hare just beyond Palu Kola Wala.
7.05am a heard of 15 Wild Buffalo and a sounder of 7 Wild Boar at Maradanmaduwa.
7.10am having unloaded the dry rations at the lodge we left to continue our game drive as the check in time is around midday.
7.21am a troop of Grey Langur between Borupan junction and Borupan Wila.
7.45am as we arrived at Borupan Wila observed a female Leopard at the waters edge across the water. N 08.42382, E080.02408
She walked along the edge of the water and having picked a spot lowered her body to the ground and started to drink. I have observed on many occasions that Leopards, unlike most other animals, will take time to select a spot from where to drink. Upon examining the spot pattern I identified this Leopard to be Borupan Wila Female 4 (BWFC 4). Having quenched its thrust she walked back to the forest. This is one of the two female cubs of the third litter of Borupan Wila Female 2 (BWF 2). Photography was not great due to the distance but I was thrilled to have had a Leopard sighting so early in my game drive. This female is now one year and 10 months and should leave its mother in a few more months to establish a territory of her own. I have observed when the cubs are first seen with their mother they are around 3 months old and will always stay at the location where their mother leaves them when going out to look for prey. As they grow older they will venture out for short distances. As they get closer to the time of leaving the mother they often spend much of the day exploring the mothers territory for longer periods of time on their own.

8.00am a Mugger Crocodile at Borupan pitiya Wala.
8.02am a troop of Grey Langur on Lunu Wewa road.
8.10am a Black-naped Monarch had built a nest by the side of the road between Borupan Wila and Lunu Wewa bungalow. The cup shaped nest was attached to a tiny sapling and one adult was in the nest incubating.

8.36am a Leopard at Thimbiri Wila end of Borupan Wila. N 08.42681, E 080.02055
The Leopard walked along the edge of the forest, stopped to defecate and continued its walk in to the forest. Upon examining the spot pattern I identified this Leopard to be Borupan Wila Female 4 (BWFC 4), the same female that I photographed earlier at the other end of Borupan Wila.

9.05am a family of 6 Golden Jackal including 4 pups at Thimbiri Wila.

9.20am 2 Spotted Deer between Mahapatessa and Eriyakkulampooval.
9.23am 3 Spotted Deer and a Mugger Crocodile at Eriyakkulampooval.
9.31am a Mugger Crocodile at Kudapatessa.
9.37am 2 Golden Jackal resting close to the water hole at Kuruttupandi Villu.
9.51am 4 Spotted Deer at Kumutu Wila.
9.59am 3 Wild Buffalo at Kanjuran Villu.
10.05am 3 Spotted Deer stags between Kanjuan Villu and Kaali Villu.
10.11am a herd of 24 Spotted Deer drinking at the waters edge, two sounders of Wild Boar totaling up to 55 and a herd of 15 Wild Buffalo in the water at Kaali Villu.
10.22am an adult male Wild Boar trotted in to the forest upon our arrival at Kuda Mara Wila.
10.24am a herd of 19 Spotted Deer and sounder of 25 Wild Boar at Mara Wila.
10.30am upon observing a Red-wattled Lapwing seated by the side of the road we detected a nest with three well-camouflaged eggs.

10.45am a sounder of 23 Wild Boar ran across the road between Kuweni Palace and Mana Wila.
11.19am a troop of Grey Langur between Mana Wila and Down Hall Pitiya.
11.22am a single Spotted Deer stag at Down Hall pitiya.
11.25am an adult male Wild Boar at Illanda Motte.
11.52am a troop of Grey Langur at Nelum Wila.
11.53am a small herd of 11 Wild Buffalo in the water at Nelum Wila.
12.16pm 4 Spotted Deer at Panikka Wila.
12.25pm 23 Spotted Deer and 1 Wild Boar at Tala Wila.
1.43pm 2 Spotted Deer stags between Aalam Villu and Panikka Wila.
1.57pm 12 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila.
2.07pm 2 Spotted Deer on Kumbuk Wila upper road.
2.25pm a Mugger Crocodile sunning on the bank hurried in to the water at Sudu Muwa Wala.
3.06pm 27 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila.
3.07pm one Elephant at Nelum Wila.
3.45pm one Spotted Deer at ManIkrala Uraniya.
3.53pm 2 large Mugger Crocodile and a Parker’s Black Turtle at Eriyakkulampooval.
3.55pm a sounder of 9 Wild Boar between Eriyakkulampooval and Mahapatessa.
4.25pm one Leopard at Kokkare Villu. N 08.41940, E 079.99257
Upon observing fresh pug marks of a Leopard moving from the direction of Nelum Wila towards Kokkare Villu we drove up and down and Tissa was able to spot the leopard lying down under a bush. I managed to get a few images adequate to identify the spot pattern. It was a brief sighting as the Leopard moved further in to the forest. The Leopard was Nelum Wila Female 3 (NWFC 3).

4.46pm a Wild Buffalo at Kumbuk Wila pitiya.
5.00pm 2 Leopards at Borupan junction. N 08.41648, E 080.02549
We arrived from Sudu Muwa Wala and spotted the two Leopards walking in the direction of Walas Wala. It was an adult female and her young female cub. Even though they were together the adult female did not show any affection to her cub despite the cub being quite playful and affectionate towards her mother. Upon examining the spot patterns I was quite pleased to note that this is Borupan Wila Female 2 (BWF 2) with her cub Borupan Wila Female 4 (BWFC 3), the sibling of the Leopard I photographed in the morning at Borupan Wila. The Leopards walked a short distance and moved back in to the forest.

5.38pm a small herd of 4 Elephants between Ibba Wala and Kuda Boralu Wala.
5.49pm 2 Spotted Deer at “Eda Kohomba Gaha pitiya”.
5.51pm a Sloth Bear on the road at Gal Wanguwa.

5.53pm a Star Tortoise at “Eda Kohomba Gaha pitiya”
6.00pm arrived at the Maradanmaduwa Forest Lodge.
7.30pm 35 Spotted Deer around the Maradanmaduwa forest lodge.
8.05pm I observed 3 Sambhur that came to water with the help of my torch. At the waters edge one adult male Wild Boar and about 12 Mugger Crocodiles.
Mammals  - Elephant 5, Leopard 4, Sloth Bear 1, Wild Buffalo 46, Sambhur 4, Spotted Deer 161, Wild Boar 121, Golden Jackal 8, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Black-naped Hare 3, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 19, Parker’s Black Turtles 1, Star Tortoise 1
7th June 2019
6.00am left Maradanmaduwa forest lodge with guide Tissa Rtanayake.
About 30 Spotted Deer scattered around the bungalow.
 6.03am 10 more Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
6.15am a Sloth Bear feeding on the ripe “Weera” berries fallen on the road at Thambioluwa.

6.25am a sub adult Sambhur at Ibba Wala.
6.37am a Barking Deer on Sudu Muwa Wala road.
6.39am a Mugger Crocodile at Sudu Muwa Wala.
6.51am a lone bull Elephant on Kokkari Villu upper road.
6.53am 3 Spotted Deer on Kokkare Villu upper road.
7.01am a female Leopard between Kokkare Villu and Kuruttupandi Villu. N 08.43176, E 079.98277
It was a female Leopard and she was walking in the direction of Kuruttupandi villu. Unfortunately for me she did not turn back to look in our direction but continued to walk with me following from a distance of about 25 meters. Having walked close to the Kudapatessa junction she stopped and moved in to the forest upon detecting the presence of a troop of Grey Langur. I was able to identify the Leopard as the Manikrala Uraniya Female 1 (MRUF 1) with the spot pattern on her tail.

7.11am a male Barking Deer and a troop of Grey langur between Kudapatessa junction and Kuruttupandi Villu.

7.28am 8 Spotted Deer at Down Hall Pitiya.
7.34am 4 Spotted Deer at Mana Wila.
8.01am one Wild Buffalo between Manikrala Uraniya and Eriyakkulampooval.
8.06am 11 Spotted Deer at Eriyakkulampooval.
8.10am a troop of Grey Langur drinking water at Mahapatessa. While some members of the troop reach the waters edge to drink others serve as “look outs” to watch out for any danger.
8.29am 2 Spotted Deer in the company of a troop of Grey Langur on Kokkare Villu upper road.
8.44am 11 Spotted Deer one Elephant and a lone Buffalo bull at Kumbuk Wila pitiya.
9.01am one Sloth Bear between Ibba Wala and Humbas Wala.

10.05am 6 Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
10.06am 5 more Spotted Deer and one Elephant at Maha Wewa.
10.11am troop of Grey Langur at Maha Wewa.
10.17am 23 Spotted Deer and a Barking Deer at Maha Wewa.
10.18am 22 more Spotted Deer and 4 Wild Buffalo at Maha Wewa.
10.22am many storks and Egrets had congregated at a pool in Maha Wewa where the water level has become quite low. 4 Lesser Adjutant storks and 2 White-necked Storks and many Painted Storks in the group.
 10.24am 8 more Wild Buffalo at Maha Wewa.
10.46am 2 Barking Deer drinking at Maha Wewa.
10.53am a Barking Deer, a Wild Buffalo and a Grey-headed Fish Eagle looking intently for movements in the water at Percy Bendi Wewa.

11.05am 5 Spotted Deer, two Mugger Crocodiles, 2 Falpshell Turtles and a parkers Black Turtle at Thammanna Wala. The Crocodiles were feeding on a dead Land Monitor carcass.

11.46am a Barking Deer at Palu Kola Wala.
11.54am one Spotted Deer at “Eda Kohombagaha pitiya”.
11.56am a Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
12.03pm another Sloth Bear feeding on “ ripe Weera” berries fallen on the ground.
3.00pm we decided to park at Thammanna Wala expecting a Leopard to come to water. A pair of White-breasted Kingfishers visited the mouth of their nest hole with dead frogs in their beaks but flew off without feeding them to the chicks. They were trying to persuade the chicks to leave the nest hole.

3.49pm one Leopard at Ibba Wala. N 08.39538, E 080.05629
Upon being informed of a Leopard we left Thammanna Wala and reached Ibba Wala to observe one adult male Leopard lying down close to the water hole. After a few minutes the Leopard stood up and walked in to the forest. I noted that it had a slight limp when walking and wished that it should heal fast as any injury that retards the ability of a predator to hunt can be life threatening. Upon studying the spot pattern I identified the leopard to be Maradanmaduwa Male 3 (MMM 3) popularly referred to as “Gota” by the guides and jeep drivers.

3.59pm a Sloth Bear at the man made pond at Thambioluwa.
4.02pm 6 Spotted Deer between Thambioluwa and Maradanmaduwa.
4.28pm 8 Spotted Deer at Percy Bendi Wewa.
 5.39pm 1 Black-naped Hare between Divulgas Mandiya and Palu Kola Wala.
5.54pm 4 Spotted Deer, a small herd of 4 Elephants and a Balck-naped Hare at Kukul Katu pitiya at Maradanmaduwa.
6.10pm a calf and two female Elephants drinking water at the Maradanmaduwa tank.

10.30pm two Indian Crested Porcupine, a Sri Lanka Golden Striped-backed Palm Civet and one Elephant at the Maradanmaduwa Forest Lodge.
Mammals  - Elephant 14, Leopard 2, Sloth Bear 4, Wild Buffalo 15, Sambhur 1, Spotted Deer 160, Barking Deer 6, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Black-naped Hare 2, Sri Lanka Golden Striped-backed Palm Civet 1, Indian Crested Porcupine 2, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 3, Flapshell Turtle 2, Parker’s Black Turtles 1
8th June 2019
5.45am 37 Spotted Deer in the compound at Maradanmaduwa bungalow.
6.08am a Black-naped Hare between Palu Kola Wala and Divulgas Mandiya.
6.37am a Sloth Bear at Thambioulwa.
7.00am one Wild Buffalo at Borupan Wila.
7.02am 2 Spotted Deer and a Mugger Crocodile at Thimbiri Wila.
7.20am 3 male Wild Buffalo at Kudapatessa junction between Kokkari Villu and Kuruttupandi Villu.
7.30am 11 Spotted Deer at Kumutu Wila.
7.34am Red Silk Cotton Bombax ceibain bloom between Kumutu Wila and Kanjuran Villu.

7.45am 4 Spotted Deer at Kanjuran Villu.
8.04am one lone bull Elephant between Kumutu Wila and Manik Wila. The Elephant was in “Musth” and the smell of its secretions from the temporal glands was quite strong. This bull Elephant had a bad injury in its left rear foot about a month ago and the DWC was looking for it to treat the wound but failed to locate him. I was quite please to see that the wound had healed and the Elephant is now able to walk well.

8.48am 3 Sambhur at Ibba Wala.
8.52am one Leopard between Ibba Wala and Kuda Boralu Wala. N 08.38970, E 080.05810
We spotted the Leopard crossing the road at a distance. Upon arriving at the spot I managed to get a few images of her looking in our direction. Even though the Leopard was partly covered I was able to identify the Leopard as the Humbas Wala Female 1 (HWF 1). Despite my being able to only get a record shot I was thrilled with this sighting as this is a very elusive female that I had only photographed once before during my study from 2012 up to date in November 2014.

9.44am an adult male Wild Boar drinking at Ibba Wala.
9.47am one Elephant between Ibba Wala and Humbas Wala.
9.57am 2 Leopards between Borupan junction and Kumbuk Wila sand patch.
N 08.41746, E 080.02265
As we arrived at Borupan junction I noted that a safari jeep was parked at a distance and the driver flashed the headlights. I approached cautiously to find two Leopards lying close to each other by the side of the road. I was able to identify the two female Leopards as Broupan Wila Female 3 & 4 (BWFC 3 & 4). The two siblings were on the road together for about forty minutes and BWFC 4 moved in to the forest. BWFC 3 remained for about 7 minutes and walked in to the forest in the opposite direction.

10.48am 3 Golden Jackal at Thimbiri Wila.
11.03am a male Wild Boar on Kokkare Villu upper road.
11.29am a Spotted Deer between Manikrala Uraniya and Eriyakkulampooval.
11.34am a single Spotted Deer stag at Eriyakkulampooval.
11.47am 6 Spotted Deer and the family group of 4 pups and two adult Golden Jackals out in the open at Thimbiri Wila.
12.49pm 3 Wild Buffalo and 6 Spotted Deer at Kudapatessa.
3.10pm 2 Golden Jackal at Borupan Wila.
3.40pm 12 Spotted Deer and one Elephant at Kumbuk Wila.
4.01pm 7 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila.
4.11pm 11 Spotted Deer at Aalam Villu.
4.14pm 17 Spotted Deer at Panikka Villu.
4.25pm 9 Spotted Deer at Tala Wila.
4.49pm a sounder of 10 Wild Boar with one tiny piglet at Nelum Wila.
4.55pm 2 Barking Deer between Nelum Wila and Thammannagaha junction.

5.05pm one Leopard at Kokkare Villu. N 08.41393, E 079.99159
We drove down to the Villu from Kokkare Villu upper road and spotted a female Leopard walking along the edge of the forest. It was a female and she moved to the edge of the water and walked up and down looking for a suitable place to drink. She would gently press and feel the mud with her front paw, perhaps to determine whether it is safe to take her weight. Upon checking her spot pattern I identified the Leopard to be Nelum Wila Female 3 (NWFC 3).

5.30pm a Leopard between Kumbuk Wila sand patch and Borupan junction. N 08.41756, E 080.02254
The Leopard was Borupan Wila Female 3 (BWFC 3) and was walking down the road in our direction. We stopped about 50 meters from the Leopard to ensure no disturbance. Having walked for a short distance she started to stalk a group of Jungle Fowl gathered in the forest. She crawled with her body close to the ground to conceal herself and looked over the bushes cautiously on few occasions at the Jungle Fowl. Having crawled along the road almost up to the flock of Birds she pounced in to the forest causing the birds to fly in all directions making frantic distress calls. I drove up and found that the young hunter had not succeeded. As the park rules require us to be at the bungalow by 6pm we drove off to reach Maradanmaduwa in time.

5.47pm one Elephant at Kuda Boralu Wala.
5.48pm a Sloth Bear at Thambioluwa.
6.02pm a lone Bull Elephant across the Maradanmaduwa tank.

6.05pm Having photographed the Elephant I started to have a cup of tea when I heard Grey Langur alarm calls from across the water and spotted an animal coming to water. A look through by Binoculars confirmed that it’s a Leopard. Having arrived at the waters edge the Leopard moved to spot it was not visible to drink. By the time I rushed back with my camera I was only able to have a glimpse of the Leopard moving back in to the forest.
6.12pm a herd of 4 Elephants arrived at the waters edge across the water body and started to drink.

Mammals  - Elephant 9, Leopard 5, Sloth Bear 2, Wild Buffalo 7, Sambhur 3, Spotted Deer 128, Wild Boar 12, Barking Deer 2, Golden Jackal 8, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Black-naped Hare 1, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 1  
9th June 2019
5.55am I was happy to hear the call of a male Purple-faced Leaf Monkey and detected him on an exposed branch of a tree.
5.57am 21 Spotted Deer close to the Bungalow.
6.02am one Sambhur at Thambioluwa.
6.06am 3 Spotted Deer at Ibba Wala.
7.05am a sounder of 9 Wild Boar at Kombansanchaipooval.
7.10am 3 Spotted Deer at Tala Wila.
7.34am a troop of Grey Langur between Kokkare Villu and Kuruttupandi Villu.
7.37am one Leopard at Kudapatessa junction. N 08.43251, E 079.98267
We arrived at the Kudapatessa junction and spotted the Leopard walking down from Kudapatessa. He stopped close to us and started  making the “sawing” call. There after he moved in the direction of Kuruttupandi Villu. I permitted the Leopard to move about 30 meters and started to follow. He was disturbed by a troop of Grey Langur that started to make alarm calls and lied down on the road and started to “saw” again. The Leopard was Nelum Wila Male 5 (NWMC 5) who is know approximately 3 years and 5 months old. Leopards make these “sawing” calls to pronounce their presence to other males as well as to find females. In a few minutes with the intensity of the Langur’s alarm calls rising the Leopard walked in to the forest followed the Grey Langur troop in the trees barking alarm calls.

7.54am 2 Golden Jackals at Kuruttupandi Villu.
8.46am 2 Sambhur, a mother and calf crossed the road ahead of us at Ibba Wala

9.35am checked out of Maradanmaduwa Forest Lodge.
9.43am 3 Spotted Deer at Humbas Wala.
9.46am troop of Grey Langur between Humbas Wala and Walas Wala.
10.41am 2 Spotted Deer between Kuruttupandi Villu and Manik Wila.
11.12am one Ruddy Mongoose between Mahapatessa and Kumbuk Wila. This is my first sighting of this species during the four days.
11.18am 12 Spotted Deer on Kumbuk Wila pitiya.
11.23am 3 Spotted Deer on Kumbuk Wila upper road.
12.25pm 2 Spotted Deer a Wild Buffalo and a White-necked Stork at Percy Bendi Wewa.
12.40pm left the park.
Mammals  - Elephant, Leopard 1, Sloth Bear, Wild Buffalo 1, Sambhur 3, Spotted Deer 49, Wild Boar 9, Barking Deer, White – spotted Chevrotain, Golden Jackal 2, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Purple-faced Leaf Monkey, Black-naped Hare, Indian Grey Mongoose, Ruddy Mongoose 1, Indian Brown Mongoose, Common Palm Civet, Sri Lanka Golden Striped-backed Palm Civet, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile, Flapshell Turtle, Parker’s Black Turtles, Star Tortoise

Birds, Butterflies & Flora observed during the filed trip
Birds – Lesser Adjutant, Painted Storks, White-necked Stork,
Butterflies – Blue Mormon, Red Spot Duke, Common Mormon, Lime Butterfly, Tailed Jay, Common Indian Crow, Banded Peacock, Chestnut - streaked Sailor, Common Sailor, Blue Tiger, Blue Wanderer, Tawny Raja, Lesser Albatross, Lemon Immigrant, Tawny Coaster, Common Rose, Crimson Rose, Great Orange tip,
Wild Orchids – Vanda tessellate
Fruiting trees - Weera
Wild Flowers – Bush Plum (Heen Karamba) Carissa spinarum, Waterhyssop (Lunu-wila) Bacopa monnieri,  Ran Hiriya, Sword Bean Canavalia virosa Mudu (Awara), Golden Shower Tree (Ehela), Swamp Foxglove Centranthera indica (Dutu Sathutu), Fire Cracker Flower Crossandra infundibuliformis, Asiatic Bushbeech Gmelina asiatica (Demata), Ironwood Memecylon umbellatum (Kora Kaha), Asiatic Dewflower Murdannia spirata (Thana Pala), Bird’s Eye Bush Ochna obtusata (Gal Kela), Tanners Cassia Senna auriculata (Ranawara), Wild Indigo Tephrosia purpurea (Kathuru Pila), Smooth Rattlebox (Andanahiriya) Crotalaria pallida, Spurge Cactus (Daluk) Euphorbia antiquorum, Flame of the Forest (Rath Mal) Ixora coccinea, Ray Flower (Ran Hiriya)
 Vicoa indica, Xyris sp. Yellow-eyed Grass (Ran Manissa) pauciflora or complanata

7.24am entered the park from the Hunuwilagama entrance with guide Tissa Ratnayake
7.27am a Barking Deer between the park entrance and the Weli Ela.
7.29am 4 Spotted Deer between the park entrance and the Weli Ela.
7.34am a Wild Buffalo between Ranawarapitiya and Percy Bendi Wewa.
7.35am an adult male Wild Boar trotted over the bund at Percy Bendi Wewa.
7.51am while on the way to Maha Wewa from Thammanna Wala observed a fine specimen of a male Sloth Bear on the road. The Bear walked towards us and did not take much notice of the vehicle as he walked passed.

8.06am a Black-naped Hare at Maha Wewa.
8.10am 11 Wild Buffalo and 2 Lesser Adjutant Storks at Maha Wewa.
8.12am 2 more Wild Buffalo at Maha Wewa.
8.13am 5 Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
8.16am 12 more Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
8.39am 2 Spotted Deer and a sounder of 9 Wild Boar drinking at Percy bendi Wewa.
9.12am 6 Spotted Deer at Percy bendi Wewa.
9.14am one Leopard at Percy Bendi Wewa.  N 08.33372, E 080.12791
We parked at Percy bendi Wewa close to Makalanmaduwa road and were having breakfast. Grey Langurs started to make alarm calls. I drove across the bund and observed that the troop of Langurs they were looking in the direction of Makalanmaduwa road. Upon driving back spotted a male Leopard walking across the road. He walked down Makalanmaduwa road. We followed the cat keeping our distance. He walked for a short distance, “marked” the bushes and moved in to the forest. Later upon examining the spot pattern I recognized the Leopard. It was Percy Bendi Wewa Male Cub 2 (PBWMC 2). It was a brief sighting of 8 minutes.

9.39am 6 Spotted Deer between Divulgas Mandiya and Palu Kola Wala.
9.49am a sounder of 9 Wild Boar at Gal wanguwa
10.01am another Sloth Bear at Thambioluwa.

10.43am 6 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila pitiya.
10.45am sounder of 11 Wild Boar feeding at Nelum Wila pitiya.
11.22am 7 Spotted Deer at Manik Wila.
11.32am one Barking Deer between Downhall Pitiya and Mana Wila sand patch.
11.36am Red Silk Cotton Bombax ceibain bloom at Mana Wila sand patch. These tall trees growing well above the canopy are devoid of any leaves and were full of bright red flowers.

11.47am one Leopard at Herathhamy Wala. N 08.49334, E 079.98955
Having arrived at the water hole we scanned the areas across the water hole and spotted the Leopard lying down under a bush growing at the edge of the water hole. The animal was partly covered by the branches and its dappled coat made it quite difficult to detect. I managed to get a few images adequate enough to identify the animal.

12.00 noon a Barking Deer arrived at the water hole and the Leopard lowered its head and took up a stalking stance. But the small herbivour moved back in to the forest.

12.50pm a safari jeep arrived with some noisy visitors. Much to my disappointment the Leopard almost instantly moved in to the forest. Upon examination of its spot pattern I was able to recognize the leopard. It was Herathhamy Wala Female 1 (HHWF 1).

1.33pm 2 Spotted Deer between Downhall pitiya and Illanda Motte.
1.50pm a Lesser Adjutant Stork at Eriyakkulampooval.
1.59pm a Mugger Crocodile at Kudapatessa.
2.12pm 8 Spotted Deer on Kokkare Villu upper road.
3.04pm 32 Spotted Deer at Tala Wila.
3.58pm a Ruddy Mongoose at Mahapatessa.
4.02pm 3 Sambhur and a Spotted Deer at Thimbiri Wila.

4.07pm 10 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
4.08pm 9 more Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
4.18pm one Wild Buffalo at Borupan pitiya Wala.
4.34pm 2 Sambhur, mother and calf, at Ibba Wala.
4.47pm a Star Tortoise before the first bridge on Maha Wewa road from Maradanmaduwa.
5.04pm a Ruddy Mongoose between the causeway and the second bridge.
5.05am 3 Spotted Deer between the causeway and the second bridge.
5.18pm 57 Spotted Deer and 89 Wild Buffalo at Maha Wewa.

5.23pm my guide, Tissa spotted a snake hanging down from a Palu Tree growing by the side of the road. It was a Boulenger’s Bronze-back Dendrelaphis bifrenalis. Its belly area was swollen with a recently swallowed prey. These arboreal snakes are excellent hunters of tree frogs and Geckos found under the crevices of trees such as Palu and Weera.

5.33pm 7 more spotted Deer and one black-naped Hare at Maha Wewa.
5.42am one lone bull Elephant on the road between Maha Wewa and Thammanna Wala. I heard Tissa muttering that this guy usually charges vehicles. I was pleased to see the imposing figure moving in to the forest.
5.51pm a Leopard at Percy bendi Wewa. I was not able to get any images as the animal moved in to the forest just as I arrived.
5.58pm left the park.
Mammals  - Elephant 1, Leopard 2, Sloth Bear 2, Wild Buffalo 104, Sambhur 5, Spotted Deer 176, Wild Boar 21, Barking Deer 1, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Black-naped Hare 2, Ruddy Mongoose 2, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 1, Star Tortoise 1

19th May 2019
6.24am entered the park with Guide Tissa Ratnayake.
2 Spotted Deer at the park entrance.
6.30am a pair of Barking Deer, a troop of Toque Monkey and a White – spotted Chevrotain (Mouse Deer) between Weli Ela and Ranawara pitiya.
6.36am wild orchid Acampe praemorsa in bloom Weli Ela and Ranawara pitiya.

6.47am two Leopards between Percy Bendi Wewa and Thammanna Wala. N 08.33629, E 080.12677
I was only able to get a record shot of one Leopard, as both of them were only visible from one locality, which was already taken by another vehicle. It was Percy Bendi Wewa Male Cub 2 (PBWMC 2). Both of them moved in to the forest shortly there after.

7.38am a sounder of 5 Wild Boar between Thammanna Wala and Maha Wewa.
7.41am three more Wild Boar crossed the road between Thammanna Wala and Maha Wewa.
7.50am 12 Spotted Deer ran across the road at Maha Wewa.
7.55am 67 Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
7.56am an Indian Grey Mongoose and 51 Wild Buffalo at Maha Wewa.
7.57am a troop of Grey Langur at Maha Wewa.
8.05am we parked on the Maha Wewa bund to have a quick breakfast. A Grey-headed Fish Eagle that was perched on a dead tree stump flew down and snatched a fish. Having caught the fish the raptor perched on a dead tree stump but flew off quickly on to a tree growing across the Maha Wewa bund.

8.35am 5 Spotted Deer and one Wild Boar at Maha Wewa.
8.46am one Ruddy Mongoose at Maha Wewa.
9.09am one Spotted Deer between Thammanna Wala and Divulgasmandiya.
9.13am upon spotting an eagle in the sky I noted that its “jiss” (General impression of its size and shape) is different from the eagles usually seen in the park. A look through my binoculars confirmed that it was Black Eagle circling above Palu Kola Wala. This species is rarely seen at Wilpattu.
9.14am two Barking Deer at Palu Kola Wala.
9.31am a Sloth Bear foraging at Thambioluwa.
9.37am a troop of Grey Langur at Thambioluwa.
9.52am 2 Wild Buffalo at Humbas Wewa.
10.04am one Wild Buffalo at Maila Wala.
10.21am a Wild Boar on Kokkare Villu upper road.
10.38am a sounder of 12 Wild Boar at Manik Wila.
11.49am one adult male Wild Boar at Kaali Villu.
11.55am while driving from Kaali Villu to Mara Wila I observed a Lizard crossing the road ahead of us. Its slow movements made me suspect that it could be the endemic Painted-lip Lizard. Having arrived at the spot we spotted the lizard moving up a tree. It was a male Painted-lip Lizard Calotes ceylonensis.

12.27pm a Wild Buffalo and an adult male Wild Boar at Mara Wila.
12.28pm two small Mugger Crocodiles at Mara Wila. One was feeding on a Frog.
12.35pm 6 Spotted Deer at Kaali Villu upper road.
12.37pm one Ruddy Mongoose Kaali Villu upper road
12.59pm a sounder of 9 Wild Boar at Mana Wila
2.08pm a Mugger Crocodile at Kudapatessa.
2.26pm an Elephant at Kokkare Villu.
2.27pm a Star Tortoise on Kokkare upper road.
2.48pm one Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila upper road.
3.09am one Golden Jackal at Thambioluwa.
3.50am One Leopard close to Percy Bendi Wewa. N 08.33644, E 080.12668
A few safari jeep drivers informed us that they had seen a Leopard up a Palu tree on their way in to the park at Percy Bendi Wewa. Unfortunately it got off as we arrived at the spot and I was not able get any images. However much to my relief we spotted another Leopard lying on an anthill by the side of the road across the locality where the two leopards were seen in the morning. It was Percy Bendi Wewa Male Cub 2 (PBWMC 2). The Leopard was quite relaxed and I managed to get some good images of the young male.

5.10pm safari jeep driver Hemantha Wimalasena informed of another Leopard at Palu Kola Wala. We reached Palu Kola Wala and managed to a few images of the Leopard.
5.22am one Leopard at Palu Kola Wala. N 08.36338, E 080.10069
It was a female and was lying down on the bund across the water body. I hurriedly got a few images and left to reach the park entrance by 6 pm. The Leopard was Divulgas Mandiya Female 1 (DGMF 1).

5.34pm a Barking Deer at Thammanna Wala.
5.45pm a small herd of Elephants at Percy Bendi Wewa.

5.54pm left the park.
Mammals  - Elephant 1, Leopard 2, Sloth Bear 1, Wild Buffalo 55, Sambhur, Spotted Deer 94, Wild Boar 24, and Barking Deer 4, White – spotted Chevrotain 1, Golden Jackal 1, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Indian Grey Mongoose 1, Ruddy Mongoose 2, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 3, Star Tortoise 1

20th May 2019
6.31am entered the park with guide Tissa Ratnayake.
25 Spotted Deer at the park entrance.
6.39am we spotted a first year Crested Hawk Eagle perched by the side of the road between the park entrance and Weli Ela. I did not take much notice but upon getting closer the eagle flew off revealing a screaming immature Black-naped Hare in its talons. The intermittent distress calls soon died down and the eagle started to feed.

6.46am a troop of Grey Langur at Ranawara Pitiya.
6.47am a Spotted Deer and a Wild Buffalo at Percy Bendi Wewa.
6.57am a White – spotted Chevrotain (Mouse Deer) darted across the road between Percy Bendi Wewa and Nuga Gala on Makalanmaduwa road.
7.22am 3 Black-naped Hare at Palu Kola Wala.
7.29am another Black-naped Hare at Galwanguwa.
7.29am a Barking Deer at “Eda Kohombagaha pitiya”.
7.32am 2 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
7.54am a Ruddy Mongoose at Borupan junction.
7.57am one Star Tortoise at Borupan Pitiya.
8.11am 8 Spotted Deer and one Wild Boar at Thimbiri Wila.
8.59am 2 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila.
9.07am a Giant Squirrel between Nelum Wila and Panikka Wila.
9.56am a sounder of 30 Wild Boar, including 7 tiny piglets, feeding on water plants and wallowing in the mud at Aalam Villu.

10.18am two Yellow Wattled Lapwings at Tala Wila.
10. 31am 4 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila pitiya.
11.02am 7 Spotted Deer at Manik Wila.
11.04am 2 Sambhur between Manik Wila and Illanda Motte. The female crossed the road and when we arrived at the spot observed her calf looking intently in our direction. The mother was looking back intently expecting the calf to cross the road. I moved forward and in a short while the calf quickly crossed the road to join the mother.
11.17am 2 Spotted Deer at Mana Wila.
11.30am arrived at Herathhamy Wala and decided to watch over the water hole, as there were reports of Leopard being seen at this locality in the afternoon during the last two days.
12.05pm a Barking Deer arrived and drank water.

12.21pm 2 more Barking Deer came to water.
1.55pm 3 Spotted Deer drank at the water hole.
2.35pm a Ruddy Mongoose on the road at Herathamy Wala.
3.34pm a Red Spot butterfly settled on a “Demata” bush.
4.00pm we decided to leave as there was sign of the Leopard and as we had to reach the park entrance by 6.00pm.
4.06pm a troop of grey Langur between Mana Wila and Down Hall Pitiya.
4.19pm a herd of 13 Wild Buffalo on the road between Manik Wila and Kuruttupandi Villu.
4.29pm a troop of Grey Langur feeding on ripe “Weera” fruits on Kokkare Villu upper road.
4.53pm one 3 Sambhur at Ibba Wala. A male with an impressive pair of antlers followed a mother and calf.
5.05pm a Black-naped Hare at Maradanmaduwa.
5.20pm a Sambhur between Thammanna Wala and Percy Bendi Wewa.
5.36pm 2 Spotted Deer at Ranawara Pitiya.
5.57pm left the park.
Mammals  - Wild Buffalo 14, Sambhur 6, Spotted Deer 56, Wild Boar 31, and Barking Deer 4, White – spotted Chevrotain 1, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Black-naped Hare 6, Ruddy Mongoose 2, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Star Tortoise 1
Birds, Butterflies & Flora observed during the filed trip
Birds – Black Eagle, Crested Honey Buzzard, Rufous Woodpecker, Lesser Adjutant, Painted Storks, Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher, White-necked Stork, Yellow Wattled Lapwing.
Butterflies – Common Sailor, Chestnut Streaked Sailor, Tawny Raja, Banded Peacock, Common Mormon, Blue Mormon, Great Orange Tip, Red spot, Blue Wanderer, Common Evening Brown, Quaker, Lesser Albatross, Common Tiger, Plain Tiger, Dark Blue Tiger, Blue Tiger, Lemon Emigrant, Tawny Coaster, Common Crow
Wild Orchids – Vanda tessellate, Vanda spathulata, Acampe praemorsa and Vanilla walkerae
Fruiting trees – Indi, Weera, Bol Pana and a few Palu trees.
Wild Flowers – Ran Hiriya, Sword Bean Canavalia virosa Mudu (Awara), Golden Shower Tree (Ehela), Swamp Foxglove Centranthera indica (Dutu Sathutu), Fire Cracker Flower Crossandra infundibuliformis, Asiatic Bushbeech Gmelina asiatica (Demata), Wild Jasmin Jasminum angustifolium (Wal-pichcha), Ironwood Memecylon umbellatum (Kora Kaha), Asiatic Dewflower Murdannia spirata (Thana Pala), Bird’s Eye Bush Ochna obtusata (Gal Kela), Snake Jasmin Rhinacanthus polonnaruwensis (Anitta), Tanners Cassia Senna auriculata (Ranawara), Wild Indigo Tephrosia purpurea (Kathuru Pila), Ceylon Leadwort Plumbago zeylanica (Ela Nithol)

1.06pm entered the park from Eluwankulama with Guide D.M.Wasantha Kumara.
1.10pm it was over cast and started to rain when I reached Pomparippu. Wasantha confirmed that this is the first heavy rain to be received in two months. It continued until we arrived at Nelum Wila
1.56pm 57 Spotted Deer at Tala Wila.
1.59pm 7 Spotted Deer at Kombansanchipooval.
2.01pm a Parker’s Black Turtle at Kombansanchaipooval.
2.05pm 19 Spotted Deer and one Elephant at Panikkar Villu.
2.20pm 4 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila.
2.22pm 2 Spotted Deer and 2 White-necked Stork at Nelum Wila pitiya.
2.23pm an adult male Wild Boar at Nelum Wila pitiya.
2.47pm one Barking Deer between Borupan junction and Borupan Wila.
2.50pm 2 Spotted Deer at Borupan pitiya.
2.50pm 2 Mugger Crocodile at Borupan pitiya wala.
2.51pm  a Black-naped Hare at Borupan pitiya.
2.58pm 4 Spotted Deer at Borupan pitiya.
3.06pm one Leopard at Borupan pitiya. N 08.42738, E 080.02568
While on the Borupan upper road we heard Spotted Deer alarm calls and drove down to the “wila”. Upon observing the direction of sight of the Spotted Deer barking out frantic alarm calls we managed spot the leopard. It was a young female. She walked out of cover, sniffed and marked a bush but moved back in to the forest in the direction of the upper road. We drove up and met the leopard again on the road. She walked along the road for a short distance but moved back in to the forest prior to which I managed to get a few images. The spot pattern revealed its identity as Borupan Wila Female 3 (BWFC 3).

 3.56pm 12 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
3.57pm 1 Wild Buffalo and 4 more Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
4.06pm 2 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa.
4.11pm 5 Spotted Deer and a small sounder of 4 Wild Boar at Kokkare Villu.
4.20pm 16 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila.
4.25pm one Barking Deer between Nelum Wila and Panikkar Villu.
4.34pm 8 Spotted Deer at Aalam Villu.
4.36pm 3 Spotted Deer between Aalam Villu and Panikkar Villu.
4.38pm one more bull Elephants has joined the Elephant that was feeding at Panikkar Villu and the 19 Spotted Deer has increased by another 10 to 29.
4.44pm 2 female Wild Boar between Panikka Villu and Kombansanchaipooval.
4.45pm  a sounder of 8 Wild Boar between Panikka Villu and Kombansanchaipooval.
5.09pm 2 Sambhur  between Tala Wila and Pill Motte.
5.31pm 5 Spotted Deer at Pomparippu.
5.43pm 2 Mugger Crocodile and a Stork-billed Kingfisher at Uththamadaru Bridge.

5.55pm another Mugger Crocodile at the Broken Bridge.
6.05pm left the park.
6.07pm a troop of Grey Langur at Eluwankulama.
Mammals  - Elephant 2, Leopard 1,Wild Buffalo 1, Sambhur 2, Spotted Deer  160, Wild Boar 15, Barking Deer  2, Golden jackal, Grey Langer, Toque Monkey, Black-naped Hare 1, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 5, Parker’s Black Turtles 1
18th April 2019
5.59am entered the park with guide D.M.Wasantha Kumara
6.04am a small Mugger Crocodile at the water hole close to the broken Bridge.
6.05am a sounder of 6 Wild Boar at Moolakandweli pitiya.
6.07am another sounder of 11 Wild Boar at Moolakandaweli pitiya.
6.17am I was thrilled to observe the melanistic Spotted Deer rarely seen around Pomparippu pitiya along with 3 other stags at Moolakndaweli close to Uththadaru Bridge. This is my second sighting of such a rare specimen at this locality. It is very likely that this is the same individual I photographed on the 17th of August 2017 close to this location. I was pleased to see that the young male that I photographed has grown to become an adult stag with an impressive pair of antlers. Unfortunately the images I was able capture are of poor quality as the animal was far away.

6.19am a small herd of 7 Spotted Deer at Moolakandaweli.
6.25am a Mugger Crocodile, a troop of Purple-faced Leaf Monkey and two Stork-billed Kingfishers at Uththamadaru Bridge.

6.26am 14 more Spotted Deer at Pomparippu pitiya.
6.28am 5 Spotted Deer and 3 Lesser Adjutant Storks at Pomprippu pitiya.
6.31am 2 Spotted Deer at Pallekandal pitiya.
6.42am one Sambhur between Pilli Motte and old Mannar road junction.
6.57am 19 Spotted Deer, an adult male Wild Boar and a Lesser Adjutant at Tala Wila.
7.05am a single Spotted Deer and Kombansanchaipooval sand patch.
7.23am a Ruddy Mongoose at Nelum Wila.
7.24am 12 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila.
7.27am 29 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila pitiya.
7.36am a Black-naped Hare sprinted along the road at Madangaha Wala.
7.47am one Leopard on the road between Kumbuk Wila sand patch and Borupan junction. N 08.41880, E 080.01824
The Leopard was walking in our direction and stopped to “mark” a bush by the side of the road. There after the young leopard remained seated on the road for a few minutes prior to walking across the edge of the road. Having taken a few images I reversed to give way for the vehicle parked behind me to get a clear view. Having studied the spot pattern I noted that this is Borupan Wila Female 3 (BWFC 3), the same female Leopard that I photographed the previous day.

8.08am 8 Spotted Deer and one Wild Buffalo at Borupan Wila.
9.00am 4 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
9.08am a Ruddy Mongoose between Maradanmaduwa and first Bridge on the Maha Wewa road.
9.38am 19 Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
9.42am 27 more Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
9.43am 2 Spotted Deer and 22 Water Buffalo at Maha Wewa.
9.51am 10 more Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
9.54am a lone Buffalo by the “Boralu” water hole at Maha Wewa.
10.04am a Ruddy Mongoose between Maha Wewa and Thammanna Wala.
10.17am 2 Spotted Deer and a troop of Grey Langur at Percybendi Wewa.
10.58am Indian Peahen with two chicks at Andaragollawa junction.

11.02am 1 Spotted Deer at Palu Kola Wala.
11.15am a Spotted Deer stag on Maha Wewa road at Maradanmaduwa.
12.54pm a female Barking Deer at Ibba Wala.
01.05pm a Sambhur drinking from a puddle on the road and two Ruddy Mongoose digging the soft sand between Walas Wala and Borupan junction.
1.13pm 12 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila.
1.17pm a Ruddy Mongoose at Kokkare Villu.
1.21pm one Spotted Deer at Thammannagaha junction on Kokkare upper road.
1.23pm one Elephant at Nelum Wila.
1.34pm 4 Spotted Deer on Panikka Wila upper road.
1.37pm 3 Spotted Deer at Kombansanchaipooval.
1.41pm one Elephant at Tala Wila.
1.53pm a Barking Deer between Old Mannar road junction and Pilli Motte.
1.58pm another Ruddy Mongoose between Pilli Mote and Pallekandal pitiya.
3.34pm a Ruddy Mongoose between old Mannar road junction and Tala Wila.
3.42pm the Spotted Deer at Tala Wila has increased up to 49 from 19 in the morning.
3.46pm one Spotted Deer antler at Kombansanchaipooval.
3.51pm 43 Spotted Deer at Panikka Wila.
4.07pm a Ruddy Mongoose on Kumbuk Wila upper road.
4.15pm one Golden Jackal at Thimbiri Wila.
4.15pm one Leopard at Thimbiri Wila. N 08.42439, E 080.01178
We spotted the Leopard seated under a tree across the water. After a few minutes the cat walked up to water’s edge and started to drink. Having drunk its fill moved back in to the forest. Later upon studying the spot pattern I was able to identify it as Borupan Wila Female 3 (BWFC 3), the same leopard I observed in the morning.

5.05pm a Flapshell Turtle at Tala Wila.

5.06pm it started to rain while we were at Tala Wila.
5.36pm a family group of 6 Elephants feeding in the rain at Pallekandal pitiya.

6.05pm left the park.
Mammals  - Elephant 8, Leopard 1, Wild Buffalo 23, Sambhur 2, Spotted Deer 259, Wild Boar 18, Barking Deer 2, Golden jackal 1, Grey Langer, Toque Monkey, Purple-faced Leaf Monkey, Black-naped Hare 1, Ruddy Mongoose 9, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 2, Flapshell Turtle 1
19th April 2019
6.05am entered the park from Eluwankulama with guide, D.M.Wasantha Kumara
6.15am two Busted Quails on the road at Moolakandaweli Pitiya.
6.18am 4 Spotted Deer at Moolakandaweli pitiya.
6.19am two White-necked Storks, a Brown Fish Owl, two Mugger Crocodiles and a troop of Purple-faced Leaf Monkey at Uththamadaru Bridge.
6.20am 7 Spotted Deer at Pomparippu pitiya.
6.25am a sounder of 11 Wild Boar at Pallekandal pitiya.
6.28am 2 Wild Boar and a White-necked Stork at Pallekandal pitiya.
6.30am 4 Adult Wild Boar with 12 immatures at Pallekandal pitiya.

6.35am having driven past Pill Motte we turned on to the road leading to Tala Wila from old Mannar road junction. The rays of the early morning sun piercing through the canopy created a breathtaking scene.

7.07am 44 Spotted Deer and 6 Wild Boar at Panikka Wila.
7.22am 15 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila.
7.25am a Black-naped Hare at Nelum Wila pitiya.
7.26am 26 Spotted Deer and one adult male Wild Boar at Nelum Wila pitiya.
7.29am a Yellow Wattle Lapwing at Nelum Wila pitiya. This species is seldom seen inside the park except at Maha Wewa.

7.40am one Elephant at Kokkare villu upper road.
7.44am 2 Barking Deer between Kokkare Villu and Kuruttupandi junction.
7.49am 5 Spotted Deer at Kuttupandi Villu.
7.54am 15 Spotted Deer and one Wild Boar at Manik Wila.
7.59am one Wild Boar at Illanda Motte.
8.06am a Crested Hawk Eagle photographed at Downhall pitiya.

8.14am 8 Spotted Deer at Mana Wila.
8.35am one Sambhur at Herathhamy Wala.
8.54am one Ruddy Mongoose between Mana Wila and Kuveni Palace.
9.22am a Ruddy Mongoose between Avatara Motte and Kaya Motte.
9.29am 5 Spotted Deer at Avathara Motte.
10.03am 7 Spotted Deer at Kaali Villu.
10.05am 2 Spotted Deer on Kaali Villu upper road.
10.08am one Wild Buffalo at Kaali Villu.
10.11am 2 more Spotted Deer at Kaali Villu.
10.32am a Ruddy Mongoose at Manik Wila sand patch.
10.43am one Mugger Crocodile at Kudapatessa.
10.50am 2 Barking Deer at Kokkare Villu sand patch.
11.24am 6 Spotted Deer on Kumbuk Wila upper road.
11.35am 2 Wild Boar and 10 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila.
11.41am 11 Wild Buffalo at Mahapaessa.
11.45am a Asiatic Golden Plover a near complete breeding plumage at Thimbiri Wila.

12.02pm a Ruddy Mongoose between Thimbiri Wila and Borupan Wila.
12.05pm a Black-tailed Godwit in breeding plumage at Borupan Wila.

12.07pm a sounder of 11 Wild Boar at Borupan Wila.
12.11pm 5 Spotted Deer and one Wild Buffalo at Borupan pitiya.
12.22pm a Ruddy Mongoose on Sudu Muwa Wala road.
12.50pm 5 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa.
1.37pm a Ruddy Mongoose between Manik Wila and Illanda Motte.
1.44pm 6 Spotted Deer at Manikrala Uraniya.
1.47pm a Ruddy Mongoose between Manikrala Uraniya and Eriyakkulampooval.
2.32pm 3 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila.
3.10pm a Ceylon Trogon between Nawaladi Uttu and Aalam Villu.
3.59pm a Mugger Crocodile at Kokkare Villu.
4.30pm one male Leopard between Kuruttupandi junction and Kokkare Villu. The Leopard walked along the road towards Kokkare Villu but moved in to the forest as the jeeps ahead of me had approached it too close. Photography was not possible for me thus there was no possibility of identifying the leopard.
4.50pm one Mugger Crocodile at Nelum Wila.
5.17pm 64 Spotted Deer at Tala Wila and one Elephant.
5.33pm a Ruddy Mongoose between Tala Wila and Pill Motte.
5.45pm a family group of 9 Elephants feeding at Pallekandal pitiya.
5.51pm a Black-winged Kite at Pomparippu pitiya.
5.58pm a Ruddy Mongoose ran across the road between Uththamadaru Bridge and the Broken Bridge.
6.05pm left the park.
Mammals  - Elephant 11, Leopard 1,Wild Buffalo 13, Sambhur 1, Spotted Deer 233, Wild Boar 51, Barking Deer 4, Grey Langer, Toque Monkey, Purple-faced Leaf Monkey, Black-naped Hare 1, Ruddy Mongoose 8, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 5
20th April 2019
6.11am entered the park with D.M.Wasantha Kumara
6.22am 2 Wild Boar at Moolakandaweli.
6.23am a sounder of 11 Wild Boar at Moolakandaweli.
6.27am 2 Spotted Deer at Pomparippu pitiya.
6.31am a sounder of 15 Wild Boar and 2 Spotted Deer at Pallekandal  pitiya.
6.42am a Brown Fish Owl and a White-bellied Sea Eagle at Pilli Motte.
7.17am 31 Spotted Deer at Tala Wila.
7.22am 5 Spotted Deer at Kombansanchipooval.
7.25am 50 Spotted Deer and 17 Wild Boar at Panikka Wila.
7.30am two Barking Deer between Panikka Wila and Nelum Wila.
7.52am 8 Spotted Deer and one Wild Boar at Kumbuk Wila.
8.04am a male Pompadour Green Pigeon drinking water at Kokkare Villu.

8.07am a Ruddy Mongoose on Kokkare Villu upper road.
8.31am 9 Spotted Deer at Kurutupandi Villu.
8.37am a herd of 12 Wild Buffalo at Kudapatessa.
9.03am the rarely seen White Jungle Flame Ixora thwaitesii (Sudu Rath Mal) in bloom between Kudapatessa and Kokkare Villu sand dune.

9.07am a Mugger Crocodile at Kokkare Villu sand patch. It was about 150 meters away from water. Perhaps the heavy rains caused the animal to walk from Kudapatessa looking for another water body the previous night but failed to reach Kokkare Villu.
9.52am 8 Spotted Deer on Kumbuk Wila upper road.
10.03am 2 Mugger Crocodiles at Borupan pitiya wala.
10.31am another Mugger Crocodile at Wiranda Wala.
10.35am the wild orchid Vanda testacea in bloom at Borupan pitiya.

10.42am one Mugger Crocodile at Borupan Wila.
10.44am 16 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
10.48am a troop of Grey Langur at Borupan Wila.
10.59am a Chestnut-headed Bee Eater photographed at its nest hole with a freshly caught Dragonfly in its beak between Borupan Wila and Thimbiri Wila.

11.41am 5 Spotted Deer between Illanda Motte and Down Hall pitiya.
11.47am 2 Sambhur, a mother and calf between Mana Wila sand patch and Mana Wila.
11.57am one Leopard at Herathhamy Wala. N 08.49343, E 079.98956
As we arrived at the water hole the Leopard was spotted at the edge of the water hole. It was a female and she crouched down upon our arrival. I managed to get a few images and having checked the spot pattern identified the leopard as Herathhamy Wala Female 1 (HHWF 1). By the time I drove down to turn the vehicle the leopard was gone.

12.05am one Parker’s Black Turtle at Herathhamy Wala.
1.25pm 2 Spotted Deer at Kattarambu Villu.
1.48pm one Barking Deer between Herathhamy Wala and Mana Wila.
1.52pm a Spotted Deer stag between Mana Wila and Mana Wila sand patch.
1.56pm a Barking Deer between Mana Wila sand patch and Down Hall pitiya.
2.12pm 2 Spotted Deer on Kuruttupandi upper road.
2.14pm a Barking Deer between Kuruttupandi and Kuruttupandi junction.
2.25pm 8 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila.
2.28pm one adult male Wild Boar at Nelum Wila.
2.36pm 28 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila pitiya.
2.52pm 4 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu.
3.11pm 18 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila.
3.19pm 5 Spotted Deer between Thimbiri Wila and Borupan Wila.
4.38pm one Flapshell Turtle at Nelum Wila.
4.43pm one Black-naped Hare at Nelum Wila.
4.54pm 17 Spotted Deer at Panikka Wila has increased by 12 more to 29.
5.05pm 31 Spotted Deer at Tala Wila has increased by 29 more to 60.
5.11pm a Ruddy Mongoose between Tala Wila and Pilli Motte.
5.18pm another Ruddy Mongoose between Tala Wila and Pilli Motte.
5.35pm an Indian Plaintive Cuckoo (hepatic) at Pomparippu.

5.40pm Purple –faced Leaf Monkey at Uththamadaru Bridge.
5.42pm Bustard Quail on the road at Moolakandaweli.
6.02pm left the park.
Mammals  - Elephant, Leopard 1, Sloth Bear, Wild Buffalo 12, Sambhur, Spotted Deer 242, Wild Boar 47, Barking Deer 5, Golden jackal, Grey Langer, Toque Monkey, Purple-faced Leaf Monkey, Mouse Deer, Black-naped Hare 1, Ruddy Mongoose 3, Indian Grey Mongoose, Brown Mongoose, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 5, Flapshell Turtle 1, Parker’s Black Turtles 1
Birds, Butterflies & Flora observed during the field trip
Birds – Clamorous Reed Warbler, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Ceylon Trogon, Indian Three-toed Kingfisher, Lesser Adjutant, Painted Storks, White-necked Stork, Busted Quail, Brown Fish Owl, Black-tailed Godwit, Golden Plover, Indian Pitta, Brown Shrike, Indian Plaintive Cuckoo, Yellow Wattled Lapwing.
Butterflies – Blue Mormon, Great Orange tip, Red Spot Duke, Common Mormon, Great Egg Fly, Common Jay, Chestnut Streaked Sailor, Blue Wanderer
Wild Orchids – Vanda tessellate, Vanda spathulata, Vanda testacea, Acampe praemorsa and Vanilla walkerae in bloom.
Fruiting trees - Thimbiri
Wild Flowers – Wellangiriya, Sword Bean (Wal Avara), Kala Wel,
Trees in Bloom – Burutha, Ehela

6.12am entered the park with guide Tissa Ratnayake.
6.32am 3 Wild Buffalo at Kalagedibokkuwa.
6.36am one Mugger Crocodile at Palukola Wala.
6.39am a Black-naped Hare between Palukola Wala and Maradanmaduwa.
6.43am 3 Spotted Deer at Eda kohomba gaha Pitiya.
6.45am 2 Spotted Deer and one Wild Boar at Maradanmaduwa.
6.46am 8 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
6.48am 2 Sambhur at Maradanmaduwa.

6.56am one White-necked Stork at Ibba Wala.
6.59am 5 Sambhur at Humbas Wala.
7.11am one Mugger Crocodile at Borupan pitiya wala.
7.22am 12 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
7.26am one Elephant between Borupan Wila and Thimbiri Wila.
7.40am 4 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu.
7.49am an Orange-headed Ground Thrush at Nelum Wila.
7.52am one adult male Wild Boar at Nelum Wila.
8.04am 8 Spotted deer at Kumbuk Wila.
8.45am a male Sambhur antler at Thambioluwa.
9.32am 2 Sambhur between Maradanmaduwa and Maha Wewa.
9.37am 56 Spotted Deer at 2 Wild Buffalo at Maha Wewa.
9.38am the Osprey that was observed during my last field trip was observed again at Maha Wewa. It was on the same perch.
9.40am about 37 Wild Buffalo at Maha Wewa.
10.00am 2 Spotted Deer and a Mugger Crocodile at Thamanna Wala.
10.43am a Ruddy Mongoose at Kalagedibokkuwa.
11.27am one Wild Buffalo at Borupan Wila.
11.32am 2 Spotted Deer at Thimbiri Wila.
11.38am 12 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa.
11.54am one Leopard on the road between Eriyakkulampooval and Manikrala Uraniya. Despite my reversing the vehicle and turning off the engine the animal, which looked a grown male, moved in to the forest before I was able to get any images and started “sawing”. The quite jungle reverberated with the leopards call. Perhaps he was in pursuit of a female and moved deeper in to the forest.
12.43pm I observed fresh pugmarks on the road at the Mana Wila sand patch and followed them.  After driving a short distance we spotted a female Leopard on the road walking towards Mana Wila.  N 08.47749, E079.98798
I immediately stopped the vehicle but the shy animal darted in to the forest. After about 10 minutes we drove forward and spotted the leopard again seated behind a bush close to where it entered the forest and managed to get a few record images adequate enough to study the spot pattern on its forehead before she vanished in to the forest. She was an adult female and I estimated her age to be around 6 years. This is my first sighting of this female and I named it Mana Wila Sand Patch Female 1 (MWSPF 1)

1.36pm drove down to Mana Wila expecting the Leopard to come to water but managed to only see a Barking Deer coming to water.
1.57pm a sounder of 7 Wild Boar at Kaali Villu.
2.02pm a Sambhur and 5 Wild Boar feeding across Mara Wila.
2.04pm a Leopard close to the Mara Wila camp site.  N 08.49214, E 079.92104
Less than 100 meters prior to reaching the Mara Wila camp site area we spotted a leopard sleeping under a bush by the side of the road. I stopped the vehicle and turned off the engine. It was a young female Leopard and was not disturbed by us being parked about 25 feet from where she was lying down. I estimated her age to be around 3 years. We were able to observe and photograph the Leopard for about 40 minutes before she was alerted by two male Indian Peafowl and stalked them through the forest. The Peafowl detected her presence and flew off. She walked across the campsite area and moved in to the forest. This is my first sighing of this female and I named her Mara Wila Female 1 (MRWF 1)

2.57pm one Spotted Deer at Avatara Motte.
3.18pm 6 Spotted Deer, an adult male Wild Boar with a sounder of 5 females and one Sambhur drinking at Kaali Villu.
3.32pm 3 Spotted Deer and 2 Sambhur at Kumutu Wila.
3.33pm 5 more Spotted Deer at Kumutu Wila.
4.30pm 2 Mugger Crocodiles at Mahapatessa.
4.35pm a sounder of 15 Wild Boar and 5 Spotted Deer at Kudapatessa.
4.41pm 4 Spotted Deer berween Kuruttupandi junction and Kokkare Villu.
4.48pm 6 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila pitiya.
5.03pm a Ruddy Mongoose at Madangahas Wala.
5.11pm 8 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila.
5.16pm 25 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
5.21pm one Mugger Crocodile at Borupan pitiya Wala.
5.35pm 5 Spotted Deer at Ibba Wala.
5.40pm 2 Sloth Bear, a mother and its cub foraging at Thambioluwa.
5.49pm another male Sloth Bear at Thambioluwa.
6.25pm left the park.

Mammals  - Elephant 1, Leopard 2, Sloth Bear 3, Wild Buffalo 43, Sambhur 14, Spotted Deer 176, Wild Boar 35, Barking Deer 1, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Black-naped Hare 1, Ruddy Mongoose 2, Giant Squirrel & Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 5, Devaka’s fan-throated Lizard.

10th March 2019
4.50am a Common Palm Civet on the road to the park entrance.
6.15am entered the park with guide Tissa Ratnayake.
6.25am a Wild Buffalo at Percy Bendi Wewa.
6.32am 4 Wild Buffalo at Thamanna Wala.
6.39am a Black-naped Hare close to Palu Kola Wala.
6.49am a Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
7.12am one Wild Buffalo at Borupan pitiya Wala.
7.19am 15 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
7.30am 12 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa.
7.36am a troop of Grey Langur and a Mugger Crocodile at Mahapatessa.
7.38am 2 Spotted Deer at Eriyakkulampooval.
8.03am 14 Spotted Deer at Mana Wila.
8.09am one adult male Wild Boar with an injury at Thelambugas Wala.

8.12am I observed a Little Cormorant diving for fish in the small pool of water and forcing small fish to swim towards the shore from deeper areas. A Pond heron followed the Cormorant when it moved towards the shore and picked the fish with ease. One each occasion the Little Cormorant would come out of the water to chase the Pond Heron but the crafty Heron would fly off and return just as the Cormorant swam towards the shallow areas.
9.03am one Golden Jackal between Kaali Villu and Mara Wila.
9.15am a Booted Eagle circling over Kaali Villu.

9.30am two White-winged Black Terns perched on the edge of the water with a few Whiskered Terns and Gull-billed Terns at Kaali Villu.

9.46am a pair of Lesser Whistling Teal with newly hatched ducklings at Kuda Mara Wila.

9.48am 9 Spotted Deer at Kanjuran Villu.
10.41am a nest of Crested Hawk Eagle at Kombansanchaipooval.

10.48am one Elephant at Tala Wila.
10.56am a Yellow-wattled Lapwing and a displaying Indian Peacock at Tala Wila.

11.03am a Ruddy Mongoose at Tala Wila.
11.42am observed an adult Crested Hawk Eagle flying in with a freshly killed bird to the bird in the nest at Kombansanchaipooval.
12.04pm 2 White-necked Storks at Nelum Wila pitiya.
12.18pm a troop of Grey Langur between Borupan junction and Borupan Wila.
12.44pm 3 Spotted Deer at Kumbukk Wila.
12.52pm11 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu.
12.56pm a troop of Grey Langur at Kokkare weli kanda.
1.24pm 4 Wild Buffalo at Eriyakkulampooval.
1.29pm a troop of Grey Langur between Eriyakkulampooval and Manikrala Uraniya.
1.37pm one adult male Wild Boar and 5 Spotted Deer at Illanda Motte.
2.36pm a Mugger Crocodile at Namada Wila.
3.07pm a large troop of Grey Langur between Manikrala Uraniya and Eriyakkulampooval.
3.14pm one Elephant drank as he walked across Eriyakkulampooval.

3.50pm one Leopard sleeping under a bush at Borupan pitiya. No photography was possible.
4.30pm a troop of Grey Langur at Maradanmaduwa.
4.44pm one Barking Deer between Maradanmaduwa and the first bridge and the cause way on Maha Wewa road.
4.50pm 2 Spotted Deer between the first bridge and the cause way on Maha Wewa road.
5.12pm a Ruddy Mongoose at Maha Wewa.
5.17pm 12 Spotted Deer and 26 Wild Buffalo at Maha Wewa. It was interesting to see all the calf’s resting together on an earth mound at the edge of water.

5.25pm an Indian Nightjar seated on eggs at Maha Wewa.

5.27pm a Black-naped Hare at Maha Wewa.
5.38pm a Ruddy Mongoose between Thamanna Wala and Paaluwilandawa junction.

Mammals  - Elephant 2, Leopard 1, Wild Buffalo 36, Spotted Deer 121, Wild Boar 1, Barking Deer 1, Golden Jackal 1, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Black-naped Hare 2, Ruddy Mongoose 2, Common Palm Civet 1, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 2
Birds, Butterflies & Flora observed during the filed trip
Birds – Booted Eagle, Chestnut-headed Bee Eaters (digging nesting holes at many sandy locations) Orange-headed Ground Thrush, Lesser Adjutant, Painted Storks, White-necked Stork, Osprey, Booted Eagle, White-winged Black Tern, Curlew Sand Piper, Indian Nightjar (Nesting), and Banded Crake, White-rumped Shama’s are very vocal as they are preparing to nest. Crested Hawk Eagle (nesting), Yellow Wattled Lapwing.
Butterflies – Blue Mormon, Crimson Rose, Common Gull, Lesser Albatross, Quaker and Common Mormon
Fruiting trees – all the Thimbiri Trees had produced beautiful reddish maroon shoots.
Wild Flowers – Ranhiriya, Wellangiriya, Bu Nelu (between Kattarambuwa and Namada Wila)Dutusathutu and Lanka Bovitiya in bloom.

6.44am entered the park with guide Tissa Ratnayake.
27 Spotted Deer at the park entrance.
6.45am a female Sambhur with a calf between Park entrance and Weli ela.
6.56am one Elephant close to Percy Bendi Wewa.
7.05am a Black-naped Hare ran across a glade between Thammanna Wala and Maha Wewa.
7.22am 22 Wild Buffalo and 3 Wild Boar at Maha Wewa.
7.30am 34 Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
7.33am Upon seeing a large bird of prey that was different to the usual raptors seen in the park I had a closer look through the binoculars and was thrilled to see an Osprey perched a dead stump at Maha Wewa. This is my first sighting of this species in the park. To the best of my knowledge no one had recorded this species in the park prior to this sighting.  The bird was perched on a dead stump at the center of the water body.

7.50am 4 more Wild Buffalo at Maha Wewa.
7.52am 42 Spotted Deer and one Elephant at Maha Wewa.
7.53am a troop of grey Langur at Maha Wewa.
8.10am 10 more Spotted Deer on the road to Maradanmaduwa.
8.13am Indian Caper ( Wellangiriya) Capparis brevispina in bloom between Maha Wewa and Maradanmaduwa.

8.30am 5 Spotted Deer between Maha Wewa and Maradanmaduwa.
8.48am one Leopard and a Ruddy Mongoose at Maradanmaduwa. I was not able to get any images of the leopard as it moved in to the forest almost as we arrived. While awaiting the Leopard to break cover we observed the Mongoose at a distance.
10.48am a troop of Grey Langur between Borupan junction and Borupan Wila.
10.49am a collection of Quaker butterflies settled on a fresh pile of Elephant dung to feed on the nutrients between Borupan junction and Borupan Wila.
11.21am a Wild Buffalo at Borupan Wila.
11.23am 3 Spotted Deer at Thimbiri Wila.
11.25am an Indian Pea Hen with three tiny chicks at Thimbiri Wila.

11.47am a Barking Deer at Eriyakkulampooval.
12.00noon a Ruddy Mongoose between Illanda Motte and Manik Wila.
12.23pm  2 Spotted Deer, a Barking Deer and a sounder of 9 Wild Boar with 8 tiny piglets at Kanjuran Villu. Upon our arrival the herd ran in to the forest followed by the piglets. We parked on the Erenapala Motte road that at the edge of the forest to have lunch. I was alerted upon hearing a nasal sound and noticed that three of the little piglets has got separated from the herd.  They moved aimlessly for a short while and stayed motionless in the leaf litter when I started the vehicle. We left expecting the herd to return looking for their lost offspring.

1.00 pm 1 Spotted Deer at Kumutu Villu.
1.18pm a troop of Grey Langur between Kuruttupandi and Kokkare Villu.
1.40pm 6 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila.
1.44pm a female Golden-backed Woodpecker moving with a small mixed feeding flock permitted me to get a few images.

1.53pm a “bachelor party” of 4 Spotted Deer stags between Nelum Wila and Panikkar Villu.
2.15pm 3 Spotted Deer on Kumbuk Wila upper road.
2.38pm one Leopard at Borupan pitiya. N 08.42598, E 080.02702
The Leopard was a sleep in a depression under a bush and was hardly visible. As there were few vehicle parked I moved to a distance to permit others to get a glimpse of the Leopard. Any photography was only possible if the Leopard stood up.
2.56pm The Leopard was alerted by something and moved out in to the open permitting me to take a few record shots through the grass before going back to sleep under the bush. Upon examination of the spot pattern I was able to identify it as the Borupan Wila Female 4 (BWFC 4).

3.51pm a Barking Deer between Thimbiri Wila and Kokkare Villu.
4.18pm a Ruddy Mongoose between Walas Wala and Boralu Wala.
4.27pm a female Sambhur at Humbas Wala.
4.56pm a Flapshel Turtle in water hole between Maradanmaduwa and Maha Wewa.
5.13pm a Brown-capped Babbler remained on the road between Maradanmaduwa and Maha Wewa until its mate flew across the road permitting me to get a few images.
 5.26pm one Golden Jackal in the glade before Thammanna Wala on Maha Wewa road.
5.40pm 52 Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.

5.49pm a Ruddy Mongoose at Maha Wewa.
5.51pm 17 more Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
5.53pm 16 more Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
5.55pm 8 more Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
6.07pm 7 Spotted Deer between Maha Wewa and Thamanna Wala.
6.09pm a Ruddy Mongoose between Ranawara Pitiya and Weli Ela.
6.27pm left the park.

Mammals  - Elephant 2, Leopard 2, Wild Buffalo 27, Sambhur 3, Spotted Deer 167 (Maha Wewa numbers have been sensitized), Wild Boar 20, Barking Deer 3, Golden Jackal 1, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Black-naped Hare 1, Ruddy Mongoose 3, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Flapshell Turtle 1

3rd March 2019
6.18pm entered the park with guide Tissa Ratnayake.
6.29am one Wild Buffalo at Percy Bendi Wewa.
6.43am a Mugger Crocodile and a White-necked Stork at Palu Kola Wala.
6.52am 3 Spotted Deer between the Grave pond and Maradanmaduwa.
6.54am 2 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
7.00am one Wild Buffalo at Thambioluwa.
7.10am a Black-naped Hare sprinted across Borupan Pitiya.
7.15am 10 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
7.55am 9 Spotted Deer and two Mugger Crocodile at Mahapatessa.
8.33am troop of Grey Langur between Kuruttupandi Villu and Manik Wila.
8.42am a Ruddy Mongoose at Illanda Motte.
8.50am a Ruddy Mongoose between Downhall pitiya and Mana Wila sand patch.
8.54am a sounder of 6 adult female Wild Boar with 24 tiny piglets at Mana Wila.
9.03am a Ruddy Mongoose between Thelambugas Wala and Kattarambuwa.
9.27am 7 Spotted Deer at Mana Wila.
9.30am 2 Ruddy Mongoose between Mana Wila sand patch and Downhall pitiya.
9.48am one Elephant feeding on the water plants at Manikrala Uraniya.

10.03am 4 Spotted Deer and one Wild Boar at Eriyakkulampooval.
10.13am a Wild Buffalo at Thimbiri Wila.
10.15am 2 Mugger Crocodiles at Borupan Wila.
10.51am a Barking Deer between Kumbuk Wila upper road.
10.56am a Spotted Deer at Thammannagaha junction.
11.14am 11 Spotted Deer at Aalam Villu.
11.54am 6 Spotted Deer between Aalam Villu and Panikkar Villu.
12.02pm 3 Spotted Deer at Kombansanchaipooval.
12.04pm 2 Spotted Deer crossed the road between Kmbansanchaipooval and Thala Wila.
12.06pm one Wild Boar and a Barking Deer at Tala Wila.
1.03pm we arrived at Pallekandal Tank. N 08.34427, E 079.90143
This is my first visit to this tank, which is long and narrow. There was a good amount of water a plenty of fresh Elephant droppings in the vicinity.

1.26pm observed a nest of White-browed Bulbul at Pallekandal.

2.16pm photographed a nest of Black-headed Oriole Panikkar villu and Nelum Wila.

2.24pm 10 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila pitiya.
2.32am 5 Spotted Deer at Madangaha Wala.
2.36am 6 Spotted Deer on Kumbuk Wila upper road.
3.46pm while driving on the Percy Bendi Wewa bund noted a large bull Elephant advancing on the road toward the tank. The Elephant kept walking towards the vehicle  forcing me to reverse. In a few minutes, much to my relief, he walked down to the tank. I noticed a number of gunshot injuries on its body that appear to have healed which reminded me of the human elephant conflict which causes much hardship & trauma to man and animal alike in the villages boardering the park. After drinking he walked deeper in to the tank where only his head was visible.

4.22pm I left the park to arrive at Wilpattu Safari camp located on the borders of the park on receiving information from Hementha Wimalasena that a Banded Crake (Slaty-legged Crake) has been seen there the previous day. I was fortunate enough to get a few record photos of this rare bird along with a few other species of birds including a bicolored Indian Paradise Flycatcher.

Mammals  - Elephant 1,Wild Buffalo 3, Spotted Deer 82, Wild Boar 32, Barking Deer 2, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Black-naped Hare 1, Indian Grey Mongoose, Ruddy Mongoose 5, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 5

Birds, Butterflies & Flora observed during the filed trip
Birds – an Osprey, Banded Crake, Curlew Sandpiper, Crested Honey Buzzard, Lesser Adjutant, Painted Storks, White-necked Stork,
Butterflies – Quaker, Blue Mormon, Lesser Albatross, Common Jay, Blue Wanderer, Common Mormon, Tawny Coaster, Common Gull, Crimson Rose & Danaid Eggfly.

Wild Flowers - Indian Caper ( Wellangiriya) Capparis brevispina, Bu Nelu Stenosiphonium cordifolium, Puruk (Chinese Violet) Asystasia gangetica, Pethan (Yellow Bell Bauhinia) Bauhinia tomentosa, Ira wara (Indian Cadaba) Cadaba trifoliate, Mudu Avara (Sword Bean) Canavalia virosa, Kaha Andanahiriya (Wedge-leafed Rattlepod) Crotalaria retusa,  Nil Andanahiriya (Blue Rattlepod) Crotalaria verrucosa, Heen Bim Savan(Small Horsefly’s Eye ) Dopatrium nudicaule, Lanka Bovitiya (Ceylon Osbeckia)  Osbeckia zeylanica, Fire Cracker Flower Crossandra infundibuliformis,  Ela Nithol (Ceylon Leadwort) Plumbago zeylanica.
Lunu Warna Crataeva adansoni trees were also in bloom.

7.05am entered the park with guide Tissa Ratnayake.
A Golden Jackal at the park entrance.
7.20am a Brown Fish Owl perched on an exposed branch over looking the tank caused a minor traffic jam at Percy bendi Wewa.
8.01am one White – spotted Chevrotain (Mouse Deer) crossed the road between Percy bendi Wewa and “Nuga Gala” on the road to Makalanmaduwa.
8.05am another White – spotted Chevrotain (Mouse Deer) darted across the road between Nuga Gala and “Maha Galthalawa” on the Makalanmaduwa road.
8.17am a Spotted Deer between Maha Galthalawa and Thel Beep Wewa junction.
8.30am 2 Spotted Deer between Maha Galthalawa and Thel Beep Wewa junction.
9.09am 4 White-necked Stork at Them Beepu Wewa.
9.20am 2 Ruddy Mongoose and a troop of Grey Langur between Thel Beepu Wewa and Makalanmaduwa.
9.31am a Star Tortoise between Maradanmaduwa junction and Makalanmaduwa.
9.32am a Ruddy Mongoose between Maradanmaduwa junction and Makalanmaduwa.
9.35am the purple flowers of “Katu Karandu”  Baleria mysorensis and “Heen-madu” Merremia tridentate  in bloom close to Makalanmaduwa.

12.01pm one Ruddy Mongoose between Nuge Gala and Percy Bendi Wewa.
12.06pm a troop of Toque Monkey between Nuge Gala and Percy Bendi Wewa.
12.19pm an adult male Wild Buffalo at Thamanna Wala.
12.28am 8 Spotted Deer between Thamanna Wala and Maha Wewa.
12.32pm 1 Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
12.36pm a sounder of 15 Wild Boar at Maha Wewa.
12.37pm 5 Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
12.38pm 2 Ruddy Mongoose at Maha Wewa.
12.39pm 4 Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
12.41pm 4 more Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
12. 44pm 2 Spotted Deer, a Wild Buffalo and a Wild Boar at Maha Wewa.
12.46pm troop of Grey Langur at Maha Wewa.
1.46pm a nest of White-necked Stork with one grown chick was built on the branch of a Kumbuk terminalia arjuna tree growing below the Maha Wewa Bund. The adult flew off the nest upon our approach and perched on a close by dead tree. Two Lesser Adjutant Storks circling above Maha Wewa.

1.47pm a White – spotted Chevrotain rand across the road between Maradanmaduwa and Maha Wewa.
1.52pm a Brown Fish Owl perched over looking the second water hole from Maha Wewa towards Maradanmaduwa.
2.02pm 8 Spotted Deer between Maha Wewa and Maradanmaduwa.
2.08pm a Flapshell Turtle in water hole close to Maradanmaduwa.
2.12pm 5 Spotted Deer at Maradammaduwa.
2.50pm a Ruddy Mongoose between Ibba Wala and Boralu Wala.
3.00pm 22 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila.
3.03pm 1 Spotted Deer between Kumbuk Wila and Kokkare Villu.
3.19pm one Leopard at Kokkare Villu. It was sleeping under a bush and was hardy visible. No photography was possible.
 4.05pm 1 Spotted Deer at Viranda Wala.
4.14pm a Ruddy Mongoose between Borupan Wila and Borupan junction.
4.50pm one Leopard at Madangaha Wala. N 08.41524, E 079.99699
We spotted the Leopard lying on the ground in the glade beyond the water hole. Spotted Deer had already started too give out alarm calls announcing the presence of the Leopard. Later upon examining its spot pattern I identified it as the Nelum Wila Female 3 (NWFC 3), which I have observed from the time, it’s was a cub. As we had to reach the park entrance by 6.00pm we left.

5.35pm an adult male Wild Buffalo between Maradanmaduwa and Palu Kola Wala.
5.37pm a herd of 10 Wild Buffalo immersed in the water at Palu Kola Wala.
5.42pm 2 Spotted Deer at Divul Pitiya.
6.14pm a herd of 27 Spotted Deer opposite the filed of the park warden’s bungalow at the park entrance.
Mammals  - Leopard 2, Wild Buffalo 13, Spotted Deer 91, Wild Boar 16, White – spotted Chevrotain 3, Golden Jackal 1, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Black-naped Hare, Ruddy Mongoose 5, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Flapshell Turtle 1, Star Tortoise 1

3rd February 2019
6.25am entered the park with guide Tissa Ratnayake.
6.42am 2 Spotted Deer between Thammanna Wala and Divul Pitiya.
6.44am a herd of 9 Wild Buffalo at “Eda Kohomba Gaha Pitiya”.
6.55am one adult male Wild Buffalo at Maradanmaduwa.
7.19am 8 Spotted Deer at Borupan Pitiya.
7.24am one Indian Brown Mongoose at Borupan Pitiya. This species is rarely seen at Wilpattu.
7.34am one Ruddy Mongoose at Borupan Wila.
7.39am a Wild Buffalo at Kumbuk Wila pitiya.
7.40am 22 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila.
8.09am 2 Golden Jackal between Kokkare Villu and Kuruttupandi junction.
8.11am 8 Spotted Deer at Kuruttupandi Villu.
8.45pm 3 Spotted Deer and a sounder of 8 Wild Boar at Kumutu Villu.
9.23pm one Ruddy Mongoose at Eriyakkulampooval.
9.27am 12 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa.
9.57am 2 Golden Jackal at Kokkare villu.
10.12am photographed a very active Layard’s Flycatcher between Aalam Villu and Erenapala Motte.

10.39am an adult male Wild Boar and a Spotted Deer stag at Erenapala Motte.
11.09am 5 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila pitiya.
11.13am 2 more Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila pitiya.
11.19am 6 Spotted Deer at Madangala Wala.
11.22am a Barking Deer on Kumbuk Wila upper road.
1.15pm a troop of Grey Langur making frantic alarm calls at Maradanmaduwa. We were not able to spot the Leopard that the monkeys had seen. A small herd of 7 Spotted Deer also looked intently in the direction of the Monkeys but did not give out any alarm calls.
2.00pm a mixed troop of Toque Monkey and Grey Langur at Thambioluwa.

2.07pm 2 Ruddy Mongoose between Humbas Wala and Boralu Wala.
3.15pm a Mugger Crocodile at Thelambugas Wala.
3.29pm a small bush of Trefoil Rattlepod Crotalaria medicaginea, which is an uncommon species, was in bloom at Mana Wila sand patch.

3.32pm one adult male Wild Boar at the sand patch between Manikkapolauttu and Downhall Pitiya.
3.43pm 11 Spotted Deer 11 Spotted Deer at Kanjuran Villu.
4.04pm one Elephant at Manikkapolauttu.
5.55pm left the park.
Mammals  - Elephant 1, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Wild Buffalo 11, Sambhur, Spotted Deer 91, Wild Boar 10, Barking Deer 1, White – spotted Chevrotain, Golden Jackal 4, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Brown Mongoose 1, Ruddy Mongoose 4, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 1, Flapshell Turtle, Parker’s Black Turtles, Star Tortoise

4th February 2019
6.28am entered the park with guide Tissa Ratnayake.
6.37am 7 Spotted Deer between Percy Bendi Wewa and Paaluwilandawa junction.
6.44am one male Wild Buffalo at Thammanna Wala.

6.47am 2 Spotted Deer between Thamnamnna Wala and Maha Wewa.
6.53am one Wild Buffalo at the Kukulkatuwa road junction.
6.54am a Barking Deer between Thamnamnna Wala and Maha Wewa.
6.57am 3 more Wild Buffalo on the road to Maha Wewa.
6.59am 9 Spotted Deer and 2 Buffalo at Maha Wewa.
7.03am 56 Spotted Deer, one Wild Boar and one more Wild buffalo at Maha Wewa.
7.07am a herd of 38 Wild Buffalo with many calves at Maha Wewa.
7.08am one more Spotted Deer antler at Maha Wewa.
7.10am 42 Spotted Deer at Maha Wewa.
7.25am pair of Purple Coot at Maha Wewa. Even though this is a common species in the country in the country in Wilpattu it is seldom found in other water bodies.

7.29am a Crested Goshawk had caught an immature White-spotted Chevrotain. The avian predator flew on to a tree upon our arrival. I immediately revered my vehicle to ensure that the bird is not disturbed. In a few minutes the bird flew down to claim its prey again but much to our surprise the Chevrotain sprang in to action and darted in to the under growth with the bird pursuing it unsuccessfully. I was quite displeased that my arrival resulted in an unnecessary interference for the bird but was happy that the small herbivore escaped death. I was only able to capture images of the Chevrotain and drove off thinking of what exceptional images I would have captured had the bird succeeded in containing its prey.

7.44am one Leopard on the Maha Wewa Maradanmaduwa road. It was a young animal and moved in to the forest before I was able to get any images.
8.14am 2 Spotted Deer between Maha Wewa and “Ethpatiya Gala”.
8.18am a Barking Deer between Maha Wewa and “Ethpatiya Gala”.
8.29am a Star Tortoise on the road between Maha Wewa and “Ethpatiya Gala”.
8.53am a short walk through the jungle brought us to “Eth Patiyagala”. This is my first visit to this location. It is a large rocky outcrop with a small rock pool (“kema”), which was filled with water.

9.59am a slight drizzle that started few minutes ago had developed in to a heavy shower. A Star Tortoise was drinking water from a small puddle on the road. I stopped the vehicle to ensure that it is not disturbed. In a few minutes the coloureful reptile moved slowly in to the forest.
11.08am 11 Spotted Deer at Kuruttupandi Villu.
11.18am 12 Spotted Deer at Kumutu Villu.
11.25am 9 Spotted Deer and one Wild Boar at Kanjuran Villu.
11.35am 2 Golden Jackal and 2 Spotted Deer at Kaali Villu.
11.40am 2 Spotted Deer and an Indian Peacock was drying its feathers at Kaali Villu.

12.00noon 24 Spotted Deer at Mana Wila.
12. 20pm 5 Spotted Deer at Manik Wila sand patch.
12.29pm 4 Spotted Deer at Kudapatessa.
1.01pm 23 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa.
1.15pm 29 Spotted Deer at Kumbuk Wila.
1.19pm 4 Spotted Deer at Thimbiri Wila.
1.20pm a male Indian Peafowl feeding among “Kok Mota” offered me a nice photo opportunity.

1.22pm sounder of 6 Wild Boar at Borupan Wila.
1.46pm 24 Spotted Deer at Borupan Pitiya.

2.08pm 2 Wild Buffalo at Kokkare Villu.
2.10pm 15 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu.
2.12pm 24 more Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu.
2.18pm one Elephant across the water at Kokkare Villu.
2.23pm a Flapshell Turtle on Kumbuk Wila upper road.
2.38pm another Flapshell Turtle on Mudu Muwa Wala road. The sudden heavy shower pushes these reptiles to instinctively move in search of new water holes.
3.03pm 5 Spotted Deer between Thambioluwa and Maradanmaduwa.
3.41pm 8 Spotted Deer at Ranawara Pitiya.
4.10pm left the park.
Mammals  - Elephant 1, Leopard 1, Sloth Bear, Wild Buffalo 48, Sambhur, Spotted Deer 324, Wild Boar 8, Barking Deer 1, White – spotted Chevrotain 1, Golden Jackal 2, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Purple-faced Leaf Monkey, Black-naped Hare, Indian Grey Mongoose, Ruddy Mongoose, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile, Flapshell Turtle 2, Parker’s Black Turtles, Star Tortoise 2
Birds, Butterflies & Flora observed during the filed trip
Birds – Lesser Adjutant, Painted Storks, White-necked Stork, Layard’s Flycatcher, Red-winged Crested Cuckoo & Brown Fish Owl
Butterflies – Blue Mormon, Common Mormon, Blue Wanderer, Crimson Rose &  Quaker.
Wild Orchids – Vanda spathulata
Fruiting trees - Thimbiri
Wild Flowers - Heen-madu Merremia tridentate, Dam Katu Karandu Baleria mysorensis, Bu Nelu Stenosiphonium cordifolium, Puruk (Chinese Violet) Asystasia gangetica, Pethan (Yellow Bell Bauhinia) Bauhinia tomentosa, Ira wara (Indian Cadaba) Cadaba trifoliate, Mudu Avara (Sword Bean) Canavalia virosa, Dutu Sathutu (Swamp Foxglove) Centranthera indica, Bim Siyambala Chamaecrista kleinii, Heen Tolabo (Ker Gawl) Crinum defixum, Yak-beriya (Bird Flower) Crotalaria laburnifolia, Andanahiriya (Rattlepod) Crotalaria medicaginea, Andanahiriya (Smooth Rattlepod) Crotalaria pallida,  Kaha Andanahiriya (Wedge-leafed Rattlepod) Crotalaria retusa,  Nil Andanahiriya (Blue Rattlepod) Crotalaria verrucosa, Heen Bim Savan(Small Horsefly’s Eye ) Dopatrium nudicaule, Kapukinissa (Maple-leaved Mallow) Hibiscus eriocarpus , Lanka Bovitiya (Ceylon Osbeckia)  Osbeckia zeylanica, Ela Nithol (Ceylon Leadwort) Plumbago zeylanica.

6.20am entered the park from the Eluwankulama entrance with Dr. Srinath, Vasanta, John and Anne accompanied by guide D.M. Wasantha
6.32am a sounder of 14 Wild Boar at Uththamadaru Bridge.
6.37am 6 more Wild Boar at Pomparippu pitiya.
 6.39am 12 Spotted Deer at Pomparippu pitiya.
6.58am among the hundreds of thousands of purple bushes that had produces millions of purple flowers on either side of the road between spotted one, which had white Flowers between Pallekandal pitiya and Tala Wila. This is the first time that I observed this species with white flowers.

7.18am we emerged from the forest in to Tala Wila to be rewarded by an absolutely tranquil and a breathtaking scene. A scattered herd of 57 Spotted Deer and a sounder of 15 Wild Boar were feeding on the freshly bloomed “Kok Mote” in the mist-laden plains studded with many Peafowl. One Elephant fed on the water plants in the Villu.

7.50am a troop of Purple-faced Leaf Monkey at Panikkar Villu bungalow. This is my first sighting of this species in this area.
8.39am 2 Sambhur on Kumbuk Wila upper road.
8.41am one Leopard at Wilanda Wala.  N 08.42494, E 080.02918
It was on a tree about 20 feet beyond the water hole. I managed to get a few images but had to leave within a few minutes to give way to the other vehicles that started to arrive. Later having examined the spot pattern I was able to identify the Leopard as Borupan Wila Female 4 (BWFC 4), one of the two female cubs of the third litter of Borupan Wila Female 2 (BWF 2).

9.27am one Wild Buffalo and 8 Wild Boar and 2 Mugger Crocodile at Borupan Wila.
10.27am we arrived at Wilanda Wala again to check on the Leopard. Within seconds of our arrival the Leopard stood up on the branch and climbed down the tree permitting me to get a few good images.

> 11.25am a herd of 11 Wild Buffalo at between Maradanmaduwa and Galwanguwa.
11.27am 7 Spotted Deer at Galwanguwa.
12.24pm 3 Spotted Deer between Galwanguwa and Palukola Wala.
2.56pm 7 Spotted Deer on Kumbuk Wila upper road.
4.13pm 2 Ruddy Mongoose on Kumbuk Wila upper road.
4.34pm 5 Spotted Deer at Manik Wila.
4.55pm a Flapshell Turtle at Kuruttupandi Villu.
5.28pm a Barking Deer ran across the road between Tala Wila and Pill Motte.
6.02pm left the park
Mammals  - Elephant 1, Leopard 1, Wild Buffalo 12, Sambhur 2, Spotted Deer 91, Wild Boar 43, Barking Deer 1,Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Purple-faced Leaf Monkey, Ruddy Mongoose 2, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 2, Flapshell Turtle 1

27th January 2019
6.15am entered the park from the Eluwankulama entrance with Dr. Srinath, Vasanta, John and Anne accompanied by guide D.M. Wasantha.
7.13am 61 Spotted Deer and a sounder of 19 Wild Boar at Tala Wila.
7.22am 2 Spotted Deer at Kombansanchaipooval.
7.30am 14 Spotted Deer at Panikkar Villu.
8.00am 8 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila.
8.02am one Leopard at Nelum Wila  N 08.40405, E 079.98243.
The Leopard was walking towards our direction with two vehicles following her. Unfortunately for us she moved in to the forest upon our arrival. I managed to get a few images of her left flank enabling me to identify her as the Nelum Wila Female 3 (NWFC 3).

9.06am 2 Spotted Deer and a Mugger Crocodile at Kuruttupandi Villu.
9.26am one Sambhur between Mahapatessa and Thimbiri Wila.
9.57am 12 Spotted Deer at Thimbiri Wila.
10.00am 5 Spotted Deer at Borupan Wila.
10.10am 2 Mugger Crocodile at Borupan pitiya Wala.
10.36am a male Peafowl performed its “pre mating Dance” to attract a nearby Peahen at Kokkare Villu.

10.45am 15 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu.
11.55am Left the park.

Mammals  - Elephant 1, Leopard 1,Wild Buffalo, Sambhur 1, Spotted Deer 111, Wild Boar 19, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Purple-faced Leaf Monkey, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 3
Birds, Butterflies & Flora observed during the filed trip
Birds – Lesser Adjutant, Painted Storks, White-necked Stork, Drongo Cuckoo, Chestnut-headed Bee Eater.
Butterflies – Blue Mormon, Blue Wanderer, Crimson Rose, Lesser Albatross.
Wild Flowers - Wild Flowers – Bu Nelu Stenosiphonium cordifolium (including Thimbiri Wila, Kokkare Villu, Mahapatessa, Kudapatessa, Ilanda Motte, Manikkapola uttu, Kaali Villu, Mara Wila, Palukola Wala, Pill Motte etc., Puruk (Chinese Violet) Asystasia gangetica, Pethan (Yellow Bell Bauhinia) Bauhinia tomentosa, Ira wara (Indian Cadaba) Cadaba trifoliate, Mudu Avara (Sword Bean) Canavalia virosa, Dutu Sathutu (Swamp Foxglove) Centranthera indica, Bim Siyambala Chamaecrista kleinii,  Yak-beriya (Bird Flower) Crotalaria laburnifolia,  Andanahiriya (Rattlepod) Crotalaria medicaginea,   Andanahiriya (Smooth Rattlepod) Crotalaria pallida,  Kaha Andanahiriya (Wedge-leafed Rattlepod) Crotalaria retusa,  Nil Andanahiriya (Blue Rattlepod) Crotalaria verrucosa, Heen Bim Savan(Small Horsefly’s Eye ) Dopatrium nudicaule, Kapukinissa (Maple-leaved Mallow) Hibiscus eriocarpus , Lanka Bovitiya (Ceylon Osbeckia)  Osbeckia zeylanica, Ela Nithol (Ceylon Leadwort) Plumbago zeylanica,

6.04am entered the park with Guide Tissa Ratnayake.
6.38am a Golden Jackal was trotting in our direction on the road and moved in to the forest about 50 meters ahead of our parked vehicle.
6.52am the Wild Buffalo herd at Maradanmaduwa has lost two of their newborn calves. On the 15th of December last year I counted 13 but now they are reduced to 11. My guide Tissa told me that the calves were killed by Leopard’s.
6.54am 24 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa “Kukul Katu” filed.
6.57am a Sloth Bear walked on the road and moved in to the forest between Maradanmaduwa and Thambioluwa.
7.04am 2 Spotted Deer between Ibba Wala and Humbas Wala.
7.05am one adult Sambhur between Ibba Wala and Humbas Wala.
 7.15am another Sambhur crossed the road between Borupan junction and Kumbuk Wila sand patch.
7.27am 1 Spotted Deer stag on Kumbuk Wila upper road.
7.34am one Wild Boar at Nelum Wila.
7.45am 6 Spotted Deer at Aalam Villu.
8.39am wild flower species Bu Nelu Stenosiphonium cordifolium in bloom at many locations from Thamanna Wala to Mara Wila.

8.55am a Mugger Crocodile and 3 Spotted Deer at Mahapatessa.
9.16am 5 Spotted Deer at Thimbiri Wila.
9.23am a Mugger Crocodile at Borupan pitiya wala.
9.25am 24 Spotted Deer at Borupan pitiya.
9.36am 15 Spotted Deer and one Elephant at Kumbuk Wila pitiya.
9.39ama Barking Deer between Kumbuk Wila and Kokkare Villu.
9.40am 3 Spotted Deer between Kumbuk Wila and Kokkare Villu.
9.51am a Star Tortoise at Kokkare Villu.
9.56am a Mugger Crocodile at Kokkare Villu.
10.37am two Ruddy Mongoose between Tala Wila and Pill Motte.
10.59am 40 Spotted Deer at Tala Wila.
11.54am 4 Spotted Deer between Panikkar villu and Nelum Wila.
11.58am a sounder of 14 Wild Boar at Nelum Wila.
12.36pm one Wild Buffalo at Thambioluwa.

12.58pm 1 Fishing Cat cub that has been rescued from Nikaveratiya has been handed over to the bungalow keeper at Maradanmaduwa.

1.31pm 2 Spotted Deer between Ibba Wala and Humbas Wala.
2.39pm 7 Spotted Deer at Mana Wila.
3.00pm a Start Tortoise on the road between Mana Wila and Kuveni Palace.
3.09pm 3 Spotted Deer at Kuveni Palace.
3.50pm a Ruddy Mongoose and 12 Spotted Deer at Kanjuran Villu.
3.57pm one Spotted Deer at Kumutu Villu.
5.33pm one Wild Buffalo between Maradanmaduwa and Palukola Wala.
6.00pm left the park.
Other species observed during the day
Mammals  - Elephant 1,Sloth Bear 1, Wild Buffalo 13, Sambhur 2, Spotted Deer 150, Wild Boar 15, Barking Deer 1, Golden Jackal 1, Fishing Cat 1, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Mouse Deer, Ruddy Mongoose 3, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 3,Parker’s Black Turtles 1, Star Tortoise 2

13th January 2019
8.25am entered the park with Mr. Nanda Senanayake and guide Tissa Ratnayake.
27 Spotted Deer at the park entrance.
8.32am 8 Spotted deer between park entrance and Ranawara pitiya.
8.34am 3 more Spotted Deer at Ranawara pitiya.
8.36am one Barking Deer at Percy bendi Wewa.
8.45am 4 Spotted Deer at Kalagedi Bokkuwa.
9.00am 12 Spotted Deer at Maradanmaduwa.
9.05am a troop of grey Langur at Thambioluwa.
11.00am one Wild Buffalo between Borupan junction and Kubuk Wila sand patch.
11.10am 1 Spotted Deer at Kokkare Villu.
11.16am one Elephant a Kokkare villu.

11.44am one Wild Buffalo at Mana Wila sand patch.
11.53pm 3 Spotted Deer antler’s at Cheena Uttu.
12.13pm 12 Spotted Deer at Mana Wila.
12.16pm one Barking Deer between Mana Wila and Kuveni Palace.
1.22pm 6 Spotted Deer at Kanjuran Villu.
1.28pm 5 Spotted Deer at Kumutu Villu.
1.49pm a sounder of 15 Wild Boar at Nelum Wila.
1.50pm 13 Spotted Deer at Nelum Wila.
1.59pm a Barking Deer at Kumbuk Wila upper road.
2.30pm left the park.

Other species observed during the day
Mammals  - Elephant 1, Wild Buffalo 2, Spotted Deer 94, Wild Boar 15, Barking Deer 3, Toque Monkey, Grey Langer, Giant Squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel.
Reptiles – Mugger Crocodile 1, Parker’s Black Turtles 1

Birds, Butterflies & Flora observed during the filed trip
Birds – Painted Storks, White-necked Stork, Yellow Wagtail (M. flava thunbergi),
Butterflies – Blue Mormon, Blue Wanderer, Crimson Rose
Wild Orchids –
Fruiting trees -
Wild Flowers – Bu Nelu Stenosiphonium cordifolium (including Thimbiri Wila, Kokkare Villu, Mahapatessa, Kudapatessa, Ilanda Motte, Manikkapola uttu, Kaali Villu, Mara Wila, Palukola Wala etc., Puruk (Chinese Violet) Asystasia gangetica, Yakiranag (Ceylon Atalantia) Atalantia ceylanica, Pethan (Yellow Bell Bauhinia) Bauhinia tomentosa, Ira wara (Indian Cadaba) Cadaba trifoliate, Mudu Avara (Sword Bean) Canavalia virosa, Dutu Sathutu (Swamp Foxglove) Centranthera indica, Bim Siyambala Chamaecrista kleinii, Heen Tolabo (Ker Gawl) Crinum defixum,  Yak-beriya (Bird Flower) Crotalaria laburnifolia,  Andanahiriya (Rattlepod) Crotalaria medicaginea,   Andanahiriya (Smooth Rattlepod) Crotalaria pallida,  Kaha Andanahiriya (Wedge-leafed Rattlepod) Crotalaria retusa,  Nil Andanahiriya (Blue Rattlepod) Crotalaria verrucosa, Heen Bim Savan(Small Horsefly’s Eye ) Dopatrium nudicaule, Kapukinissa (Maple-leaved Mallow) Hibiscus eriocarpus , Lanka Bovitiya (Ceylon Osbeckia)  Osbeckia zeylanica, Ela Nithol (Ceylon Leadwort) Plumbago zeylanica, Wal Thibbatu (Wild Nightshade) Solanum sp. (Solanaceae)