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Message: <blockquote data-quote="jforgham" data-source="post: 3122422" data-attributes="member: 10769">Hi There,Firstly, I would strongly recommend buying Birds of Sri Lanka, published by Helm, and co authoured by Warakagoda, Inskipp and Grimmett. Around the city itself you'll see plenty of new birds as it's your first visit. cotton teal on lakes, kite species overhead, white throated kingfishers on the wires, mynas everywhere and any park area will hold more species such as tailorbird, sun birds etc.A good place, just 7 miles south of the city is Bellanwila marsh where you'll get a good selection of storks, bitterns, munias and pelicans. A little further, 13 miles to the south West are Talangama Tanks where waders, duck and prinias will be seen in the wetland and paddyfield habitats.Both of these are easily and cheaply accessible by Tuk Tuk from anywhere in the city.However, further a field, some 35 miles, so an hour away is Mitirigala Forest Reserve. Again tuk tuk or taxi but they'll both take about the same amount of time and tuk tuk is more fun. Negotiate your price before you set off!!Mitirigala FR is near the town of Avissawella and is basically a relatively new rain forest habitat. bulbuls, woodpeckers, eagles, parrots and babblers will all be here. If I was only going to make one trip I would go for Mitirigala, but then, I would endeavour to fit all three in. The first 2 could easily be done in a single day.Returning to SL in January, visiting Kergalle, Galle and Negombo to add more birds photos to my collection from this fantastic place. Good luck.Cheers,Jono</blockquote>

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