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A Bird watcher, environmentalist and keen naturalist will find Sri Lanka a paradise for more reasons than one and this is attributable to the varied nature of climate and habitat found in the island. From lush green hill country areas to the wetlands to the dry zone sanctuaries, Sri Lanka is home to over 400 species of birds, 26 of which are endemic.
The city of Dambulla is a large one strategically located around 72Km from Kandy and 148Km from Colombo. Belonging to the Matale District, Dambulla is the beginning of the dry zone. The diverse terrain and habitat variety has caused the city to be home to over 145 species of birds which amounts to practically one third of the bird population on the island.
The Rose Quartz Mountain range, the Iron wood Forest and the Kandalama Tank area are the most popular areas for bird watching. The birds found in this region fall into the Terrestrial, Aquatic and Arboreal types. The Sri Lanka Grey Horn Bill, Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Brown Capped Babbler and Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl are four of the 26 endemic birds found in Dambulla.
Armed with your camera, binoculars, bird book and preferably a guide, no traveler embarking on a bird watching tour in Dambulla will ever be disappointed as the birds are plentiful and easily spotted – as long as you have patience of course.
The white –bellied Sea Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Intermediate and Little Egrets, Grey Heron and Eurasian Open bill are some of the other species of birds commonly found in the area. Accompaniment by a guide is always wise as the forests in and around the area are not only home to birds but also wild animals.
If you are keen on a bird watching expedition in the area and are looking for suitable Sri Lanka Hotels then an architecturally and environmentally acclaimed Sri Lanka Hotel such as the Geoffrey Bawa designed Heritance Kandalama would be the ideal destination for you. Situated at the foot of Dikkandahena and Ereulagala the Kandalama Tank, the hotel and its surrounding forests offer some of the best sights for bird watching in the area.
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