Kithulgala Resthouse – Easy Birding

Sometimes you have to work hard to see the best birds.  Other times you can just sit back, relax and let them come to you.  Kithulgala Resthouse is like this.  You can sit in the garden, on your own patio or on the balcony at the restaurant.  Since we were pretty tired that first day, we enjoyed a relaxing day just birding the grounds and even got several Sri Lankan endemics, including the beautiful Layard’s Parakeet – albeit from a distance.

The White-throated Kingfisher was easily spotted with his bright blue back and kept us entertained as he caught insects for dinner and fished in the river.  I don’t know if this is the same one or not but we never saw two together.

IMG_3183 IMG_3184a IMG_3188a IMG_3191 IMG_3208 IMG_3212a IMG_3238aThere were several Layard’s Parakeets flying over the river.  They never came close enough for a good photo but at least we got to see them!  It’s really hard to spot them amidst the foliage and zooming in only blurred them even more.

IMG_3129 IMG_3130 IMG_3130a IMG_3132 IMG_3146 IMG_3147 IMG_3148 IMG_3148a IMG_3149 IMG_3149a IMG_3150 IMG_3150aAlexandrine Parakeets were distinguishable by their larger size and longer tail even though they didn’t want to come any closer.

IMG_3138 IMG_3139 IMG_3139a IMG_3206aThis Orange Minivet tried to hide from the camera but his bright colours gave him away.

IMG_3115 IMG_3116a IMG_3119aSome Sri Lanka Wood Pigeons were hanging around near the restaurant.

IMG_3104 IMG_3106 IMG_3106a IMG_3121a IMG_3128aThe staff kindly came and got me during lunch when a pair of Sri Lanka Grey Hornbills was spotted in a tree in the front.

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A Little Cormorant showing off.

 

IMG_3170 IMG_3172Cute Red-vented Bulbul

IMG_3216 IMG_3229 IMG_3231 IMG_3232Shy Sri Lanka Drongo………..and one not so shy.

IMG_3111 IMG_3112a IMG_3163Common Mynahs foraging.

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Not sure about these, any help?

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IMG_3145a IMG_3156 IMG_3158 IMG_3162a IMG_3182a IMG_3200 IMG_3204a IMG_3233 IMG_3235Last but not least, a squirrel.

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