Kumana National Birdlife Park (Yala East) – Ampara, Sri Lanka

The Kumana park, also referred to as Yala East park is found within the Ampara district of south-east of Sri Lanka at a distance of 391 kilometers from Colombo.

Kumana park spreads over a neighborhood of 35,664 hectares. within the west, the park is bordered by River Kumubukkan Oya; to the south is south-eastern coast that runs to Panama. A 200 hectares mangrove swamp called “Kumana Villu” within the Park is subject to occasional inundation with sea water. it’s at this swamp that a lot of water birds nest, during the months of May and June. Scattered within the Kumana park are several water pools that are favorite spots of the wildlife: Kudawila wewa, Thummulla wewa and Kotalinda wewa.

Birdlife

Sri Lanka records quite 430 bird species comprising endemic, resident and migrant birds. Of these, the bird watchers are ready to watch 200 species easily. The big variety of birds found within the numerous wildlife parks of Sri Lanka makes the tropical island a major bird watching destination within the world. The Kumana park is that the most vital and hottest aviary in Sri Lanka. Kumana birdlife supported by Some 20 lagoons and tank is an ornithologist’s paradise. During April–July, tens of thousands of birds migrate to the Kumana swamp area annually nearly 255 species of birds are recorded within the park. Regular sightings of birds include pelicans, painted storks, spoonbills, white ibis, herons, egrets and many little cormorants. The very rare policeman bird has also been spotted at the swamp.

Among the breeding inhabitants of the Kumana villu are the rare species like policeman bird, Lesser Adjutant, Eurasian Spoonbill, and Great Thick-knee are breeding inhabitants of the Kumana villu.

The bird species migrate here in large flocks. Asian Open bill, White-breasted Water hen, Lesser Whistling Glossy Ibis, Purple Heron, Great Egret, Indian Pond Heron, Weathercock, Purple Swamp hen, Duck Black-crowned night raven, Intermediate Egret, Egretta garzetta, Spot-billed Pelican, Indian Cormorant, Little Cormorant, Common Moorhen, and tiny Grebe are the bird species migrate here in large flocks.

Among the rare birds that migrate to the swamp include Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Malabar Trogon, Red-faced Malkoha, and Sirkeer Malkoha. Pacific plover, Greater Sand Plover, Lesser Sand Plover, Grey Plover, Arenaria interpres, Little Ringed Plover, Wood Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Calidris Ferruginea, Little Stint, whole snipe, and Pintail Snipe are the common wading birds at the Park.

Reptiles

Kumana park provides excellent feeding and resting habitats for an outsized number of threatened wetland species, including three turtle species like the Chelonia mydas (Chelonia mydas), loggerhead (Caretta caretta), and therefore the Pacific ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivaceae).

Among other threatened species of reptiles are the globally vulnerable Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris).The most sighted reptiles at Kumana park are Mugger Crocodile, the Indian Flap-shelled Turtle, and therefore the Indian Black Turtle.

Mammals

Apart from being abound with the birdlife, Kumana is additionally home to a number of the mammals found within the adjacent Yala park like Elephants, Leopards, Golden Jackal, Wild Boar, European Otter also because the endangered Fishing Cat.

More :  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumana_National_Park