Tails from Sri Lanka Part 2

 Tails from Sri Lanka Part 2

Saturday 16th November we left Tissa at 9.00 am and traveled non stop to the north of the island. Our destination was Wilpattu National Park and the hotel Thimbiri Wewa Resort, Pahala, Maragahawewa.

View from the bedroom

Shower almost a swimming pool

The hotel from the road was a concrete block however the rooms and view were lovely, the only disappointment was the restaurant did not have a liquor license. However the waiter arranged for a young lad on a motorbike to go down the road to buy me some beer. Dinner was served as a buffet with an excellent choice and all that I tried was really good especially the stir fried beef.

Sunday 17th, As the hotel was only 20 minutes drive from the park entrance and not as busy as Yala we left at 5.30 am.

Once again we saw many birds but not as many as in Yala.

Fairly early on we heard that a Sloth Bear had been seen, so we parked up and as before in Yala we waited patiently while other jeeps gave up waiting and departed. Eventually the bear was seen through the undergrowth and then came out close to the track.

  

Sloth Bear No. 1

Mid morning after our packed breakfast we came across a queue of jeeps where a sleeping Leopard had been found. After a wait of about 30 minutes we managed to get some views of it through the branches.

Leopard No. 4

Eventually we moved off down the track to an open area where we could turn around, and there in the distance another Leopard was spotted. We watched this one for about half an hour as it wandered around laid down then went for a drink and next wandered off into the bushes.

Leopard No. 5

Returning back the Leopard in the tree was still asleep so we carried on to the rest area where lunch was had

The afternoon was to be as good as the morning as we came across another sleeping Leopard that woke up climbed down and disappeared into the bush.

Leopard No. 6

Another stroke of luck in the afternoon, we came across another Sloth Bear which gave us incredible views as it fed alongside us.

 

Sloth Bear No. 2

Then wandered off down the track into the bush.

Birds and other mammals etc. seen today:-

Barred Buttonquail

Black-necked Storks

Black-necked Hare

Black-necked Hare

Brown Shrike

Chestnut-headed Bee-eater

Chestnut-headed Bee-eater

Common Emerald Dove

Common Emerald Dove

Common Kingfisher

Crested Hawk Eagle

Crested Serpent Eagle

Crested Tree Swifts

Lesser Adjutant

Lesser Adjutant with Frog

Lizard SP.

Red Wattled Lapwing

Spotted Deer Stag

Sri Lanka Junglefowl

Sri Lanka Junglefowls

Sri Lanka Swallow

Woolly-necked Stork

Back at the hotel dinner this evening a bit of a disappointment, there wasn't a buffet but I had to choose off the menu. The beef with noodles was ok but a bit dry. Once again beer was organised from down the road.

Monday 18th, we do it all again in Wilpattu. After yesterdays excellent day I couldn't expect any thing better but I was to be proved wrong.

Similar birds seen as yesterdays, but a better view of the Crested Serpent Eagle.

Crested Serpent Eagle

But also a couple of new birds for the trip.

Asian Paradise Flycatcher

Jungle Crow

Sri Lanka Junglefowl

Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill

White-rumped Sharma

In addition some other creatures.

Asian Elephant

Crocodile

Indian Star Tortoise

Another Indian Star Tortoise

Another Peacock

Toque Macaque

Water Buffalo

Water Buffalo

The purpose of my trip to Sri Lanka was to see Leopard and Sloth Bear and after yesterday today there was no pressure but not long after having been in the park we came across another Sloth Bear

Sloth Bear No 3

After watching him feed and then disappear into the undergrowth we drove to where we saw a Leopard asleep in the tree yesterday morning and he was back in the same tree but while watching news came through of another that had been seen. A 10 minute fast drive and one was spotted in the undergrowth.

low in a tree.

Leopard No.7

After a short while she came out into the open, then back into the undergrowth

We watched through binoculars as she climbed a tree, but an unsuspecting herd of Spotted Deer passed under the tree and an easy kill was made. She then carried the kill into another area of dense undergrowth and returned to the track. As the guides knew what she was about to do we headed back along the track seeing her several times.

Eventually she had made her way to where the young Leopard had been sleeping in the tree that we visited earlier. She made a cry and the youngster came down from the tree.

Leopard cub (male)
The female laid down and fed the male cub

While this was happening another cub appeared (female) 

Leopard cub (female) Leopard No.8

After a bit of bonding the mother led them off to drink

Leopard cubs

She then led them away into the undergrowth to take them back to her kill.

We too were hungry now and left them alone. We went to the rest area for a late lunch. As tomorrow was an early start with a long journey home I asked that we started to make our way back to the hotel.

Luck was once again with me as almost back at the entrance we came across a jeep that had seen another Sloth Bear. We waited for a while and through the undergrowth we saw a female with her two cubs. Unfortunately they didn't venture out into the open but good views were had through binoculars.

Mother and two Sloth Bear cubs somewhere in the undergrowth.

 Back at the hotel I had time for a swim, and then dinner where the same arrangement for a beer was made and this time I asked for a Beef Stirfry like I had off the buffet the first night here and it was really good.

Tuesday 19th, We left the hotel at 5.15 am with a packed breakfast for the 4.5 hour long journey to the airport where I said my farewell to Athula who had to pick up some people and start another tour.

I waited for my flight due at 12.50. which departed on time arriving back at Heathrow just after 7 pm.

Luggage was quickly off loaded and via the underground I checked into the Premier Inn at Terminal 4 around 8pm. Dinner and off to bed.

Wednesday 20th. After having breakfast a journey on the underground, and then the 9.54 train from Victoria to Ore I arrived at midday where Paula collected me.

A great trip, being on my own I was able to do what I wanted, when I wanted. Occasionally a bit lonely but was ok.

Athula was a brilliant guide and knew his stuff re everything to do with Sri Lanka, Jiff had organised the hotels etc. perfectly and have no hesitation in recommending him.

My target was to see a Whale and I did, to see a Leopard close up I saw 8 different ones and 9 sightings, to see a Sloth Bear and I saw 6. Plus I saw birds that I knew.

Would I go back yes.