Nature at Wilpattu Safari Camp

Mikal
Feb 15, 2023
3 min read

Starting from when I was six years old – I am ten now - I have been to Wilpattu Safari Camp lots of times. I love the wildlife in the park, but the camp is also a fantastic place to observe nature and take pictures. It is home to many birds and other animals. In fact, I always tell my mum and dad that I need to skip the Park safari at least one day so I can walk around the Camp and take pictures.

I have gone to online school here. I have had a birthday party here. I have spent time with my mum and dad and my friends here. It is a very nice place to relax, play, eat and watch nature. When I was with my friends for my birthday party, we had a great time playing and exploring all around the Camp. It is a perfect place for kids to see nature and to think about conservation.

I know I will be back again soon! I hope you enjoy the pictures. I took them all in and just around the Camp.

Sri Lankan Peacock striking a pose

Sri Lankan Peacock & Peahen on the dining room roof

Sri Lankan Jungle Fowl (endemic) - our national bird

Sri Lankan Jungle Fowl juveniles (male & female). There are lots of Jungle Fowl in the Camp, showing that breeding is happening here.

Indian Black Robin (male)

Indian Black Robin (female) collecting nest materials

Small Minivet (male) - a splash of color

Pale-billed Flowerpecker

Purple-rumped Sunbird on Uncle Darrel's car mirror!

Orange-breasted Green-pigeon (female) on a tree at the entrance to the Camp

Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker (uncommon resident).The Camp has many Woodpeckers. I've seen three of them more than once.

Black-rumped Flameback (uncommon resident)

White-naped Flameback (scarce resident & vulnerable on the IUCN Red List)

Greater Coucal

This Tailor Bird was building a nest just by the dining room

Brown Shrike (migrant)

Coppersmith Barbet. This pretty little bird is often seen around the Camp.

Oriental White-eye

Blue-tailed Bee-eater (migrant)

Little Green Bee-eater

A Stork-billed Kingfisher (uncommon resident) having lunch just outside the camp

A misty shot of the Malabar Pied Hornbill. There are two in this picture. Can you spot them both?

A Baya Weavers' nest just outside the Camp. Baya Weavers can tie knots and build complicated, beautiful nests.

Green Imperial-pigeon

Black-hooded Oriole & White-bellied Drongo facing off!

A Grey-headed Fish-eagle by the bund next to the Camp

Crested Serpent-eagle eating a snake by the paddy field next to the Camp

The bird bath in the Camp attracts lots of birds. Here is a flock of White-rumped Munia having a bath on a hot afternoon, later joined by a Spotted Dove.

Tricolored Munia at the entrance to the Camp

Asian Paradise Flycatcher- a very beautiful sight

These Dark-fronted Babblers hang out in shady, dark areas. I was very lucky to see many of them in the Camp.

Tawny-bellied Babbler (uncommon resident)

The gorgeous Indian Pita visits the Camp during the migratory season. I've tried so many times to spot it and finally got the shot!

Sri Lanka Woodshrike (endemic)

The Blue-faced Malkoha (uncommon resident) is a difficult bird to photograph because it doesn't stay around for very long. Spotting and photographing this bird was a dream come true!