LOST IN A BIRD PARADISE

LOST IN A BIRD PARADISE

Kokduwa island Sri Lanka

In Pakrama Samudra, Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka

Travel from Colombo to Polonnaruwa (216 km) is a fairly direct route towards the north-east of the island. It takes about 5 to 6 hours of driving with brief breaks.  Polonnaruwa is on Highway A11 (to Batticaloa) that forks off A6 (road to Trincomalee) at Habarana.

Entering Polonnaruwa town on A11, pass over the bridge over the irrigation channel, proceed another 200 m and make a U-turn at the round-about, return 200 m and make a left just before the bridge and proceed 150 m up a small rise to the crest of the bund (dam).  Turn left onto Bund Road;  Lake Parakrama will be on the right (west) of the bund.  Proceed southward on the Bund road for about 2 km, passing three hotels (the Sudu Araliya, Village and Seruwa), until after another 1 km  you come to the junction marked by a water tower.  Turn right at the sign board “Primate Center Lodge” after 50 m make a left and follow a winding path through the thick forest to the camp.  At Polonnaruwa the destination known as the “monkey camp”.

The stay at the 'monkey camp' is a unique and very special experience. The camp has accommodation from which you can visit Polonnaruwa and surrounding area; more than this though is the opportunity to join educational tours learning about the monkeys and having the opportunity to join the research team early in the morning inside Polonnaruwa complex to observe the monkeys.

 The primate centre is a research and conservation station (Smithsonian Primate Research Station). It is a fascinating opportunity to learn about this 30+ year study into monkey social and demographic life. No need to be a scientist! Monkey life is fascinating. The camp is beside the lake where you can swim. 

They also offer opportunities for students and volunteers for longer training stays as well. The food is also delicious - home cooked with care. One room sleeps 3-4 in the Hanuman Bungalow, 2each in Loris and people in 4rooms in the Main Building..

An excursion to Kokduwa will give you the opportunity to interact with the local community and learn about how they live and co-exist with the flora and fauna. Nearly 150 species of birds can be seen at the site, including migrants from the Himalayas.

  The naturalists are expert in locating and identifying the birds in and around Polonnaruwa. A nesting colony of water-birds is within a 20 minute canoe paddle from the monkey camp research station.  You wake up to bird sounds and to macaque calls. Water birds would skim past you when you paddle the canoes in the water. It's fantastic holiday spot.

An experienced naturalist who helps you spot birds and other inhabitants while giving you an in-depth description of the park and its history. By visiting as many habitats, altitudinal zones, and local lesser known hideouts and accommodating different levels of birding interests is geared to ensuring a satisfied and unique experience. Birding enthusiasts will love exploring the island of “Kokduwa” where you will be able to observe and spot various, exotic species of birds.













Birds you can see

The little grebe	Spot billed pelican	Indian cormorant
The oriental darter	Little egret	The great egret
The intermediate egret	The grey heron	The purple heron
The striated heron	The black-crowned night heron	Yellow bittern
The painted stork	The Asian openbill	The black-headed ibis
Eurasian spoonbill	Lesser whistling duck	Black kite
The black-headed ibis	White bellied sea eagle	Common moorhen
Little ring plover	Kentish plover	Lesser sand plover
Greater sand plover	Caspian plover	Red wattled lapwin
Terek sandpiper	Indian stone curlew	Long tailed skua

Prakrama Samudra is a construction built in Polonnaruwa by King Parakramabahu the first who ruled there from 1153 AD to 1153 AD. The Sea of Parakrama or Parakrama Samudra originally consisted of five large reservoirs which relieved the pressure on the main dam. The first reservoir Thopa Vewa already existed in King Parakramabahu’s time having been built in 386 AD. The king had the other large reservoirs included and the entire system expanded. In addition, many smaller reservoirs were built around the primary reservoirs to feed them water and to take away any excess water.

Parakrama Samudra:The Main Reservoirs of the Original Parakrama Samudra

1. Thopa Vewa
2. Eramudu Vewa (Katu Vewa)
3. Dumbuthula Vewa
4. Kalahagala Vewa
5. Bhu Vewa