Bundala National Park

Bundala National Park is an outstanding Important Bird Area: in 1991 Bundala was the first in Sri Lanka to be designated a RAMSAR wetland. Bundala boasts 197 bird species, of which 100 are water fowl and 58 migratory. The avian highlight at Bundala is the greater flamingo, which visits in large flocks, but also seen are Eurasian spoonbill, painted stork, lesser adjutant and lesser whistling duck. It contains two avian endemics: brown-capped babbler and Sri Lanka jungle fowl. Although chiefly a birding site, the 6,200 hectares of lagoon and scrub bush also harbour elephant and crocodile, and turtles come ashore to nest on the beach. Bundala can conveniently be combined with a visit to nearby Yala.