Watching Seabirds on the West Coast of Sri Lanka: 2

Sea Watching
Land-based seawatching can be carried out from practically anywhere on the western coast. Especially favourable locations are Talawila, Chilaw, Negombo, Colombo (and its coastal suburbs), Beruwela, Bentota, Ambalangoda, Hikkaduwa and Galle. The western coast is primarily of low elevation, few places having altitudes in excess of 50 m. The low coastal regions are suitable for studying the seabird migrations as the birds usually are low-flyers, hence a telescope at sea level will show more of the movement than would observing from a higher site.

The more adventurous seabird enthusiast will prefer to conduct observations from a boat out at sea. Regrettably, there are at present no organisations offering facilities catering specifically to the seawatcher (improvements may be on the way here). The seabird watcher may be compelled therefore to make use of local fishing craft. Outrigger canoes ('Oru') can be used for working close to shore, but are uncomfortable and offer little protection from the elements. The larger mechanised fishing vessels are somewhat better although, even here, facilities can be rather spartan. All but the largest boats do not normally carry radio or safety equipment, however they usually operate within sight of each other for safety. (It is advisable to avoid 'Theppams', these are streamlined log-rafts unsuited to birding). As the best seabird watching is during the south-west monsoon when rough seas, strong winds and rain are frequently present, the observer who is prepared to tolerate a degree of discomfort would, in all probability, be rewarded with some excellent birdwatching. (It is advisable to carry a rucksack containing food, drink, hat, light-weight waterproof jacked, sea-sickness pills, flashlight and, for those who are not strong swimmers, an inflatable life jacket). During the calm season (north-east monsoon, i.e. late November-April) it may be possible to hire a dive boat used by SCUBA divers or a sport-fishing charter boat; these are operated by several organisations at the main tourist centres such as Bentota, Hikkaduwa, etc but are inclined to be rather expensive.

Many landbirds may be seen out at sea; frequently seen species include Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Merops philippinus, Brahminy Kite, Haliastur indus, and Common Swallow, Hirundo rustica, Migrating shorebirds such as Curlew Sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea, Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus, Ruddy Turnstone, Arenaria interpres, and others too numerous to list may also be seen. An added bonus to the fortunate seawatcher could be sightings of dolphins, manta rays, cruising sharks and even a humpback or sperm whale!

References

Phillips, W. W. A. (1980) The Avifauna of Sri Lanka. Spolia Zeylanica 35: 155-185.
Kotagama, S. W. (in the press) An Annotated Species List of the Birds of Sri Lanka 1981-1994.
De Silva, R. I. (1991) Status and Conservation of the Breeding Seabirds of Sri Lanka in J. P. Croxall (ed.) Seabird Status and Conservation: a Supplement. ICBP. Technical Publication No. 11: 205-211
De Silva, R. I. (in the press) Mass-migration of Bridled Terns off the Western Coast of Sri Lanka 1981-1994.
De Silva, R. I. (1986) Observations on the annual mass migration of Bridled Terns Sterna anaethetus off the coast of Colombo. Ibis 129: 88-92.
De Silva, R. I. & Perera, L. (1994) Shearwater Migration off the Coast of Sri Lanka. Loris 20: 97-100.
De Silva, R. I. (1990) The Seabirds of Sri Lanka: an annotated checklist. Ceylon Journal of Science (Biol. Sci.) 21: 28-33.
Warakagoda, D. (1994) Annotated Checklist of the Seabirds of Sri Lanka (revised and updated). Ceylon Bird Club Notes 1994 (April): 39-54.

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