Face To Face With Greater Flamingos In Mannar Island, Sri Lanka

At March 13, 2014
By Niroshan Mirando
In Conservations, Species Watch, Tips & Ticks, Trip Reports
6

My First flamingo encounter, Mannar 2013

I had this fantasy for a long time to take some good pictures of flamingos because I had always been fascinated with pictures taken in Africa and by some of my fellow Sri Lankan photographers. Back in January 2013, I had my first stroke of luck with these elusive birds at the Mannar slattern. However the sighting was under extremely harsh lighting and at a very long distance, so I had to be content with a few record shots. However last year around March, I had a better encounter with these amazing birds at the Bundala Lagoon in Bundala National Park, Sri Lanka. The sighting was good but approaching them was nearly impossible, as they were far from the lagoon. As Bundala was a national park the rules did not permit me to approach them by foot or to get closer. Again, I had to settle for some long-range shots.

Group of Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) looking for food on Thalei Mannar beach in Sri Lanka. These migratory birds to Sri Lanka constantly walking on the beach feeding on fish left over’s all over the fishing village as a small flock. I was lying on the ground and waited till they come close to me.

I was fascinated about the abundant bird life presented in Mannar Island during past few months and some friends started to question me whether I live there. Reason for that is no surprise as I have made about 5 trips within the past 3 months period and every time I went ended up staying more than 3 days due to the fact that internet connection there works superbly (3 G), This has enabled me to do 2 hours of birding each morning and evening while doing my regular work in-between.