Attidiya is a marshy area on the edge of Colombo and an Inland wetland of Natural origin in the Wet Zone of the Western province. Early morning is a magical time at Attidiya. As dawn breaks through the cool mists that surround the marshy waters, one can observe the rich bird life at Attidya as they move freely around looking for food and preening themselves for the day. An excellent place for: Indian Cormorant, Yellow, Cinnamon and Black Bitterns, Glossy Ibis, Lesser Whistlingduck, Watercock, Rusty-rumped Warbler, Blyth's Reed-Warbler, Booted Warbler, and Long-billed Sunbird. BODINAGALA is a small patch of old forest that is good for Green-billed Coucal, Ceylon Frogmouth, Malabar Trogon, Brown-breasted Flycatcher and other special birds of Sri Lanka.

The best travelled trail begins close to the information centre at Attidiya and continues through the marsh, alongside the Bolgoda canal on to the opposite boundary of the park on Attidiya road. Halfway down the trail there is a viewing tower built by the department for nature lovers to view the wild life of the park at close quarters. There are some 166 species of birds sighted in the area of which most are residential and around 40 migratory. The area also has a recorded 71 species of butterflies and 44 species of fish. The rare birds inhabiting the marsh are the Indian Shag, the Blue Breasted Banded Tail and the Ruddy Crake. Rare visitors including Spot Billed Pelican, White Ibis, Painted stork and the elusive Glossy Ibis which is believed by bird-watchers to be migratory.

Attidiya Sanctuary Related references