Anawilundawa Bird Sanctuary

Anavilundawa Bird Sanctuary is located in the Puttalam District of the North Western Province of the country.  It is located between Chilaw and Pittalam on the coast and between the Chilaw-Puttalam railway.  The uniqueness of Anavilundava is that it is close to three different ecosystems.

   1. Beach

   2. mangrove 

   3. freshwater tanks

It is one of the six Ramsar wetlands in Sri Lanka. 

This unique ecological background has made it an advantageous nest and breeding ground for hundreds of birds.  

It is located on 1,397 hectares of forest land and consists of nine lakes.    These tanks store water for irrigation and cultivation, and provide a natural habitat and shelter for 150 species of waterfowl, in addition to several endangered species of fish, amphibians, mammals and reptiles. 

Among the bird species found here are the Herons large breeding colony, the open bill, the great comarant, the white ibis, the egret, the stalk, the jagna with the feather tail, and the purple swamp hen.

Twenty species of mammals have been recorded here, including 74 species of rusty-spotted cats, fish cats, Indian otters, Slender loris, talk monkeys and butterflies. 

Many endemic and resident birds can be observed throughout the year, and the best time for migrants is between October and April.

Bird watchers and nature lovers come here to identify rare birds, view their behavior in their natural environment and engage in excellent photography.