SRI LANKA ~ Crested Hawk Eagle - Bundala National Park - UNESCO ~

... First of a whole "bunch"ツ great postcards received from friend Ravindra... it will take a while to post them all... National Park nr13 from this paradise island full of stunning national parks crawling with animals... Bundala National Park is one of Sri Lanka’s foremost destinations for birdwatchers...  the Crested Hawk Eagle are known to sit on perches high up in the trees and scanning the forest floor for potential prey. ... Thanks a lot Ravindra  (✿ ♥‿♥)

Photo: Venura Ubayathilaka
The Crested Hawk-Eagle is a common raptor found throughout the dry lowlands. This bird is a medium-large raptor at about 60–72 cm in length.

Bundala NP  is situated in the southeast part of the country and spread an area of 6,216 hectares. It consists mainly of dry thorny scrublands, marshes and four brackish lagoons. The park is an internationally important wintering ground for migratory water birds.  Nearly 200 species of birds have been recorded within the park, out of which 58 species are migratory birds. Bundala was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1969 and redesignated to a NP on 4 January 1993.

In 2005 the national park was designated as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, the fourth biosphere reserve in Sri Lanka.

Stamps:
The 100th Anniversary of Sri Lanka Girl Guides
(Issued 21-03-2017)

2017 Montague Jayewickreme 20. March
(Issued 20-03-2017)