Sinharaja rainforest endemic birding in June worth the leech misery
I am a serious birder and Sinharaja is on the life list for endemics like Sri Lanka Blue Magpie Red faced Malkoha Green billed Coucal Is June a viable month given the monsoon Do I really need a Forest Department guide and how brutal are the leeches honestly Bringing my Canon R5 with 600 mm worried about humidity
4 Answers from travellers
June is doable but expect afternoon rain daily Birding window 0530 to 1030 Mornings are when mixed species feeding flocks move through which is the prize for Sinharaja birders Mandatory Forest Department ticketed guide 2500 LKR plus 1500 LKR entry Choose the Kudawa entrance for the better trail network Endemics you can realistically see in June Sri Lanka Blue Magpie Crimson Backed Flameback Sri Lanka Spurfowl Red Faced Malkoha is harder requires luck Bring silica gel packets for camera body and lens humidity is severe Tabi socks plus salt sticks for leeches they are brutal up to 30 attached per session if you sit still during a bird wave Use friction not pulling to detach
Stay at Martins Simple Lodge or Blue Magpie Lodge near Kudawa Both have resident birders who know exactly where the latest sightings have been
Wear long sleeve shirts tucked into trousers tucked into long socks Then the leech socks over Layered defence works better than one thick pair
Bundala on the south coast is a worthwhile contrast pair flamingos painted storks open shoreline easier shooting conditions if Sinharaja humidity destroys your patience
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