Wilpattu Maradanmaduwa waterhole: dry-zone hide birdwatching and Sloth Bear tracking?
What bird species and mammals congregate at the historic Maradanmaduwa tank clearing inside Wilpattu during afternoon safari hours?
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3 Answers from travellers
Maradanmaduwa is a historic junction clearing and ancient reservoir inside Wilpattu National Park, situated approximately 16km from the main Hunuwilgama gate. Surrounding grasslands and Kumbuk trees bordering the waterhole create an excellent wildlife staging post. During the afternoon (2:30 PM to 4:30 PM), herds of Chital (spotted deer) and wild water buffalo graze open banks, while raptors like the Crested Serpent Eagle and Changeable Hawk-Eagle perch conspicuously on dead branches. Sloth bears frequently cross the open sandy tracks near the old colonial rest house clearing to reach water.
Maradanmaduwa has a shaded DWC field outpost where full-day safari visitors are permitted to step out of jeeps for restroom breaks.
Large troops of Tufted Grey Langurs groom each other on tree branches over the track, acting as sentinels whose barking alarm calls indicate nearby leopards.
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