Your tour starts shortly after dawn, at 7am, near the boatyard in front of the Muthurajawela sanctuary. This morning time period gives you a greater chance of seeing the rarer birds. Your boat will pick you up, along with your bird guide.
Muthurajawela was an area that used to be prime farmland, which produced some of the best rice in Sri Lanka. But with the building of the Dutch Canal, it is believed that there was some seawater seepage into the lands and they became un-cultivatable. The lands were then abandoned, and Mother Nature took over, turning them into one of Sri Lanka's most biodiverse wetlands, which were proclaimed a priority wetland and sanctuary in 1996. Now spread over 15,395 acres (6,230 hectares), the marshes hold more than 190 species of plants and more than 200 species of wildlife, including more than 100 species of birds.
As you pass along the waterway in the boat, notice the diversity of the marshes with the various types of lush plants that line the banks, such as mangroves, palms, and lactic flora. While watching quietly, with minimal disturbance to nature, you will be able to see the many species of birds flocking to the water to quench their thirst, catch fish, or eat the fruit and seeds of nearby plant life. Learn about the birds' identification and other information from your guide.
Some of the birds that you may catch sight of are water birds like herons, bitterns, egrets, storks, cormorants, swamp hens, water hens, and moor hens, as well as terns, sandpipers, snips, and birds of prey such as sea eagles, harriers, kites, and shikras. While some of these species are residents, many migrate for the winter. You might also glimpse other wildlife such as crocodiles, monkeys, water monitors, or slender loris.
In addition to these sightings, the Muthurajawela Marsh sanctuary boasts wonderful views that truly bring home the majestic beauty of nature. You will be able to eat your picnic breakfast surrounded by calm and quiet, just occasionally interrupted by the screeches and calls of wildlife.