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Nine Arch Bridge

Ella  >  Sri Lanka

An early morning walk to the famous Nine Arch Bridge near Ella can bring interesting birds such as nesting Indian Swiftlet and Black-throated Munia.

Tillagd* av Keith Wellington
Senast uppdaterad 23 augusti 2024

Beskrivning

The Nine Arch Bridge is a famous viaduct bridge near Ella that was designed to accommodate a challenging nine-degree curve and steep gradient. The bridge was completed in 1919 and is still in use. The beautifully designed bridge attracts a lot of visitors, so be there early if you want to enjoy the bridge, the view and the birds in peace. An early morning walk can bring several nice birds and interesting birds such as nesting Indian Swiftlet and Black-throated Munia.

The Indian Swiftlet (or Indian Edible-nest Swiftlet) is a small swift and a common resident colonial breeder in the hills of Sri Lanka. The half-cup nest is built on a vertical surface, often in a cave. The male swift uses thick saliva to construct the white, shiny nest into which two eggs are laid. Normally it is quite difficult to see these nests, but in the short train tunnel next to the bridge, the nests can be seen up close in the middle of the tunnel. Don't be afraid of the trains. There are only a few trains per day and the trains run very slowly. The track is wide, so you always have room to walk on the side of the track if a train passes.

From the bridge you can walk through the tunnel over the railway track to the railway station of Ella. This is a 2,5 km walk. The stretch is wonderfully quiet and leads along forest and open fields with scattered bushes and especially during a walk in the early morning you can see many birds. The verges of the track are full of grasses and there you can find all 4 species of Munia's that live in Sri Lanka: Scaly-breasted Munia, White-rumped Munia, Tricolored Munia and also the rare Black-throated Munia. Also good chances on woodpeckers, barbets, parakeets, Black-hooded Oriole, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill and Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike.

Detaljer

Tillgänglighet

The Nine Arch Bridge is located about 3 km from Ella. You can walk along the railway track from Ella railway station (marked with a star on the map) to the bridge and then walk back. You can also choose to make a circular walk. If you want to make a circular walk, first walk from Ella 1 km along the road to Little Adam's Peak (also described on Birdingplaces, see separate entry) and then take the forest path to the Nine Arch Bridge. The turnoff to the bridge path is marked with a star on the map. From the bridge you can then continue the walk via the railway track to Ella railway station. The circular walk is about 5 km.

Terräng och habitat

Skog , Spridda träd och buskar , Slätt

Förhållanden

Kulligt , Öppet landskap

Rundtur

Ja

Tubkikare behövs?

Nej

Bästa säsong för skådning

Året runt

Rutt

Bred stig , Smal stig

Hur ansträngande vandring

Genomsnittlig vandring

Nås

Till fots

Fågeltorn / plattform

Nej

Extra information

Around Ella it is common to use the railway track as a footpath. You see many Sri Lankans walking on or along the railway track. There are few trains passing and they drive slowly. You can hear the trains coming from a distance and they often sound their horns, so you can't actually miss the trains. Nevertheless, you should be alert for approaching trains. There is often plenty of space next to the track, so stand to the side as the train passes and then continue your walk.

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