Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Kendrapara, Sep 3:

Its good news for avian enthusiasts as the Bhitarkanika National Park (BNP) in Odisha’s Kendrapara district has registered an increased in bird population, figures of the recently-concluded week-long annual census revealed.

Bhitarkanika Migratory Birds

As many as 1, 03, 853 resident birds belonging to 10 species have been spotted in the park this year as against 96, 437 last year, an increase by 7, 416 birds.

This year the annual bird census began on August 22 where two teams were formed for the enumeration exercise covering Bagagahana, Mathaadia and other parts of the sanctuary spread over 6 hectares.

Open Billed Stork, Median Egret, Cattle Egret, Large Egret, Little Egret, Purple Heron, Darter, Little Cormorant, Grey Heron, and White Ibis were sighted at the mangroves. Besides, 11 species of Herons, Little Cormorants, Grey Cranes were also spotted in the park.

According to sources, 42,408 birds and 61, 445 hatchlings were found in 21,204 nests in the national park during the annual census.

According to reports, 11 species of herons, grey cranes, little cormorants and kingfisher in large numbers have thronged the national park.

“Birds in large numbers thronged the national park this monsoon. This year too, Herons laid eggs in large numbers. The census was conducted at 21,204 nests atop 2097 trees in the national park,” Bhitarkanika National Park Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Bimal Prasanna Acharya said.