Bird Census: 21 New Species Visit Odisha’s Berhampur Forest Division This Year

Berhampur: The number of migratory birds visiting Berhampur forest division in Odisha’s Ganjam district registered a slight increase this year, according to the latest census.

The bird census was conducted by the Forest officials on January 10 in four ranges of the division. The officials with the help of Wildlife experts from Zoological Survey of India and Department of Environmental Science in Berhampur University carried out the census in 49 different locations under Samantiapalli, Khallikote, Berhampur and Digapahandi forest ranges.

The census was conducted in 8 locations of Samantiapalli, 15 in Khallikote and 13 each in Berhampur and Digapahandi.

“In 2022, the division recorded the presence of 33,998 migratory birds of 102 species while 2023 saw 34,411 birds of 123 species. Bird census in 2023 revealed that 413 more migratory birds and 21 more species visited the region,” said Divisional Forest officer (DFO), Berhampur Amlan Nayak.

Maximum 14,398 birds were sighted in Bahuda backwater. Other places of high density of the winged guests are Potagada (1,713), Tampara (2,383), Humma Salt Pan (1,276) and Badabandha Kolathigaon (1,725).

The DFO said Littek Cormorant, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Lesser Whistling Duck, Bar Headed Gull, Caspian Tern and Black Winged Stilt accounted for most species of the visiting birds.

“The Forest staff were equipped with binoculars, camera and books containing the pictures of different species of birds. As per the norms of the census, they counted the birds with direct sighting of winged guest from across the globe,” he added.