Bird Census Begins In Bhitarkanika National Park

Kendrapada: The bird census in the Bhitarkanika National Park under Rajnagar Wildlife Division in Odisha’s Kendrapada district began on Monday.

Giving details about the census, Ranger of Kanika Forest Range Manas Ranjan Das said that two teams comprising seven members each have been engaged in the count of the colonial birds, which will continue for a week.

While one team will conduct the bird count in Mathadia, the other will be engaged in Laxmiprasadia and Durgaprasadia forest range, he added.

The avians, who flock to the park from various parts of the country with the onset of monsoon for breeding, build their nests on Bani, Gua and Kerua trees alongside the Brahmani river bed in Bagagahana, Mathadia and Durgaprasadia.

The ranger said that Open Bill Stork, Little Cormorant, Intermediate Egret, Large Egret, Little Egret, Purple Heron, Grey Heron, Night Heron, Darter, White Ibis and Cattle Egret usually flock to the park during the monsoon as they get enough food here to raise their chicks.