Bhubaneswar: Odisha hosted lesser number of winged guests this winter if the annual bird census conducted at Kanjia lake at Nandankanan Zoological Park here and Kolab reservoir in Koraput district are any indication.
According to the bird census conducted on Thursday, the number of avian species visiting the Kanjia lake has come down compared to last year. A total of 2,468 birds of 28 species flocked to lake on the outskirts of Odisha capital. Migratory birds like Indian Skimmer skipped the lake, while eight new species picked it for their winter sojourn.
Last winter, 2,514 birds of 29 species were spotted at Nandankanan.
ACFs Anjan Kumar Mahanta and Amulya Kumar Parida, Range Officer Sameer Sahu, Ashok Das, Kamal Lochan Purohit and the students of six educational institutions, inclduing SOA, OUAT and CUO, were engaged in the bird counting exercise.
The bird census was conducted at Kanjia Lake, Kiakhani, Masanipada and Nali Padia Khadan near Nandankanan.
The bird count at Kolab reservoir saw a similar trend. “Apart from four new species, around 919 migratory birds visited the reservoir this year, which is quite less compared to previous year,” said Koraput forest department official Subash Khuntia.
The bird census was carried out from Kolabnagar to Ganjaipadar at Kolab reservoir.
According to source, over 25 special camps have been set up for counting of migratory birds.
Meanwhile, bird counting is underway in Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon.
Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district will remain out of bounds to visitors from January 6 to 14 during the census drive of estuarine crocodile and migratory birds.
The headcount of crocodiles will be done at Mahanadi River System, Bhitarakanika River System, Ghodahad River Systerm and Similipal River System.
Similarly, the Dolphins census will be held on January 19.
