Migratory Bird Count Increases In Hirakud Reservoir

Photograph: Sefali Suman

Sambalpur: There has been a rise in the number of migratory birds in Hirakud reservoir compared to last year.

According to sources, forest officials spotted 1,45,946 birds of 92 species in Hirakud (WL) Division and forest divisions of Sambalpur and Jharsuguda, during the annual census conducted on January 6.

In 2018, 1,34,835 winged guests of 82 species were spotted in the reservoir.

Notably, the reservoir area was divided into 21 sectors (18 sectors in the reservoir and three sectors in the power channel) for the census. Each sector was covered by one team. All the sectors were covered by the 21 teams simultaneously.

A total 50 staff of Sambalpur, Jharsuguda and Bargarh forest divisions and 17 experts were engaged in the exercise. Each team had two experts and a bird enumerator, who were provided binoculars and cameras. The teams after carrying out the census had submitted their reports to the state Forest and Environment Department.

Altogether, 32,670 Lesser Whistling Ducks were spotted and other birds like Common Coot (16978), Common Pochard (12514), Red Crested Pochard (11,528) and Tufted Duck (9,966) were also spotted, the sources added.