Bhubaneswar: More than 11.32 lakh birds of over 196 species were sighted during a mid-winter census carried out in Odisha’s Chilika Lake.
While there has been a marginal increase in the number of winged guests this time in comparison to last year, the enumerators found two new species in the lagoon during the census operation conducted on Sunday. The new species are – Plain Martin and Bengal Bush Lark, the official said.
While the number of birds this time was recorded at 11,32,200, it was 11,27,228 in 2025, according to Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden, P K Jha. This year there is an increase of 4,972 birds.
Significantly, the bird count at Nalabana Bird Sanctuary within Chilika wetlands has increased from 3,43,226 of 92 species in 2025 to 3,97,587 of 106 species in 2026.
Similarly, the number of migratory birds also increased in Chilika lake from 10,87,227 in 2025 to 11,10,257 in 2026, officials said.
From among the visiting winged guests, the highest number was Northern Pintail (2,18,993), followed by Eurasia wigeon (1,53,318) and Gadwal (1,43,127).
While the census data of Chilika lake, the only brackish water lake in Asia, was available on Sunday evening, the reports from other water bodies in the state are awaited.
The annual census of water birds was conducted in various water bodies across all 51 forest divisions of Odisha. This includes major wetlands such as Chilika, Bhitarkanika, Hirakud, and Ansupa, where the bird status survey was carried out by trained personnel from 6 am to 12 noon on Sunday.
Apart from the forest department employees, the bird census saw participation from scientists of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), and the Odisha Biodiversity Board.
Senior ornithologists (bird experts), representatives of various NGOs, members of Vana Suraksha Samitis, media representatives, professors, researchers and students from various colleges and universities, and public representatives also participated in the mammoth exercise.