Bhubaneswar, Jan 19: A mid-winter bird census conducted across Odisha’s three major wetlands — Chilika Lake, Bhitarkanika National Park, and Hirakud Reservoir — recorded the presence of more than 16.56 lakh birds from over 200 species, officials said on Sunday.
The census, carried out on Saturday, involved over 200 participants, including forest staff, ornithologists, researchers, and trained volunteers, who meticulously surveyed the wetlands using spotting scopes, binoculars, and data sheets to ensure accurate identification and counting of the birds, as reported by PTI.
Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon, recorded a total of 11,27,228 birds, of which 10,87,226 were migratory birds representing 109 species. The count also included 40,002 resident birds spanning 87 species.
“Of these, 3,43,226 birds were spotted at Nalabana, an avian paradise within the lagoon,” an official stated. The numbers reflected a slight decline compared to last year, which recorded 11,37,759 birds from 187 species.
In Bhitarkanika National Park, 1,51,614 birds were sighted, a marginal increase from last year’s 1,51,421 birds. However, the number of species dropped from 121 last year to 118 species this year, officials noted.
Hirakud Reservoir in Sambalpur district recorded the presence of 3,77,732 birds from 122 species, marking an increase from last year’s count of 3.42 lakh birds.
The annual census is critical for monitoring bird populations and assessing the health of wetland ecosystems. Odisha’s wetlands are a crucial habitat for migratory birds traveling along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway during the winter season.
