Bird population up in Bhitarkanika National Park

Bhubaneswar: It’s good news for bird lovers. Bhitarkanika National Park (BNP) in Odisha’s Kendrapara district has registered an increase in bird population this year, revealed figures of the recently-concluded week-long annual bird census.
According the census, as many as 1,03,853 resident birds belonging to 10 species have been spotted in the park this year as against 96, 437 last year, an increase by 7, 416 birds.

This year the annual bird census began on August 22. Two teams were formed for the enumeration exercise covering Bagagahana, Mathaadia and other parts of the sanctuary spread over 6 hectares.

Open Billed Stork, Median Egret, Cattle Egret, Large Egret, Little Egret, Purple Heron, Darter, Little Cormorant, Grey Heron, and White Ibis were sighted at the mangroves.

Besides, 11 species of Herons, Little Cormorants and Grey Cranes were spotted in the park.

At least 42,408 birds and 61,445 hatchlings were found in 21,204 nests in the national park during the annual census.

Reports said 11 species of herons, grey cranes, little cormorants and kingfisher have thronged the national park in large numbers.

“Birds in large numbers thronged the national park this monsoon. This year too, Herons laid eggs in large numbers. The census was conducted at 21,204 nests atop 2097 trees in the national park,” Bhitarkanika National Park Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Bimal Prasanna Acharya said.

Bhitarkanika and its adjoin areas such as Satabhaya, Raipatia, Agarnasi, Bhitarkanika, Hukitola, Gupti Rajagada, Batighar, Jatadhara and Kalibhanjadiha serve as natural habitats for birds.

There is ample of food security for the birds in these areas because of innumerable water inlets. Countless species of fishes, crabs and shells serve as major foods for these bird species.