The winter migratory birds, which had made their annual sojourn to Bhitarkanika in October, have started their homeward journey from the national park, said DFO Bimal Prasanna Acharya.
Every year with the arrival of winter, Bhitarkanika water bodies, the abode of avian species, wear a colourful look. Migratory birds fly thousands of miles to Bhitarakanika to escape the harsh winter in Siberia, Afghanistan, Iraq, northern Asia and some central European countries. They generally stay in Bhitarakanika for about three- four months before starting their homeward journey after nesting and breeding in the park, added Acharya.
As per the recent mid winter waterfall migratory bird status survey report of Bhitarkanika, an estimated 1, 06,356 birds were sighted in the park. The survey was carried out on January 10 last. As many as 87 types of bird species visited to the park. While 81,874 birds were sighted at Bhitarkanika, 24,482 birds were sighted at Mahanadi Delta, Acharya stated.
This year, northern pintail ducks have come in large numbers. Black-tailed godwits have also come in thousands. These apart, species like brahmin rudy shell duck, curlew, sand piper and bar headed geese came into the park, informed official sources.
Some of the duck species that came this year have been identified as bar headed geese, common teal, gadwall, lesser whistling ducks, northern pintail and brahmani rudy shel duck etc. Similarly, the shore bird species were black tailed godwit, common red shank, curlew sandpiper, eurasian curlew, grey headed lapwing, little ringed lapwing, plovers and wood sandpiper etc.