The number of country birds has increased in the Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapada district this year.
As per the annual bird census carried out from August 24 to 31, a total of 1,04,490 country birds were registered, out of which the grey crane birds were in the largest number. last year, the number of country birds was 1,03,853.
Two teams had been formed headed by Range Officer Akshay Kumar Nayak and Forester Bijay Kumar Patra comprising 12 forest officials to conduct the annual survey.
The census report said the country birds were found in 21,965 nests on 413 trees, out of which 81,254 were grey crane birds.
Out of total birds, 5,377 were queen herons, 3,712 middle herons, 234 small herons and 5,146 little cormorants.
The country birds in large numbers throng the Bhitarkanika Park during monsoon for food collection, nesting, breeding and building friendship with the migrant birds. After laying eggs, they return to their native places.