This year more nests of residential birds have been sighted at the Bhitarkanika National Park in the ongoing monsoon season than last year, said Kanika Forest Ranger Akhaya Kumar Nayak.
This year the forest officials sighted 20,507 nests in Bagagahan and Mathadia where as last year 19,784 nests were sighted in the areas. While 8,041 nests were sighted in Mathadia, 12,466 nests were spotted at Bagagahan this monsoon, added Ranger Nayak.
An estimated 96,437 monsoon birds, including 41,014 adult birds, thronged Bagagahan and Mathadia forests. The avian creatures have chosen more than 5,000 mangrove trees for nesting and breeding as per the monsoon bird census report of 2015. The census was carried out by the officials of the Bhitarkanika from August 16 to 23 last by forming three teams.
According to Ranger Nayak, this year more than 4,892 birds, including adults and chicks, have been sighted. Notably, an estimated 91,545 monsoon bird species had thronged to Bagagahan and Mathadia forests in 2013.
The residential bird species which thronged to Bhitarkanika have been identified as Asian open bill stork, grey heron, great egret, intermediate egret, lesser adjutant stork, night heron, darter, cormorant and Ibis, informed official sources.