Migratory winter bird Bar headed goose, which is found in Mongolia, Himalayan region and China, was sighted in large numbers at many places in the Rushikulya river area.
Bird watchers Dr Jyoti Prasad Pattnaik and Preeti Priyadarshani Mohapatro, while doing routine bird watching at the rookery came across the winged visitors.
Both bird lovers have been instrumental in recording sighting of birds in and around Brahampur and run a facebook page entitled, “Berhampur Birds”, where they have more than 200 different varieties of birds photos posted.
Due to its proximity to the Chilika lake, these birds might have preferred to chose a new territory for themselves by landing here. Every winter these birds travel as long as 6,000 km to reach Chilika as well as Bhitarakanika. According to the locals, these birds are usually seen on the rookery areas during the day time and leave in the evening to Chilika. Ample amount of fish in these areas are attracting these birds to these places.