The winter migratory birds, which had made their annual sojourn to the Bhitarkanika National Park in October last, have started their homeward journey recently. Notably, with the onset of winter, thousands of birds every year visit the Bhitarkanika water bodies, one of the favorite places for avian species in the State. Birds fly thousands of miles 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 sojourn from the park after nesting and breeding.
As per the recent bird status survey report of the park, more birds have come this year than last year. This time 109 types of bird species came to the park. As per the mid winter waterfall migratory bird status survey report, an estimated 1, 13,226 birds were sighted in the park during the survey carried out on January 11 last.
While 84,563 birds of 96 types were sighted in and around the Bhitarkanika area, 28, 663 birds of 109 types were sighted at the Mahanadi delta. This year black tailed godwits came in large numbers, about 50,000. Besides, 20,000 pintail ducks thronged the park. Bird species like Brahmani rudy shell duck, black tailed godwit, curlew, sand piper and bar headed geese came to the park in thousands.