Avian guests of only 161 species have visited the Chilika lake, one of the topmost winter homes of migratory birds from across the globe, against the 172 varieties last year.
The drop in number of species of winged visitors may be due to scanty rainfall and late onset of winter. However, the number of birds has increased compared to the previous years.
PCCF SS Srivastav said as against 7,61,940 migratory birds sighted in the lake and its periphery last year, the number has gone up substantially to 8,58,855 as per the report of the two-day bird census concluded on Monday.
"Of the 161 species, three new species have been sighted at Mangalajodi area of the lake," said Srivastav.
While the number of migratory birds in Chilika lake has gone up substantially, the number of the winged guests has fallen in the Bhitarkanika National Park as per the report of the bird census conducted this year.