Sections of migratory birds flocking to the Chilika lake during winter have continued to stay back at the lagoon, a trend dubbed as unusual by birdwatchers.
According Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Chilika, BP Acharya, this is an unusual trend. Greater flamingo, pelican and Brahmani duck can still be seen in the lake despite the abnormal rise in temperature. These species normally embark on a return journey with the onset of summer, he said.
He informed that the birds now take shelter in nearby villages during daytime and return to the lake’s Nalabana sanctuary area once the temperature dips in the evening.
Though the reason behind their continuing sojourn is yet to be ascertained, the DFO felt that the birds might have stayed back due to availability of food and good habitat conditions.
About 8.77 lakh birds of 180 species had thronged the Chilika during the last winter. Now, there are nearly 2,000 flamingos, 300 pelicans and 200 Brahmani ducks in the lake. Their exact numbers would be known after the summer census in the third week of May, the DFO said.
Deputy Director of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) S Balachandran has reportedly remarked that a comprehensive study should be undertaken to find out the reasons behind the prolonged stay of the birds. But this is not a lone case at the Chilika. There have been similar reports from other habitats too, he added.
Retired forest officer and ornithologist Sudhakar Mohapatra said flamingos have made Chilika their home for the last few years. These species had been sighted in the blue lagoon and there is a need to monitor their behaviour so that they make it a permanent abode, he said. Flamingos migrate to Kutch in Gujarat during rains for breeding and again fly to the Chilika in winter along with other bird species.