New birds have been sighted in the Mangalajodi on the banks of Chilika lake. Birds like Glossy Ibis were found moving freely in the backwaters of the lake spreading cheer among the bird lovers.
Ornithologist Gauhar Abedin was seen very happy to find Glossy Ibises in Mangalajodi, when he visited along with forest officials here on Sunday.
He said it is heartening that new species are turning to Mangalajodi as their feed and nest is available here in abundance. The members of Sri MahabirPakshiSurakshya Samiti (SSMPSS) said that they are seeing new birds like Eurasian Bittern, Glossy Ibis, Goliath Heron and Eastern Curlew in the area.
Vice president of SSMPSSJai Behera, a hyper active guide,said the Glossy Ibis find feed in very shallow water and nest in freshwater or brackish wetlands with tall dense stands of emergent vegetation such as reeds, rushes or bushes. They show a preference for marshes at the margins of lakes, however, their preferred roosting sites are normally in large trees which may be distant from the feeding areas, said enthusiast Jai.
Jai has the knowledge of these wetlands like the back of his hand, and he knew exactly where each species could be found.
So when Agriculture Production Commissioner Gagan Kumar Dhal talked to him, he was highly impressed by Jai’s acumen, who was a poacher and now turned a protector of the migratory birds. Talking to an informative Jai was highly enjoyable and DrDhal was so pleased with him he addressed him as DrJai.
Equally happy was Additional PCCF and Managing Director of Odisha Forest Development Corporation, Rajiv Kumar, who enjoyed the environment, where hundreds of migratory and resident birds were flocking. Credit goes to a proactive Chilika Development Authority (CDA) Chief Executive Susant Nanda, who has provided able leadership to these people, who are like the ‘Ambassadors ofNature’ informing and guiding the nature lovers and tourists in right direction.
AfterNanda has taken over as CE CDA, a lot of infrastructure development is taking place and soon there will be more facilties for the visitors, said Jai. Guides are provided with binoculars and bird book, which consists every details and it is handy to know a bird after seeing it.
These guides know all details about the birds and they have garnered knowledge over last 20 years working in these areas, said a senior forest official.
Though birds have not come in large numbers, but number of species is increasing every year, said DrAbedin, who gets engaged in Census of Birds being conducted in January every year by CDA.
Birds start arriving at Mangalajodi by the middle of October. Now, one can see Brahminy Shelduck, Whiskered Tern, Purple Moorhen, Large Egret and Black Winged Stilit.
In order to maximise the number of bird sightings, mid December to February is the best time to visit, said he.
It is common to see over 50 species of birds, although in peak season as many as 170 varieties last year were seen. And the birds start departing by March.