The Baleswar Wildlife Division has found a new species of migratory bird in its territory during mid-winter water fowl census which was undertaken on last Wednesday.
The bird, identified as common green magpie, was found in a group in Tenda forest under the Kuldiha sanctuary.
DFO Harsh Bardhan Udgata said, “The bird was sighted for the first time in Baleswar. They were 10 in number and had flocked in Tenda forest area in Nilgiri.”
“They are generally seen in the north east and northern regions, in the Himalayan foothills. Besides, a large number of Blackhead White Ibis were found in the coastal patches of the district,” he said.
Further, 16,233 birds of different species were found which is more than the last year’s census figure. last year, 15,053 waterfowls were found during the census.
The census, a one- day programme, was undertaken across all the 14 venues including four in the Kuldiha and one in Padmatola of the district on last Tuesday after training of staff members.
For each venue, a separate team was formed and each team was given with a camera and a binocular. The capturing and recording of the birds were made instant after sighting.
The census for the water fowl was carried out mainly near Subarnarekha mouth, Budhabalanga mouth , ITR( Integrated test range) campus, Chandipur , Risia, Sindhua, Khamkot , Bogalibandha, Parikhi, Rupakhand , Kantiachira and Padmatola etc.
More or less like previous years, same species of birds were found. But this year, the number of winged guest was more.