The number of migratory birds visiting the Chilika Lake in Odisha has registered around 6 per cent increase this season with around 5.8 per cent more winged visitors sighted at the lagoon compared to the last year.
The annual bird census, undertaken in the brackish water lagoon yesterday, put the count to 10,93,049 migratory birds of 105 different species. There has been an increase of 56,829 birds this time. Last year, 10, 36, 220 birds of 107 species were sighted.
A total of 134 personnel, including ornithologists from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), officials of wildlife organisations, several ornithologists and wildlife activists had taken part in the bird count exercise.
The Chilika Lagoon was divided strategically into 21 segments which include four sectors of Chilika Lake. Out of which 2 units were by road and 19 units moved by boat for the counting of birds.
The six-hour-long total bird count exercise was carried out for all water bird species and wetland-dependent birds which include passerine birds. Actual number counts were made for smaller flocks, and larger and more conspicuous birds, and estimates were done for the species found in larger flocks.
The status survey operation was coordinated and monitored by the Divisional Forest Officer, Assistant Conservator of Forests and Forest Range Officers of Chilika Wildlife Division, Balugaon. The technical inputs briefing on the status survey technique and monitoring of the status survey was provided by Dr. P Sathiyaselvam, Deputy Director, BNHS, Mumbai.
The lagoon hosts migratory birds every year during the peak winters. Birds from as far as the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, Aral Sea and other remote parts of Russia, Kirghiz steppes of Mongolia, and Central and Southeast Asia, visit the lake to escape the biting cold in their native places. They start their homeward journey with the onset of the summer season.