Bird census in Bhitarkanika Park

Kendrapada, Dec 07 (UNI) The annual bird census of winter avian species at Bhitarkanika national park, one of the favourite abode of winter birds, will be carried out from tomorrow.

The Bhitarkanika forest officials along with the ornithologists, bird experts and researchers would conduct the two-day long bird census, Rajnagar Divisional Forest officer A K Jena said.

Bird expert of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Satya Selvom who is now in Chilika will join the team during the bird census to ascertain the bird flu among the winter avian species inside the park.

Over 1.20 lakh of avian species,including winter migratory and residential birds, were sighted by the forest department in the annual bird census 2006.

They included some rare and endangered bird species listed in the Red Data book of International Union Conservation (IUCN),Mr.Jena said.

According to him, the forest officials had sighted some rare and endangered bird species like Indian Skimmer, Pied Avocet and Bar-headed Geese during the bird census in the water bodies of Bhitarknaika National park.

UNI