Migratory birds flock to Bhitarkanika

Kendrapara, Oct 31 (UNI) As winter approaches, the migratory birds start flocking at the Bhitarkanika National Park for annual breeding and nesting.

The dense mangrove and its serene atmosphere allures thousands of migratory and residential winged visitors to Bagagahan, Bhitarkanika, the abode of avian species.

The on-shore bird species such as sand pipers, plovers, ducks, geese, herons, cormorants, spoon bills, egrates, and Indian skimmers were already sighted by the forest officials in Barunei Muhana, Chataka, Praharajpur, Bagagahan and Raitapatia areas of the park.

Avian species like Indian Skimmer, Grey Pelican generally throng the Bhitarkanika National Park during the winter season. The Indian Skimmer and Grey Pelican are listed as one of the endangered birds in the Red Data Book of International Union Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Some of the species have begun their nesting in the trees of Rai, Sundari, Bani, Keruan.

Last year, as many as eleven types of residential birds thronged Bhtarkanika for nesting. But this year only seven species of local birds has so far arrived at Bagagahan.

During the monsoon this year, over 14,000 local birds visited for nesting and breeding. Large egrets, purple heron, grey heron, little cormorants, darter, open bill stock and a flock of grey pelicans have been sighted by the forest personnel during the monsoon season.

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