Bhubaneswar: The Bhitarkanika National Park has reported a slight increase in the number of migratory birds visiting the national park in Odisha’s Kendrapara district this winter.
As per the latest mid-winter census report, the number of visiting avian species has risen to 1,51,614 this year from 1,51,421 in 2024.
On the other hand, the number of species visiting the national park has decreased from 121 to 118. The species most sighted species this year include the lesser whistling duck (44,825) and the Northern Pintail (18,776).
Hordes of rare and endangered avian species were spotted along the wetland spots as the enumerators reaffirmed that the national park is an ideal habitat for winter migratory birds. A major highlight of this year’s census was the sighting of a large number of migrant birds at the gypsum pond areas on the outskirts of Paradip Port Township, said Assistant Conservator of Forest, Rajnagar Mangrove Forest Division, Manas Das.
The winter migrant avian creatures from the northern hemisphere and cooler places like Ladakh prefer the Bhitarkanika wetlands for its unique ecosystem and cool and serene environment and find it conducive for their winter habitation.
Unbearable cool atmospheric conditions during winter months force these migrant species to temporarily leave their original habitat. The Chilka and Bhitarkanika wetland spots in the State are the favoured destination of winter migratory birds.
