Bhubaneswar: The annual monsoon bird census at Bhitarkanika National Park has recorded a marginal increase in the nesting bird population this year, with 1,30,796 birds counted across 27,646 nests on 1,409 trees. This marks a rise of 673 birds compared to last year’s figure of 1,30,123 birds in 27,272 nests on 1,300 trees, according to Varadaraj Gaonkar, Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife), Bhitarkanika.
Major nesting activity was observed at the Mathaadia and Laxmiprasaddia heronries, which together accounted for the majority of nests. Laxmiprasaddia recorded 13,594 nests, while Mathaadia followed closely with 13,261 nests, emerging as the two primary nesting hubs within the national park.
A team of 21 experts, including noted ornithologists, wildlife officials, and environmental activists, conducted the census across four prominent heronry sites: Mathaadia, Laxmiprasaddia, Durgaprasaddia, and Balidia.
The Asian open-billed stork was the dominant species, with 15,919 nests observed. Other prominent bird species included the black-headed ibis, purple heron, grey heron, large egret, intermediate egret, little egret, little cormorant, black-crowned night heron, and darter.
“The birds prefer nesting on tree species like bani, guan, kerauan, oruan, sinduka, and sundari,” said DFO Gaonkar.
