BHUBANESWAR: The winged visitors continue to throng Chilika. Over the last year, their number has reported a significant increase which validates the fact that the brackish water lagoon remains their favourite winter home.
The annual enumeration carried out by Wildlife Wing on Monday found an approximate 9,47,119 birds at the lake which is spread over 1100 sq km. The entire bird population belonged to 167 species. As many as 100 species of waterfowls (9,24,353 in number) and 67 wetland dependent species (22,766 in number) were enumerated during the census exercise.
In 2016, the census had found 8,58,855 birds from 161 species out of which 94 were waterfowl species while the rest 67 were wetland-dependent.
In Nalabana Bird Sanctuary, the bird population was counted at 3,74,757 which, though, is lower compared to last year’s figure of 3,97,825. Chief Wildlife Warden Sidhanta Das said less number of birds in Nalabana could be due to non-exposure of mudflats caused by slow receding of water level.
‘’The good showers this season may have been the reason why water has not receded as expected and mudflats in the submersible island have not been exposed which is necessary for roosting of the birds,’’ he added.
A major highlight of this year’s enumeration was that Northern Pintails, whose total number stood at 2,19,946, were the highest among all species. Actually, this year’s number is said to be a three-time increase over last year. While the reason for their arrival in such a huge number is yet to be ascertained, experts point out that the species was found in unusually high number in South India last year. ‘’There may have been some global phenomenon behind such a trend,’’ said an expert.
Similarly, the majestic Greater Flamingo’s population of 3,848 was found to be the highest in last seven years. For the first time, Flamingoes, more than 2,000 in number, were found outside Nalabana in the northern sector. It is unusual of them to have ventured out of the 15 sq km sanctuary area. Common shelduck, a rare bird, was also reported in Nalabana after a few years while numbers of Red Crested Pochard and Oriental Darter were highest in the last 10 years.
Held under the supervision of Chilika Wildlife Division DFO Bikash Ranjan Dash, this year’s enumeration was participated by ornithologists, bird watchers, NGO members apart from the Forest Department staff. For the first time, all the DFOs of the Wildlife Wing also took part in the census operation.