BHUBANESWAR: Over 1.1 million winged guests have congregated in Chilika, the largest brackish water lagoon of Asia, in the current winter season, revealed the annual bird census carried out on Wednesday. The annual headcount exercise of Chilika Development Authority (CDA), State Wildlife Organisation and Bombay Natural History Society (BHNS) recorded a congregation of a total 11,32,929 birds of 184 different species compared to 10,74,173 birds of 183 species recorded in the previous year.
Officials said the figure includes 10,93,049 birds of 105 migratory species and 38,880 birds of 79 wetland-dependent species. The number of migratory species recorded this year is two less compared to 2022. The number of resident bird species, however, is three more compared to the same year in the Ramsar site.
A total of 107 species of migratory birds and 76 species of wetland-dependent birds had been enumerated in the mid-winter bird status survey 2022.
Officials of Chilika Wildlife Division said the survey on Wednesday was carried out using the direct sighting method. Training on status survey methodology was imparted to the participants at the Wetland Research and Training Centre, Chandraput on Tuesday. A total of 134 personnel including bird experts from the forest department, members of BHNS, Wild Orissa, WWF - India, retired and working forest officials, district Honorary Wildlife Warden and local volunteers were involved in the survey.
The members were divided into 21 units and each of the units was led by a bird expert accompanied by four to five participants and one local guide. Each unit was provided with a status survey kit including map showing the area of the unit and route to cover, binocular spotting scope, notebook with colour plates of 48 common water birds species of Chilika, kit bag, bird reference books, checklist of birds prepared by the Chilika Wildlife Division DFO and waterfowl status survey form.
The bird count was carried out between 6 am to 12 pm for all water bird species and wetland-dependent birds including passerine birds. Actual number counts were made for smaller flocks and larger birds, while estimates were done for the species found in larger flocks, officials said.