Puri: Here is a piece of good news for environmentalists and bird lovers. As many as 57,534 migratory birds belonging to 84 species were spotted in the district during a census conducted January 3.
Puri wildlife division sources said this year the number of migratory birds in the district witnessed an increase of 12,533 as compared to last year’s figure of 45,001.
However, the bird census did not include Chilika lake as the brackish water lagoon is spread over three districts—Puri, Khurda and Ganjam.
Among the migratory birds, the number of black tail godwit (12,434) was the highest. Also, the wildlife officials spotted a peregrine falcon in the district for the first time, sources said.
Wildlife officials conducted the bird census at 25 places in the district from Hadikhia bridge in Krushna Prasad block to Debi estuary. It is learnt that wildlife officials found as many as 45,294 migratory birds in the wetlands of Brahmagiri, located close to the Chilika lake.
Besides, the census found 4,567 birds in Debi estuary and other water bodies of the district. Moreover, wildlife officials spotted 1,837 birds at Balukhand sanctuary, 1,234 in Gop area and 4,602 at Konark, sources said. “The peregrine falcon was spotted at Debi estuary. The rare bird was seen killing a crane. Our officials have taken a few photographs of the bird,” said a source in the Puri wildlife division.
According to the census report, officials found 9,162 northern pintel and 6,361 Asian openbill during the census.
PNN