Post News Network
Cuttack, Feb 2: Migratory birds have started flocking water bodies around the silver city and in other parts of the district.
The birds which started arriving a few days back can be seen in areas around Bidanasi and the river banks of Kathajodi and Mahanadi. There has been a significant increase in the number of birds visiting Ansupa Lake, which is one of the major freshwater lakes situated on the banks of the Mahanadi, in Athagarh. A census will be conducted shortly to ascertain the exact number, said forest department sources.
The common migratory birds have been identified as red-chested pochard, cotton teal, brahmani duck and pin-tail.
Official source said around 12,000 birds of 20 species were sighted in 2012, while the number rose to 15,000 in 2013 that included 25 to 30 species. In 2014, over 23,000 birds were spotted in the Athagarh forest area. A forest official said an elaborate census to ascertain the number of winged guests visiting the silver city will be conducted soon.
“The migratory birds from Russia are a visual treat, and a lot of people in this area go on bird-watching during this time of the year,” said Bissam Jena, a resident of CDA Sector-11.
