Kakatpur: Forest department officials and experts have spotted altogether 24 species of migratory birds on Astarang coast during a census January 3.
According to sources, a 10-member team led by Puri wildlife division assistant conservator of forests (ACF) Rabindra Kumar Mahapatra, Astarang divisional forest officer (DFO) Subas Kumar Nayak and ornithologist Gauhar Abedin visited Devi river mouth area, mangroves at Sahan and, Nuagada, Balabhadrapur, Patsundarpur, Chaurasi, Meghapat, Potala and Bantilo to conduct the census.
The team also visited swamps near Devi, Prachi, Kadua and Luna rivers to count the migratory birds.
It is learnt that the team has spotted altogether 3,602 birds of 32 species during the survey. “We have come across altogether 24 species of migratory birds on Astarang coast during the census,” said a Forest department official.
According to the official, the team spotted rare species of migratory birds including lesser sand plover, black headed ibis, northern pintail and brown headed gull during the survey. “We have spotted 500 less birds in Astarang area in comparison to last year’s figure,” said the official.
According to sources, most of the migratory birds have nested at the mangroves at Sahan and Balabhadrapur. Some of the birds have started laying eggs, added the official.
