Sambalpur: The number of migratory birds visiting Hirakud in this district witnessed sharp decline this year, as birds of only 26 species were sighted during the annual bird census that conducted Sunday.
An unconfirmed source said that only over 1,000 migratory birds were found in six sectors of Hirakud wildlife division where the enumeration of the avian species took place.
The exact number of migratory birds spotted in the reservoir can only be ascertained after the final and detailed report on the census is available from six sectors of Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda districts, Hirakud wildlife division DFO Sudip Kumar Nayak said. The report is expected to be available Monday, it was learnt.
Over 60,000 migratory birds had visited the dam in 2015-16 for their annual winter sojourn.
A total of 14 teams – six in Sambalpur, three in Jharsuguda and five in Hirakud participated in the enumeration drive, wildlife officials said.
This year, over 26 species of birds mainly brown-headed gull, little grebe, little gull, cormorant, gate crested grebe, little pratincole, black-headed gull, great egret, common egret, intermediate egret, common teal, , common pochard, bar-headed goose, Indian schemer, star-billed kingfisher, kettle egret, pond heron, common kingfisher and white bellied eagle visited the reservoir.
These birds travel all the way from Mongolia, Europe and Asian countries to escape the harsh winter in these regions and make the reservoir and its adjoining areas their home for the season.
The birds start arriving in the dam from the first week of December each year before returning in the last week of January or in the first week of February.
The bird census was carried out in the dam despite heavy fog and chilly weather condition prevailing in the area.
Each team of enumerators consisted of two forest department officials, two bird experts and two boatmen who went round their respective units and counted the birds, it was learnt.
Thirteen boats and 14 four-wheeler vehicles were pressed into service in the reservoir and the Burla power channel region respectively, wildlife officials said.
A separate team walked inside the wildlife division and counted birds. The team used binoculars to notice the movement of birds. PNN
