Kendrapara, Jan 14: The bird census that was conducted at the Bhitarkanika National Park recently has showed a sharp decrease in the population of the migratory birds this year which has aroused concerns about the fate of the migratory feathers. While there had been a surge in the number of birds from 81,401 birds in 2015 to 1,0,6,356 birds in 2016, in 2017, the count was the lowest ever at 76,268 thus amounting 30,000 less than the previous year. This was informed by the Divisional Forest Officer of Bhitarkanika National Park to the media on Friday.
Around 16 teams had been engaged in the survey which sighted 109 species of migratory birds that included the Open billed stork, Little Cormorant, Median Egret, Large Egret, Little Egret, Purple Heron, Night Heron, Grey Heron, Darter, White Ibis and Cattle Egret, Grey-backed Shrike, Ruddy kingfisher, Red-necked Phalarrope, Western Reef Egret, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Blue-Winged Leafbird, Great Thick-knee, Great Knot, Tawny Pipit and Goliath Heron. This was also informed by the Divisional Forest Officer.
