Kendrapara: Count of avian guests thronging the mangrove belts of Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district has increased by 9,252 this year as compared to last year, park authorities informed Saturday afternoon.
This year, a total of 97,866 birds of 10 species were found in the park. The number of nests spotted this year is 21,185 with an increase of 1,959 nests, as compared to last year’s count.
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Different species of birds such as ganders, wagtails, herons, little cormorant, grey crane and Khaira usually throng Bhitarkanika National Park during monsoon, which is considered to be their breeding season.
Altogether 21,185 nests were spotted at Mathadiha which is located inside Bhitarkanika National Park including Laxmiprasad Diha and Durgaprasad Diha which are located in its close vicinity.
Notably, the Bhitarkanika sanctuary in Kendrapara district is one of the prominent heronries in the state. Besides, warmer mangrove belts, rich food resources, lack of human interference, congenial climatic conditions as well as ideal river system are the favourable factors that contribute to the migration of birds in large numbers.
PNN