Bhitarkanika welcomes winged guests

If the rains come, can the winged guests be far behind? It's only the first week of monsoon and a large numbers of birds have already arrived in the Bhitarkanika National Park heronry, locally known as 'Bagagahana', for annual nesting.

Forest officials have so far recorded over 16 species of birds at the 'Bagagahana'. "More are expected in the coming days,"

The heronry sprawls over an area of 20 acre surrounded by Bhitarkanika river on the east, Suajhore creek on the north and Pitijhore creek on the south. Among the species that have already appeared are storks.