Winged guests flock to Chilika

BHUBANESWAR: With the winter setting in, over five lakh winter birds have arrived at Chilika lagoon as part of their annual sojourn.

At least three lakh birds have congregated at the 15.5 sq km Nalabana Bird Sanctuary. Apart from the protected area, another major congregation has been reported at the shoreline close to Mangalajodi-Bhushandpur villages where the birds have found sufficient food.

Species such as Shovellers, Pintails, Gadwals, Glossy IBIS, Bar-headed Geese and Open-billed Storks have been sighted in large numbers. About 400 Flamingoes have also been roosting in the submersible Nalabana sanctuary, sources said.

Unlike last year when the birds number had dropped because of Phailin, there is no impact of cyclonic storm Hud Hud on arrival of the birds this time. In 2013 winter, at least 7.19 lakh birds had arrived at Chilika which was about 1.5 lakh less than the number of winged visitors at the 1,100 sq km lagoon the previous year.

More number of birds are expected at Nalabana during December and January after water level recedes. “Water has not completely receded from the mud-flats and when it happens, more number of wader species will arrive.

Anticipating more avian guests in the next two months, the Chilika Wildlife Division has brought in more personnel to keep poachers at bay.

While 17 protection camps have already been set up to keep a watch on hunters and TRADERS, APR forces have joined the patrol teams now.

Meanwhile, the wildlife officials are likely to start collection of serum samples from the migratory birds during December-January to keep an eye on avian influenza which has been reported in European countries.