As many as 61,350 birds of 95 species in and around Odisha’s Chilika lake were counted by the Odisha forest and environment department officials during the annual avian summer count. Chilika is the largest brackish water lake in Asia. The previous year, 48,728 birds of 106 species were spotted here.
According to Chilika Wildlife Division’s Assistant Conservator of Forest, PK Panda, birds found this summer included 48,254 waterfowl of 42 species and 13,096 resident birds of 53 species.
What does the bird census say?
Reportedly, the highest number of birds spotted were in the Rambha range (21,088) followed by Tangi (17,929), Balugaon (12,804), Chilika (5,064), and Satapada (4,465). Among the species, Little Cormorants were spotted in the highest numbers (8,025), followed by Little Egrets (6,680) and Asian Openbill Storks (5,597).
According to the recently concluded annual census at Chilika lake, as many as 1,074,173 birds of 183 species arrived here this winter (January 2022). Of these, 1,036,220 were migratory birds of 107 species and 37,953 resident birds of 76 wetland-dependent species.
Factors leading to the increase?
Chilika has always been a spot for birds. Over 1 million birds of 183 different species gathered at Chilika and Mangalajodi for the 4th National Chilika Bird Festival. The increase in birds flying to Chilika can be attributed to various factors. According to Sushant Nanda, Chief Executive, Chilika Development Authority, habitat improvement, availability of food, eviction of prawn gherries (enclosures) in the lake are some of the reasons for more bird flocking this year. Further, the drying up of water bodies near the lake is also a reason for birds to migrate to Chilika Lake, a perennial water body.
During the winter season, various species of birds come to the lake from around the world. Migratory birds from the arctic and sub-arctic stop at Chilika during their onward and return migration along the east coast. It is an apt habitat for them due to the mudflats, floating and submerged vegetation, reed-beds, and open waters with varying depth and salinity.
At Chilika, among migratory birds, one can spot Ruffs, Godwits, Terns, Plovers, Sandpipers, rare Grey-headed Lapwings, Gulls, Pintails, Ruddy Shelducks, and more. Locally migrating species such as Spot-billed Pelican, Oriental darter, Painted Stork, and Black-headed Ibis are in the near-threatened category while long-distance migrant birds like Flamingo, Ferruginous Pochard, Black-tailed Godwit, Eurasian Curlew, Asian Dowitcher, etc can also be spotted here. Flamingos and pelicans generally come to Chilika in November-December. While pelicans start their return journey with the onset of monsoon, some flamingos, however, choose to stay back at the lake.
WhatsApp us