KENDRAPRA, JAN 9   :    An estimated 1,51,421 avian birds belonging to 121 species had visited Bhitarkanika National Park, a survey of mid-winter waterfowl bird status carried out in Bhitarkanika National Park said.

According to Rajnagar Mangrove Forest and wildlife Division DFO Sudarshan Gopinath Jadav the total number of avian guests came to Bhitarkanika National Park is 1,51,421 as per the latest Mid-winter waterfowl census, whereas last year the figure was 139959. There is an increase of 11462 numbers of birds this year as compared to last year.

Larger whistling Duck and lesser whistling duck came in larger numbers than other feathered guests. As many as 28,090 Larger whistling Duck and 22,035 Lesser whistling duck species visited Bhitarkanika National Park this time. Largest number of birds were reported from Paradip Gypsum Pond area in Kujang Range of the Division.

Altogether 18 teams were deployed in all 5 Ranges of the Division for  conducting Mid winter waterfowl bird status survey on January 6 last.

Chirps of winged guests from overseas had livened up the picturesque  marshy wetland spots of the national park. The enumerators have also  spotted some rare bird species and the species enlisted in IUCN Red  Data Book in the wetland areas of the national park.

This time a total 121 types of bird species visited Bhitarkanika  National Park in comparison to 144 species of feathered guests that  visited the national park last year.

Migratory birds fly thousands of miles to Bhitarakanika to escape the  harsh winter for its unique ecosystem from the northern hemisphere and Ladakh regions.

Bhitarkanika is stated to be the transit point for the migratory bird species for its unique ecosystem . The migratory birds, after staying  in the water bodies ,returned when the water bodies near the Bhitarkanika National Park dried up .

The increase in the number of migratory birds this year is purely an indication that Bhitarkanika has been providing a congenial atmospherefor the migratory winged species , the DFO said.