Record 95, 912 migratory birds flock to Hirakud

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Sambalpur, Jan 11:

Hirakud reservoir near the western Odisha town of Sambalpur this year played host to a record 95, 912 migratory birds, according to the day-long annual census concluded on Saturday.

As against last year, this year 37,815 more winged friends have arrived at the reservoir. These many birds have never arrived at the dam in recent years, the forest officials said.

Last year, 58, 057 birds of 63 species had visited the water body, while in 2014, 55 species belonging to 63, 892 birds had flown to spend the winter here.

Notably, birds of different species from Siberia, Tundra region, Himalayan foothills fly here in the month of November and stay till mid February. Every year from January 9 to 11, an enumeration drive takes place in the river valley spread across 743 sq. km.

On Saturday, 14 teams spread across the Hirakud reservoir, Mahanadi and power channel areas conducted the headcount of the birds. Due to vehicular movement and picnickers, the number of birds in the right dike area was few, but the winged guests were found in good numbers in the rest of the places, an official said.