Birds flock to Chilika early this year

Berhampur: The winter chill is yet to set in Odisha, but the winged guests have started arriving at the Chilika — the biggest waterfowl habitat in the country.
Wildlife officials in the state spotted approximately 20,000 birds of 65 different species in the 1,100 sq km lake, said PK Panda, assistant conservator of forests (ACF), Chilika wildlife division.Over 5,400 of them descended in the 15.69 sq km Nalaban bird sanctuary .
Migratory bird sightings began in the second week of October. He claimed there was no delay in their migration to the lake this year because they arrived at the same time last year.
Several birds are sighted flying near Chilika without plunging into the lake. They will land once the water level recedes in the lake: “We expected them to arrive in large numbers by the end of October.” he added
“The water level of the lake is high due to the rain in September. Migratory birds may find it difficult to get food in the submerged water body. This may be why the birds were flying in the sky, rather than diving into the water bodies,” said an ornithologist.
As many as 10,74,173 birds of 173 different species were enumerated in the lake in the annual bird survey of birds last winter, sources said.
The Chilika wildlife division has set up 20 temporary camps and a mobile patrolling service to prevent bird poaching during the season.
At least 60 additional people have been hired to engage in temporary camps, said Panda.