Kendrapara, Sep 16 (Reporter) About 1,30,123 residential birds belonging to 10 species were spotted by enumerators during the annual residential bird census in Bhitarkanika National Park. Sudarshan Gopinath Jadav, DFO of the Rajnagar Mangrove Forest and Wildlife Division, said that 6,256 more monsoon birds and 1,154 more nests were spotted this year compared to last year’s census, conducted from September 9 to 13. According to official sources, forest personnel recorded 27,282 nests across 1,300 mangrove trees this year, compared to 26,118 nests in the 2023 census. The Asian Openbill stork had the highest number of nests among all the residential bird species. The census was conducted in four locations: Matha Dia, Laxmi Prasad Dia, Durgaprasad Dia, and Bali Dia. While Matha Dia is located inside Bhitarkanika National Park, Durgaprasad Dia, Laxmi Prasad Dia, and Bali Dia are outside the park, according to the DFO. The highest number of nests, 12,702, were spotted in Laxmiprasad Dia, followed by 12,502 nests in Matha Dia, 1,548 nests in Durgaprasad Dia, and 520 nests in Bali Dia. A total of 10 out of 11 local bird species flock to Bhitarkanika National Park for nesting and breeding during the monsoon. These species include the Openbill stork, Little cormorant, Intermediate egret, Large egret, Little egret, Purple heron, Grey heron, Night heron, Darter, White ibis, and Cattle egret. The birds selectively use specific mangrove species such as Guan, Bani, Choranda, Kerauan, and Oruan trees for constructing their nests. Forest officials noted that Matha Dia, Laxmiprasad Dia, and Durgaprasad Dia have been the preferred nesting and breeding sites for these monsoon birds for several years. However, this year, the birds skipped Bagagahan heronry, which was once a paradise for these residential birds. The monsoon bird census was conducted under the supervision of the DFO of Rajnagar Mangrove Forest and Wildlife Division, along with ACF of Kanika, Manas Kumar Das. Three teams, each consisting of four enumerators, were engaged to carry out the census drive...////...