Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The weeklong census that concluded in August 31revealed that the country bird count in Bhitarkanika National Park during the monsoon this year has gone up by over 10,000.
As per the reports, Divisional Forest Officer, Rajnagar Mangrove (Wildlife) Forest Division, JD Pati stated that 1,08,639 country birds were spotted in the park this year, which is 10,773 more than the last monsoon’s count of 97,866.
JD Pati further informed that Open Bill Stork, Little Cormorant, Intermediate Egret, Large Egret, Little Egret, Purple Heron, Grey Heron, Night Heron, Darter, White Ibis and Cattle Egret were spotted in Mathadia, Laxmiprasadia and Durgaprasadia forest range.
He further added that apart from this the census teams found 22,828 nests. The bird census had begun on August 23 by two teams comprising seven members each.
