Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The number of migratory birds visiting Chilika Lake in Odisha has been dropping as per the data of the annual bird census which was conducted on November 4.
According to the report, around 10,74,173 birds of 183 species visited Chilika this season, a drop of approximately 1,68,653 birds. Around 12,42,826 birds of 190 species had been recorded in the annual census last year. Though, two new species of birds were sighted in Nalabana this year. They are Mongolian gulls. Besides, the highest number of 3,58,889 birds of 97 species visited Nalabana.
Further, as many as 21 teams, comprising of 105 forest department officials, had conducted the bird census in five ranges – Chilika, Balugaon, Satapada, Tangi, Rambha – under Chilika Wild Life Division.
