Bhubaneshwar, Jan. 20 -- Around 4.2 lakh winter migratory birds made the picturesque Hirakud reservoir wetland sites in their temporary abode this year, triggering a chirpy cacophony along the islands including the region towards Odisha-Chhattisgarh border.
The annual census for winter migratory birds conducted along the whole wetland counted an estimated 4.2 lakh feathered guests of 128 species, which was higher than that of last year's census findings. In 2025, 3.77 lakh birds of 12 species were counted.
Five new species (Ruddy Crake, Greater Painted Snipe, Painted Stork, Little Gull, Sanderling) were found this year which were not sighted in previous years.
Prominent among the feathered species sighted this year included among others ...