Over 70,000 Monsoon Birds Arrive at Bhitarkanika National Park for Nesting and Breeding

With the onset of the monsoon, Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha has once again turned into a bustling avian haven, welcoming over 70,000 residential birds for the annual nesting and breeding season.

According to Manas Kumar Das, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF), Kanika Forest Division, these birds have flocked to the park’s three key heronries — Matha-Adia, Durgaprasad Dia, and Laxmiprasad Dia — renowned for their dense mangrove cover and tranquil, pollution-free environment. These conditions offer a safe and ideal habitat for breeding.

Prominent species observed this season include the Open-billed Stork, Black-headed White Ibis, Purple Heron, Grey Heron, Pond Heron, and Little Cormorant. In total, 11 species of residential birds are known to visit Bhitarkanika during the monsoon each year for breeding purposes. The complete list includes Open-billed Stork, Little Cormorant, Intermediate Egret, Large Egret, Little Egret, Purple Heron, Grey Heron, Night Heron, Darter, White Ibis, and Cattle Egret.

These birds typically build their nests on specific mangrove species such as Guan, Sundari, Sinduka, Bani, Jagula, Keruan, and Oruan trees. Notably, last year saw the identification of 27,282 nests across 1,300 trees, with Laxmiprasad Dia registering the highest concentration of nesting activity this season.

Interestingly, despite being a former hotspot, the Bagagahan Heronry has once again been avoided by the avian visitors this year. Forest officials are closely monitoring the shift in nesting preferences, which they believe may be linked to subtle ecological changes.

The annual residential bird census conducted in 2024 recorded a total of 1,30,123 birds from ten different species, highlighting Bhitarkanika’s critical role as a monsoon breeding ground for these native avians.

Bhitarkanika National Park, a Ramsar-designated wetland of international importance, continues to play a vital role in supporting Odisha’s biodiversity and offering a safe haven for breeding birds during the monsoon season.