Congregation of migratory birds in Chilika attracts tourists

With the onset of winter, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon, Chilika lake has come alive with the chirps of migratory birds. Tourists in large numbers also visit the area to see this congregation of birds from a close distance.

Khordha (Odisha): As winter arrives, exotic birds of various species flock to Asia's largest brackish water lagoon, Chilika in Odisha, which serves as an important nesting place for them.

Major bird congregations have been spotted in the wetlands of the Nalabana Bird Sanctuary inside Chilika and Mangalajodi, a major village on the banks of the lake.

Tourists in large numbers also visit the area to see this congregation of birds from a close distance. Since the weather is favourable this year, the number of winged guests from abroad to the Chilika lake has gone up.

The birds in large numbers fly in here during the winter season from distant countries like Siberia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Mongolia as also many western countries. During this period the birds get food materials in adequate quantities in the Chilika lake.

Migratory birds fly across continents from Caspian Sea, Baikal Lake and remote parts of Russia, Mongolia and Siberia and flock to the marshy lands of the Nalabana Bird Sanctuary inside the Chilika Lake, which is spread across over 1000 sq. km.

Among the groups of birds that inhabit the Mangalajodi marshes in winter are babblers, bee-eaters, coots, cormorants and shags, crakes, egrets and bitterns, grebes, geese and ducks, gulls and terns, herons, ibises, jacanas, kingfishers, larks, moorhens, munias, partridges, pheasants, prinias, quails, rails, raptors, robins, sparrows, starlings and mynahs, storks, swallows, swifts, thrushes, waders, wagtails and pipits, warblers and weavers.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, a tourist said, "The peaceful environment and assemblage of foreign birds in large numbers have fascinated the visiting tourists. The Mangalajodi area of Chilika lake which is home to thousands of ducks and swans is now full of the murmuring sounds of the winged guests."

"Because of the favourable environment and availability of adequate foodstuff, the Chilika lake has become the first choice of visit for the foreign birds in the winter season. Since the lake is capable of attracting so many birds, its natural beauty has gone up two times," he said.

However, compared to previous years, the rush of tourists in this place has come down this year because of restrictions imposed on account of coronavirus pandemic.

Even the visitors who are coming here are being requested to obey the corona restrictions. Along with the tourists, the boatmen at Mangalajodi are also obeying the corona safety guidelines and enjoying the serene beauty of the bird sanctuary.