Birds arrive at Bhitarkanika

KENDRAPARA: If you are an ornithologist, now is the time to be in Bhitarkanika, national park in Kendrapara district, as thousands of migratory birds have started arriving in the mangrove forest for their annual winter sojourn.The park is home to almost 85 species of  birds including northern pintail, gull-billed tern, common sand piper, bar-headed geese, greylag geese, shovellers, osprey, wigeons, red kite, spotted eagle, ruddy shelduck, gargany teal, pintail, gadwall, little grebe, spot-billed pelican and several others.Though toxic effluents from shrimp and fertiliser factories have affected the number of birds visiting the region, it still remains a visual treat.