Bhubaneswar, Jan 11: A total of 16,675 birds were spotted in Chandaka-Damapara sanctuary near the city during a census carried out on Wednesday, 6,165 less than last year.
At least 22,840 birds had visited the sanctuary last year and 21,948 in its previous year.
This year, 24 species were migratory birds out of total 56 species spotted in the sanctuary.
The bird census was started from 6 am to 11 am yesterday. As many as 60 persons were engaged in 12 units at 27 different places for the survey.
Forest department employees, wardens, research scholars from Utkal University, Centurion University and OUAT, social workers, and bird lovers participated in the bird counting. GPS, binocular and other equipments were used in the counting.
