Rajnagar, Sept 11: The annual monsoon bird census at Bhitarkanika National Park has recorded a marginal increase in the nesting bird population this year.

A total of 1,32,279 birds belonging to 10 species were counted in the national park.

The census also recorded 2,864 nests across 1,419 trees, highlighting Bhitarkanika's importance as a breeding and nesting habitat for native bird species.

The annual bird census was conducted during the monsoon season, when the availability of food in the wetland ecosystem remained high. The birds were also observed moving between Bhitarkanika and surrounding areas in search of food.

However, there appeared to be a discrepancy in the year-on-year figures provided. The previous year's bird count was 1,32,796 and this year's count was 1,32,279, the population of the birds increased by 1,483.