Bhubaneswar: A total 3372 numbers of birds of 46 species of waterbirds were recorded from in and around Ansupa Lake during a survey on water-birds that was conducted yesterday, revealed the Water-bird Status survey report of Ansupa Lake 2022. Ansupa lake is situated in Cuttack district of Odisha.
The survey was conducted from 6.00 am to 12.00 am when waterbirds were usually active. Diversity, Distribution as well as Population was estimated during the exercise.
Along with Ansupa Lake, other small wetlands of the nearby areas were also surveyed intensively. Those are Kantapahara, Ostia, Bishnupur, Anandpur, Kadalibadi as well as Mahanadi river area near Jatamundia.
Among the total species reported, 18 species are winter migrants, and the rest 28 species are residents. In the last three years, the highest population was observed this year inside the lake.
Similarly in terms of species diversity maximum species is also reported, this year. For the first time, the Population of Red-crested Pochard Rhodonessa rufina was reported more than one thousand from the lake.
Similarly, species like Cotton Teal Nettapus coromandelianus and Lesser Whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica were also recorded in good numbers among all resident birds.
This lake is a home to many globally threatened waterbirds. Five species of threatened birds are observed during the survey. Those are Endangered Black-bellied Tern Sterna acuticauda, Vulnerable River Tern Sterna aurantia, Near Threatened River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii, Black- tailed Godwit Limosa limosa, Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus etc. Observed threatened Larid species usually prefers clean water with very good depth for foraging. After the removal of the Eichornia sp., they got a suitable habitat for foraging.
A total of four teams were deployed for the survey exercise which included the team of experts from Chilika Development Authority and Odisha Biodiversity Board. Each team included 2 to 3 members as per requirement along with experts. Binoculars, DSLR cameras with telephoto lenses, and GPS were used as instruments to record waterbirds. Both mechanical, as well as manual wooden boats, were used inside the lake.
Similarly, two teams carried out survey work in the peripheral region of the lake in two-wheelers.
Ms Kalinga