A report from Sajanagad said the forest department started the census in Kuladiha sanctuary under Nilagiri bock in Balasore district following a directive from DFO Biswaraj Panda.

Over 30 forest officials under the leadership of Kuladiha ranger Laxman Pradhan started enumeration at Risia dam, Bagalibandh, Jhumakuta, Tenda Sataghati and Padmatola lake near Kansa.

Varieties of birds like cranes, storks, cormorants, common harriers, vultures, peacocks, hornbills and Indian rollers were spotted during the exercise.

Of the over 1,000 birds counted, 300 birds were found near Risia dam alone, said ranger Pradhan.

A report from Joda said thousands of winged guests from abroad have thronged various parts of Champura range in Keonjhar district this winter. This year, more foreign birds have arrived in the region, sources in the department said. Last year, 429 migratory birds had come to the area while their number has gone up to 543 this year.

Forest officials including Champua ranger GhanashyamBarik and forester Ranjita Jena conducted census at Manmara dam and other water bodies in Joda. As the weather condition is favourable, more birds are expected to arrive, officials said.

Meanwhile, a report from Buguda said 3,867 birds were found during a headcount drive carried out in the forest range Wednesday.

A team of 50 forest officials led by ranger Prasant Kumar Sahu participated in the census. Baghua dam was found having the highest 1,214 birds out of which 17 were migratory ones. In 2016, the forest range had 2,017 birds while in 2016 it had 2,733 birds.

The enumeration started at 6 am and continued till 11 am. Forest officials divided themselves into 22 teams for the exercise. The teams visited Chilikhama, Balipadar, Jiliba, Banapalli, Bhagabanpur, Bajragad, Budurungu, Chhamunda, Manitara, Panchabhuti, Baghua MIP, Kansuka dam, Hulapalli, Dahalia, Nuapalli, Chirikipada, Patabandha, Haradachira embankment, Bandhaghai, Manibandha lake and a lotus pond for bird counting.

According to a report from Jeypore, enumerators visited various wetlands including Kolab Dam, Kochela and Champaguda under Koraput sub-division, Damayanti Sagar under Kotpad forest range, Jagannath Sagar under Jeypore forest range, Muran Dam and Indravati Reserve under Borigumma forest range, Ramgiri Pond under Boipariguda forest range and Bagderi Pond under Kundura forest range to make bird counting as accurate as possible.

There is an increase in the number of winged guests visiting Jeypore forest division over the years, it was learnt.

Shortage of food coupled with extreme cold condition force the birds to flee their native places, according to experts.

There is a need to ensure the safety of the feathered guests as some local poachers have set their eyes on the migratory birds, they added.

Nearly, 3,000 migratory birds had visited various water bodies under Jeypore forest division last year, department sources said.