SAMBALPUR, Nov. 10: Hirakud reservoir, spread across 745 square km, now bears a colourful look with Siberian and Himalayan birds flocking the water body. The whole atmosphere is filled with fun and frolic with winged guests twittering all over.

As usual, migratory birds come to this reservoir every year for their winter sojourn. “After Chilika, Hirakud reservoir is the next favoured destination for thousands of winged guests coming from Caspian Sea, lake Baikal, Aral Sea, Mongolia, central and south east Asia and Himalayan region,” said Mrs Mita Biswal, the DFO wild life stationed in Sambalpur.

With the onset of winter, arrival of the migratory birds has already begun in the reservoir. Normally they are ensconces in the left and right dykes of the dam to save themselves from the bitter cold of the Himalayan region and make their return journey with the newborn birdie towards the beginning of February.

This year, birds in quite good numbers are seen in the first week of November. Common among the birds arriving at the Hirakud reservoir are common pochard, red crusted pochard, great crusted grib, great duck, cotton bill, spot bill etc. Nearly 20-25 species of birds are seen in the Hirakud reservoir, wild life department officers said.

The department admitted that the number of birds were less in 2005 compared to 2004. Weather condition in the parent area is a prime factor for the shifting of place, it added. “However, once the arrival reaches the saturation point, bird census will be done,” the DFO, Mrs Biswal, said.

“Adequate precautionary measures have been taken for the safety of the birds during their short staying. Awareness drives in the villages close to reservoir were made. Fishermen are also directed not to spread net just above the water surface. Above all, patrolling is done all over the reservoir by special squads to discourage poaching,” the DFO informed.