Kendrapara: Migratory birds have begun arriving at the wetland spots of Bhitarkanika National Park in the district.

The marshy and swampy wetlands in Bhitarkanika have again emerged as a congenial and human interference-free winter habitat for the birds that come from the far north.

"Chirpy cacophony is pervading the wetland sites following the arrival of winged species. They have been arriving over the past one week. Roughly, around 20,000 birds have so far been sighted. We expect the number to rise steadily in the coming days," said Rajnagar mangrove (wildlife) forest divisional officer Bimal Prasanna Acharya.

Over the past week, the birds have been flocking to the water bodies and creeks at Satabhaya, Habelikhati, Ekakula and Raipatia - all within a 10km stretch. There is ample of food for the birds as the place, criss-crossed by water inlets, is free of human interference, Acharya said.

This time, prominent among the migratory birds that have arrived are Indian skimmers, grey pelicans and white-backed vultures, lesser adjutant and grater spotted eagles. All of these sighted species have been named endangered under the International Union for Conservation for Nature's red book data containing the list of highly threatened fauna worldwide.

These apart, other delicate and prominent birds sighted this time are black-tailed godwit, northern pin-tail, lesser whistling duck, grey plover, egret spotted bills, oriental darter, white belley seagull and black-necked stork. These species, barring the white-backed vultures, are winter migrant avian creatures from the north and cold places such as Ladakh. They prefer the Bhitarkanika wetland for its eco-system that isconducive to their winter habitation.