Paradip, Feb. 25: Migratory birds from the Trans-Himalayan region have delayed their homeward bound journey from the Bhitarakanika National Park.
The forest authorities are studying the factors that have made the winged guests stay at the mangrove for a longer period of time.
Nearly 22,000 avian species can still be seen at the Bhitarkanika, seemingly happy to extend their stay. "Though the birds are expected to return to their habitation in the Himalayas soon, wildlife personnel are a little intrigued about the delay. The water bodies and the marshy wetlands, with a wide array of rich food reserves might have tempted them to stay," said officer of the Rajnagar mangrove (wildlife) forest division Bimal Prasana Acharya.
While 68,514 winter migrant birds had made their way to the national park in 2013, this year's census had put their number at 1,13,226 - an impressive 66 per cent rise in their numbers.
"Birds fly thousands of miles to the Bhitarakanika to escape the harsh winter in northern Asia and some central European countries. Nearly 90,000 of them had flown back to their original habitation," said Bhitarkanika forest range officer Akshyaya Kumar Nayak.
A cacophony of chirps still pervades the marshy wetlands at Patia, Satabhaya, Badadhia and Mathadiha, all of which lie within the national park. Since the day temperatures are on a steady rise, the return journey of these migratory birds is just a matter of time," said Nayak.