Paradip: Schoolchildren have been enlightened of avian species and their migration pattern in a symposium on birds here.

The students evinced interest as wildlife activists and ornithologists made them aware of the complex flight of birds and their complex life cycle on Tuesday.

"We are surprised to find the kids overwhelming with concern for the birds. They displayed inquisitiveness and posed several posers regarding residential birds and winter migrant avian species," said Madhusmit Pati, a bird researcher.

Bijay Kumar Das of the mangrove forest division talked about the flora and fauna of Bhitarkanika.

"The children's bird awareness is significantly on the lower side. Nowadays, they are more inclined towards cartoons and games. The exposure of this nature would imbibe the children's love towards nature, flora and fauna," said Das.

School students Saswat Pati and his younger sibling Sourav Pati showcased photographs of birds from the PPL fertiliser plant, which they have captured through their lenses over the years.

A bird walk was organised along the water bodies of Paradip Phosphates Limited. The children were taken to the water bodies to have look at the birds in the wild.

As many as 38 species of winter migratory and local water birds were sighted in the wetland spots and water bodies located in the PPL fertiliser complex.

The census drive of these birds was conducted recently. Enumerators sighted 13,600 birds arriving here for their annual winter sojourn.

This year, a surprise arrival of six comb ducks is the star attraction in the PPL as this is for the first time ever that this species was not sighted in the Bhitarkanika National Park.