Bhubaneswar, Jan. 9: A census of migratory birds at the India's largest brackish water lagoon, Chilika, which concluded today, revealed new bird species at Mangalajodi.

The census found that more than 176 species spent the winter at the wetland that has been designated as a Ramsar site (wetland of international importance). The two-day exercise covered the entire lake, which is spread over 1,100sqkm.

Enumerators in 20 groups, including research scholars and bird lovers of the state, took part in the exercise. Experts imparted training on census methodology to the participants at the Wetland Research Centre in Chandraput before the census.

Members from Bombay National History Society, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Chilika Development Authority and forest officials conducted the census. It was conducted in areas, including Tangi, Balugaon, Rambha and Satapada.

"It is estimated that around 9.47 lakh birds thronged the lake this year. A large number of flamingos were also seen this time," said Umakant Biswal, an expert of the census team .

Last year, more than 4.6 lakh birds of 161 species visited the Chilika lake.

Instead of using electronic boats, this time the traditional ones were used to make sure that the birds were not disturbed during the census process.

The winter sojourn of Chilika's winged guests began in October last year. Every year lakhs of migratory birds from Siberia, Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan come to the lake in October and return by March.

Authorities said steps were taken to guarantee a safe stay for the birds. "Ensuring a disease-free stay for the birds and working against poaching were our major focus this year," said divisional forest officer, Chilka, B.R Das.

Forest officials will also conduct a census of dolphins in the lake next week. Census at Chandaka forest, Nandankanan zoo and Bhitarkanika National Park will also be conducted by the end of this month.