An Arctic Skua and a Brown Noddy. Telegraph pictures

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 25: Birdwatchers in the twin cities are in for a big treat in the aftermath of Phailin as they have come across various new species of sea birds near two water bodies.

While three new birds were seen on the Mahanadi waters near the Mundali bridge, a new species was also sighted at the Kanjia Lake near Nandankanan.

The strong winds of powerful storms, such as cyclones, are known to blow in sea birds that are unable to escape its enormous circumference.

Phailin, too, blew in three species of sea birds into the inlands, which fall in the category of pelagic birds.

Members of the Bhubaneswar Bird Walks have sighted Arctic Skua, Brown Noddy, and Bridled Tern at Mundali. These birds usually fly over the open seas. They are rarely seen inland.

The founder member of the Bhubaneswar Bird Walks, Panchami Manoo Ukil, said: “On the afternoon of October 13, two senior birdwatchers of our group Umakanta Biswal and Subhendu Bhattacharya went to the Mundali bridge area anticipating that Phailin may have blown in some sea birds or pelagics. They were elated to sight the Arctic Skua.”

Deputy director of Nandankanan Zoological Park Manoj Nair made a simultaneous reporting of the Bridled Terns at Kanjia Lake near Nandankanan.

Ornithologist Gahar Abedin said: “The findings of the marine species is an interesting development. If the bird enthusiasts can take up more such expeditions during storms, then we can monitor more bird species affected by storms.’’