Alipurduar: For the second time in a year, the forest department plans to host a bird festival in the Buxa Tiger Reserve and the adjoining Buxa Hills in January.

Last year, a similar fest was hosted at Jainti, in the reserve area, in December. During the fest, bird enthusiasts had sighted and clicked photos of as many as 128 species. These included the rare Wreathed Hornbill, Sultan Tit, Black Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle and the Greater Hornbill.

Officials said the data and photos they had collected last year was the first of its kind, helping them make an assessment of the bird species that thrive in the reserve.

"This time, we expect to get photos of some more species and the earlier ones. This year's data, once collated, will help us make another analysis," said a senior forester.

Forest sources said 40 enthusiasts from different parts of Bengal have already registered for this year's fest, which would be held from January 6 to January 9.

Two experts from Bombay Natural History Society will also attend the fest, said the sources.

A forest official said the bird enthusiasts and experts would move into the hamlets of the Buxa Hills looking for the bird species.

Animesh Bose, a wildlife enthusiast in Siliguri, said: "The Buxa reserve has always been a rich habitat of birds, drawing scientists from different parts of the country. This year, the added attraction will be the Buxa Hills, located a height of 3,500ft. As it is an undisturbed area, birds like to stay there. We feel, presence of more bird species would be recorded this time."