Hirakud reservoir saw a rise in the number of migratory birds this winter. As per report, this year over 2.08 lakh birds arrived while in 2021 1.24 birds were recorded.
The number of species has also increased as this year around 104 species of birds arrived while in 2021, 98 species were recorded.
The annual migratory bird census carried out on 7 January, 19 new species of birds were also recorded at Hirakud.
During the bird census, 15 Sectors and around 500 Square Kilometer area of Hirakud reservoir were covered. For the first time bird census in Hirakud reservoir covered reservoir upto Odisha – Chhattisgarh border and additional 38 Square Km area which included Antaradi- Sakasoda village. 
Most of the migratory birds included species like Black Bittern, Peregrine Falcon, Swift, Black-headed Ibis, Ruddy Crake, White Bellied Sea Eagle, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Pied Bushchat, Long Tailed Shrike, Striated Heron, Paddy field Pipit, Black Shoulder Kite; Bear’s Pochard, Western Yellow Wagtail, Knob billed Duck, Siberian Rubythroat, Red winged bush lark, Crested lark and Green Sandpiper.
Sharing about the bird census, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Hirakud Wildlife Division, Anshu Pragyan Dash informed that this year around 52, 337 Lesser Whistling Ducks have migrated of Hirakud Reservoir and made it their home for a few months. Similarly other highest number of bird species include around 27677 Tufted Duck, 21244 Common Coot , 13076 Little Cormorant , 11220 Red Crested Pochard .
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