This year's bird census at Baikka Beel in Moulvibazar found 11,615 birds of 39 species, more than double last year's figure. Last year the count at Baikka Beel was 5,418 birds of 38 species.

The census, held at Baikka Beel on 28–29 January with the help of the Bangladesh Bird Club, was carried out by bird expert Dr Paul Thompson. He told Jago News that a large number of birds were found at Baikka Beel this year. Among them were several threatened species, including the spotted eagle, Pallas's fish eagle, Oriental darter, black-headed ibis and ferruginous duck.

In this year's two-day census at Baikka Beel, 288 glossy ibises, 2,220 common teals, 921 northern pintails, 398 fulvous whistling ducks and 860 lesser whistling ducks were seen. The most numerous bird was the ruff (geowala batan), with 2,280 counted.

Dr Paul Thompson said the number of birds would rise further if their habitat could be properly protected and illegal hunting stopped. He added that fish farms have grown up around Baikka Beel, destroying the natural swamp forest. Leaseholders of nearby beels are irrigating without following the rules, and growing settlements beside the beel are threatening the birds' living space.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.