Bhitarkanika Series 2nd post

[Satyabrata Mishra]

Got the picture of this Asian open bill captured while carrying the nesting material.It was a dream of mine to see the nesting site which is otherwise known as "BAGA GAHANA". In fact in Oriya we call egret as Baga. But there were none. Might be given the name by the villagers.

Asian open bill nesting is considered as the onset of monsoon in Orissa. There are several places where these birds choose big trees with many branches as their favored nesting site. Nandan Kanan (bank of the lake), Dhanmandal (Two trees in-front of railway station now protected by the community), and this place "Baga Gahana", thousands assemble for the nesting and after the monsoon they fly away to other places.( I know only these).One has to see the scene to believe about the presence of around 40-50 thousand birds nesting at a time at Baga Gahana.