GURGAON: A team of biologists from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), a wildlife research organization, has spotted 70 new species of birds at the Sultanpur National Park, according to a study. 

The study was conducted over a six-month period between October 2014 and March 2015 using the absolute count method to get an estimate of the park's bird population. The results of the survey show that the total number of bird species at the park has increased to 320 from 250 over four years. 

According to the report, of the 320 species spotted at the park, 180 are resident species. "Of the 180 species recorded during the study, 57% were resident, 31% were wintering and 10% were local migratory to the park," says the report summary (a copy of which is with TOI). 

While the red-wattled lapwing was the most common resident species found at the park, the wood sandpiper was the most common bird during winter months. The surveyors also found four 'vulnerable' and eight 'near-threatened' species at the Sultanpur National park. 

The vulnerable species are the greater spotted eagle, eastern imperial eagle, Indian spotted eagle and the sarus crane. 

The report also highlighted that 20,000 migratory birds throng the park during winters and the most preferred months for birds to visit the park are December and March. 

A study of ducks at the park was also conducted and the population of Coots was found to be the highest throughout the year. The common teal (anas crecca) was the most common duck found during the winter months. The high population of dabbling ducks indicated that there was abundance of shallow water habitats, which is preferred by the dabbling ducks. 

However, the population of diving ducks and waders was low due to scarcity of habitat. 

Emphasizing the need to have a good fish population in Sultanpur Lake, Dr Vibhu Prakash, person in charge of the project, said, "We found 21 fish-eating birds in the park. It is, therefore, important to maintain pools of water during summers for the fish stock. Fish fingerlings should be introduced at the end of June or early July and then again in the winter months." 

"The population of bird species estimated by our team was almost the same. Such studies definitely give more credibility to our figures," district forest officer K S Khatkar said.