Arrival of Asian Openbill Storks delayed at Atapaka, September 1, 2013, The Hindu ,

G.Kondepadu and Chodavaram villages outside the Kolleru Wildlife Sanctury (KWS) where the Asian Open-billed Stork nest in large numbers will be given satellite sanctuary status for the protection of the birds. Former Assistant Conservator of Forest who is currently a consultant to the Forest Department P.Gracious told The Hindu that the Open-billed Storks come to feed in the KWS and the Atapaka Pelican Paradise only when there was water.

Bird lovers have to wait for at least a fortnight more to spot the first flock of Openbill Storks at Atapaka this season. The off-white and black avian guests did not arrive at the usual time of the year because of the unpredictable climatic conditions and scorching heat with temperatures soaring. The number of Asian Openbill Stork (Anastomus Oscitans) is the second highest among the birds at the sanctuary, a Ramsar site in Andhra Pradesh, after the Painted Storks.  Expecting that the winged visitors will arrive at the lake soon after a few spells of rain, the Forest Department authorities made all the arrangements such as maintenance of water level in the lake and arranging of nets in strategic locations.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/arrival-of-asian-openbill-storks-delayed-at-atapaka/article5082184.ece