On NYC Beaches, Angry Birds Clash with Drones on Shark and Swimmer Patrol
Drones patrolling NYC beaches for sharks and swimmers face hostility from irate birds. Shorebirds, particularly American oystercatchers, have swarmed and attacked drones. Concerns are raised concerning the impact on vulnerable bird species nesting along the coast.
Instead, it's a battle between drones and a horde of angry birds. A fleet of drones has been sent out to patrol the city's beaches, keeping an eye out for sharks and struggling swimmers. However, these aerial sentinels have enraged local shorebirds, resulting in a number of clashes.
Since their introduction in May, the drones have been repeatedly attacked by flocks of birds, prompting the police department and other city agencies to change their flying plans. While the attacks have abated, wildlife experts remain concerned about the impact on fragile bird species that nest along the coast.
Veronica Welsh, a wildlife coordinator for the Parks Department, noted that the birds are "very annoyed by the drones" and see them as a threat to their babies. The birds swoop and vocalise in an attempt to protect their chicks from what they perceive as predators.
Fortunately, no birds were killed in these interactions, though officials reported numerous near calls. The drones, which are outfitted with inflatable life rafts for rescuing troubled swimmers, have yet to make any rescues. However, they did spot their first shark last Thursday, forcing the majority of the beach to be closed.
City officials have identified American oystercatchers as the principal cause of the "swarming incidents." These shorebirds, famed for their bright orange beak, lay their eggs on Rockaway Beach this time of year. While their number has increased in recent decades, federal authorities nevertheless classify them as a "high conservation concern."
David Bird, a wildlife biology professor at McGill University, believes the birds will eventually develop acclimated to the drones, which produce a loud hum and can reach lengths of over 3 feet. However, he also suggests a more concerning possibility: the drones may cause stress in some birds, prompting them to abandon their nests and eggs. This has happened before, when beautiful terns abandoned their nesting grounds after a drone crashed in San Diego.
The confrontation between drones and birds is most prevalent on Rockaway Beach, a famous summer destination for New Yorkers. American oystercatchers coexist with several tern species and piping plovers, the city's only federally endangered species. Each summer, local officials meticulously monitor the plovers and limit access to the nesting places.
After the city's Emergency Management Department expressed worry about the conflict, drone operators, mostly from the police and fire departments, decided to fly the devices farther away from oystercatcher nesting grounds. Briefings on the subject have been held, emphasising the importance of drone operators understanding these birds' life cycles.
Despite the city's changes, beachgoers have observed birds aggressively approaching the drones. New York City is not alone in utilising drones to police its seas; similar operations were launched on Long Island following a string of shark bites last summer. Lifeguards in Australia have also used drones to monitor sharks and conduct rescue operations.
Mayor Eric Adams, a drone enthusiast, lauded the new drone programme as an important complement to water safety measures. With a scarcity of lifeguards this summer, drones provide an additional layer of security. However, Christopher Allieri, founder of the NYC Plover Project, a bird protection organisation, underlines the need for further procedures to guarantee that drones do not affect the shorebird population.
The struggle between drones and birds on NYC beaches continues, and it is unclear how this collision of technology and nature will be resolved. Balancing swimmer safety with the protection of endangered bird species will necessitate serious consideration and inventive solutions.
Drones patrolling NYC beaches for sharks and swimmers face opposition from angry birds.
Shorebirds, particularly American oystercatchers, have been swarming and attacking the drones.
Concerns arise about the impact on threatened bird species nesting along the coast.
Source: AP NEWS