NYC police drones patrolling for sharks under attack, shorebirds to blame

It has long been established that technological advancements such as the Internet wiring have impacted the creatures that take to the skies. Birds have been falling through the skies owing to the exposure of radio frequencies.

Now, local shorebirds on New York City’s beaches face another dilemma – drones.

The Associated Press ( AP ) reported earlier today that a fleet of drones patrolling NYC beaches to spot sharks and to assist those struggling to swim has angered local shorebirds.

Earlier in May, drones were deployed by New York City’s police and fire departments to patrol the beaches.

American oystercatchers attacking drones

As a result, flocks of aggressive birds constantly try to invade the flying devices due to which the officials have had to revise their flying strategies. City officials have named American oystercatchers as the primary assailants.

This shorebird is identified by its vibrant orange bill, nesting in the sand of Rockaway Beach during this season. AP reported that despite the creature’s population having grown in recent decades, federal authorities have classified the species as a “high conservation concern.”

The shorebird attacks have slowed since the first deployment but the birds are still continuing to swarm the drones which has raised concerns among wildlife experts.

The wildlife community is worried about the impact of drones on these threatened species. It’s causing them to leave their nesting spots along the coastal shorelines.

Veronica Welsh, a wildlife coordinator at the Parks Department, told AP that the birds were “very annoyed by the drones” from the moment they arrived on the beach.

“They will fly at it, they’ll swoop at it, they’ll be vocalizing,” she says. “They think they’re defending their chicks from a predator.”

Officials noted that so far, birds have not been harmed, however, there have been close calls.

The devices are fitted with inflatable life rafts for struggling swimmers even though no rescues have been made yet. Although, they did spot a shark on Thursday [July 11, 2024] which led officials to seal the beach.

Drones distressing shorebirds

David Bird, a professor of wildlife biology at McGill University, Canada told AP that the birds could gradually get habituated to the devices which can stretch over three feet (nearly a meter) long and emit a loud hum as they take flight.

However, the professor also emphasized the contrary result where drones could simulate a stress response.

It could cause the species to flee the beach and abandon their eggs akin to a similar situation with several thousand elegant terns after a drone crash in San Diego.

“We don’t know a lot about what sort of distance is required to protect the birds,” Bird stated.

“But we do know there are birds on this beach that are highly endangered. If they abandon their nests because of the drones, that would be a disaster.”

Alongside the American oystercatchers, live some other tern species including waterbirds, piping plovers, and a small, sand-colored bird on Rockaway Beach.

Local officials monitor plovers in the summer, restricting access to nesting areas for both beachgoers and drones.

“We pointed out that there’s a nest here and there’s two angry parents who don’t want you anywhere near their eggs or their babies,” Natalie Grybauskas, the agency’s assistant commissioner told AP .

Despite officials adjusting the flight path of the drones, beachgoers have observed groups of birds rushing at the drones.

This disruption poses risks to endangered species like piping plovers and could negatively impact bird populations. Despite efforts to adjust drone flight paths, these issues persist, raising worries about long-term conservation impacts.