A group of aggressive seaside residents, called local shorebirds, are upset about a fleet of drones that are scanning New York City's beaches for signs of sharks and swimmers who are having trouble.

Drones At The Beach.Photo byDylan GormanonUnsplash

Since they started flying in May, groups of birds have kept landing on the drones, forcing the police and other city agencies to change their flight plans. Even though the attacks have slowed down, they haven't stopped completely. This makes wildlife experts even more worried about how it will affect endangered species that nest along the coast.

Despite several near misses, no birds have suffered harm. Drones equipped with inflatable life rafts, designed to rescue troubled swimmers, have yet to rescue anyone. On Thursday, they spotted their first shark, necessitating the closure of most of the beach.

American Oystercatchers Are Mostly Responsible

Officials in the city said that American oystercatchers have been mostly responsible for the "swarming incidents." This time of year, it lays its eggs in the sand on Rockaway Beach. The shorebird is known for its bright orange bill. The species is still a "high conservation concern" at the federal level, even though its population has grown over the last few decades.

David Bird, a professor of wildlife biology at McGill University, said that the birds may get used to the devices over time. The devices can be over 3 feet (nearly 1 meter) long and make a loud hum when the birds fly.

But he quickly brought up a much worse possibility: the drones could cause stress in some birds, making them leave the beach and their eggs, like several thousand elegant birds did after a recent drone crash in San Diego.