Drone Disrupts Protected Bird Colony, Forces Mass Exodus from California Park

A reckless Drone Incident scattered a large colony of protected white-tailed kites from their winter roost at Meadow Park in San Luis Obispo, California, according to The Tribune.

Drone Incident Causes Immediate Impact

On October 24, a drone flew directly through a flock of approximately 64 white-tailed kites at dusk, causing immediate panic among the birds.

“The birds just scattered,” reported Brian O’Kelly from the Morro Coast Audubon Society. “In a matter of minutes, all 60 birds were gone.”

The incident abruptly ended what bird watchers described as a remarkable gathering, with numbers significantly higher than previous years. Members of the birding society attempted to locate the scattered birds immediately after the incident but were unsuccessful.

Protected Species Affected

The white-tailed kites, protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, had spent two and a half weeks building their communal roost. These distinctive birds, known for their hovering flight patterns and social winter roosting behavior, had shown a significant population increase from the previous year’s 30-40 birds.

“Every day their numbers were building,” O’Kelly said. “One minute of drone activity chased them off and they had to go find another safe place.”

Tragic Aftermath

The drone disturbance proved to be just the beginning of a tragic series of events for the local kite population. In the days following the incident, Pacific Vadvilág Care rescued two injured fledgling white-tailed kites near Meadow Park on October 28 and 29. Despite receiving immediate medical attention, including wound cleaning and medication, both young birds succumbed to their injuries within 24 hours of rescue. One baby bird had suffered puncture wounds, while the other had sustained a wound on the right side of its neck.

Pacific Wildlife Care executive director Kristin Howland emphasized the dangers of drone operations near wildlife:

“Drone activity can be incredibly dangerous to all wildlife. It can displace them. It can force potentially abandonment of a nest. We just need to learn how to respect and live with wildlife.”

Investigation Underway

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has launched an investigation into the incident, though they’ve declined to comment on the ongoing case. O’Kelly reported the incident to the city of San Luis Obispo, expressing his disappointment:

“I’m disappointed that it happened. What we do really does affect the wildlife in ways we don’t expect it to.”

DroneXL’s Take

This incident highlights the critical importance of responsible drone operations near wildlife. While drones have revolutionized wildlife research and conservation efforts, as shown in many of our Drones for Good coverage, operators must follow proper protocols and regulations. The technology’s potential for wildlife observation and research is remarkable, but incidents like this underscore the need for enhanced operator Education and awareness of wildlife protection laws. Recent articles in our Drones for Good section have demonstrated how drones can actually benefit wildlife research when used responsibly, making this incident particularly unfortunate.

What are your thoughts on balancing drone operations with wildlife protection? Share your perspective in the comments below.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​