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

A reckless scattered a large colony of protected white-tailed kites from their winter roost at Meadow Park in San Luis Obispo, , 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 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 无人机为善 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 and awareness of wildlife protection laws. Recent articles in our 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.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​


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Haye Kesteloo
Haye Kesteloo

Haye Kesteloo is a leading drone industry expert and Editor in Chief of DroneXL.coEVXL.co, where he covers drone technology, industry developments, and electric mobility trends. With over nine years of specialized coverage in unmanned aerial systems, his insights have been featured in The New York Times, The Financial Times, and cited by The Brookings Institute, Foreign Policy, Politico and others.

Before founding DroneXL.co, Kesteloo built his expertise at DroneDJ. He currently co-hosts the PiXL 无人机表演 on YouTube and podcast platforms, sharing industry insights with a global audience. His reporting has influenced policy discussions and been referenced in federal documents, establishing him as an authoritative voice in drone technology and regulation. He can be reached at haye @ dronexl.co or @hayekesteloo.

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