Posted on Sep 15, 2023
Stop messing with nature: Portland Audubon asks drone operators to leave the swifts alone
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Portland Audubon is asking drone operators not to fly near the Vaux’s swifts at Chapman Elementary School as the birds perform their annual roosting display.
In early fall, thousands of the birds dive into the chimney at the Northwest Portland school each evening in an aerial display that attracts hundreds of human admirers. But last week, the birds were disrupted by someone flying a drone. It caused the birds to break formation and disperse.
“Over time, that can have an impact on the bird’s ability to incubate eggs if they’re nesting,” said Joe Liebezeit with Portland Audubon.
He thinks the birds probably regard drones as predators: “It can raise their stress levels to cause them to not forage as well.”
In early fall, thousands of the birds dive into the chimney at the Northwest Portland school each evening in an aerial display that attracts hundreds of human admirers. But last week, the birds were disrupted by someone flying a drone. It caused the birds to break formation and disperse.
“Over time, that can have an impact on the bird’s ability to incubate eggs if they’re nesting,” said Joe Liebezeit with Portland Audubon.
He thinks the birds probably regard drones as predators: “It can raise their stress levels to cause them to not forage as well.”
Stop messing with nature: Portland Audubon asks drone operators to leave the swifts alone
Posted from opb.org
Portland
Wildlife
Drones
Posted 8 mo ago
Responses: 2
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel should be common sebse...
..."As drones become more popular, interactions with wildlife are increasing – in sometimes dangerous ways. In California recently, a drone crash caused a colony of 3,000 Elegant Terns to abandon 1,500 active nests, according to the National Audubon Society.
At Chapman Elementary last week, the crowd booed as the drone flew near the birds. At one point, a bird appeared to chase the machine as if it were a raptor.
Liebezeit thinks at least two laws were broken by the unidentified drone pilot.
Oregon statutes say no person shall harass wildlife except while engaged in lawfully angling or hunting. And a Portland Public School administrative directive also says all aviation operations on school property must have prior written permission."...
..."As drones become more popular, interactions with wildlife are increasing – in sometimes dangerous ways. In California recently, a drone crash caused a colony of 3,000 Elegant Terns to abandon 1,500 active nests, according to the National Audubon Society.
At Chapman Elementary last week, the crowd booed as the drone flew near the birds. At one point, a bird appeared to chase the machine as if it were a raptor.
Liebezeit thinks at least two laws were broken by the unidentified drone pilot.
Oregon statutes say no person shall harass wildlife except while engaged in lawfully angling or hunting. And a Portland Public School administrative directive also says all aviation operations on school property must have prior written permission."...
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel good day Brother William, always informational and of the most interesting. Thanks for sharing, have a blessed day!
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