Rockaway Beach in New York City faces an unusual challenge as aggressive birds attack drones used to track sharks and aid swimmers. The American oystercatchers, long-beaked shorebirds nesting along the Queens shoreline, have been dive-bombing the drones to protect their nests. Wildlife coordinator Veronica Welsh explained that the birds view the drones as predators threatening their chicks, prompting them to swoop down and vocalize aggressively.
The drones’ loud humming noise has caused significant stress to these birds, considered a high conservation concern, forcing the Parks Department to alter flight paths. Collaborative efforts between the police, fire, and emergency management departments have led to rerouting the drones away from the bird nests.
Despite these changes, some beachgoers are frustrated by the birds’ interference. Surfer Andrew Thomas, 32, emphasized the importance of drones in spotting sharks and preventing attacks, citing a recent beach closure due to a shark sighting. He argued that drones save lives by providing extra surveillance in the water.
Others report that bird attacks on drones are more frequent when the devices approach the shore. Doran Edwards, a 40-year-old surfer, noted that birds generally leave drones alone when they are over the water.
FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh assured the public that the adjusted drone routes would not compromise beachgoer safety. The American oystercatchers, sharing their habitat with endangered piping plovers, are a high conservation priority. Wildlife expert David Bird warned of the potential disaster if these birds abandoned their nests due to drone disturbances. The Emergency Management Department first noticed the bird disturbances and alerted other agencies, leading to the modification of drone operations.
