A new study by ornithologist Dr. Roy Armstrong and ecologist Caitlin Henderson has found no evidence of disturbance among seabird colonies in Orkney as a result of recent drone flights conducted by Windracers. This discovery is important for drone operators planning to serve Scotland’s remote island communities, where many sensitive bird species are located.
The seabird colony disturbance study was commissioned as part of Windracers’ drone delivery trial in Orkney. The trial featured the Windracers ULTRA, a twin-engine, fixed-wing aircraft with a 10-meter wingspan, flying autonomously between the islands of Eday, Westray, and North Ronaldsay several times each week.
That makes sense. Often places I climb are closed off for nesting seasons of different birds—usually raptors that hang on the cliff or up top. But no one sends drones near them because the only people in the area are climbers and hikers that know about the alerts. I guess in more accessible areas, there’s a higher chance for more obnoxious/unempathetic guests.