Drone harasses migratory birds at nature reserve in ‘devastating’ incident

Conservationists say that a drone flying illegally and recklessly over a nature reserve in the United Kingdom has forced at least 150 migratory birds to flee in panic. At the same time, the drone “noticeably harassed” several sick sandwich terns who had most likely been infected with Avian Influenza (bird flu). The weakest of the terns soon perished thereafter.

The unfortunate incident took place on July 1 at St. Mary’s Island, a small sandstone island in England that also serves as a local nature reserve. It’s a no-drone zone where illegal flying could lead to fines and revocation of the operator’s license by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

St. Mary’s Island Wildlife Conservation Society detailed the incident on its Facebook page, saying, “It was great to see the return of the golden plover, the much-missed sound of them chattering away was fantastic to hear again. As we arrived on site, hearing the unmistakable sound of the golden plover we…