Illegal Drone Flight Leaves Conservation Association Furious

An illegal drone flight over a resting area for migratory birds has sparked outrage from a local British conservation association. The DJI Mini 3 Pro drone flew over 150 golden plovers, causing an instant panic as they had just landed to rest after a long flight. The drone also interfered with a number of sick terns, one of which died a short time later. The chairman of the association calls on all drone pilots never to fly their drones over bird resting areas.

Birds startled by illegal drone flight

The incident took place last Friday, July 1, off St Mary’s Island, a small island in the north of England that has been classified in its entirety as a nature reserve. The island is also a resting area for migratory birds, including the golden plover, a protected native species. Terns also like to visit the island to rest.

On the day in question, members of the St. Mary’s Island Wildlife Conservation Society watched golden plovers and terns from a bird hide. But to…