In a scene straight out of a real-life video game, New York City's beaches have become a battleground between drones and their feathered adversaries—local shorebirds! 🏖️🛸
Since May, a fleet of drones has been patrolling the city's coastline, keeping an eye out for sharks 🦈 and helping swimmers in distress. Equipped with inflatable life rafts, these high-tech lifeguards were all set to make beach days safer. But it turns out, some longtime residents aren't too happy about these new sky invaders.
Feathered Fury
Flocks of birds, including American oystercatchers and piping plovers, have been swooping down on the drones, defending their nesting grounds with gusto! 🐦💥 The drones have faced several aerial assaults, forcing the police and city agencies to rethink their flight paths.
\"We pointed out that there's a nest here and two angry parents who don't want you anywhere near their eggs or babies,\" said Natalie Grybauskas, assistant commissioner of the city's Emergency Management Department.
Nesting Grounds and No-Fly Zones
Rockaway Beach, a favorite summer hotspot, is also home to these shorebirds, some of which are endangered species. To protect them, certain beach areas are off-limits to both beachgoers and drones. 🛑
Officials have adjusted drone operations, launching them further away from nesting sites. While bird attacks have decreased, the sky skirmishes haven't stopped completely. It's a delicate dance between safeguarding wildlife and ensuring beach safety.
A Tech and Nature Balancing Act
The drones have yet to perform any rescues but spotted their first shark this week, leading to a temporary beach closure. Meanwhile, agencies are learning to navigate this unexpected challenge. \"It's rare that you have to learn about the life cycles of baby birds,\" Grybauskas remarked.
As summer heats up, both drones and shorebirds will continue to share the skies. Here's hoping for peaceful co-existence so everyone can enjoy sun, sand, and surf! 🌊☀️
Reference(s):
Angry birds fight drones patrolling for sharks on NYC beaches
cgtn.com
