With a number of incidents involving drone users on our Islay reserves occurring over the past few weeks, it seems like a good time for our very own Louise to lay down the law highlight some good practice concerning the use of these latest fads exciting new technology...
Although drones provide some amazing images and video footage of some of the most inaccessible and spectacular places on Islay they can also pose a real threat to the breeding success to many of our important bird species. Many birds see the drone as a threat and will try and attack the drone or lure it away from their nest site. At this particular time of the year, for breeding to be a success, birds should be spending all their energy on feeding their young or sitting on eggs, not chasing after a drone! It is worth remembering that all birds, their nest and eggs are protected by the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, and it is thus an offence to damage or destroy an active nest or prevent parent birds access to their nests.
Please remember -