Workshop: Using UAVs in Seabird Research and Monitoring

Organisers: Matt Wood (University of Gloucestershire) and Matty Murphy (Natural Resources Wales)

14:00 - 15:30/17:30, Monday 3 September 2018

Rapidly advancing drone technology offers opportunities and challenges to both seabird researchers and the relevant regulatory bodies. This workshop will bring together experts in the practise and policy of using UAVs for seabirds, to share best practise on the design of UAV surveys to capture useful imagery whilst minimising disturbance. We aim to combine our experience with UAVs, to guide their future use and inform the development of policy.

Participants will gain:

  • Insights on how to carry out an effective UAV survey whilst minimising disturbance to seabirds
  • Understanding of the regulatory framework that UAV users must follow
  • Opportunity to feed into a review of best practice in the use of UAVs or seabird surveys

1. Case studies 1400-1530

Practical examples of using UAVs from UK and international speakers, focussing on effective survey while minimising disturbance

Presentations confirmed:

  • Norman Ratcliffe (British Antarctic Survey). 
  • Matty Murphy (Natural Resources Wales): UAVs and environmental law
  • Robin Ward (NIRAS consulting/RSPB/Dragons Eye Filming). Drone-captured still imagery to survey cliff-nesting seabirds at Flamborough & Filey pSPA
  • Matt Wood, Graham Rush, Megan Stone & Lucy Clarke (University of Gloucestershire). Semi-automated counts of breeding gulls on Skokholm Island, Wales
  • Alex Banks & Alex Kilcoyne (Natural England). The use of UAVs to count inland breeding Lesser Black-backed Gulls in the Forest of Bowland
  • Kyle Elliot (McGill University). The use of UAV’s to count cliff-nesting seabirds in North America

2. Policy workshop (optional!) 1600-1730

Round-table discussion, including representatives from UK conservation bodies and practitioners.

Aims:

  • Collate best practice protocols on effective survey, while meeting legislative requirements
  • Plan a review paper of best practice for publication

If you would like to attend the UAV Workshop, please register here by the 3rd of August.