Vaux's Swifts at Chapman at dusk

Drone Disturbance During Swift Watch

On Friday, September 8, Bird Alliance of Oregon staff and volunteers witnessed a drone being flown during Swift Watch, the beloved annual event where people gather to watch thousands of Vaux’s Swifts funnel into Chapman Elementary’s chimney. Wildlife, particularly birds, can perceive drones as a threat and there is a lot of documentation in the scientific literature indicating they negatively alter wildlife behavior and cause undue stress.

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