Droning On

Use of Drone to Map NZ Sea Lion Rookery Terrain

Campbell Island

March 2018

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ysx7v95kd56c67f/Campbell%20Island%20%3A%20Davis%20point%203D%20Teaser.mov?dl=0

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Notes from Day 1 Davis Point

• Able to fly drone in 30-40 knots estimated (50+ knots

measured on vessel that day

• 3 flights inc 3 min test flight = 27 mins fly time which

achieved mapping for Davis Point

• Flew lower than plan due to wind - approx 30-40m.

• Wide range of species of seabirds in and around

area and drone during period of flights

• Sleeping bird sat through start up and take off

despite being only 30m away

• Some species attracted to look e.g. Sth royal, N

giant petrels and skua but no negative interactions

such as attack, fear or close calls

• Few NZSL in area, one female with pup barked at

drone

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Notes from Day 2 Paradise B (aka Shoal Point)

• Better fly conditions

• Fewer birds in the air but red billed and black backed

gulls showed no concern whilst in close vicinity on

foreshore (RBG continued bathing during start up

etc, BBG pr had juvenile)

• Some lions came ashore during survey

• 3 flights 22 mins duration achieved mapping goal

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Summary

• Drones can fly when it’s quite windy

• Their batteries don’t like being too cold – start up

issues

• Collect data very quickly

• Need an expert to fly them and a “watcher” H&S for

humans and wildlife

• Can create maps and images that allow for rapid

understanding and visualisation for those who have

been “left behind” but may be the decision makers,

funders, techos and etc

• Appear in this instance to have very little negative

effect on surrounding wildlife (birds on ground and

aerial) but this would need to be considered on a

case by case basis e.g. breeding seabird colonies

Questions?