Drones elevate osprey concerns

SANDPOINT — A North Idaho raptor biologist is urging drone pilots to be mindful of osprey nests at Memorial Field.

The waterfront sports field is home to two such nests and Janie Veltkamp of Birds of Prey Northwest is concerned the use of consumer-level unmanned aerial vehicles are disrupting osprey, which are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Last year, a pair of osprey with young in one of the nests fatally collided mid-air. Veltkamp said the orphaned birds were successfully cross fostered back into the wild, but she could not shake a suspicion that drone activity at the field may have played a role in the episode.

“These birds — osprey — have been on the planet for millions of years and they just don’t collide with one another and kill one another. This was a mated pair. Their youngsters were in the nest,” said Veltkamp.

Veltkamp does not believe drones were being used to get closeup images of the birds. A webcam set up and maintained by Sandpoint Online already provides a striking birds-eye view of one of the nests.

Rather, Veltkamp suspects drone pilots were likely drawn to the field because of its grassy expanse, which provides a place for novice drone pilots to perfect their flying skills without too much risk to their drone.

“The concern is that these are federally protected birds and that means you can’t have their feathers, you can’t kill them and you certainly cannot disturb their nest. A federal law says you have to stay 500 feet away from an active raptor nest,” Veltkamp said.

Veltkamps concerns over drones were renewed earlier this week, when a drone was reportedly flying at the field, which may have disrupted new osprey poised to take wing. Osprey typically fly at about 52 days after hatching, which means their shaky maiden flights usually occur in late July and August.

“Those youngsters are getting ready to fly and take their first flights and we’re getting drone reports again,” said Veltkamp.

Nothing in city or state codes prohibit drone activity around active nests, but Veltkamp contends the Migratory Bird Treaty Act prohibits such disturbances.

“When you fly a drone over a nest or even near a nest, you confuse and startle the young. You confuse the parents and you’re a hazard,” she said.

Violations involving the possession, transportation or other unlawful utilization of migratory birds are misdemeanors, punishable by a fine of up to $15,000 and six months imprisonment, according to MBTA. The sale or barter of migratory birds is a felony punishable by up to $250,000 and up to two years in prison.

Osprey populations in Idaho are robust and northern Idaho is considered the stronghold of the state’s population, according to the Idaho Department of Fish & Game.

The current inhabitants of the camera-enabled nest were recently banded by biologist Wayne Melquist, which will aid in the monitoring of the birds.

- Sandpoint Online is featuring a 2-minute video of the “Project Osprey Banding” (ospreys.sandpointonline.com).

- For a rescue emergency of an eagle, hawk falcon or owl, contact Birds of Prey Northwest 208-245-1367 or 208-582-0797. You may also contact the Idaho Department of Fish & Game at 208-769-1414

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.