Drones and Sharks: New York City's Beach Battle Between Technology and Nature, American Oystercatchers vs. NYPD

Rockaway Beach, Queens, New York United States of America
American oystercatchers have been attacking drones since May 2023
City officials are adjusting flight plans to avoid nesting areas for American oystercatchers
Conflict between technology and nature is not new, with similar incidents reported in other coastal areas around the world
Drones are used by NYPD and other city agencies to monitor beach safety for sharks and swimmers in distress
New York City beaches have become a battleground between technology and nature
Drones and Sharks: New York City's Beach Battle Between Technology and Nature, American Oystercatchers vs. NYPD

New York City beaches have become a battleground between technology and nature, as drones patrolling for sharks and struggling swimmers face off against local shorebirds, particularly American oystercatchers. The birds, known for their distinctive black and white plumage, have been attacking the drones since they began flying in May. While no birds have been harmed in these encounters, there have been several close calls that have raised concerns among wildlife experts and city officials.

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) and other city agencies use drones to monitor beach safety, looking out for signs of sharks and swimmers in distress. However, the birds share their habitat with multiple tern species of waterbirds, as well as piping plovers, the city's only federally designated endangered species. The presence of these birds has forced city officials to adjust their flight plans to avoid nesting areas for American oystercatchers.

Veronica Welsh, a wildlife coordinator at the Parks Department, explained that the birds are “very annoyed by the drones”. She noted that they will fly at them, swoop down, and make vocalizations in response to the drones' presence.

The conflict between technology and nature is not a new one. In May 2023, Rockaway Beach was closed for several hours after the first shark was spotted off its coast. The drones were instrumental in locating the shark and ensuring beachgoers' safety, but their presence also disrupted nesting areas for American oystercatchers and other shorebirds.

City officials are working to find a solution that balances the need for beach safety with the protection of local wildlife. They have adjusted their flight plans to avoid nesting areas and are exploring alternative methods of monitoring beach safety, such as using manned aircraft or increasing the number of lifeguards on duty.

The issue is not unique to New York City. Similar conflicts between drones and shorebirds have been reported in other coastal areas around the world. Wildlife experts recommend that drone operators be aware of nesting sites and avoid flying over them during sensitive periods, such as breeding season.

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Confidence

91%

Doubts
  • Have there been any reports of drones harming American oystercatchers?
  • What are the exact adjustments city officials have made to their flight plans?

Sources

97%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

On NYC beaches, angry birds fight drones patrolling for sharks and struggling swimmers

The Associated Press News Friday, 12 July 2024 04:03
  • Unique Points
    • New York City beaches have drones patrolling for sharks and struggling swimmers
    • Birds, specifically American oystercatchers, are attacking the drones
    • No birds have been harmed but there have been close calls
    • The first shark was spotted on Thursday resulting in a beach closure
    • City officials have adjusted flight plans to avoid nesting areas for American oystercatchers
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (90%)
    The article contains an appeal to authority with the quote 'But we do know there are birds on this beach that are highly endangered. If they abandon their nests because of the drones, that would be a disaster.' by David Bird. The article also contains inflammatory rhetoric with phrases like 'angry parents' and 'disaster'.
    • But we do know there are birds on this beach that are highly endangered. If they abandon their nests because of the drones, that would be a disaster.
    • New York City is not alone turning to drones to patrol its waters. Following a spate of shark bites last summer, a similar effort was launched by officials on Long Island. Those devices are smaller and quieter and do not have flotation devices.
  • Bias (95%)
    The article does not demonstrate any clear bias towards a specific political, religious, ideological or monetary position. However, the author does use language that depicts the birds as 'angry' and 'annoyed' by the drones and describes their actions as 'swarming' them. This could be perceived as an attempt to make the birds seem extreme or unreasonable.
    • A fleet of drones patrolling New York City’s beaches for signs of sharks and struggling swimmers is drawing backlash from an aggressive group of seaside residents: local shorebirds. Since the drones began flying in May, flocks of birds have repeatedly swarmed the devices, forcing the police department and other city agencies to adjust their flight plans.
      • New York City is not alone turning to drones to patrol its waters. Following a spate of shark bites last summer, a similar effort was launched by officials on Long Island. Those devices are smaller and quieter and do not have flotation devices.
        • They think they’re defending their chicks from a predator.
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        97%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        FDNY firefighters, drones help provide crucial support to lifeguards at New York City beaches

        ABC News NYC Bureau Wednesday, 10 July 2024 22:17
        • Unique Points
          • FDNY provides support to NYC lifeguards with drones and firefighters trained in water rescues
          • FDNY drones can spot swimmers in distress and drop down flotation devices
        • Accuracy
          No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        96%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        On NYC beaches, angry birds fight drones patrolling for sharks and struggling swimmers

        KSTP-TV News Friday, 12 July 2024 04:03
        • Unique Points
          • Drones patrolling New York City beaches for sharks and struggling swimmers are causing issues with local shorebirds, particularly American oystercatchers.
          • No birds have been harmed, but there have been several close calls between the drones and the birds.
          • City officials stated that American oystercatchers share their habitat with multiple tern species of waterbirds, as well as piping plovers, the city’s only federally designated endangered species.
          • The city has adjusted its flight range to avoid oystercatcher nesting areas after flagging the coastal conflict last month.
        • Accuracy
          No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (90%)
          The article contains an appeal to authority when it quotes David Bird, a professor of wildlife biology at McGill University, expressing concern about the potential impact of drones on endangered bird species. However, no formal or informal fallacies were found in the author's assertions.
          • David Bird, a professor of wildlife biology at McGill University, raised a far more dire possibility: that the drones could prompt a stress response in some birds that causes them to flee the beach and abandon their eggs.
        • Bias (95%)
          The article does not demonstrate any clear bias towards a political, religious, ideological or monetary position. However, the author does use language that depicts the birds as 'angry' and 'annoyed' by the drones. This could be seen as an example of anthropomorphizing animals which is a form of ideological bias. However, this is not a significant enough example to warrant a score below 95.
          • The birds were 'very annoyed by the drones'
            • They think they're defending their chicks from a predator.
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication

            95%

            The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
            (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

            A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

            On NYC beaches, angry birds fight drones patrolling for sharks and struggling swimmers

            ABC NEWS SITE NAMES Name: ABC News Site Names URL: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-officially-blames-iran_106834435 ABC News Friday, 12 July 2024 13:25
            • Unique Points
              • City officials have adjusted flight plans to avoid oystercatcher nesting areas
              • No birds have been harmed but there have been close calls
            • Accuracy
              No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
            • Deception (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Fallacies (90%)
              The author makes an appeal to authority by quoting experts Veronica Welsh and David Bird. No formal fallacies or dichotomous depictions were found.
              • ] a fleet of drones patrolling New York City's beaches for signs of sharks and struggling swimmers is drawing backlash from an aggressive group of seaside residents: local shorebirds.[
              • While the attacks have slowed, they have not stopped completely, fueling concern from wildlife experts about the impact on threatened species nesting along the coast.
              • But he was quick to raise a far more dire possibility: that the drones could prompt a stress response in some birds that causes them to flee the beach and abandon their eggs.
              • Local officials closely monitor the plovers each summer, barring beachgoers – and drones – from the stretches of sand where they primarily nest.
            • Bias (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication