Robird Trial at Kearl

A 2020 pilot project was undertaken to test, evaluate and demonstrate AERIUM Analytics RoBird® as an ecologically friendly, non-invasive tool for emergency bird deterrence of shorebirds and to reduce incidents of oiled birds. In 2023-2024, a wildlife and nesting bird survey effectiveness trial of unmanned aerial systems (UASs), or drones, was also performed to determine potential opportunities for drone-assisted wildlife and bird nest sweeps.

In the 2020 trial, bird activity was limited on site, but the few interactions that the team did have showed the efficacy of RoBird; for example, when oiled ducks were spotted, RoBird was used to quickly and effectively create a ‘wall’ flying between ducks and open water, corralling the ducks and enabling a capture attempt. It allowed tracking of bird activity and the ability to review bird activity and locations. The 2023-2024 trials reported drones can compliment ground search methods to confirm IDs, provide bear watch support, and be used in wet or hazardous areas to sweep the area or determine if a ground sweep is needed, reducing safety risk to ground crews. Weather conditions (extreme cold) and VLOS are key limitations. Suggestions for future studies: (1) locating and monitoring bear dens and other mammal residences, (2) measuring tree cavities to see if they were made by pileated woodpeckers, (3) new thermal sensors, (4) drones useful in colder weather (-40°C), (5) larger drones and regulations permitting operation without VLOS, (6) drone for nighttime wildlife residence detection, (7) the distance wildlife can be observed without causing stress, and (8) new auditory sensors.