I finally got to try and take some pics of the Canal Trust Lock at Brunswick Dock, Liverpool. I went last Sunday but it was too windy.
I first took a couple of 360 degree sphere pics, and then tried to take the pics I wanted, and then the birds appeared. I don’t think they liked me on their patch.
I read that moving upwards to get above them may help, so I tried that, and started taking pics again. I couldn’t quite locate the drone in the sky, but the heard the bird still making a noise, and followed it to the drone. I was out over the water so decided it may be a good idea to get it back. Pressed RTH, but it suddenly seemed slow, so I cancelled it and brought it down quickly, missing another bird as it swooped past the drone. First time multiple birds have tried to attack the drone! I think they may have got it if I had left it up there.
Anyway, I got this photo, and am struck by the three different colours of the water, on the river, in the lock, and in the marina.
Your description reads very much like you had an encounter with Oystercatchers. These are the most aggressive of the marine flying species and hate drones!
Did you hear a loud peep-ing’ noise from them by any chance? If it were this particular species then when you have an encounter never hit the RTH button. Stick it in sports mode and get out of Dodge as quick as you can. Those birds will not give up coming after a drone and will climb much higher than you can legally fly at.
These bastards are the bane of my life along the Solent and make most seagulls look tame! I have and try to avoid many encounters with them.
I’ve taken to putting strips of red reflective tape on the drones…has seemed to help.
There are propellers you can buy that make a quieter, lower pitched sound that supposedly make the birds less aggressive. Let me see if I can locate the link where I found them.
Oh and if the propellers are bright red or orange, that’s supposed to help as well.
I have no idea if you have tried any of this or whether it will help.
This has been discussed before on the forum at length re various reflective tapes. But trust me, an Oystercatcher won’t give a flying shit (pardon the pun) if there was a mini machine gun strapped to your drone, those lot are kamikazes.
If I continue to have problems I may consider the reflective tape to at least discourage some birds.
I think the propellers on the Mini 5 Pro are already quite quiet. It was the reason I got the drone was because the noise had got quite low now so as not draw as much attention. I don’t think the noise attracted them, just something flying on their patch.
I hope to try the same location at another time of year, hopefully without the bird attacks.
Looking at the video above, it was not an Oystercatcher that harassed my drone. It looked like a type of gull but with a short neck. Not important of course, but I just had to say that was not the same type of bird.
