Hi looking for some advice on the rather contraversal subject of flying over SSSI designated areas.
I was hoping to fly over the submarine remains and Aberlady but see that majority of the Firth of Forth coastline is covered under SSSI and when i click on the find out more section its like double dutch to me on what is actually covered by the SSSI at this area…looks like 49 reasons over the whole coastline and nothing deisgnated to each specific area.
Hope someone can shed some light on this matter please as dont fancy a hefty fine if im flying and shouldnt be.
I found where the submarine is. Your main concern is bird life, and we are now in breeding season so you have a much higher chance of disturbing them. Which, if you get caught, could lead to 6 months jail time, and/or unlimited fines. You’d have to check if there are any schedule one birds in those SSSI’s are they are the ones with most protection. You can still fly as long as you don’t disturb them, but bare in mind, there will be a lot of bridwatchers about who will be all too happy to call the wildlife protection officers out. If it was me I’d be waiting until the nesting season is over.
If you check out the SSSI Citation it is broad as you say but look under the “Birds: Breeding” section and it mentions important areas, including Aberlady Bay.
Thank you for all the feed back and help it was just one of many places i fancied flying along the Forth as my parents stay in Anstruther and im near Dunfermline, most of the coast line i was looking at falls under the Firth of Forth SSSI
Thank you ParmoPaul for pointing out the birds section as when i 1st looked at the page for this it was quite confusing .
Me too. Yeah this time of year you have to be cautious. We have a couple of visible nests in the trees out the back of us. One is a magpies nest which I’m sure causes them to be even nosier than usual.
maybe have to organis a Fife meet up somepoint now the better weather and lighter nights are here if you fancy it…be good to get some pointers as still get bit anxious when away to fly the drone
Tag the group @group-scotland when the time comes and we’ll all get a notification of the meet. There are quite a few within easy reach that would try to turn up, including me
Me too. Yeah this time of year you have to be cautious. We have a couple of visible nests in the trees out the back of us. One is a magpies nest which I’m sure causes them to be even nosier than usual.
