Just thought I would post these 2 clips from one of the 7th Birthday challenges. I was filming a building site in Barking and TOAL next to a McDonalds, I figure that’s why there were so many Pidgeon’s, but the fast food delivery driver had been watching from the table outside and decided to step forward for a look as I was landing. Not all birds and people are aggressive some are just interested in what is going on.
Regarding the pigeon video, I’m surprised that members have not passed comments on it.
In my opinion the birds were not just showing interest, they clearly wanted you to move on. If I had been in that situation I would have moved on - vertically.
Anyone else with thoughts on this?
Really? Search on here and you’ll find proper interest being shown - where you can see the whites of the birds’ eyes (other colours are available).
Same here, Last week I was shocked when I played back my footage on my PC with large screen and saw a seagull flying straight for my drone (covered with red tape) and at the last second took avoiding action. Never noticed it when I was flying, no doubt at a time when I had my eye off the drone!
I had a spotter with me that day and was being kept up to date on the birds actions as well as checking for myself, at no time did any of the birds come so close that it would have put them or the drone in danger. I flew the drone at the same height and was just hovering, they realised that I was no threat to their McD pick up and eventually flew off somewhere else. The drone has been circled before by pigeons on a different flight whilst taking photos of a local bell tower, no problem there either, although I must admit on that occassion my spotter was much more relaxed than I was as it was my first encounter with birds. I was flying the DJI Mini 3 Pro on both these occasions.
I flew in our city centre once and a flock of pigeons circled perilously close to my drone. Actually getting closer with each circle. On one pass they were extremely close so I decided to land rather than risk the drone.
If the birds had come too close I also would have either gone straight up as advised on many feeds on the forum or indeed landed. The drone was in full zoomed in mode due to filming from the other side of the road so the footage does look like they were a lot closer than they actually were, they were doing big circles around the area, to be fair it was close to lunchtime and next to a McDonald’s so they were probably just looking for food, which of course the drone didn’t have or was looking for, my spotter and I on the other hand 
Believe me, from personal experience, if they fly directly at you you won’t have a chance to do anything.
Seagulls are fast and can turn in an instant. One sec they aren’t close or coming toward you, and then your drone is falling from the sky.
Mine was happily performing a 360 pano … and then it wasn’t.
After reading some of the previous posts on bird attacks I would not take any chances with gulls and indeed on an occasion when I had gone to the seafront to have a go at filming the ships I chose not to fly as there were gulls in the air, I didn’t want to lose my drone in the sea so just had a nice day out at the seaside with friends.
I still do fly where there are gulls (anywhere other than Hythe in Hampshire. 
), but do give them consideration.
As happens at that location … there can be a blue sky without a gull in sight… until you take off and they think an intruder is after their fish and chips!
So - I tried a 360 over the very end of the loooong pier, and they soon heard/saw it and “appeared” from nowhere.
F&C are not a proven reason for seagull attitudes, but I’ve never had problems with them on the coast well away from any fast food.
On holiday earlier this year I flew my drone for quite literally a few minutes at Fisherrow harbour in Musselburgh. When I took off, there were no gulls flying about. Within 30 seconds, there seemed to be at least 20 of the buggers. Definitely going for the drone. I put it in sports mode and flew straight up. Only problem was landing as it flew above me I started descending, only for the rabid flock to once again target my little drone. Later on I met a local YouTuber and he said the gulls there seem to hate anything in their airspace. 
Guls are a regular thing with my drone flights because of where I fly. If birds are swooping at you then altering course last second thats their warning shot so I get some height to make them think twice. Most occasions they will move away. Some persist and I have to just land so nothing happens.
Although thats what usually happens they are creatures and completely unpredictable.
Heres a photobomb I have handy although there are hundreds in my archives. This one was being a nob so I had to land but I was finished anyway.
Yeah, two.
Pigeons don’t tend to try and mob or scare a predator or other threats away, they usually bugger off pretty quick as they’re not interested in a fight. Unlike gulls, oyster catchers etc
We tend not to pass judgement on fellow members, what they do with their drone is their choice. If it lands them in the drink or accosted by our finest plod, then that’s their lookout, not ours. We are not the drone police afterall.
