FEATHERS were ruffled when a remote-controlled drone was spotted buzzing around a family of ospreys living atop of a 22m council-built pole at Wellington Point.
Redland City Council issued a warning against using aerial drones near the nest and asked anyone who witnessed the birds being harassed to report it.
The nesting ospreys, two adults and a chick, have become an attraction in the area since the pole was erected in April.
Wellington Point resident Paul Harper said he was concerned to see the two adult birds leave the chick when the drone was hovering.
“It certainly caused some concern for them, the adults just kept circling the nest and didn’t come back for some time,” he said.
“I’m not sure if they meant to harass the birds, but anyone would know that flying a drone around the nest would cause them distress, so the person who did it is either arrogant or ignorant about wildlife.”
Division 1 councillor Wendy Boglary said harrassing the birds could result in legal action under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.
“I really hope this was a matter of ignorance rather than malice, but either way people need to know that flying drones around birds is not on," Cr Boglary said.
“This nest and the lovely family of ospreys have become well known around the local area, so we want to make sure the ospreys aren’t harmed or scared off because a few people are being irresponsible.”
Mayor Karen Williams said Redlands was known for its environmental character and wildlife and urged all residents to keep an eye out for any harassment.
