Oikonos News: Drones in the sky, seabirds in sight!

This year, the Brandt’s Cormorant population at Año Nuevo Island has soared beyond historical records with over 15,000 nesting birds. To count them, we collaborate with the UC Natural Reserve team, who fly drones high above to photograph the entire island. We are also trialing thermal imaging to detect Rhinoceros and Cassin’s Auklet burrows hidden underground. Back on shore, those images are transformed into real conservation insights using artificial intelligence. More INFO.