Since our first offshore aerial survey in 2008, HiDef’s mission has been to continue to innovate and push forward the boundaries of what is possible using the latest imaging technologies.
Our bespoke ultra-high-resolution digital video camera system, with our unique use of moving images, gives us accurate, precise and scientifically robust abundance estimates. We use this technology to calculate estimates for birds, marine mammals, sharks, turtles and human activity. Our use of the highest specification video cameras within a bespoke rotating rig ensures that our imagery is easier to interpret accurately, especially in difficult weather, and low light conditions. Our unique method for on and offshore aerial survey allows us to ascertain bird flight height, direction and speed. This has been demonstrated by independent studies to have a precision unparalleled by contemporary methods. Making our on and offshore aerial survey method, alongside our dedicated processing team, unequalled.
Our technology has been deployed on projects in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Republic of Ireland, Germany, Denmark and France. We’re proud that our team has an unrivalled expertise in undertaking survey operations across multiple countries, as well as processing data and delivering reports from those surveys in industry leading formats.
Our technology and technique has been approved and used by the statutory nature conservation bodies. They were also the preferred option for The UK Crown Estate’s baseline surveys for the third round of offshore wind licenses. Our technique and technology are used by the majority of the offshore wind development community.
Our environment is important to us, that’s why we use the UK’s most carbon-efficient survey aircraft. We therefore produce fewer emissions per kilometre than any other on and offshore aerial survey company, a key consideration when supporting sustainable development and conservation.
To find out more, see our onshore and offshore aerial surveys.
