Natural England, the UK’s largest statutory conservation body, has awarded its Scilly Isles survey contract to Cumbrian technology leader, HiDef Aerial Surveying.
The international importance of the environment around the Scilly Isles is recognised by a number of conservation designations. However more detailed in
formation on the marine wildlife is needed if the area is to be properly protected.
Surveying regularly with extreme definition video cameras from low emission and low noise aircraft, HiDef will provide Natural England with detailed maps and reports for sea bird populations and their behaviour.
Of particular interest will be the European Shag which like all other bird species can be individually identified using HiDef’s patented technology.
HiDef Director David Baillie, a former aerial wildlife cameraman for David Attenborough, believes it is this increased level of detail that separates HiDef from its competitors, “Highly detailed moving images also enable us to identify specific behaviours such as foraging. We do use an element of automatic image recognition but always review our material with professional ornithologists to ensure behaviours are accurately recorded.
Managing Director, Mark Robinson added, “We are particularly pleased to be working with Natural England, and take pride in their recognition of our ability to identify even the smallest of bird species. It is also justification of our ongoing research and development which maintains our role as market leader in environmental aerial imaging.”