Duck Nest Detection Through Remote Sensing

摘要

Ducks are monitored extensively since they are an important game species and, as migratory birds, they are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The prairies of North Dakota are part of the Prairie Pothole Region where more than 50% of ducks are produced in North American annually. To improve our ability to monitor annual populations of ducks, we assessed the feasibility of utilizing thermal imaging systems aboard Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) to automatically detect duck nests. With 24 flights across five days collecting 134 images of nests, we demonstrated a nest detection of 38% and 17% from flight altitudes of 40m and 80m, respectively. With higher resolution, via a different sensor or lower altitudes, this method of duck nest detection is feasible.