Rapid drone semi-automated counts of wintering Greater Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) as a tool for amateur researchers

Drone-conducted aerial counts of waterbirds are at least as accurate as traditional ground counts and drastically reduce fieldwork resource expenditures, but the image processing can be very time-consuming. The aim of the present study was to compare the accuracy, precision and time requirement of semi-automated counts, using drone-derived imagery, carried out with the open-access ImageJ software, in comparison with conventional ground methods for counting wintering Greater Flamingos Phoenicopterus roseus. Semi-automated counts were easy to execute, affordable and safe for birds. They were faster and yielded more reliable and consistent results than traditional ground count approaches, providing a simple, accessible method for use by amateur ornithologists.

Automated summary

This study compared the accuracy, precision, and time requirement of semi-automated counts using drone-derived imagery with open-access ImageJ software to traditional ground methods for counting Greater Flamingos. Semi-automated counts were found to be easier, more affordable, faster, and produced more reliable results.