The Drone Was in Danger
… and So Was I

A Peaceful Morning … At First

It was one of those calm, sun-soaked mornings on the Gold Coast – the kind that makes you want to slow down, breathe a little deeper, and just take in the view.

I was visiting for the week, chasing a mix of rest and creativity, and decided it was the perfect time for a quick morning flight with Snoopy, my drone. The air was still, the sky a soft wash of blue without a cloud in sight, and the ocean stretched out like a sheet of glass.

Everything felt quiet, balanced – like nature had paused just long enough for me to capture it. I figured I’d get in a scenic coastal flight before the breeze rolled in and changed the mood of the day.

Birds in the Frame – and Something Felt Off

I took off, and everything looked great. Then – something moved across my screen.

A bird.

It flew past the drone, caught mid-glide in my shot.

I thought, how cool is that? What a moment!

And then I saw another one.
And another.
And then another.

They weren’t just in the background anymore – they were swarming around Snoopy.

At first, I still didn’t get it. I thought I’d just stumbled upon some kind of magical bird migration.

But then I noticed how close they were getting – really close.

They weren’t just flying near him… they were flying AT him.

Swooping Starts and Panic Sets In

At the last second, each one would suddenly pull up – like a dive-bomber deciding not to strike. Over and over, these birds kept swooping straight toward Snoopy, only to veer off at the last moment.

I was fascinated – and a little frozen.

I captured some of it on video, and it honestly looked like they were doing aerial combat drills.

Then it hit me: they saw Snoopy as a threat.

He wasn’t a cute flying camera to them. He was some unknown bird-like invader in their airspace.

They Knew I Was the Pilot

I decided it was time to land.

As I brought Snoopy in and hovered him just above the grass, I felt a rush of wings.

One of the magpies came straight at me. I ducked. Hard. And that’s when I realised … they knew. Somehow, they’d made the connection between me and Snoopy. I wasn’t just the person standing nearby.

I was the problem.

Respecting Territory (and Backing Off)

I landed the drone, packed up quickly, and got out of there. I’ve rarely felt that kind of energy from a bird before – and I didn’t want to find out how far they’d take it.

Later, I shared the video in a drone group, and someone explained it was probably magpie breeding season, and they were likely protecting a nest.

I respected that. I totally got it. So I made a mental note: no flying in that park again.

New Spot, Same Problem

The next day, I went to a different location. No nests. No warning signs. Just open space.

I took off again – cautiously this time – and within minutes, I saw birds circling once more. Not as many, but the message was clear: Snoopy wasn’t welcome here either.

I landed immediately, packed him back into his little case, and made my way to the car.

The Magpie Standoff

But it wasn’t over.

As I sat in the driver’s seat, one magpie landed on the bonnet of the car next to me – staring. Another perched on my side mirror – like a tiny winged enforcer. They just sat there. Watching. Not pecking. Not swooping. Just watching.

It wasn’t until I actually drove off that they finally let me go.