First fly, then mow

Farmer Jorn Vernooij is taking a drone pilot course. From now on, he will use a drone to inspect the fields before mowing. “It fits in with our plans to increase and protect biodiversity.”

The meadows of the Utrecht Science Park are home to numerous animals: roe deer, hares, lapwings and other meadow birds. From now on, not only birds fly over the fields, but sometimes a drone swoops over. A thermal camera is attached to the drone, revealing fawn and bird nests.

"To protect the animals, it is essential that we monitor them," says farmer Jorn Vernooij. "From now on, we can check where the warm-blooded animals are before mowing. This is necessary because not all animals run away at approaching danger." Small fawn dives and bird nests have no legs to move around. The drone allows fawn to escape and bird nests can be bypassed when mowing.

Even when a bird has flown away, the drone can detect the warmer spot of the nest. The drone not only helps save animal lives, but can also inspect landscape features such as a ditch or tree canopy. "It fits in with our plans to increase and protect biodiversity," Vernooij says.