Training
Using Drones for Wildlife Monitoring and Surveying
Why do this course?
This online course is designed for those new to applying drones to wildlife work. Most participants already hold a flying qualification and are comfortable operating a drone but have not yet used one for surveying, monitoring or species detection. It suits professionals and organisations in wildlife, conservation and land management looking to bring drone technology into their monitoring practices as well as individuals with a specific project or research objective in mind.
The focus is on the theory behind effective wildlife surveying. Starting from the fundamentals, the course covers survey design, thermal and optical imaging, species identification, disturbance, ethics and legal considerations, giving participants the grounding needed to plan and carry out safe, ethical, and effective surveys, whether that means tracking deer across woodland or surveying open moorland for nesting sites.
On completion, participants receive a Lantra course certificate and a field handbook to take into the field as an ongoing reference.
Please note: this is not a legal drone flying qualification. It does not replace the certification required to operate a drone commercially, and participants are expected to hold, or to obtain separately, the appropriate flying qualification for their intended operations.
Coming Soon...
Why Take The Course?
Gain Specialist Wildlife Skills, Thermal and Sensor Skills, Legal and Ethical Flying to Minimise Disturbance, Improve Survey Accuracy
Build Confidence
Developed by contributors to the NatureScot best practice guide, this course draws on real-world experience flying drones for wildlife surveys, ensuring practical, proven knowledge.
Gain Specialist Wildlife Skills
Learn to optimise thermal detection of wildlife by adjusting drone settings for different species and terrains.
Thermal and Sensor Skills
Understand approvals, regulations, and best practices for using drones in wildlife monitoring.
Legal and Ethical Flying to Minimise Disturbance
Learn to optimise flight paths, minimise double counts, avoid false detections, and enhance overall data quality.
Improve Survey Accuracy
Gain a qualification, recognised across the industry for professional standards.