As drones harass protected nesting birds, Lake Worth Beach considers flight restrictions

“That’s thrilling to the drone operator to have these birds attacking the drone, but they don't realize that it's a threat."

AN EXTRAORDINARY SCENE played out in the sky above the Bryant Park shoreline in Lake Worth Beach on the Fourth of July.

It did not involve fireworks.

In a one-sided aerial dogfight, an American oystercatcher, a protected shorebird, was seen attacking a perceived enemy that had invaded its airspace — a drone.

There were a few drones buzzing above the seawall along the Lake Worth Lagoon early that afternoon, operated by photographers documenting the action below, the city’s 21st annual Great American Raft Race.

Most of the drones were small. A larger drone came under attack for several minutes by an adult oystercatcher, which nests on a manmade island south of the Lake Worth Bridge.

Thousands of people along the seawall watching the raft race didn’t notice the brief drama unfolding in the sky above. But a few people did, including a city official.

“The oystercatcher was clearly stressed out by the drone,’’ said Lake Worth Beach City Commissioner Reinaldo Diaz, who witnessed the scene. The bird “was flying around trying to attack it.’’