Stockholm is taking an innovative approach to address the persistent problem of geese fouling its popular beaches. Using drones, the city aims to create a lasting impact by scaring away the birds, ensuring cleaner beaches and better water quality for everyone.

Sára Nozkova, CEO and founder of Flox Robotics, along with drone operator Jonatan Håkansson, are at the forefront of this initiative. During a test at Långholmsbadet, the beach was notably free of geese.

Persistent Problem

For years, Canada geese and white-fronted geese have been a nuisance in Stockholm, leaving droppings that compromise both the beaches and the water quality. These issues have led to periodic beach closures.

Karin Ekdahl Wästberg, Stockholm’s Innovation Director, explains, ”The city has long identified these geese as a threat to both the quality of the bathing water and the cleanliness of the beaches.”

Drones to the Rescue

The city has experimented with various methods to deter the geese, from laying out food elsewhere to using decoys of foxes and birds of prey. None of these measures have been particularly successful. Now, the city is employing drones that emit sounds unpleasant to geese, encouraging them to leave the beaches.

Last year, a three-week trial showed promising results, leading to an extended trial from June 17 this year, continuing through August, or until the geese migrate.

Sára Nozkova from Flox Robotics states, ”Previous methods haven’t worked well, and we don’t want to use lethal measures. The drones can herd the birds to designated areas.”

Operation and Public Involvement

Six drone operators are responsible for flying drones from morning till evening at three selected beaches. When visited by Mitt i, Jonatan Håkansson was flying a drone at Långholmsbadet, with no geese in sight despite the gloomy weather.

Håkansson explains, ”We usually herd them to the bushes on the other side. They stay there for the rest of the day. The drones emit various sounds that the geese find threatening, but other birds like ducks and swans are not bothered.”

After three weeks of drone activity last year, most geese had left by the final week. However, they returned this year, prompting hopes that a longer trial will be more effective.

QR Code Reporting System

Visitors to the selected beaches can contribute by scanning a QR code to report geese sightings. This generates a report in an app used by the drone operators, who aim to respond within an hour.

”We receive daily tips, even after the project ended last year,” says Nozkova.

The project’s success will be evaluated in September, and if effective, it might become a recurring effort.

Residents Martin Anderson and Annelie Olsson from Norrköping, visiting Stockholm and staying at Långholmen, appreciate the initiative. ”We could use this in Norrköping. I would definitely use the QR code,” says Olsson.

As Stockholm continues to innovate with drone technology, residents and visitors alike can look forward to cleaner, more enjoyable beach experiences.