Fixed wing wildlife surveys at South Georgia
This project introduced fixed-wing drone surveys at South Georgia to monitor wildlife population changes driven by climate change and recovering seal, whale and finfish populations.
I am Geomatics Specialist with the Mapping and Geographic Information Centre (MAGIC) here at the British Antarctic Survey. My role involves the production of high accuracy topographic models to support both operational and scientific requirements. I specialise in remote sensing, photogrammetry, 3D modelling, GNSS processing and have a background in geological modelling.
My work in MAGIC involves the use of both mono and stereo satellite imagery, aerial photography, survey grade dual-band GNSS data and several specialist software products for stereoscopic photogrammetry and GNSS correction.
Fenney, N., Hollyman, P., Coleman, J., Fox, A., Trathan, P., & Collins, M. (2025). Aerial survey using a thermal sensor of the Grytviken/King Edward Point fur seal colony during the 2022/23 season, flight DPlus_109_45 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/303d8002-712c-4979-b31b-54e421100def
Fenney, N., Coleman, J., & Bamford, C. (2025). Aerial survey of St Andrews Bay, South Georgia, elephant seal colony during the 2023/24 season, flight DLPUS_214_30 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/236cbe3a-5f05-4cef-8e92-7145b0190f0b
Fenney, N., Coleman, J., & Bamford, C. (2025). Aerial survey of St Andrews Bay, South Georgia, elephant seal colony during the 2023/24 season, flight DLPUS_214_29 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/2e870dac-9eb1-4f1d-a5ff-fe18090afd79
Fenney, N., Coleman, J., & Bamford, C. (2025). Aerial survey of St Andrews Bay, South Georgia, elephant seal colony during the 2023/24 season, flight DLPUS_214_26 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/a6446ddc-d6bf-4267-9af6-599d2fcc2efa
Fenney, N., Coleman, J., & Bamford, C. (2025). Aerial survey of St Andrews Bay, South Georgia, elephant seal colony during the 2023/24 season, flight DLPUS_214_25 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/5224ff55-e347-4d26-9cd5-28c9bb52a805
Fenney, N., Coleman, J., & Bamford, C. (2025). Aerial survey of St Andrews Bay, South Georgia, elephant seal colony during the 2023/24 season, flight DLPUS_214_24 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/c8ddb9ad-a710-4cf3-b068-cf1c57ff31ae
Fenney, N., Coleman, J., & Bamford, C. (2025). Aerial survey of St Andrews Bay, South Georgia, elephant seal colony during the 2023/24 season, flight DLPUS_214_22 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/e238f84e-63b2-4019-8308-7398a8ea204f
Fenney, N., Coleman, J., & Bamford, C. (2025). Aerial survey of St Andrews Bay, South Georgia, elephant seal colony during the 2023/24 season, flight DLPUS_214_21 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/a0eac296-ccc6-4d25-b749-a96fec66d233
Fenney, N., Coleman, J., & Bamford, C. (2025). Aerial survey of St Andrews Bay, South Georgia, elephant seal colony during the 2023/24 season, flight DLPUS_214_19 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/6e4a0ad0-8f43-4b8b-bca5-983db79d2627
Fenney, N., Coleman, J., & Bamford, C. (2025). Aerial survey of St Andrews Bay, South Georgia, elephant seal colony during the 2023/24 season, flight DLPUS_214_17 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/fb560068-04ae-4afb-bbd1-86a1e0003474
Fenney, N., Coleman, J., & Bamford, C. (2025). Aerial survey of St Andrews Bay, South Georgia, elephant seal colony during the 2023/24 season, flight DLPUS_214_16 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/865373e6-0b33-418e-9b80-9442dccbcd3e
Fenney, N., Coleman, J., & Bamford, C. (2025). Aerial survey of St Andrews Bay, South Georgia, elephant seal colony during the 2023/24 season, flight DLPUS_214_12 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/c2346fb2-7ef0-421c-9511-6ba7701f0f0a
Fenney, N., Coleman, J., & Bamford, C. (2025). Aerial survey of St Andrews Bay, South Georgia, elephant seal colony during the 2023/24 season, flight DLPUS_214_11 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/14b142da-9341-471b-af7a-8613f0fbbb25
Fenney, N., Coleman, J., & Bamford, C. (2025). Aerial survey of St Andrews Bay, South Georgia, elephant seal colony during the 2023/24 season, flight DLPUS_214_10 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/9c4cb255-a754-4b6b-9748-d8b355e029de
Fenney, N., Coleman, J., & Bamford, C. (2025). Aerial survey of Hound Bay, South Georgia, elephant seal colony during the 2023/24 season, flight DLPUS_214_31 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/6ecb7be8-6b68-44a7-8aac-abbbb591b4e5
Fenney, N., Coleman, J., & Bamford, C. (2025). Aerial survey of Hound Bay, South Georgia, elephant seal colony during the 2023/24 season, flight DLPUS_214_23 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/85de16ff-a3b2-42b4-a898-aea94ee47b83
Fenney, N., Coleman, J., & Bamford, C. (2025). Aerial survey of Hound Bay, South Georgia, elephant seal colony during the 2023/24 season, flight DLPUS_214_20 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/463ea06f-6c49-4d6e-a80b-21c88a71c3da
Fenney, N., Coleman, J., & Bamford, C. (2025). Aerial survey of Hound Bay, South Georgia, elephant seal colony during the 2023/24 season, flight DLPUS_214_15 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/a0c38c31-694c-4f07-a178-66f219fca5d9
Fenney, N., Coleman, J., & Bamford, C. (2025). Aerial survey of Hound Bay, South Georgia, elephant seal colony during the 2023/24 season, flight DLPUS_214_08 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/f5139bb9-79b2-44e1-963e-c2755ffd1d01
Fenney, N., Coleman, J., & Bamford, C. (2025). Aerial survey of Gold Harbour, South Georgia, elephant seal colony during the 2023/24 season, flight DLPUS_214_32 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/47d0718d-7146-44d3-965c-60e62a48b8cc
Fenney, N., & Gerrish, L. (2024). Topographic contours of Signy Island (March 2015) (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/386eef1f-2dc7-413c-8ff4-c90722c047f4
Fenney, N., & Gerrish, L. (2024). Spot heights of Signy Island (March 2015) (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/1a23bbc3-b73e-469d-b540-c6b6141de77e
Fenney, N., Hollyman, P., Coleman, J., Fox, A., Trathan, P., & Collins, M. (2024). Aerial survey of the Undine, South Georgia, elephant seal colony during the 2022/23 season, flight number DPLUS_109_42 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/089319b8-2c15-439c-abbc-ce9dcacddbbd
Fenney, N., Hollyman, P., Coleman, J., Fox, A., Trathan, P., & Collins, M. (2024). Aerial survey of the Stromness Harbour, South Georgia, fur seal colony during the 2021/22 season, flight number DPLUS_109_16 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/72553ef2-8566-4160-95e6-ab2bcd072a8f
Fenney, N., Hollyman, P., Coleman, J., Fox, A., Trathan, P., & Collins, M. (2024). Aerial survey of the St Andrews, South Georgia, Bay king penguin colony during the 2021/22 season, flight number DPLUS_109_27 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/e5a198a3-9d13-4f69-bc77-c00f0d732212
Fenney, N., Hollyman, P., Coleman, J., Fox, A., Trathan, P., & Collins, M. (2024). Aerial survey of the St Andrews Bay, South Georgia, elephant seal colony during the 2022/23 season, flight number DPLUS_109_38 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/e53ba979-7401-46f0-9f88-ee3e33ac054b
Fenney, N., Hollyman, P., Coleman, J., Fox, A., Trathan, P., & Collins, M. (2024). Aerial survey of the St Andrews Bay, South Georgia, elephant seal colony during the 2022/23 season, flight number DPLUS_109_36 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/8189ed89-f36d-43c5-ae33-7e1c9ba0564d
Fenney, N., Hollyman, P., Coleman, J., Fox, A., Trathan, P., & Collins, M. (2024). Aerial survey of the St Andrews Bay, South Georgia, elephant seal and king penguin colonies during the 2022/23 season, flight number DPLUS_109_37 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/f79b6577-d4cd-4eb2-9fec-b71e4e1d2389
Fenney, N., Hollyman, P., Coleman, J., Fox, A., Trathan, P., & Collins, M. (2024). Aerial survey of the Sea Leopard Fjord, South Georgia, king penguin colony during the 2021/22 season, flight number DPLUS_109_29 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/bd6a8de8-fcf2-42fa-b0a6-1c940cd08b7f
Fenney, N., Hollyman, P., Coleman, J., Fox, A., Trathan, P., & Collins, M. (2024). Aerial survey of the Salisbury Plain, South Georgia, king penguin colony during the 2021/22 season, flight number DPLUS_109_32 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/629882a1-7c29-46d0-bf2c-debbfdfeea22
Fenney, N., Hollyman, P., Coleman, J., Fox, A., Trathan, P., & Collins, M. (2024). Aerial survey of the Salisbury Plain, South Georgia, king penguin colony colony during the 2021/22 season, flight number DPLUS_109_33 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/3a09305c-6624-4322-8e99-dcb824fe26bc
Fenney, N., Hollyman, P., Coleman, J., Fox, A., Trathan, P., & Collins, M. (2024). Aerial survey of the Rookery Bay, South Georgia, gentoo penguin colony during the 2021/22 season, flight number DPLUS_109_19 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/3cc7a875-2e59-438f-9a4a-652a58b68c65
Fenney, N., Hollyman, P., Coleman, J., Fox, A., Trathan, P., & Collins, M. (2024). Aerial survey of the Rookery Bay, South Georgia, gentoo penguin colony during the 2021/22 season, flight number DPLUS_109_18 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/394d571a-2145-4007-81aa-fd90e94d84b1
Fenney, N., Hollyman, P., Coleman, J., Fox, A., Trathan, P., & Collins, M. (2024). Aerial survey of the Right Whale Bay, South Georgia, king penguin colony during the 2021/22 season, flight number DPLUS_109_30 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/7215b345-a75d-468f-a721-0c9d128e86dd
Fenney, N., Hollyman, P., Coleman, J., Fox, A., Trathan, P., & Collins, M. (2024). Aerial survey of the Prion Island and Skua Island, South Georgia, wandering albatross colonies during the 2021/22 season, flight number DPLUS_109_24 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/3dfed1dd-1d56-4947-aa19-256440f54830
Fenney, N., Hollyman, P., Coleman, J., Fox, A., Trathan, P., & Collins, M. (2024). Aerial survey of the Maiviken, South Georgia, fur seal and gentoo penguin colonies during the 2021/22 season, flight number DPLUS_109_17 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/249af89f-be4a-4ed7-9dbd-a767a614febf
Fenney, N., Hollyman, P., Coleman, J., Fox, A., Trathan, P., & Collins, M. (2024). Aerial survey of the Inner Lee Island, Outer Lee Island and Petrel Island, South Georgia, wandering albatross colonies during the 2021/22 season, flight number DPLUS_109_25 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/572683f3-9db1-45fb-8c5e-5247b755b0f7
Fenney, N., Hollyman, P., Coleman, J., Fox, A., Trathan, P., & Collins, M. (2024). Aerial survey of the Husvik Harbour, South Georgia, fur seal colony during the 2021/22 season, flight number DPLUS_109_15 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/b65acd94-09cd-4fd9-809c-e44b4b51f8c7
Fenney, N., Hollyman, P., Coleman, J., Fox, A., Trathan, P., & Collins, M. (2024). Aerial survey of the Husvik Harbour, South Georgia, elephant seal colony during the 2022/23 season, flight number DPLUS_109_40 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/9c398af6-c8e6-4c79-b79f-34cab08b32c4
Fenney, N., Hollyman, P., Coleman, J., Fox, A., Trathan, P., & Collins, M. (2024). Aerial survey of the Husvik Harbour, South Georgia, elephant seal colony during the 2022/23 season, flight number DPLUS_109_39 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/c42ff933-06e5-42be-b8e1-3b59169c3b43
Fenney, N., Hollyman, P., Coleman, J., Fox, A., Trathan, P., & Collins, M. (2024). Aerial survey of the Hound Bay, South Georgia gentoo penguin colony during the 2021/22 season, flight number DPLUS_109_14 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/b01c35be-81e3-4232-b757-53bf7d6ca51e
Fenney, N., Hollyman, P., Coleman, J., Fox, A., Trathan, P., & Collins, M. (2024). Aerial survey of the Hound Bay, South Georgia, fur seal colony during the 2021/22 season, flight DPLUS_109_13 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/c2ad2f3b-17a9-42d9-b6fa-87c813505dd4
Fenney, N., Hollyman, P., Coleman, J., Fox, A., Trathan, P., & Collins, M. (2024). Aerial survey of the Hound Bay, South Georgia, fur seal colony during the 2021/22 season, flight DPLUS_109_12 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/978f67ee-8d89-444b-8ea2-e2871a233d90
Fenney, N., Hollyman, P., Coleman, J., Fox, A., Trathan, P., & Collins, M. (2024). Aerial survey of the Hound Bay, South Georgia, elephant seal colony during the 2022/23 season, flight number DPLUS_109_35 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/eb210711-85e1-4671-97a8-8c2791979a19
Fenney, N., Hollyman, P., Coleman, J., Fox, A., Trathan, P., & Collins, M. (2024). Aerial survey of the Hound Bay, South Georgia, elephant seal colony during the 2022/23 season, flight number DPLUS_109_34 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/9611fde2-5dbe-4eb5-8e8e-63434514f954
Fenney, N., Hollyman, P., Coleman, J., Fox, A., Trathan, P., & Collins, M. (2024). Aerial survey of the Gold Harbour, South Georgia, king penguin colony during the 2021/22 season, flight number DPLUS_109_28 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/e4200c70-fce7-4cfb-9689-0ba079e0b884
Fenney, N., Hollyman, P., Coleman, J., Fox, A., Trathan, P., & Collins, M. (2024). Aerial survey of the Gold Harbour, South Georgia, gentoo penguin colony during the 2021/22 season, flight DPLUS_109_07 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/0bb046a2-c232-43e6-8390-4c0c10239bb6
Fenney, N., Hollyman, P., Coleman, J., Fox, A., Trathan, P., & Collins, M. (2024). Aerial survey of the Gold Harbour, South Georgia, elephant seal colony during the 2022/23 season, flight number DPLUS_109_43 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/00cf7916-5c3f-42a2-8b98-38fa99b5aeb8
Fenney, N., Hollyman, P., Coleman, J., Fox, A., Trathan, P., & Collins, M. (2024). Aerial survey of the Fortuna Bay, South Georgia, king penguin colony during the 2021/22 season, flight number DPLUS_109_26 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/dca60fc9-106a-4592-91e9-7a905056a679
Hollyman, P., Fenney, N., Coleman, J., Fox, A., Trathan, P., & Collins, M. (2024). Aerial survey of the Blue Whale Harbour, South Georgia, fur seal colony during the 2021/22 season, flight number DPLUS_109_10 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/4f0fc5ca-caaa-4c5e-88e5-9460c0324826
Fenney, N., Hollyman, P., Coleman, J., Fox, A., Trathan, P., & Collins, M. (2024). Aerial survey of the Bjornstadt Bay, South Georgia, gentoo penguin colony during the 2021/22 season, flight number DPLUS_109_09 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/f3f476bb-caf6-4341-8504-3827622bfc3b
Gudmundsson, H., Fenney, N., & Rosier, S. (2017). Timeseries from GPS units deployed on ice streams and the adjoining ice shelf across the Filchner-Ronne region, Antarctica, 2005-2016 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. Polar Data Centre; British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council; Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK.. https://doi.org/10.5285/4fe11286-0e53-4a03-854c-a79a44d1e356
This project introduced fixed-wing drone surveys at South Georgia to monitor wildlife population changes driven by climate change and recovering seal, whale and finfish populations.
Next generation fixed-wing drones, capable of operating autonomously beyond the standard visual line of sight, are creating datasets of major wildlife populations around South Georgia for long-term monitoring to aid […]
British Antarctic Survey’s detailed map of the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia featuring the epic “Shackleton Crossing” has won an award at the 2018 British Cartography Society Awards. The map, […]
BAS uses aerial photography taken with this camera for topographic, geological and vegetation mapping, interpreting satellite imagery and counting populations of penguins and seals.