In 2025, ICF conducted a pilot study on behalf of EDF Renewables North America (EDF), which owns and operates wind energy facilities in the Montezuma Hills Wind Resource Area, California. The purpose of the study was to investigate the application of drones for fatality surveys at EDF facilities to comply with expected permit requirements associated with golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) fatality monitoring mandated by U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Eagle Take Permits. The pilot study assessed the feasibility, logistics, and application of drones for eagle post-construction fatality monitoring and focused on the logistical aspects of conducting drone surveys around turbines, carcass identification procedures, data review and analytical methods, and quality assurance and quality control processes. Turbines included in the study were a subset of those within the broader study area and were representative of the various vegetated habitat types/visibility classes (e.g., agriculture, grassland) present. To replicate golden eagle carcasses, turkey decoys were used and were placed within approximately 100 meters of each randomly-selected turbine. Information from the pilot study will be used to develop a broader study that may be used in future eagle carcass monitoring, expected to be necessary following issuance of Eagle Take Permits.