Threatened stingrays are important components of estuarine systems, however, human activities are impacting the habitats they reside in. Understanding fine-scale movement and habitat use of rays in these estuaries should lead to better management of ray-critical habitats. The aim of this research was to investigate habitat use and movement of rays and how habitat modification might affect their natural behaviours. To achieve this, we compared the fine-scale movement and behaviour of rays in estuaries with (Wallis Lake) and without (Burrill Lake) habitat modification in the form of commercial oyster leases using drones. Preliminary results indicate bare sediments are preferred habitat used for swimming and foraging in both estuaries, with limited foraging on oyster leases in Wallis Lake. These results highlight the importance of bare substrate for stingrays, a habitat that is often considered ‘inferior’ to other estuarine habitats like seagrass.