Light Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turboprop Eng
Flight Crew Commercial
Distraction; Situational Awareness; Workload; Confusion
Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Airspace Structure
During a night; visual approach; ATC advised us of a radar return at our '2 o'clock'. They said it could possibly be birds. I; being pilot monitoring; began to visually scan because the pilot was focusing on our soon to be landing. I spotted a stationary red beacon abeam our wing and about 1-2 miles at our altitude (5;000 ft). I ultimately decided it was either a drone or a helicopter much further away. I asked tower if there was a helicopter to the east and they said negative. I told them the position of the drone and they confirmed that's where the return was coming from. As for us and our flight path the drone was not close enough to be a threat; but if we were approached runway 35 or even 32 it would have been much closer.The only thing I could think of is to get a more precise description of the position of the drone. It was difficult preparing for landing and tending to this situation simultaneously.
An air taxi turboprop Captain reported being advised by air traffic control of possible birds in the vicinity of his aircraft. It appeared the target was actually a drone operating nearby; however it did not appear to be a threat; and no evasive action was required.