Camera Trapping
Since the craziness began in March I have found more time on my hands than I’m used too, so I decided pretty early on I wanted to use it productively. Something I’ve wanted to do for a long time was try camera trapping, setting up hidden cameras triggered by motion & heat sensors. I found an online programme ran by Ambios, a non-profit nature/conservation training group, and signed up for the 6 week course.
Week One
It took me a few days to get used to the camera and how it works, experimenting with distances from subject and false triggers. On the first look at what it had captured I got excited about a little rabbit that had leaped past the sensor and into the surrounding green. I shared it with the course leaders, chuffed with my findings. They responded ‘Did you happen to have a lot of false triggers with this location?’ to which I admitted I had, almost 1000 false triggers in fact… They informed me that not only do the stingers absorb heat, but with the windy weather we had been experiencing I was more likely to fill an SD card with rustling nettles than capture any other animals in that spot. So with a better understanding of where to place the camera I moved on.
Week Two
This week we were trialing videoing with the camera. I found a little tunnel through the undergrowth not far from the garden and positioned it carefully to avoid nettles. I was also cautious about the direction of the camera, having learnt that facing anywhere between east and west in the southern half of the compass meant sunlight changes cause false triggers. I left my camera for a few days, wondering what might be tracking through the long grass.
Unfortunately I didn't count on one thing, the cows. It seems that no matter what effort I go too and how hidden my camera is, they are able to find and dislodge it somehow. So when I retrieved the images a few days later I was greeted with hundreds of 10 second clips, not exactly the species I was hoping for.
Week Three
A fresh site and finally a glimpse at a variety of wildlife. I positioned the camera facing north along a small stream not far from my home and gradually began seeing more movement. Within a couple of days I had images of lots of different birds, foxes and muntjac deer, but the most exciting result was yet to come.
I couldn’t believe Otters are residing less than 5 minutes from my door, especially after travelling 665 miles north to find them last year. This surprising but wonderful find is exactly what camera traps are designed for, effective research and conservation tools that can engage the public in their local wildlife.
Weeks Four & Five
Since the little river had produced more than I expected I decided to continue exploring the area from different angles, focusing on a small tunnel that went through the undergrowth and onto the bank. It seemed to work out quite well, here are some of my favourite shots from this little project.
Week Six
For my final week with the camera trap I wanted to play with filming again, having enjoyed reviewing the 10 second clips during the course. Back down to my little river I went to set up the trap for the last time… I wasn’t disappointed. Here’s a short compilation of some of my favourite sightings from the final trap. It’s been a great course and I thoroughly recommend trying out camera trapping for those who haven’t done it before!