I am a bit addicted to trail cameras. I always have some out, whether it be in my garden, at school or somewhere in my local area. The only issue I have is finding time to go through all the footage!
When at Yew View last week, I set a Bushnell up on a very clear track through a small orchard area of the site. Something was obviously using this space regularly as the track was well defined. These are the perfect places to set a trail camera.
When setting a camera on a track like this, set it facing the trail, rather than perpendicular to it. This will maximise the chance of the camera capturing the creature. I always set mine at, what I think will be, eye height with my subject.
The camera I used is actually a 'low glow' model. This means that, when the IR LEDs fire, there is a dull red glow, that is within the visible spectrum..... so the animals may see it. Many are intrigued rather than actually scared. Some species can be spooked initially, but will soon get used to it, then showing little or no response to it. Some trail cameras use a 'no glow' system. This means that the IR LEDs produce IR at a different frequency that is not visible. The downside is that this frequency has less reach, so illuminates a smaller area.
I left this camera here for just one week and was thrilled with the clips I captured. Some of the below are merges of several consecutive clips.
It's always good to find a spot like this.... a real wildlife highway! I think the camera is going to be put back there next week!
The trail camera can give you information about how many different individuals are visiting too. You may have noticed one muntjac doe has a distinctive ear and the bucks can often be identified by their small antlers. We have one visiting on other parts of the site that has one small and one large antler, which was visible on one of these clips.
Good to capture a daylight clip of a muntjac buck too...
The foxes can be identified often by the amount of and the black patterns on the legs, as well as tips of tails...
It's good to see what visits in the day, as well as night. This is a small, fenced area of the site, away from the main garden.
Birds are most common... like this song thrush
Nice to see the fieldfare are around... I saw a flock of about 30 very close by.
The pheasants are always around!
I filmed 3 different cats, including the neighbours bengal!
A trail camera can really give you an insight into the comings and goings of a location and are a brilliant way to get to know what's really happening!