Night Vision and Daylight Camera Systems for Wildlife: A Practical Guide

Only a small proportion of our most interesting wildlife is observed by naturalists. This book describes how, with the use of well-developed and reliable technology, animals can be filmed in a non-intrusive way without disturbing behaviour. Step-by-step, clearly illustrated details lead the reader past technical challenges and allow many new insights.

From bats to badgers, from hedgehogs to deer, whether by night or in the daytime, remote cameras adapted from security systems provide an ideal way to record and monitor behaviour over long periods. At a time when much of our wildlife is fast disappearing from the landscape, the need for more knowledge is especially important. Divided into sections covering different approaches and species groups, this guide offers a variety of unique and valuable tools to aid greater understanding. It will be helpful for anyone who wants to harness the power of technology to increase their understanding of wildlife, from the professional ecologist to the amateur field naturalist or keen wildlife gardener.

Contents:

Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Camera systems for wildlife: an overview

Chapter 1: Wildlife enthusiasts
Badgers
Foxes
Small mammals
Deer
Tawny owl

Chapter 2: Public engagement and schools
Small mammal feeding station (schools)
Bird-feeder camera systems (schools)
Ponds/bird baths (schools)
Pond dipping (schools)
Dormouse boxes (public engagement)
Otters (public engagement)
Rockpools (public engagement and schools)

Chapter 3: Ecology and conservation
Bats
Badgers
Deer
Otters and beavers
Small mammal surveys
Birds
Insects

Chapter 4: Research
Great crested newt
Bats
Water voles
Dormice
Remote recording using wireless transmission

Chapter 5: Setting up outside
Introduction
Choice of environment
Mounting options
Recorder parameters
Hints and tips

Chapter 6: Equipment details
6.1 Cameras
6.2 Recorders
6.3 Cables
6.4 Monitors
6.5 Power
6.6 Useful accessories

Chapter 7: Connecting and setting up equipment
7.1 The equipment from a connection standpoint
7.2 Connecting it all up
7.3 Setting up the recorder
7.4 Connecting to the internet
7.5 Video conversion and editing
7.6 Wildlife protocols

Appendices
A1 Connector details
A2 Power calculations
A3 Other night vision cameras

References
Index