Over the last year, I have been using a trail camera. These remote cameras have become very popular with naturalists in the UK and are being used in a wide variety of situations for a number of different purposes. But are they being used WELL? Are there things you and I need to learn before we use one, beyond what buttons to press?
On the whole the answer is yes, they are being used with discretion and good judgement. They are used by environmental and ecological consultants, academic researchers and wildlife managers. And yes, there are things we need to learn. There's a whole new set of field work skills and ethical considerations. Cameras are supplied without batteries and without a memory card, but that's OK because they are easy to get hold of and install. However, they are also sold without any advice on where, when and how they should NOT be used and what field skills you will need to get some success. These skills and knowledge are not easy to come by and cannot be 'installed' easily into the new owner.
I use my one trail camera to scout photography locations. It means that I can tell if and when an animal is using a particular area and I hope that it will cut down on the number of hours I spend staring out of a hide at countryside devoid of that special thing that I've planned to photograph.
My own efforts need some work. I recently wondered if I could lure a red kite into the garden, but got buzzards.
Such unexpected results are quite common and can be really pleasing. While assessing a location for deer species, I found that it was being frequented by foxes as this rather ghostly image proved:
When I looked a bit more closely around the site, I found out how foxes were using the area and ended up getting some nice shots of cubs near to a breeding site.
I have spent a great deal of time (aided by Lou, the Chief Otter Tracker) in trying to find when otters are using certain sites that would produce good images. Seeing otters is not really a problem, seeing them in good light, doing interesting things close to me; well that's another whole kettle of otters. But what the trail camera can also tell me is what other animals are using these places.
This location has turned out to be great for heron and (rather unexpectedly) for muntjac.
However, some land owners have been using trail cameras and have got in touch with me because of what they have found on their card. Below is one image of hundreds that came from a camera set up by the owner of a section of the Hampshire Avon.
Just imagine the huge excitement when you realise that you have a whole family of otters using your action of the river?
They also got some lovely images of other unknown denizens of their large garden.
If you buy your trail camera from a good supplier, then they will help you. NatureSpy is a social enterprise that can offer you an accredited training course as well as provide a range of equipment. I have also been in touch with Jason Alexander of Wildlife Gadget Man about the Code of Conduct that he offers to his customers when they purchase trail cams, nest cams and other bits of natural history technology.
My own work is guaranteed to comply with the Royal Photographic Society's Code of Conduct for Nature Photography. This offers some peace of mind to anyone who wishes to purchase a print and clarity to photographers who want to book on to one of my photographic tutorial days as to what I will do, what I will not do and what my priorities right be. You can see a bit more about this here.
I offer the code below, taken mostly from Jason's web site, as a good starting point for the use of trail cameras:
1. The welfare of the subject is more important than the photograph.
2. You should familiarise yourself with the natural history of your intended subject. Rare, unusual and protected species will require more knowledge and greater care.
3. You should plan your use of the trail camera and think about the effect of what you are doing. Therefore, a general knowledge of natural history is essential to avoid accidental damage of habitat or undesirable impact on plants and animals.
4. You must be familiar with international and national legislation which may relate to the species in the area, your target species and the habitat or site you are working within. This includes the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, the Natural Environment & Rural Communities Act 2000, species legislation such as the Badger Acts and specifically how that law governs activity in protected areas such as national Nature Reserves, Special Areas for Conservation, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Local Wildlife Sites. A good knowledge of priority habitats and species, both locally and nationally, is essential. You can find out what's going on i your locality through your local Wildlife Trust. Find out more here
5. Any disturbance to surrounding habitat should be minimised when positioning the trail camera and setting up the desired shot. Some ‘gardening’ (moving / rearranging of surrounding vegetation) may be required to achieve the desired scene, but this should always be kept to a minimum and returned to the state in which it was found when the trail camera is removed.
6. Baiting an area to attract wildlife should be kept to a minimum and only natural food items should be offered. This may be modified when dealing with garden birds and activity around garden bird feeders. Baiting should not continue for long as this may cause dependence. The length of time relates to the biology of the subject. Baiting should not be near a breeding site.
7. Your activity and the presence of the camera should not expose the subject to a greater risk of predation, disturbance or breeding success / failure.
8. You should try to disguise the tracks you make leading to or from your trail camera.
9. Always get the permission of the land owner before placing your trail camera. All land is owned by someone and is usually used by more than one person. So even if you have the permission of a farmer, you may also need to talk to the shepherd, gamekeeper or tractor driver. "Public land", such as Forestry Commission woodland, a local nature reserve, Open Access land and open moorland in a national park also require permission.
10. It is best practice to share your records of wildlife with conservation organisations such as your local county Biological Records Office. You can find out more about sharing records, and where your local office is, here. However, the exact location of a protected species or a sensitive breeding site might be generalised to avoid disturbance.
Lastly, consider the privacy of other people who may stray into the area monitored by your trail camera. You should avoid using them in public places. If you do position your trail camera in a public place it may be advisable to erect a sign close by stating that motion activated wildlife monitoring cameras are in operation.
As for the additional field skills needed to get success, well, I'm working on that!
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