Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, incorporating wildlife into your garden is a great way to create a more diverse and inviting space.
But how do you go about recording the wildlife that visits your garden?
Most wild creatures are naturally shy and cautious making it difficult to capture them on film. The easiest and best way to record wildlife that visits your backyard is by using covert, hidden wildlife cameras that will capture activity for viewing at a later date.
Wildlife cameras are a great way to see what animals are visiting your outdoor area and when.
They are a great way to bring nature closer to people and offer an insight into how animals behave and what they might do when they pay you a visit.
Wildlife cameras are also great for children and can be a wonderful educational tool for the younger members of the family.
Using a wildlife camera
Wildlife cameras can be easily setup in your garden or yard and are normally fastened to trees or posts where they will be secure and away from the visiting creatures.
Most wildlife cameras are rechargeable and contain a removeable memory card that will capture activity as it occurs.
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Things to consider before installing a wildlife camera
Before installing your camera it’s worth considering a few things to help you to get the best results:
- Think about the types of animals that you might see – perhaps you’ve seen some already in the garden – consider the height of the camera to get the best recordings.
- Keep the camera at a reasonable distance from where the animals gather so that you don’t risk disturbing them.
- Don’t put cameras into bird’s nests as this will probably lead to the birds abandoning their youngsters.
- Don’t cause any damage to any bushes, trees or other natural features.
- Think about the times when you put out and retrieve the camera – you don’t want to disturb the animals that you are trying to record.
- Secure the camera properly. Wind and falling branches can knock cameras over, plus there is always the risk that a curious creature may take a look at it too.
- There is nothing more frustrating than a camera that runs out of power or memory. Check that the camera will last before putting it out.
- Always check your local laws to make sure that you are not breaking any – this is important if you plan to put the cameras on public land or record any public area.
Using the footage
Once you have captured some footage of the wildlife in your garden, it’s worth taking a look at it to see what you can learn.
Some things to consider:
– What type of animals are visiting your garden?
– What time of day do they visit?
– What do they eat?
– What do they do when they’re not eating?
– How does your garden appear to them – is it a safe place to stop or are they just passing through?
All of this information can help you to better understand the wildlife in your area and how they interact with your garden.
It can also help you to encourage more wildlife to visit by providing them with the right food and habitat.
Good quality wildlife cameras
Folgtek 6pcs Trail Hunting Camera 24MP 1296P with No-Glowing Night Vision
This trail camera pack by Folgtek includes six cameras that are perfect for capturing photos and videos of wildlife on your property.
The cameras are weatherproof and well camouflaged, making them difficult to spot, and they also feature 36 pieces of infrared LED for excellent night vision.
They’re easy to operate and mount, and can capture max. 24 Mega Pixel crystal images as well as full HD 1296P videos.
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5-Pack Game Trail Deer Cameras 24MP 2304x1296P H.264 Video with 100Ft Night Vision
The 5-Pack Game Trail Cam is a high resolution, 24MP trail camera that captures 1296p HD video.
This game cam has a lightning fast trigger speed of 0.1 seconds and an infrared sensor for capturing images and videos in low light conditions up to 40 feet away in complete darkness.
The 5-Pack Game Trail Cam also features blur reduction technology to provide crisp and clear footage day or night.
This camera has a longer night version at 100ft/30m and trigger distance at 82ft/25m, which can capture the animal’s behavior very clearly.
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Wildlife Trail Camera BG710-M 940nm Black IR Night Vision with 4G
The Wildlife Trail Camera BG710-M 940nm Black IR Night Vision 4G is a premium quality trail camera that is enabled for instant connection to your mobile cell phone.
You can control and view the camera by APP or web portal, and it features excellent night vision range with unbelievable image quality.
It records 1080P full HD videos with clear sound and 12MP clear images, making it the perfect choice for capturing wildlife or security footage.
The camera is also IP65 waterproof and has a LCD display.
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CREATIVE XP Cellular Trail Camera
The CREATIVE XP Cellular Trail Camera is a great choice for any outdoor enthusiast.
It’s equipped with HD night vision infrared technology and can capture images up to 65ft away. The camera also comes with a 4G data plan that will allow you to access your camera from anywhere in the world.
You can even take time-lapse photos, so you don’t miss a thing.
This trail cam also comes with two rechargeable 18650 batteries and an included solar panel, so you have everything you need to get started right out of the box.
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Yellowstone.ai 4G LTE Wireless Cellular Trail Camera with App
This 4G LTE Wireless Cellular Trail Camera from Yellowstone.ai gives you the power to receive pictures of what’s happening in the woods on your phone, computer, or tablet – regardless of your wireless provider.
With a 100% invisible night vision flash, 12MP pictures, and 1080p full HD video, you’ll never miss a moment.
The sensor detects motion and triggers a picture 0.4 seconds later for maximum stealth.
You can even schedule hours of operation for pictures only during certain times of day.
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What else to consider when selecting a wildlife camera?
- Image quality – you’ll clearly want to be able to see the best pictures and videos of the wildlife that you capture on your camera and most cameras, even the lower budget ones, offer excellent image capturing capabilities.
- Speed of activation – animals can move quickly and to get the best results you’ll need a camera that will begin recording as soon as it is triggered.
- Range – depending upon the area that you are covering, range may be something that you wish to consider to get the maximum footage possible.
- Night vision – most wildlife cameras provide night vision capability as this is simply the busiest time for visiting wildlife. Check for features such as invisible flash and low light operations, infra red technology is also a great option to have access to.
- Durability – your camera could spend some uncomfortable days and nights outdoors when weather conditions are less than ideal. Look for a durable, waterproof case and an easy to use system for mounting the camera securely.
- Ease of use – not everyone enjoys complicated features and a camera that is tricky to setup and use can often end up on the shelf. Make sure that you are comfortable with the operation of the camera particularly if it includes features such as 4G, wireless and remote access control.
[amazon fields=”B08CZ9PZ82″ value=”thumb” image =”4″ image_size=”large” image_alt=”LXYDD 12MP 1080P HD Trail Camera”]
Final words
It’s easy to record wildlife with a wildlife camera and the footage can be an eye opener when witnessing the various creatures that visit your garden.
When selecting a wildlife camera, it is important to consider all of the features that are available and what you hope to get out of the camera.
Image quality, activation speed, range and night vision are all key considerations when making your choice.
Wildlife cameras come in a variety of prices and it is important to find one that meets your needs without breaking the bank.
The cameras reviewed here are all excellent choices for anyone looking for a reliable wildlife camera.
