Focus on wildlife wonders homing in on your garden
Television wildlife programme Winterwatch has fired the interest of nature lovers. But how about setting up your own camera to keep watch on the comings and goings of creatures in your garden?
Security specialist Yale UK is encouraging homeowners to invest in technology to look at the animals which are visiting.
Modern smart cameras are simple to set up and a convenient tool that can be used to open a window into the wonders of our natural world. Check that your device is IP65 rated so it’s built to withstand the unpredictable British weather. Also, choose a camera with a built-in light so you can see what animals and creatures are around on gloomy winter days and at night, or opt for a camera with night-vision.
With a live feed through your smartphone via the
Yale View app, the Yale All-in-One enables you to watch wildlife remotely, so any garden visitors don’t get spooked and you stay warm and dry. The camera is equipped with a 1080P HD camera and wide-angle viewing, so the action will be captured and seen with a crisp, clear feed.
With a smartphone, you can receive notifications of any motion detected and then take advantage of realtime viewing. Add a MicroSD card to the camera and any motion is automatically saved to be watched later.
Once you have your camera, the more habitats you create in your garden the more success you’re likely to have with it.
Start by picking an unused corner of the garden to build a log pile which will attract and support a huge diversity of wildlife.
With hedgehog numbers in severe decline and the potential importance of gardens for this species, it could be especially rewarding for you to consider providing resources in your garden to support them. Hedgehog houses, although easy to make and cheap to purchase, are found in less than 20 per cent of gardens.
Hedgehogs will soon be stirring after their winter hibernation so now’s the time to get your creaturecam ready.
Position your camera near a bird feeder or birdbath to gain a different perspective. A pond will provide great habitat and drinking water and will be a perfect focal point for your wildlife filming. Water will also attract insects and the mammals that eat them.
If you’re aiming to film mammals, such as badgers, it’s best to position your device in quieter, darker spots. According to the RSPCA, badgers may enter gardens as they move between setts or look for food and can even set up home in secluded areas in gardens if you’re lucky.
The charity also says that providing supplementary food, in limited amounts, can be beneficial to these nocturnal visitors. Suitable foods include tinned cerealbased dog food with lightly cooked meat, cheese, some peanuts and fruits.
However, care must be taken to avoid badgers becoming dependent on handouts when food is put out every night in large amounts, the charity warns.
Remember that the real joy of watching wildlife is in its unpredictability, so don’t be disappointed if you’re not successful straight away. A little patience and a lot of thought will usually reap rewards – find your innerDavid Attenborough, take a moment and look around. You’re more likely to see signs of wildlife, such as tracks and droppings, which will help you to position your creature-cam in the best spot.
For further advice and information about the range of smart cameras that are available from Yale, visit www.yalehome.co.uk website.