Though they’ve long been used by scientists and film-makers, trail cameras are now widely available with many models on the market to suit most budgets. All of them do the same thing, using a motion-activated camera to capture photos or videos of any animals passing by. Infra-red lighting means they can even see in the dark.  

At Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, we use trail cameras to monitor life on our reserves and keep track of species like the pine marten following their reintroduction into the Forest of Dean. You too can use trail cameras to get to know the wildlife in your local area, so here are a few tips to get you started.

Powering your camera

Trail cameras can be deployed for several weeks at a time and must always be ready to capture images the second an animal passes by. This means they need constant, reliable power and many can be quite demanding. It’s important therefore that you use high-quality batteries which can consistently provide the necessary output to keep your camera running. Lithium or Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries work well, and it’s worth doing your research before you purchase any. Rechargeable batteries are definitely worth the investment and will save you money in the long run.

Where to put your camera

Putting a camera in your garden will often reveal a wealth of wildlife you didn’t know were there, but if you’d like to monitor wildlife in your local area, you must make sure you get the landowner’s permission first. It’s also important to avoid capturing people on your camera, so keep it away from footpaths or public spaces.

Your camera will come with a handy strap with which you can attach it to a tree or post. Angling the camera slightly downwards, squeezing a stick behind it if need be, will avoid rain obscuring the lens and give you a good view of what’s going on below. There’s no need to put your camera too high up; just far enough above the ground to avoid it getting damaged by any inquisitive animals!

All animals must come to water at some point, so if there is a pond or stream in the area, putting a camera nearby can introduce you to several species living locally.

Many animals will regularly use the same routes and these pathways soon become visible where vegetation is parted. Badgers are low-slung creatures and their paths are often well-worn, sometimes over several generations.

Be careful not to put your cameras too close to any nests or denning sites as this can disturb the animals there. Not only is this detrimental to the species you’re hoping to see, many are protected by law and disturbing them is an offence.

Some people use bait to entice animals in front of the camera, and whilst this can be a good way of confirming the presence of a particular species (we use eggs to see where our pine martens have got to), it shouldn’t be done too regularly to avoid the animals becoming habituated or reliant on this food. It’s also important to do your research on which foods are appropriate, as many can have ill-effects.

Finally, it’s worth remembering that these species are elusive for a reason. They are aiming to avoid disturbance or harm, so be careful not to expose spots to potential predators, and be considerate about who you share your findings with. You can certainly share them with us though, and we’d love to see the wildlife you’ve captured on your cameras across the county. You can get in touch by email or on social media, and by sharing your records with the Gloucestershire Centre for Environmental Records (GCER) you’ll be contributing to conservation in the county.