Camera Trapping at Montrose
We are really lucky at Montrose Basin to be able to watch what goes on out of the window every day. Sometimes we can be distracted – it may be that the kingfisher is fishing in the ponds or the little egrets are being chased by the herons – so we can miss what is going on with all the other species.
Camera traps are being used more often in research and wildlife management. They are a non-invasive way of recording the presence of species and studying animal behaviour. Many species are under-recorded in the UK, including species such as the brown rat; they are seen as common or not exciting enough to be reported.
We were given the loan of a camera trap just before Christmas to try and capture the things we might not always see. We had the camera out in a few different locations around the visitor centre and managed to capture a variety of species.
This male pheasant was walking along the path at the dipping pond.
The feeder at the picnic area was a favourite for lots of birds including this male blackbird.
Our camera trap had an infra-red flash; this flash type is less noticeable to the animal but still takes a good image even when it is dark!
It wasn’t just birds we managed to capture; this field mouse was enjoying a late night snack under the feeders.
We were also really lucky to spot a fox, not just once but twice, in two different locations. The first image was taken down in the woods at the Bank of Scotland hide and the other was seen under the feeders at the front window! Camera traps can be really useful when monitoring species, and can give an idea of territory size.
Fox in the woods at the Bank of Scotland hide.
The tail end of a fox at the feeders!
Camera traps can also be set to take short videos, Joanna has put together a few of our favourite clips!
Even through the winter months, gardens (and reserves!) can be a hive of activity, so make sure you keep your feeders topped up and water dishes free of ice.
– Louise Clark (Visitor Centre Assistant Manager)
