Following Dave's reports of recording hedgehogs already I started putting out dried (cat) food in my hedgehog feeder and it went but a few mouse droppings left but I put out a fair quantity for mice to eat it all.
So another test (but rain forecast later so only covered dusk to 23:00 and quite a few:
At least two different individuals (because som shot had them both in the shot at the same time). And they are so stuffed they were visiting and not bothering to eat.
Maybe try in a week and leave the camera out all night (camera is waterproof but tripod I'm using at the feeder would take some drying out).
Never noticed timing before (last year was the first I've had hedgehogs for ages) but what sort of time would they generally come out of hibernation?
There seems to be a wide range for hedgehog hibernation. I have seen October/November to March, and December to April. I suppose it depends on location.
I had to make a hedgehog feeder with baffles to keep the local cats and foxes away from the food. I also needed to weigh it down to stop one fox from dragging it around.
I'm now putting the camera out every night to see what is about and hopefully catch the hedgehog as it comes out more.
Dave
BTW what camera do you use/ The quality is excellent.
BTW what camera do you use/ The quality is excellent.
Camera is a bit of a "bodge". Its a Browning Recon Force Edge but the trouble is they all seem designed for US hunting community to put in trees to detect big game (e.g. deer) and I find small scurrying things far more interesting. So extra lenses from Amazon, Bluetack sometimes some electrical tape, etc. But you do end-up with quit a small depth of field so in hedgerow, etc. a lot of shots out of focus. But with something like a fixed point entrance to a hedgehog feeder it works fine as there is a known distance to the subject and you can position the camera so any activity will be within the depth of field. I use different lenses but for that one, focus is around 50 cm to 90 cm (so not a lot when nothing to position any subject).
I can't remember the advertised resolution but reality is the sensor is nothing like the advertised pixel count and the camera does massive upscaling to pretend there is better resolution than there really is (they all do it and it's all marketing).
Thanks, Ian. Never thought of using extra lenses. I use an old Bushnell camera and while it is good enough to pick up things as small as mice easily, the resolution is not that good.
I use a small and very cheap tripod from EBay. I like the low viewpoint it gives to videos, though being low to the ground I have had the camera 'hoovered' by some animals.
Thanks, Ian. Never thought of using extra lenses. I use an old Bushnell camera and while it is good enough to pick up things as small as mice easily, the resolution is not that good.
I use a small and very cheap tripod from EBay. I like the low viewpoint it gives to videos, though being low to the ground I have had the camera 'hoovered' by some animals.
Dave
I generally use a spike mount (special spike in the ground with a small ball mount fitted - cheap and positions close to ground) - but that only works in soil (long spike if soft, short is dry/hard). But where hedgehog feeder located needs tripod as ground too hard for spikes.
Lenses are very cheap from Amazon. Takes a bit of time/testing/playing around to establish the depth of field/focus and having done that (in the kitchen), I now have to carry a tape measure around with the gear.
I've has the camera knocked by hedgehogs and kicked by deer but no damage.
I find mist and fog have a horrendous effect on pics. So I end-up only putting out in expected dry weather.
One issue with mine is that it only seems to run on Lithium AA cells - which are expensive (but do last a good time). Normal alkaline batteries don't seem to work and I've not risked buying Eneloop rechargeable as whilst some say they'll work, expensive if they don't.
I know what you mean about the effect of condensation on the lens.
I have heard the need for particular batteries for some trail cameras but the experience seems to vary. Some say only Lithium AAs will work, others say they have tried other types and had no problem.
Some years ago I used an ordinary tripod for the camera and had a pine marten climb up the tripod and had a badger walk into the tripod, but without damage.
Last night in the garden was a non-event - nothing between me putting it out at 7pm and bringing it in at 6:30 this morning, but I'm sure it will get busier.
