Discover the hidden wildlife in your backyard with a trail camera — and become a citizen scientist!
You might be surprised by the animals that visit your property without you ever seeing them. Many native species are shy or nocturnal, making them difficult to spot. Trail cameras offer a simple way to capture images of local wildlife while you get on with your day or enjoy a well-earned sleep.
Recording the animals on your property is not only fascinating — it also contributes valuable information about the species living in our region, including introduced animals such as feral deer, foxes and cats.
Upper Ovens Valley Landcare Group now has four trail cameras available for members to borrow. With permission, they can also be used at other sites such as Landcare restoration areas. Each camera comes with instructions, and with a little guidance they are easy to set up for recording photos and videos that can be downloaded to your computer or other device.
You can also upload your sightings to citizen science platforms such as iNaturalist and FeralScan. Creating an account is simple, and your records will automatically contribute to national databases that support environmental management.
To borrow one or more cameras, please contact Peter Jacobs on 0487 295 198 or email buffalo_springs@bigpond.com.
We will then arrange for the cameras to be made available so you can begin recording — and of course, Upper Ovens Valley Landcare Group would love to hear about what you discover!
Happy camera trapping!