Wildlife cameras - see which animals visit your garden
Have you ever wondered what animals sneak through your garden at night? Or which birds come to your garden to look for food? With a wildlife camera, you can discover this hidden world of your own garden! It's a fun hobby for young and old, showing you what happens when you're not looking.
What is a wildlife camera?
With a wildlife camera, you film animals in their natural habitat without disturbing them. A wildlife camera is sometimes also called a trail camera. These cameras come in a sturdy, weatherproof housing and automatically take photos and videos as soon as something moves. Wildlife photographers, biologists and nature lovers use wildlife cameras to observe animals undetected. You yourself can use them at home too! Because whether you have a big garden or a small balcony, there is always something interesting to see.
How does a wildlife camera work?
A wildlife camera is equipped with a motion sensor that detects movement via changes in heat. As soon as an animal approaches, the sensor registers it and the camera automatically starts recording. For night shots, the camera uses infrared light, which is not visible to humans or animals. This allows the camera to take sharp photos even at night, without the need for a bright light that could scare away animals.
What do you use a wildlife camera for?
For children and adults, a wildlife camera is a great way to learn more about nature. You see animals in real life, how they behave and what they do. It makes learning about nature exciting. The great thing about a wildlife camera is also that you never know what you are going to see. Every time you look at the footage, it's a surprise. You might see a hedgehog family scurrying around your garden, or a frog jumping in the pond. With all the clips, you can even make your own nature film of life in your garden.
How to choose the best wildlife camera?
When choosing a wildlife camera, resolution and battery life are two important points to look out for. The higher the resolution, the sharper the photos and videos the camera takes. For most gardens, a camera with at least 12 megapixels is suitable. You can also opt for a higher resolution, then you can see more details. This is easier for recognising specific species.
"The higher the resolution, the sharper the photos and videos will be."
If you plan to hang the camera outside for a long time, it is useful if the camera has a long battery life. Most cameras run on AA batteries. It is then possible to take pictures for weeks or even months before the batteries run out. You can also buy separate solar panels for most wildlife cameras that you can plug in. If you put rechargeable batteries in the camera, you can charge them with this. Some Camouflage brand models even have a built-in solar panel. The latter option is environmentally friendly and reduces the need to replace batteries. Here, of course, the solar panel must be able to receive sunlight.
What functions can a wildlife camera have?
There are many types of wildlife cameras, each with different functions. Which functions you choose depends on your needs. All wildlife cameras can take photos and videos in daylight and often in the dark. This is suitable for beginners or people who want to start easily. There are also features that make using the camera easier.
- HD and 4K cameras: These cameras capture sharp and detailed footage, which is useful if you want to see and recognise animals better.
- Wi-Fi cameras: These more advanced cameras can send recordings wirelessly to your smartphone or computer. This makes it easy to view recordings without having to access the camera itself.
- Cameras with LCD screen: This type has a built-in screen that allows you to instantly view recordings. It is also useful for accurately aiming the camera.
- SD memory cards: Most cameras use SD cards to store recordings. This makes it easy to remove the card from the camera and view the recordings on your computer. Look carefully at what the maximum number of GB the camera supports. The higher the number of GB, the more recordings will fit on it.
- Dual-sensor cameras: Luxury models have two sensors, one for day and one for night, allowing them to capture sharper shots during the day, as well as at night.
- Low glow / no glow: This refers to how visible the camera's infrared light is. With a no glow camera, the light cannot be seen at all, either by humans or animals.
- Trigger time: Trigger time is the time it takes a wildlife camera to take a photo or video after motion is detected.
Recovery rate: Recovery rate is the time it takes for the camera to be ready for the next photo or video after taking a shot.
Setting options on the camera
Each wildlife camera has different settings that you can adjust. Generally, there are two options: the camera can shoot as soon as motion is detected, or you can choose to shoot at a time interval. In that case, the camera takes a picture or video every minute, every hour, or even every five seconds, for example, without requiring motion. You can also turn on both.
Examples of the various options
When choosing a wildlife camera, it is important to choose the right features to suit your situation. The latest wildlife cameras, such as those from Bushnell, Seissiger and Camouflage, can take very nice photos and 4K videos. They also work in the dark, thanks to infrared LEDs. Here we compare four different models based on key specifications.
Bushnell 24MP Wildlife camera Prime Brown Low Glow
The Bushnell 24MP Prime Brown Low Glow might be for you if you want a simple wildlife camera. This camera takes 24-megapixel photos and videos in 1080p. It responds to motion within 0.3 seconds and can take a second photo within 1 second (recovery rate). This camera does not have WiFi, but for a basic model, this is a great choice.
Specifications
- Resolution: Photos up to 24 MP and 1080p videos with audio.
- Night vision distance: 24-metre range, sufficient for most gardens.
- Night vision flash: minimum glow of 36 infrared LED.
- Speed: 0.3 second trigger time and 1 second recovery rate.
- Connectivity: No WiFi, storage up to 32GB via SD card.
- Battery: Operates on six AA batteries, standby 1 year
- Display: Black/White text LCD.
Bushnell 32MP Dual Core 4K No Glow Trailcam
The Bushnell 32MP Dual Core 4K is a great option if you are looking for the best quality images. This camera takes 30-megapixel photos and videos in 4K. The camera can also see up to 33 metres at night. The LCD display makes it easy to point the camera. This camera does not have WiFi, so you have to take the SD card out of the camera to view recordings. But if you are looking for very high resolution for both photos, and videos, and exceptional night vision range, this is the perfect choice.
Specifications
- Resolution: photos up to 32 MP, video recording in 4K with audio.
- Night vision distance: 34-metre range, providing great night vision.
- Night vision flash: Invisible to humans and animals
- Speed: 0.2 second trigger time and a recovery rate of 1 second.
- Connectivity: No wifi, storage up to 512GB via SD card.
- Battery: Operates on 6 AA batteries, standby 1 year
- Display: 1.5-inch colour LCD for viewing recordings.
Camouflage EZ-60 Wildlife camera with wifi
If you prefer to view your photos and videos directly on your smartphone, the Camouflage EZ-60 is the best option. This camera takes 48-megapixel photos and 4K videos. The advantage of this camera is that it has Wi-Fi, so you can send the photos and videos to your phone without going to the camera. It also has a very fast response time of 0.2 seconds.
Specifications
- Resolution: photos up to 48 MP and video recording in 4K.
- Night vision distance: 24 metres with 42 infrared LEDs.
- Night vision flash: Minimal glow (850NM)
- Speed: 0.2 second trigger time.
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi support for transferring data to an app.
- Battery: Runs on 8 AA batteries, standby time of 8 months.
- Display: 3-inch TFT LCD for instant image display.
- Weather resistance: IP66 waterproof, so can withstand harsh weather conditions.
Seissiger Special-Cam LTE Supersim Edition 4G - wildlife camera with simcard
The Seissiger Special-Cam LTE Supersim Edition 4G offers the ability to send photos and videos directly to your phone via a built-in SIM card. It takes 12-megapixel photos and videos in Full HD. This model is perfect if you want to receive recordings remotely and WiFi is not available. The camera sends recordings using the SUPERSIM prepaid card, for which you can easily purchase credit.
Specifications
- Resolution: photos up to 12 MP, videos in Full HD with sound.
- Night vision: 25-metre range
- Night vision flash: Black flash infrared, invisible to humans and animals.
- Speed: 0.6 second trigger time
- Connectivity: 4G connectivity with a built-in SIM card for sending photos and video via mobile networks.
- Battery: Runs on 12 AA batteries, ensuring long battery life.
- Display: 5cm TFT colour display.
Bird paradise at the Camouflage birdfeeder
With a wildlife camera at your bird feeder, you can see how many different birds pass by. You'll be amazed at all the species that visit your garden. From happy tits and finches to colourful woodpeckers and maybe even a special species you've never seen before.
For bird lovers, there is Camouflage's special Birdfeed camera. It is specially designed to film and/or photograph birds while eating. This unique Birdfeed camera takes beautiful close-up shots of eating birds, and of course the rare visits of squirrels and boomers. It is a fun way to see birds and animals up close, without disturbing them.
Where do you place a wildlife camera?
You don't have to be an expert to use a wildlife camera. Most cameras are very easy to set up. When placing a wildlife camera in your garden, it is important to choose strategic locations. Think of places like feeding areas, bushes, shady corners or near a pond. These places attract animals.
Make sure you mount the camera at the right height and angle for optimal recordings. Hang the camera at knee height if the animals are on the ground. Securely attach the camera to a tree, pole or other solid surface using the fastening straps provided. Also use camouflage if necessary to make the camera inconspicuous. Turn the camera on and it does the rest.
A wildlife camera for any garden
With a wildlife camera in your garden, you will discover which animals pass by at night or during the day. These cameras automatically take photos and videos when they detect movement. You use them to observe animals in their natural habitat without disturbing them. Whether you have a large garden or a small balcony, a wildlife camera offers a unique view of animal life.
When choosing a wildlife camera, it is important to pay attention to resolution and battery life. Most cameras run on AA batteries and can record for weeks before the batteries need to be replaced. Wildlife cameras come in different varieties, with features such as HD and 4K recording, Wi-Fi connectivity and different recording modes. This makes it easy to choose the right camera for your situation.