Get to know your patch - wildlife monitoring cameras

Are you curious about what wildlife exists on your property?  A lot of Australian native animals come out at night, so it can be harder to spot them travelling through or living on your property. Even during the day, they can be hard to get a good look at - small birds like wrens or yellow thornbills move very quickly.

Using wildlife cameras is a great, unobtrusive way of monitoring the wildlife about your place. Setting up lures to entice animals to the camera is an effective way to attract and photograph them. It also means you don't need to disturb their habitats to get a glimpse of them. Different lures can be used to attract animals. For example, you can use sardine oil or a mixture of honey and oats attached to a tree. A birdbath on a pedestal works well for birds, but remember to fill it with fresh water each day and keep cats contained.

These cameras can be expensive but your local Landcare group or Murray LLS office may be able to lend some to you. They will also give tips on usage and placement and will share in your excitement of the animals you capture images of, such as squirrel gliders, grey crowned babblers, echidnas and gang gang cockatoos.

It can be exciting and surprising to view the images from the monitoring camera. The Woolshed Thurgoona Landcare member who captured this image on their property was delighted to find a squirrel glider.

To find out about borrowing wildlife monitoring cameras from your nearest Landcare group, contact your Local Landcare Coordinator or Paula Sheehan, Regional Landcare Coordinator - Murray on 0407 873 396 or paulasheehan@holbrooklandcare.org.au.

To find out more, contact your local LLS office: Albury 02 6051 2200 or Deniliquin LLS Office 03 5881 9900.

ABOVE LEFT: Photo by Woolshed Thurgoona Landcare member taken of a squirrel glider on their property using a wildlife monitoring camera.
ABOVE RIGHT: Photo of wildlife monitoring camera set up ready to capture wildlife images - Credit: Paula Sheehan