CCTV for Wildlife Monitoring is a handbook on the use of CCTV in nature watching, conservation and ecological research. CCTV offers a unique ability to monitor wildlife in real time, stream video to the web, capture imagery of fast-moving species or cold animals such as wet otters or fish and maintain monitoring over long periods of time in a diverse array of habitats. Wildlife watchers can take advantage of a huge range of CCTV cameras, recording devices and accessories developed for use in non-wildlife applications. CCTV allows intimate study of animal behaviour not possible with other technologies.

With expert experience in engineering, photography and wildlife, Susan Young describes CCTV equipment and techniques, giving readers the confidence to tackle what initially may seem technically challenging. The book enables the reader to navigate the technical aspects of recording: basic analogue, high definition HD-TVI and IP cameras, portable CCTV, digital video recorders (DVR) and video processing by focusing on practical applications. No prior knowledge of CCTV is required - step-by-step information is provided to get anyone started recording wildlife.

In-depth methods for recording foxes, badger, deer, otters, small mammals and fish are also included, and the book makes comparisons with trail cameras where appropriate. Examples of recorded footage illustrate the book along with detailed diagrams on camera set-ups and links to accompanying videos on YouTube. Case-studies show real projects, both the equipment used and the results.

This book will be of interest to amateur naturalists wishing to have a window into the private world of wildlife, ecological consultants monitoring protected species and research scientists studying animal behaviour.

CCTV for Wildlife Monitoring - an overview Why CCTV? How the book is designed.

Chapter 1 Analogue CCTV 1.1 Analogue CCTV quick start 1.2 Basics of Analogue CCTV

Chapter 2 Advanced CCTV details 2.1 Analogue CCTV in depth

Chapter 3 HD-TVI CCTV 3.1 HD-TVI Quick Start 3.2 HD-TVI CCTV

Chapter 4 IP cameras 4.1 IP camera Quick Start 4.2 IP cameras (Advanced CCTV) 4.3 IP cameras in depth

Chapter 5 Portable CCTV 5.1 Portable CCTV Quick Start 5.2 Portable CCTV

Chapter 6 Videos 6.1 Video processing

Chapter 7 Technical case studies 7.1 In pursuit of image quality 7.2 Setting up portable CCTV 7.3 Setting up an IP camera 7.4 Making a lightweight mammal box 7.5 Connecting a lead-acid battery

Chapter 8 Wildlife case studies 8.1 Clean pond dipping 8.2 Catching the frog catchers 8.3 Rock pool surveying 8.4 Badger activity - a life story 8.5 Bird feeders and bird baths 8.6 Tawny owl

Chapter 9. Scientific case studies 9.1 Fish monitoring using a submersible camera -a pilot study 9.2 Monitoring bats in woodland - a pilot study

Chapter 10 Suggestions for CCTV monitoring subjects 10.1 Birds 10.2 Reptiles 10.3 Insects 10.4 Aquatic mammals

Chapter 11 Comparison of portable CCTV with trail cameras 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Trail camera details

Chapter 12 Comparison of CCTV with remote triggered DSLR 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Triggered camera system details

Appendix Comparison table for CCTV and trail cameras Equipment used Equipment suppliers References Index

Susan Young is a photographer and writer living in South Devon. She gives wildlife photography courses, and has had numerous photographic exhibitions, as well as publishing various articles and books - including Wildlife Photography Fieldcraft. She now carries out research with Natural England, the Woodland Trust and the Mammal Society on the use of remote cameras to monitor wildlife.