Raptor-Cam

Raptor-Cam 1 Minute

Wildlife Cameras: Raptor Cam

This part of the Hawk-Eyes project uses wildlife surveillance cameras, purchased through the ARCS grant, at raptor nest sites at various locations across Northern Ireland, particularly within persecution hot-spot areas. These cameras remotely monitor bird of prey nests, roost and bait points throughout the year, providing unique insights into the birds and their behaviour.

Volunteers Mark and Alan ready to install some of the cameras
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Highly trained licensed specialists install the wildlife surveillance cameras

These cameras remotely monitor the activity and survival of these birds during the breeding season. Additional wildlife cameras are installed close the the nest sites and surrounding areas to monitor bird movements and their usage of the wider site during the breeding season.

Red kite nests monitored by still images and video footage

The team of people involved in this project have extensive experience in installation and usage of cameras at raptor nest sites. The installation of cameras around nests and at breeding sites is undertaken under special wildlife licences issued by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).

Cameras operate 24/7 including by use of infra-red during darkness so we can monitor sites round the clock.

Sometimes cameras pick up other visitors to the area, such as this fox

And sometimes they detect people, including in this case one of our fieldworkers!
Peregrine falcon “V/E” identified nesting in Co. Armagh, which had originally been marked in Co. Kildare

Hopefully all the birds will be left alone to breed successfully but if there is any human interaction at the nest sites we should capture this! Criminals should be aware, cameras are watching these birds 24/7 and may be watching your every move!
Updates on images recorded will be blogged about in the ‘Raptor-Cam’ page.

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