CCTV for Wildlife Monitoring: An Introduction

CCTV for Wildlife Monitoring

The osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is often monitored with CCTV

CCTV for Wildlife Monitoring

An Introduction

Susan Young

DATA IN THE WILD

Pelagic Publishing | www.pelagicpublishing.com

Published by Pelagic Publishing

www.pelagicpublishing.com

PO Box 725, Exeter EX1 9QU, UK

CCTV for Wildlife Monitoring: An Introduction

ISBN 978-1-78427-097-1 (Pbk)

ISBN 978-1-78427-096-4 (Hbk)

ISBN 978-1-78427-098-8 (ePub)

ISBN 978-1-78427-099-5 (Mobi)

ISBN 978-1-78427-100-8 (PDF)

Copyright © 2016 Susan Young

This book should be cited as Young, S. (2016) CCTV for Wildlife Monitoring: An Introduction. Exeter: Pelagic Publishing, UK.

All rights reserved. No part of this document may be produced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission from the publisher. While every effort has been made in the preparation of this book to ensure the accuracy of the information presented, the information contained in this book is sold without warranty, either express or implied. Neither the authors, nor Pelagic Publishing, its agents and distributors will be held liable for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by this book.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

All images were produced by the author.

Cover images: Top left: Long-eared bat (Plecotus sp.) video still from a 1,000 TVL analogue CCTV camera. Top right: Badger (Meles meles) video still from an IP CCTV camera. Bottom left: Bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus) video still from an IP CCTV camera. Bottom right: Blue tit (Parus caeruleus) and great tit (Parus major) video stills from an HD-TVI camera.

Peli-case is a trademark of Pelican Products, Inc. Really Useful Box is a trademark of Really Useful Products Limited. HD-TVI is a trademark of Techpoint, Inc. Pacsafe is a trademark of MRM HK Limited.

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgements

List of video references

Abbreviations

CCTV for wildlife monitoring – an overview

1. Analogue CCTV

1.1Analogue CCTV Quick Start

1.1.1Bird box – a simple introduction to CCTV

1.2Basics of analogue CCTV

1.2.1Introduction

1.2.2Basic analogue CCTV setup

1.3Videos

2. Advanced CCTV details

2.1Introduction

2.2Digital and analogue

2.3Wireless CCTV cameras

2.4Power sources

2.4.1Wired systems

2.4.2Wireless systems

2.5Image quality

2.5.1Camera quality

2.6Connections and wiring

2.6.1Cable

2.6.2Connectors

2.6.3Adapters

2.7Camera parameters

2.7.1Range

2.7.2Field of view

2.7.3Other parameters

2.8Recorder parameters

2.8.1Motion detection

2.8.2Pre-record

2.8.3Sensitivity of motion detection

2.8.4Masking

2.8.5Scheduling

2.8.6Recording after the event timing

2.8.7Clip lengths

2.9Setting up

2.9.1Positioning the camera

2.10Fixing details

2.10.1Large cameras

2.10.2Small cameras

2.11Other considerations

2.11.1Using a monitor for testing

2.11.2Internet viewing

2.11.3Maintenance

2.12Bird and mammal boxes

2.12.1Nest box plan

2.12.2Mammal boxes/feeding stations

2.13Advanced systems

2.13.1Wireless

2.13.2Event monitors

2.14Videos

3. HD-TVI CCTV

3.1HD-TVI Quick Start

3.2HD-TVI CCTV

3.2.1Introduction

3.2.2HD-TVI setup

3.3Videos

4. IP cameras

4.1IP camera Quick Start

4.2IP cameras (advanced CCTV)

4.2.1Introduction

4.3IP cameras in depth

4.3.1Technical details

4.3.2Setting up

4.3.3Working with images

4.4Videos

5. Portable CCTV

5.1Portable CCTV Quick Start

5.2Portable CCTV

5.2.1Introduction

5.2.2Technical details

5.2.3Portable CCTV setup

6. Videos

6.1Digital video recorders

6.1.1Construction

6.1.2Menus

6.1.3Recording

6.1.4Playback

6.1.5 Exporting

6.2Portable DVRs

6.2.1Genie SD-DVR software

6.2.2iCatcher

6.2.3Video-editing software

6.3Dealing with videos

6.3.1Project design

6.3.2Reducing video numbers

6.4Picture quality

6.4.1Good-quality cameras

6.4.2Good-quality cables

6.4.3Image stability

6.5Analysing videos

6.5.1Exporting data

6.5.2Data storage

6.5.3Analysis frequency

6.6Video enhancement

6.6.1Low contrast

6.7Videos

7. Technical case studies

7.1In pursuit of image quality

7.1.1Conclusions

7.2Setting up portable CCTV

7.2.1Equipment

7.2.2Initial construction

7.2.3Arriving at the site

7.3Setting up an IP camera

7.3.1Equipment

7.3.2Setting up

7.3.3Output

7.4Making a lightweight mammal box

7.4.1Steps to making the box

7.5Connecting a lead-acid battery

7.5.1The battery

7.5.2The connectors

7.5.3The terminal block

7.6Videos

8. Wildlife case studies

8.1Clean pond dipping

8.1.1Introduction

8.1.2Equipment

8.1.3Method 1 – mobile system

8.1.4Method 2 – fixed system

8.1.5Conclusions

8.2Catching the frog catchers

8.2.1Introduction

8.2.2 Equipment

8.2.3Method

8.2.4Results

8.3Rock pool surveying

8.3.1Introduction

8.3.2Equipment

8.3.3Method

8.3.4Results

8.3.5Conclusions

8.4Badger activity – a life story

8.4.1Introduction

8.4.2Equipment

8.4.3Method

8.4.4Stages to look out for

8.5Bird feeders and bird baths

8.5.1Introduction

8.5.2Equipment

8.5.3Method

8.5.4Bird bath action

8.5.5Conclusions

8.6Tawny owl

8.6.1Introduction

8.6.2Equipment

8.6.3Method

8.6.4Results

8.6.5Conclusions

8.7Videos

9. Scientific case studies

9.1Fish monitoring using a submersible camera – a pilot study

9.1.1Introduction

9.1.2Aims of the project

9.1.3Developing the equipment

9.1.4Factors affecting image clarity

9.1.5Field of view

9.1.6Determination of fish size

9.1.7General issues to consider

9.1.8Video analysis

9.1.9A selection of trial results

9.1.10Suggestions for further study

9.1.11Conclusions of the case study

9.2Monitoring bats in woodland – a pilot study

9.2.1Introduction

9.2.2Equipment

9.2.3Method

9.2.4Initial results

9.2.5Conclusions

9.3Videos

10. Suggestions for CCTV monitoring subjects

10.1Birds

10.1.1Nest box birds

10.1.2Ground nesting birds

10.1.3Tree nesting birds

10.2Reptiles

10.2.1Adders

10.2.2Grass snakes

10.3Insects

10.4Aquatic mammals

11. Comparison of portable CCTV with trail cameras

11.1Introduction

11.1.1What are trail cameras?

11.1.2What do they look like?

11.2Trail camera details

11.2.1Structure

11.2.2Usage

11.2.3Setting up

11.2.4Working with images

11.3Summary

12. Comparison of CCTV with remote triggered DSLR

12.1Introduction

12.1.1What are triggered cameras?

12.1.2What do they look like?

12.1.3Examples of use

12.2Triggered camera system details

12.2.1Structure

12.2.2Usage

12.2.3Triggering method

12.2.4Uses of triggered cameras

12.3Summary

Appendix

References

Index

Preface

Ecology and the natural sciences have not tended to be technology-oriented subjects, as many monitoring techniques depend on human skills. However, technology not only follows from a need, it can also suggest applications, as the use of camera traps has shown, with an increasing number of researchers realising their value.

At present, wildlife CCTV is mainly used by large organisations such as wildlife trusts, wildlife parks and gardens, and is generally installed by CCTV technicians. However much of the technology and many of the applications do not require as much technical knowledge as might at first appear, and I believe that usage will only develop if it can be implemented by CCTV ‘non-experts’.

The applications described in this book are based in the UK. In other countries distance and climate may be more challenging, as may the nature of the wildlife subjects. Equipment will need greater protection if monitoring potentially destructive wildlife, or if carried out in extreme climates. However, CCTV principles will be the same wherever they are used, and the great variety of wildlife found in countries other than the UK will supply a huge range of subjects to study.

CCTV is, I believe, the next logical step in wildlife monitoring, and in its various forms can enrich the experience of the wildlife enthusiast and increase the repertoire of the ecology consultant and the researcher

Susan Young

March 2016

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Albert Knot, Natural England Reserves Manager, Dartmoor NNRs and David Rickwood, Woodland Trust Devon Site Manager, for their encouragement; to Andrew Carr for his help with bats and Freya Womersley for her enthusiasm with fish; and last but not least to Sherpa Jim for everything.

List of video references

These short videos based on the material in each chapter can be found on YouTube (the URL is indicated in the figure caption by ).

Abbreviations

CCTV for wildlife monitoring – an overview

Badger (Meles meles) mother and cub (video screenshot from a high-resolution CCTV camera).

CCTV has great potential for monitoring wildlife, whether it is used to watch nesting birds in a bird box, or to unlock puzzles of animal behaviour for research. This book gives details of how to use CCTV for these applications, plus many others.

CCTV is not new, and television wildlife programmes often show examples of CCTV videos. Television applications generally work with large budgets and teams of people. They often use the most up-to-date equipment, and employ experts to solve technical difficulties.

However, this book is not about expertise and high-cost equipment; instead it aims to show how straightforward, low-cost solutions can be implemented by a novice to the subject.

The work is based on my experience using CCTV in this way, together with some pioneering research showing bat behaviour I believe has not been filmed before, and I am passionate about what I think is a powerful and useful tool. However, the use of this technology in wildlife monitoring can only develop when in the hands of the non-expert, as has been shown with trail cameras. I cover a range of applications, but there are many hundreds of exciting possibilities out there for those with a little knowledge.

Why CCTV?

There are many situations where trail cameras will do the job and the extra complexity of CCTV would not be required. However, CCTV should be used:

• When live view to a monitor is required (with mains power available).

• When live streaming via the internet is required (with mains power and an internet router available).

• For fast-moving wildlife such as bats, or cold animals such as wet otters or fish.

• When submersible cameras are required for more than a few hours.

• When flexible recording settings are required with:

– Motion-triggered recording.

– Pre-record.

– Adjustable post-record times.

– Masking of unwanted moving objects such as foliage.

– Adjustable video quality, for example using low resolution for live streaming.

• When a variable-focus lens is required.

• When high-resolution video is required (either using IP cameras or HD-TVI).

• When high-quality weatherproof cameras are required.

• When several cameras are used at once, and a recorder with multiple inputs is available.

• When continuous filming is required.

• When flexible scheduling is required such as motion detection within certain time spans.

• When sophisticated cameras are required, such as those that prevent overexposed images when close to the camera, and that have in-camera processing to reduce noise and enhance the image.

How the book is structured

The book is intended for a wide range of interests and not everyone will wish to read every chapter at once. Jumping straight into the technology is rather daunting for the novice to the subject, and pages of detail on connectors and CCTV parameters, although necessary at some stage, will not always inspire enthusiasm. For this reason, each new section, where appropriate, has a Quick Start beginning, which will allow initial use of the equipment without the requirement to understand a great deal. Once experience has been gained in this way, it will be time to delve into the details.

Chapter guide

Chapters 1, 3, 8 and 11 are suitable for the novice or those who do not wish to delve into the technical detail too much.

• Chapter 1 is an introduction to CCTV and includes a Quick Start section.

• Chapter 3 is an introduction to HD analogue CCTV (HD-TVI), and has a Quick Start section. This is the best CCTV method if you have access to a mains supply.

• Chapter 8 has a host of examples of CCTV use for the wildlife enthusiast to inspire you.

• Chapter 11 compares trail cameras to portable CCTV.

Chapters 4, 6, 7 and 10 are for those who wish a little more detail of equipment and processes.

• Chapter 4 gives details of IP CCTV, which requires internet access as well as a mains supply.

• Chapter 6 gives details of how to set up a recorder, how to make best use of its features and has advice regarding video processing.

• Chapter 7 gives step-by-step instructions detailing how to set up various CCTV systems.

• Chapter 10 has suggestions on various species to monitor with CCTV.

Chapters 2, 5, 9 and 12 are more advanced and for those who wish a greater depth of information and more detail about techniques. They include scientific case studies intended for those involved in research.

• Chapter 2 can be treated as a CCTV reference and gives in-depth detail.

• Chapter 5 is on portable CCTV which is necessary for monitoring situations in the wild where trail cameras are not suitable.

• Chapter 9 describes two conservation case studies: a fish study conducted for Natural England and a pioneering study monitoring bats for the