Nest box camera and infra-red

[PiratesAhoy!]

Hi all,

I've just installed a wireless camera into a nest box. DIY effort, so not finished yet.

This camera uses infra-red LEDs to illuminate a small area in low light conditions. No visible light is emitted.

My question is: How well can the birds (blue tits in this case usually) see the infra-red light? Is it like a night light to them (dim?), or a floodlight? Should I be switching it off at night, or can it be left on?

[PiratesAhoy!]

Actually, I think I may have found the answer. It appears birds cannot see infrared at all. A nest box camera manufacturer's website said this first, but I wanted to be sure, so I found a couple of other sources, which also suggested that the birds can't see the infrared light.

[Mobee]

I am contemplating buying a nest box camera and would appreciate some advice. As I dont feel I could manage a DIY can anyone give me tips on what to look for and where?

[Mobee]

Have taken the plunge and bought a nest box complete with camera. Wasn't quite as easy as the instructions made out. Biggest problem was getting the cable into the house. Took a weekend of walking round the house, up and down ladders and much scratching of heads before admitting the obvious what was needed was ' a man with a drill'. Said camera now up and running. I chose a box without infra red wish I had got it now. As the camera is in a cedar tree the light has to be pretty good to get a picture. Having said that I have been delighted to see a pair of blue tits showing a lot of interest. I thought they had started nest building earlier this week but their activities have got me puzzled they have been taking nesting material into the box but then removing it again. Is this usual behaviour? If so why?

[PiratesAhoy!]

Ours do that too. We have a couple of bluey nest boxes, but the most 'active' bluey is putting nesting material in the sparrow terrace!

Typically, the one box we have the camera hooked up to only has a roosting bluey in at the moment. We've seen other blueys going to the other boxes with nesting material in their beaks. Some 'try out' the nesting material, and if it's isn't perfect it comes out again! They're very particular about their nests, you see :)

[Mobee]

Pleased to hear that my bluetits aren't unusual. They have been in and out of the box with nesting material again today. It will be interesting to see if yours actually nest in the sparrow terrace.
Mo.

[gfl]

Hi,

I've also recently completed a DIY install into a kestrel nest box (that I bought from CJ Wildlife a couple of years ago) and hit various issues some similar to yours. The biggest issue I still have is the quality of picture during the day time. The IR works excellent at night but because the camera points towards the entrance to the box the contrast of the sky makes it difficult to see things in the daytime. Something I'll need to rectify for next year.

I've created a small web site for the camera at www.kestrelcam.net feel free to go have a look.

Gavin

[crisandrews]

Been considering setting up a wireless camera on my feeding stations.

Are wireless camera's safe to use or do they upset wildlife through the electrical signals they send out?

[PiratesAhoy!]

They're totally safe. Birds are not harmed by radio signals.

[Morn]

Just to answer your quesions, infra-red is not visable to the eye. Therefore it will not affect the birds.

Good luck wih your projects

Graham

[Keljem]

Has anyone got any video of inside a nestbox on a website that I could look at ? I would love to see what goes on.

Gz

[barn owl]

keljem try this link and watch a peregrine falcon live. right now she is on the ledge cam and a great site to see.
<LI class=dispUrl>ohiodnr.com/wildlife/dow/falcons/live_nestbox_video.aspx <LI class=dispUrl>regards owl.

[barn owl]

oops sorry try this
Ohio's Peregrine Falcons (http://ohiodnr.com/wildlife/dow/falcons/live_nestbox_video.aspx)
shes back in the nest now wonderful pics.

[Keljem]

Thanks very much, I will keep my eyes on that this weekend.
Thanks again.

Gz