Ever wondered about the secret lives of the wildlife visiting your garden? From birds and badgers to foxes, rabbits, bats, hedgehogs and more, your own backyard could be brimming with wildlife.
Catching glimpses of fleeting visitors is a real treat, and if you're lucky, you can capture moments on camera. But have you considered the possibility of using your home CCTV as a wildlife camera?
With a bit of skill and creativity, you can optimise home security cameras to record wildlife in your garden. Seamlessly observe birds and animals in their natural habitat right outside your door.
Follow our tips to learn how to use security cameras to capture unique moments and explore nature's wonders.
Use a Weatherproof Camera
The best way to capture rich, high-quality wildlife footage is by using an outdoor security camera. It should be weatherproof and built to withstand wet conditions and seasonal temperature changes. Outdoor cameras should have an IP rating that is high enough to protect against dust and liquid ingress.
Popular IP ratings for outdoor cameras include IP65 and IP66. You can rest assured that all Arlo outdoor cameras are built to withstand wet weather conditions.
Wired or Wireless?
Wireless security cameras that use Wi-Fi or mobile data sim cards are easy to position. Mount to a tree, fence, wall or building to get the perfect angle for your wildlife observations. You can even move your camera into different positions over time. This allows you to explore new angles and capture a wider variety of wildlife activity in your garden.
Wired cameras are less flexible in their positioning. Once mounted the camera stays in place, but careful adjustments and the use of zoom functions will enable you to capture the perfect shot.
Choose the Best Position for Your Camera
Mount the camera in a suitable environment for the best quality footage. Ideally you should shelter your wildlife camera to avoid rainwater running over the lens. It's also important to position the camera in a location with sufficient ventilation. This will reduce the risk of the lens fogging, which can cause hazy footage in cooler temperatures and damp weather conditions.
The positioning, angle and aim of your camera has a big impact on the quality of recorded footage. It is best to mount your camera at least 2 metres above the ground when monitoring large spaces. Choose a suitable location that offers a panoramic view of the landscape. To capture up-close footage, focus on a specific area where you know wildlife frequently visit.
To monitor larger areas, you'll need a camera with a wide viewing angle. Models like the Arlo Ultra 2 XL 4K have a wide 180-degree field of view which is perfect for viewing bigger spaces. Security cameras with a narrower field of view are ideal for focussing on smaller areas. With careful positioning, they are also adequate for monitoring medium size areas.
Optimise Video Settings and Picture Quality
Most security cameras offer a variety of video settings. Switch from lower quality footage to high definition, for clearer more detailed footage. It's important to note that the best video settings may reduce the battery life of wireless cameras. HD footage will also use more data storage.
Position wireless CCTV cameras with a base station within good range of the unit. This will help to maximise picture quality. Minimise the number of devices and networks close to the base station to reduce interfering frequencies. Maximising bitrate will also help to improve quality.
View our guide on improving the picture quality of Arlo cameras for more top tips.
Utilise Night Vision
Night vision is a useful feature that will add an interesting element to your wildlife documentary. Capture clear footage in low-light conditions and observe the movements of nocturnal wildlife.
Night vision works by using infrared technology to illuminate the scene without disturbing animals. It's great for capturing nighttime activities that you'd otherwise miss. You'll be amazed at how many surprise visitors you can catch on camera!
If your security camera only offers black and white night vision, don’t despair! The contrast from vibrant daytime colours to monotone footage adds an artistic flair to your wildlife show reel.
Cameras with vivid colour night vision, like the Arlo Pro 5 2k+, capture detailed low-light footage. Even on the darkest, gloomiest nights, you can record clear, vibrant scenes. If you're lucky, you can also document exciting events in the hours of darkness. Shooting stars and lightning displays will look impressive against the vivid backdrop of your nighttime garden.
Motion Detection
Many security cameras offer 24/7 recording, but to save storage space and simplify footage editing, opt for motion detection recording. Built-in passive infrared (PIR) sensors detect movement and trigger recording. This allows you to capture interesting moments, such as animals scuttling by or fox cubs playing on the lawn.
Adjust the sensitivity of PIR sensors to ensure you only capture significant events. Don't forget that motion sensors will have a detection range limit. When using motion detection, check your camera is close enough to the area where you expect movement to occur.
Keep Your Camera Clean
Regular cleaning of the lens will avoid dirt and dust build-up, which can impact image quality. Gently clean the lens with a soft dry clean cloth to maintain sharp, clear footage.
It's amazing how even the tiniest spots of dirt or stray cobwebs can distort the quality of your footage.
Using Security Cameras to Monitor Wildlife
Transforming your home CCTV into a wildlife camera is a creative and practical way to observe the animals that frequent your garden.
By following the tips outlined in this guide - choosing a weatherproof camera, optimising its placement, utilising night vision, and leveraging motion detection - you can capture high-quality footage of local wildlife without disturbing their natural behaviour.
Whether you’re watching birds during the day or nocturnal creatures at night, your home security system can double as a powerful tool to connect with nature and uncover the hidden wonders of your own garden.