You may have noticed that there haven’t been any new blog posts for a few months, so I thought I should explain why.
Like everyone, I juggle a busy life, and there are only so many hours in a day. This year has been particularly full. Alongside work and the usual demands of life, I’ve been focused on two major projects: processing and analysing ten years of camera-trapping data from my long-running project, and writing a practical handbook on camera trapping.
The camera-trapping project report was completed and published in July. It’s a project that continues to run, and it was this work that ultimately inspired my latest nature conservation book.
Running a trail camera 24/7 for a decade has taught me an enormous amount — not just about how to use the devices effectively for fun and research, but also about what not to do. I’ve had setbacks along the way: poor images, two cameras stolen, and five more damaged by floodwaters.
But most importantly, I’ve made some truly remarkable discoveries. I’ve confirmed the return of otters to this stretch of the River Avon. I’ve watched a single Roe Deer doe grow into a small group of up to four does and three bucks. I’ve recorded several fox families with cubs. I’ve also, sadly, documented the decline of badgers on the site. Among the countless images, some stand out: otters rolling in the snow, a fox hunting a pheasant, tawny owls catching mice, and even a fleeting glimpse of a polecat.
All this experience led me to start compiling a list of instructions and tips for using trail cameras. That list grew longer as I continued researching ways to analyse the data, and I realised that while there are several excellent books by experts such as Paul Meek and others, there are relatively few aimed at true beginners. And so, the idea for a book began to take shape.
Camera Trapping – A Practical Handbook for Wildlife Researchers and Enthusiasts is the culmination of this work and experience. My hope is that it provides a useful, entry-level resource to help people get the most out of their trail cameras. The book is divided into two parts: the first explores what a trail camera is, how it works, the ethics of using one, and the best ways to deploy it. The second part looks at how to work with the data you collect, including worked examples to help explain some of the mathematics involved.
This isn’t a book for experts; there are far more advanced texts available for those working at a doctoral level, but I hope it fills an important niche for amateur conservationists, students, and anyone curious about wildlife. I want it to give readers the confidence to deploy their own cameras and gain unique insights into what animals do when people aren’t around. I hope it becomes a tool for citizen scientists and local groups looking to better understand the ecology of their area and contribute meaningfully to conservation efforts.
The book has been self-published, like most of my books, through Lulu.com. I am reviewing the final proof copy now, and I hope to have it released for sale within the next 2 weeks. Keep your eye on this blog, my new publications website and my social feeds for updates.
