Yet Another Cycling Forum

Random Musings => Miscellany => Where The Wild Things Are => Topic started by: Wowbagger on 02 July, 2020, 10:52:07 am

Title: Nightcam videos
Post by: Wowbagger on 02 July, 2020, 10:52:07 am
These have a tendency to be a bit repetitive, but last night's was rather special...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRloayEAI34
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Salvatore on 03 July, 2020, 11:02:43 am
Something for everyone last night, a hoglet, a camera-shy cat, some courting snorting, and a hedgehog which stayed out late.

https://youtu.be/GKNo7gx48yM (1 min 9 sec)
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 03 July, 2020, 11:18:08 am
Quote from: Wowbagger on 02 July, 2020, 10:52:07 am
These have a tendency to be a bit repetitive, but last night's was rather special...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRloayEAI34

Excellent! Also confirms that they will only eat slugs if they have no other option.
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Wowbagger on 03 July, 2020, 05:55:12 pm
Quote from: Sergeant Pluck on 03 July, 2020, 11:18:08 am
Quote from: Wowbagger on 02 July, 2020, 10:52:07 am
These have a tendency to be a bit repetitive, but last night's was rather special...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRloayEAI34

Excellent! Also confirms that they will only eat slugs if they have no other option.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQEjtY93IsI

Last night's.

I think that one was about to eat a  slug but the camera cut out at the critical moment. 2m 15s and onwards.
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Salvatore on 06 July, 2020, 08:39:52 am
Hanky panky (https://youtu.be/mnk7FfaKrSY) last night. This came after over an hour of circling courtship behaviour. There were more similar goings on about 4 hours later.
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Wowbagger on 06 July, 2020, 11:18:51 am
That's pretty graphic!
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Salvatore on 06 July, 2020, 11:37:31 am
Quote from: Wowbagger on 06 July, 2020, 11:18:51 am
That's pretty graphic!

He was obviously ready for action. At least they had the decency to retire eventually to a dark corner of the camera's field of view (but not far enough to be totally out of sight).

Having watched more of the build up than is healthy, and seen several failed couplings, I wonder if there may after all be some truth in the old joke.
(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Salvatore on 07 July, 2020, 09:32:40 am
Still up way past bedtime

https://vimeo.com/436010458
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Salvatore on 22 July, 2020, 09:45:06 am
She's up for it, doing the snorting head-jerking thing, but he only wants to fill his face

https://youtu.be/_lsY7cxkbiI
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Wowbagger on 01 August, 2020, 02:03:53 pm
Video from 29-30/7/20.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1UuwT2jNzs&t=326s

There were that many visits from hedgehogs & foxes that even edited the night's activities ended up being more than 8 minutes long. At one point there's some pretty loud sniffing, and I think there's another hedgehog out of shot. Also, it's interesting how the fox turns up whilst the hedgehog is eating and just waits, before getting bored and wandering off.

Oddly, last night was the first time I've drawn a complete blank in more than 6 weeks' videos. Next door's cat triggered the camera at 9pm and again about 8.30 am, but nothing else in between. The food seemed untouched, by foxes, hedgehogs and slugs alike. Yesterday was the hottest day of the year so far - 33.5°C max, 17.4°C minimum. I don't know if that kept them away.
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Salvatore on 07 August, 2020, 03:21:29 pm
I usually (or used to) put out 3 bowls. One is heavy china and is full of water and the others are light plastic, the sort of saucers used under plant pots, and have a couple of handfuls of crunchy dog and cat food. The usual customers are hedgehogs, cats , mice and slugs, then the occasional magpie once it gets light. One day last week one of the plastic containers ended up a couple of feet from where I'd left it, and the other had disappeared completely. Never mind, I thought, I'll  examine the video and establish the culprit. But everything was in the right place when a mouse triggered the camera at 4 a.m. and that was the last thing recorded. Then a couple of nights later a pair of suspects were snapped.  It's the first time I've seen foxes, and one has been back most nights since, usually after 3 a.m. No hedgehog/fox interaction yet.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50169335117_34dd5fcac4.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jrhXsv)

The video shows suggests that the adult was spooked by the camera, but the cub just carried on (13 seconds).

https://youtu.be/nEqGYNl49Pk
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Wowbagger on 11 August, 2020, 09:58:16 am
There was another flat hedgehog in the road outside my house yesterday. That's the second in about a month. Obviously, I have no idea how many hedgehogs there are in our local community or how widespread it is, but it seems to me that that sort of level of road deaths must be very damaging. Having said that, the road has always been very busy. Southend is effectively bisected north-south by the railway and the pedestrianised high street, and East Street is one of only 5 points at which this barrier can be crossed. No matter what time the camera gets tripped, in the 20 seconds of video that follows, you nearly always hear traffic noise from the road about 30 yards away. I don't know that it has got any busier recently, but the hedgehog population must have survived here pretty well for ever.

I saw another flat hedgehog a few days ago in Great Wakering, a village about 4 miles from here. Clearly they must also have a community. I wonder whether the hedgehog population stretches all over the SE Essex peninsula. Certainly my brother, who lives about 15 miles away, nearer Billericay, tells me he hasn't seen any sign of hedgehogs for many years.
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Salvatore on 13 August, 2020, 06:44:28 pm
One of the foxes which visits my garden from time to time appears to have difficulty eating from a bowl. A vet has seen this video and says it looks like it might have a broken jaw. It certainly doesn't look right.

https://youtu.be/0uJXvE2PCcc
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 August, 2020, 09:21:23 pm
Poor thing. It looked pretty healthy, despite that.
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Salvatore on 17 August, 2020, 09:59:03 am
I think one of my nightly visitors is pregnant. A bulge in what I (admittedly not a hedgehog obstetrician) imagine is the right place. And it's the right time, considering the hanky-panky of a few weeks ago.

ETA and considering that 50% of adult hedgehogs will usually be pregnant every summer.

https://youtu.be/1ulPAhtTeYc (about 20 seconds, during which she obligingly gives us a good view from multiple angles)

Now I need an infra-red camera which also does ultrasound.

Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Wowbagger on 31 August, 2020, 10:58:02 am
It's become relatively quiet around my feeding station, at least, as far as hedgehogs are concerned. I suspect that foxes are getting used to the fact that I put food out in the evening and then turn up and snaffle it before the hedgehogs have had much of a chance. I see that there are "predator-proof hedgehog feeding stations" available at a price, but I wouldn't be able to film them, other than them going in and out. I was thinking of trying to rig something up which the camera could see through but the foxes couldn't break into, but having witnessed the ingenuity of vulpes vulpes I think that it would be a lot of hard work.
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Salvatore on 31 August, 2020, 03:24:34 pm
Same here - fewer hedgehog visits. One of the unexpected advantages of my ultra-cheapo camera is that the IR lights which illuminate the scene have a dim red glow, rather than being completely dark. It doesn't bother hedgehogs, cats are aware of it but ignore it, but foxes are very wary of it, even when it's  half hidden in the undergrowth. I've hardly seen any foxes since I put it in a more prominent position.

Meanwhile, for the first time I've seen a hedgehog eating a slug. It's not 100% clear, but the HH paws at something slug-shaped, rolls it over and appears to nibble it. https://youtu.be/rZPVKyNKqQs
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Wowbagger on 31 August, 2020, 04:35:50 pm
My camera emits a visible red glow as well, and it clicks when it switches itself on and off. The foxes are aware of it, but it normally doesn't worry them enough for them to do any more than stare into the camera. Occasionally they back off or react in some other way. A couple of times I thought hedgehogs may also have noticed the glow because they seemed to be staring straight at the camera, but they showed no signs of alarm at all.
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 31 August, 2020, 07:55:00 pm
Quote from: Wowbagger on 31 August, 2020, 10:58:02 am
I was thinking of trying to rig something up which the camera could see through but the foxes couldn't break into, but having witnessed the ingenuity of vulpes vulpes I think that it would be a lot of hard work.

What about something like these - with the transparent storage boxes?

https://www.google.com/search?rls=en&sxsrf=ALeKk03QptV7rVmVowosLfrFFoUY2KUzMA:1598899280163&source=univ&tbm=isch&q=hedgehog+feeding+station&client=safari&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjAvID9i8brAhWgSRUIHSWwBSUQsAR6BAgBEAE&biw=1440&bih=837

To my eye, most of them need reinforcement or additional shielding including against digging under, but the storage box would be a starting point for a structure.

Hedgehog Cabin have a couple of options at the bottom of this page:
https://hedgehogcabin.info/feeding

The hardcore option would be a “proper” hedgehog abode and feeding station, with a camera inside it.

I was thinking the other day that it is quite possible that I might never see a hedgehog again, healthy and in its natural environment  :(
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Wowbagger on 31 August, 2020, 08:30:03 pm
Well, when this Covid pandemic is on the wane - assuming it ever is - then you must come and stay with us for a weekend when the hedgehogs are out and about.

Some of those look like very good, practical ideas. We may have one of those flattish boxes with the corrugated lid...
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Canardly on 31 August, 2020, 09:07:02 pm
Cat next door has discovered my hedgehog feeding arrangements and likes to help himself.
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Wowbagger on 01 September, 2020, 04:30:22 pm
I've videoed a number of cats having a sniff at the hedgehog food but I've never seen them eat it.
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: slowfen on 02 September, 2020, 06:41:23 am
Quote from: Wowbagger on 31 August, 2020, 04:35:50 pm
My camera emits a visible red glow as well, and it clicks when it switches itself on and off. The foxes are aware of it, but it normally doesn't worry them enough for them to do any more than stare into the camera. Occasionally they back off or react in some other way. A couple of times I thought hedgehogs may also have noticed the glow because they seemed to be staring straight at the camera, but they showed no signs of alarm at all.

It is most likely sound from the camera. Foxes, as far as I remember have no colour vision. But good hearing, the click would get their attention. Also some movement sensor lights emit a high pitch sound when working ( may be because said lights are cheap Chinese)
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 02 September, 2020, 08:33:18 am
Quote from: Wowbagger on 01 September, 2020, 04:30:22 pm
I've videoed a number of cats having a sniff at the hedgehog food but I've never seen them eat it.

Is it commercial hedgehog food? If so, have a read about what my link above says about it. Apparently lots of it is rubbish and some contains things that are harmful to hedgehogs such as mealworms.



Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 02 September, 2020, 08:34:12 am
Quote from: Wowbagger on 31 August, 2020, 08:30:03 pm
Well, when this Covid pandemic is on the wane - assuming it ever is - then you must come and stay with us for a weekend when the hedgehogs are out and about.

Very kind of you! Let's see how it goes COVID-wise.
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Salvatore on 02 September, 2020, 08:51:31 am
The cats which sniff the HH food (mostly actually dogfood*) which I leave out are far more interested in mice.

But the mice are interested in the HH food. They run from the cover into open ground, snatch a piece, and run back with it to wherever they they go to eat it in peace.

Recently all the food disappears the whatever takes it usually fails to trigger the camera. The camera is BTW showing its cheapness: (a) the latch holding it shut has broken and it's held together with rubber bands and the rain can get in, and (b) when I pressed the 'menu' button recently it went in but wouldn't come out, so I have to poke about with a screwdriver to bring up the menu.


* I believe it's known as 'kibble'. Much of it comes from a neighbour who breeds wheaten terriers.
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Wowbagger on 03 September, 2020, 12:20:36 pm
Quote from: Sergeant Pluck on 02 September, 2020, 08:33:18 am
Quote from: Wowbagger on 01 September, 2020, 04:30:22 pm
I've videoed a number of cats having a sniff at the hedgehog food but I've never seen them eat it.

Is it commercial hedgehog food? If so, have a read about what my link above says about it. Apparently lots of it is rubbish and some contains things that are harmful to hedgehogs such as mealworms.

Yes, I read that too. But if I put cat food out, all I will get is cats. I don't know what harm it's likely to do to hedgehogs - a lot less than the constant traffic zooming along our road. I've quite surprised we have any hedgehogs to be honest.

I got a short, sweet video last night when the camera was triggered by a fox, but a hedgehog was already at the bowl. The fox disappeared pretty promptly when it saw the hedgehog, and the hedgehog wrapped itself up into a ball and then began an impressive heavy breathing routine. I'll link to it when I've uploaded it.
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Pingu on 04 October, 2020, 04:43:44 pm
Not a video:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50417085588_27457850bf_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jPbK3m)
EK002706 (https://flic.kr/p/2jPbK3m) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Wowbagger on 08 October, 2020, 09:09:34 am
I've been setting my camera most nights but I haven't had a hedgehog visit for well over a week. I would have thought it's far too early for them to have started hibernating even though the weather has got a lot cooler.

I've decided to move the saucer of food to a more open space and I'm getting a more panoramic view of our patio and anything that ventures onto it, and it has allowed me to observe foxes' behaviour. For both of the last two nights, when it has finished eating and drinking, the fox has carefully pissed into either the food bowl or water bowl. OK, mark your territory by all means, but that seems a bit extreme.

Having said that, some while ago my brother came down to the delight that a fox had shat directly into his rain gauge.
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Salvatore on 26 April, 2021, 09:24:16 am
No hedgehogs, badgers or mice spotted as yet this year. A cat comes every night to help itself to food, and this visitor makes very brief appearances, seemingly very wary of the camera

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51140191454_b74ba4a518_w.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kV5RdS)
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Salvatore on 07 September, 2021, 07:57:43 am
I've had a fence replaced. The gap left under the panel wasn't as high as I'd asked, but with a bit of excavation it still possible for hedgehogs to squeeze underneath. Just.


 https://youtu.be/7IetE4xrEJM
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Salvatore on 10 September, 2021, 08:06:56 am
Quote from: Salvatore on 07 September, 2021, 07:57:43 am
I've had a fence replaced. The gap left under the panel wasn't as high as I'd asked, but with a bit of excavation it still possible for hedgehogs to squeeze underneath. Just.


Not enough space under the new fence for one of Tuesday night's hedgehogs, who took matters into his own hands paws(?). 60 1-minute clips edited down to just under 5 minutes:

https://youtu.be/BoUVPvN7sVY

Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 16 October, 2021, 02:25:14 pm
Very good! Does the first hedgehog have a sore on face, right hand side of the nose? Or ticks perhaps.
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Salvatore on 22 March, 2022, 10:19:15 am
They're back (2 at least at a guess). Not coming in from next door via the gap under the fence, but exiting that way.

https://youtu.be/SbFuwLIHMA8
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Salvatore on 26 March, 2022, 01:03:37 pm
Some cat-hedgehog interaction last night. https://youtu.be/coDwSfnxw6k I like the way that the cartoon convention is observed whereby in the dark you can only see eyes*.

Upthread I reported that I hadn't had any hedgehogs in my garden at the end of April. But this year I've already seen several different ones. I remember the weather staying chilly last year much later than usual.

*see https://youtu.be/LUqZmEJ3fb4
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Salvatore on 28 March, 2022, 11:49:56 am
Big fight last night, (https://youtu.be/7yqH9bMj4n0) if a bit one-sided.
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Salvatore on 07 April, 2022, 07:36:43 am
I think there was an owl last night. I've never heard one, but my neighbours often do.

https://youtu.be/2JdqFF4Z6hA (normal speed and 30% slow motion, not that it helps)
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Flite on 08 April, 2022, 08:45:07 am
With those forward facing eyes, certainly looks like an owl.
We caught one on camera last year - came down to one of the hedgehog feeders, presumably in hope of mice!
We do know we have 4 species of owl - aren't we the lucky ones!
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Salvatore on 08 April, 2022, 02:09:58 pm
Quote from: Flite on 08 April, 2022, 08:45:07 am
We caught one on camera last year - came down to one of the hedgehog feeders, presumably in hope of mice!
We do know we have 4 species of owl - aren't we the lucky ones!
Mice used to be regular visitors to the HH bowls, but I've only seen one so far this year. Perhaps their absence and the appearance of the owl are in some way related.
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Salvatore on 10 April, 2022, 09:42:45 am
Less timid than previously. Perhaps it's a different fox, or perhaps it's because my new cheapo camera doesn't have a visible red light whereas the previous cheapo one did.

Click on the image for a 20-second youtube video.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51993109247_2ea25445fb.jpg) (https://youtu.be/WHdWCGfK6EU)
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Salvatore on 05 September, 2022, 10:09:34 am
Some interaction last night. The hedgehog didn't seem to be aware of the cat until it fled. A few seconds were cut during which the hedgehog had its head tucked away.

 Click on the thumbnail for the youtube video.


  (https://imgur.com/4UHQS8ns.png)
 (https://youtu.be/RlkA99fqSQY)
Title: Re: Nightcam videos
Post by: Wowbagger on 08 September, 2022, 03:42:08 pm
This one's a turn-up for the books.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/sep/08/pine-marten-spotted-in-london-for-first-time-in-more-than-a-century