How school children put up trail cameras in the forest

Submitted by Looduskalender EN on Mon, 13.11.2017 - 13:36
Sisu

Estonian text posted by the Animal of the Year Team 05.11.2017.

Video: Tarmo Mikussaar
Translation Liis 

What is needed to tempt school children into the woods – a visible roe deer path in the woods, some oats for the animals, a small trail camera and a couple of nature-loving adults. The Keeni school children from the 1 and 2 grade installed their trail camera in a pleasant spot at the edge of a mixed forest felling. ”We want to see a bear”, the children said. Whether a bear will show up in camera view is doubtful (soon bears go into their winter hibernation) but roe deer, elk, wild boar, badger, raccoon dog, fox, marten and small rodents can very probably be seen as previous cameras already have proved.
In order to attract the animals in place more certainly, one hunter-father also put up a salt lick tree. In the video we see how the children themselves lick the tree – it is quite nicely salty!
On All Soul’s Day the editors of the Animal of the Year home page went with the children to the forest to install the trail camera. Thank you to teachers Tiina Kukk, Tiina Liivamägi and Ringo Saar and parents Kalmer Lehepuu and Meelis Kõivu!
In the same week the Ala Elementary School 2nd grade together with pupils of the 4th grade installed their camera and so did the 7th grade of the Tsirguliina High School.
.  

ala põhikool
The Ala school installed their camera in a little birch stand where several roe deer paths cross. On to the area of about 20 square meters carrots, potatoes and oats brought along from home were spread – roe deer love oats. Other animals than roe  deer are of course also  expected to come in camera view – particularly a bear! The windy and wet weather made the noses of children drip but all waited patiently for the installation work to be done. 
Photo: Mats Kangur
 

 

ala põhikool
The best tree was very carefully selected, and a couple of branches had to be sawn off near the lens so that they would not set off the motion sensor of the camera in a strong wind. Finally we could be satisfied – the camera was facing north and the open area is nicely visible in the view. We will see when the first images arrive!.
Photo Mats Kangur
 

 

tsirguliina keskkool
In Tsirguliina it was necessary to walk quite a bit to the outskirts of the community and then jump across ditches until we reached a small opening edged by willows. Into a shrub a stake had been set up where the camera was placed. The best tree was very carefully selected, and a couple of branches had to be sawn off near the lens so that they would not set off the motion sensor of the camera in a strong wind. Finally we were satisfied – the camera was facing north and the open area is nicely visible in the view. We will see when the first images arrive!
Photo Mats Kangur

 

tsirguliina kooli kaamera

To  tempt the animals there was also a salt lick tree and a great heap of apples on the ground. In the Tsirguliina school the whole class came to watch the camera installation; there nature interested pupils will come each week to bring food for the animals and to check the memory card.Photo: Mats Kangur
 

The cameras were installed thanks to the enthusiasm of class teachers and parents. In the Ala school Kaja Hass inspired the other teachers and in Tsirguliina  IT specialist Valdo Kõrge and teacher Merje Saarniit. Many thanks to all!

Helen Arusoo
 

We use cookies on our website to support technical features that enhance your user experience.

We also use analytics & advertising services. To opt-out click for more information.