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Citizen Wildlife Monitoring Project Last revised May 2012

Cascades Citizen Wildlife Monitoring Project

Survey Protocol for Remote Camera Checks – 2012 Season

Contents:

• Field Preparation…………………………………………………………………P. 1

• Getting to camera site…………………………………………………………….P. 2

• Camera set-up…………………………………………………………………….P. 2

• Basic overview of camera check…………………………………………………..P. 3

• After your camera check………………………………………………………….P. 4

• Remote Camera Data Sheet and Online Photo Sharing Protocol…………………P. 5

• CCWMP Communications Protocol……………………………………………...P. 7

• Technical Instructions for cameras by model……………………………………..P. 8

o Cuddeback No Flash Model……………………………………………....P. 8

o Reconnyx RC55 & R60 Camera Models:………………………………….P. 10

o Bushnell Trophy Cam XLT……………………………………………….P. 11

• Species Priority List………………………………………………………………P. 13

• Wildlife Documentation Protocol………………………………………………...P. 14

Field Preparation

1. Know your site: familiarize yourself with your location, purpose of your monitoring, target

species, and site specific instructions (i.e. scent application, additional protocols).

2. Review this protocol including the Communications Protocol and Species Priority List to

understand processes and priorities for the overall program this year.

3. Coordinate with your team leader before conducting your camera check to make sure you receive

any important updates.

4. Gather the supplies needed for your check and schedule the pick-up either from the nearest

Conservation Northwest office or your team leader/members. Conservation Northwest contacts

Seattle Office: Kit McGurn (Volunteer Coordinator) 206.675.9747 ext 201, Jen Watkins (Project

Director) 206.940.7914, Bellingham office: Julia Spencer 360.671.9950 ext 10

Resources such as data sheets and protocols are available for download from our website at:

www.conservationnw.org/what-we-do/northcascades/resources-page-for-wildlife-monitoring-

volunteers/

5. Before going into the field, make sure you/your team members have a copy of this document as

well as everything else needed on the equipment checklist. Most important: keys for cable locks

on cameras, fresh camera batteries and memory cards, lure, blank data sheet, pencil,

maps, a GPS to find your camera/document wildlife sign, and a digital camera to

document wildlife sign.

6. Ensure you review the camera technical tips and field manual for your camera, and if you have

access to the camera conduct a mock set up.

7. Research the target species for your camera, including its habitat preferences, tracks and signs, and

previous sightings in the area you are going. (The Background Guide to Species in the I-90

Corridor, along with a track ID field guide, are good resources for this. We also have track ID

documents for specific species in the office that we can provide).

8. Research your site, consider your access and field conditions. Where will you park? Do you need a

permit to park in this location? What is your hiking route? Call the local ranger district office closest to

Summary of content (17 pages)

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Page 1 of 17 Cascades Citizen Wildlife Monitoring Project Survey Protocol for Remote Camera Checks – 2012 Season Contents: • Field Preparation…………………………………………………………………P. 1 • Getting to camera site…………………………………………………………….P. 2 • Camera set-up…………………………………………………………………….P. 2 • Basic overview of camera check…………………………………………………..P. 3 • After your camera check………………………………………………………….P. 4 • Remote Camera Data Sheet and Online Photo Sharing Protocol…………………P. 5 • CCWMP Communications Protocol……………………………………………...P.
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Page 2 of 17 your site for information on current field conditions, especially when snow is possible to still be present. 9. Review this protocol the night before your check if possible. Getting to Camera Site 1. Use the site write-up, maps, directions and/or GPS coordinates to locate your cameras. It might be helpful to take a copy of the data sheet from the installation and/or previous visit, which may have useful notes on it.
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Page 3 of 17 • • • • • • For best results, consider how the light may effect the photos. Shadows and light changes themselves can actually trigger the camera, but note that pointing the camera in a north-south direction often offers the best results when possible. Look for a clear site or one that you can easily clear the camera’s view if obstructed by branches, leaves, or brush – plan to use a knife or saw if needed in forested areas to clear the screen.
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Page 4 of 17 • • • goes a long ways, and that too much long can deter animals. Their noses are much more powerful than ours. o If you are applying bait you will receive specific instructions from our staff and/or advisory council on this. Do not apply bait at your site unless instructed. Wolverine teams are the only ones utilizing bait in the 2012 season. Make sure to apply the scent in the area the camera is aimed at so that wildlife spend time sniffing in the focus of the camera.
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Page 5 of 17 Remote Camera Data Sheet and Online Photo Sharing Protocol Options for Data Return*: Online (Preferred Method): See Online Data Sharing and Data Sheet instructions below In-person Bring in a data sheet for each camera along with a clearly labeled memory card containing all photos, or a CD with all photos downloaded and saved onto it, and folders properly labeled with camera location Postal Mail - Be sure to save a copy of all images until you are sure they have reached our office, especially if
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Page 6 of 17 3) With your memory card viewer (hooked to computer via USB) or via your own computer internal memory card reader insert memory card from a camera and go through all photos in whatever photo viewer program you use (window media, Divx, Mac photo program, etc). Determine if you have any series of photos taken by false triggers such as light changes, temperature changes, waving branches, etc. If those photos number in the hundreds/thousands, do not place those photos in dropbox.
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Page 7 of 17 CCWMP Communications Protocol Due to the potential social and political sensitivity of some species and the importance of this work being shared in a scientific and thoughtful manner, the Cascades Citizen Wildlife Monitoring Project has a Communications Protocol for all volunteers and staff of the effort.
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Page 8 of 17 Technical Instructions for cameras by model Please also review the field manual for your camera (hard copies available in our office, links to manuals on our volunteer resource page) Cuddeback No Flash Camera Model: To install this camera you will specifically need: Four D-Cell Batteries #25 Torx screwdriver ( if you want to attach it to a tree using the supplied screw) Bungee cord (s) to further secure camera to tree.
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Page 9 of 17 6) When you see “Utilities” C=Yes, press the red “C” button. Confirm that Sensitivity is “High”. If not, use the yellow arrow keys to scroll through and select “High”. 7) Cycle through the utilities by pressing S until it says “Format Card?” and press “C” for Yes. 8) Press M to display how many images have been recorded onto the card. (Record this on your data sheet unless this is the Install, in which case Images should be 0).
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Page 10 of 17 Reconnyx RC55 & R60 Camera Models: To install this camera you will specifically need: Six C-Cell Batteries A bungee cord to attach it to a tree* • • • • • • • • • Unlock the Masterlock cable with your keys so that you can open the camera Open camera by unhooking the latch on the front of the camera body and removing the cover Press “OK” to disarm (the camera will then show you the status) The status on the LCD display will show the number of pictures, remaining battery power and % full
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Page 11 of 17 • • • Recommended mounting height for this camera is about chest level and angled slightly downward (using branches/wood blocks, etc…). Alternatively, it can be mounted a little higher and angled down a little more. The camera has a 40 degree field of view. To ensure proper aim, use the Walktest mode (from the main menu) and use the red light to determine when the camera is detecting you in the field of view – the red light will flash when it detects you.
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Page 12 of 17 • • Turn camera on and check the time and date by clicking the menu button, and using the arrow button to scroll right or left until you reach ‘Set Clock’. If needed, reset or set the date and time. Use the arrow keys and LCD screen to program or confirm other basic settings (listed below). This camera model is quite easy to use – use the arrow keys scroll through the menus and the “OK” button to select various menus and options.
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Page 13 of 17 SPECIES PRIORITY LIST This list determines the importance of a sighting in our reporting system, and indicates tracking priority for this study in descending order. This list is slightly different than our winter season which is focused entirely in the I-90 corridor, as our summer season is more likely to encounter rare species.
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Page 14 of 17 Wildlife Sign Documentation Protocol If you observe tracks, scat or other signs (dens, claw marks, diggings, etc...) of wildlife that are Species Priority Level 1 (and secondarily Level 2) on your way to the camera or at the camera site, use these procedures for documentation and/or trailing if you choose to and have time.
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Page 15 of 17 especially with reference to the highway. For example, if you are able to follow/see tracks this far, how close does the animal approach the highway? Does it attempt to cross it? Does it walk along it for some distance? Does it make a lay close to the highway? Does it remain in cover or in full view? See data sheet and attached notes for how to record these observations. 4.
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Page 16 of 17 • • Include a scale of some sort. Often this may be leaving the scale you used for an individual track on the ground by that track (thus also giving a reference for where the individual track sits in the pattern). Try to take picture looking straight down on trail to reduce distortion. If this is impossible due to size of trail, include scales both near and far to account for distortion.
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Page 17 of 17 track minimum outline PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION GUIDELINES PHOTOGRAPHS OF INDIVIDUAL TRACKS: 1. Take photo looking directly down on track to reduce distortion. 2. For close up photographs, fill the entire frame with the track and measuring devises 3. Include two scales, preferably rulers, one running lengthwise, and the second widthwise. 4. Take at least one picture of the track that includes a card in the picture with: • Site Name • Date • Observation Number • Observer’s Name. 5.