New Forest Carcass-cam

Deer Stalker · #1 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 08:26 PM

I keep forgeting to flag this up.

The carcasses are mainly Fallow & Roe killed in RTA's on the Forest roads, put in front of a couple of cameras in a secluded area by one of the Forestry Commission Keepers.

New Forest - Live Wildlife & Nestcams

Its mostly Foxes & Buzzards visiting, but a Tawny Owl has had a look too.

Here's the highlights page:

New Forest Carcass-Cam - Highlights

Badger Watching Man · #2 (**permalink**) 08-02-2009, 07:58 AM

What a great idea! The videos are excellent, too. I guess we tend to think of nature being all cute and cuddly, but this shows the other side of it too.

Thanks for sharing!

Hedge Witch · #3 (**permalink**) 08-02-2009, 08:06 AM

I loved the Owl - great to see it going about its "secret" life.

The Woodman · #4 (**permalink**) 08-02-2009, 08:21 AM

Do you think the Tawny was eating carrion or the invertebrates attracted to it?

I can't just make it out clearly.

Hedge Witch · #5 (**permalink**) 08-02-2009, 08:54 AM

Interesting question. I originally thought that the bird was feeding from the carcass, but it does seem to hear/see something on the right hand side early on, and seems to remember this spot later. Possibly it has realised it can feed on the carcass itself. I cannot tell.

The Woodman · #6 (**permalink**) 08-02-2009, 09:00 AM

Mmmm...you're right there, I thought it was returning to the head area where it had been at the start. It's possible that with a few more potentially accessible entrances for beetles through the skull at ground level, that's why it was there.

The bulk of the carcass would have been protected by the hide for quite a while apart from where the larger scavengers had made inroads.

I'm suprised at the length of time the Rottweiler was allowed to stay at the carcass. I'd be worried if my dog was out of sight doing whatever for that length of time, especially a Rottie.