Using webcams for wildlife watching

[Jethro Tull]

Hi,
As anyone tried using USB webcams to video wildlife (not fitted into birdboxes)?
I bought a cheap USB Webcam from Amazon and a 30ft usb extension lead, for a laugh i set it up in our garden aimed at a path that leads to our fields. I then connected it to my laptop indoors using the extension lead and waited until it was dark
When i switched it on i was amazed to see a great big toad staring back at me! success! crystal clear video footage complete with sound all for around £15.00.
I have since painted the led night vision lights with red glass paint and sealed all the cameras casing with silicone sealant for better weather protection.
If you want a very cheap way to video critters then give it a go you will be amazed, next thing i'm off to do is try it out at our local badger patch as i can sit in my hide with the laptop and set the camera up near the entrance and wait..............
So there you have it budget way to capture wildlife footage
If you try it out let me know how you get on.
Cheerio
Brian

[Badllarma]

Hehe web cams are a great tool, I had some software a while ago that would either take stills or film video from a web camera when it detected moment that would really help you out and you would not have to sit there and watch it all night to see what was about

I think most modern web cams in laptops now have it built in infact.

[squishy]

built in ones are no good for wildlife though

[Badllarma]

They are if you can link the software with your external web cam just have to experiment
Unless you have wildlife that want to visit WAB via the web, then just leave the laptop for them to go on