Page 9 - Oundle Life September 2024

TIME FOR
THERMALS?
Digital age of wildlife watching
Thermal Imaging is a latest tool being used
to watch the wonderful wildlife we have in Britain. You may have seen thermal footage
on television showing owls flying at night or badgers rooting out their dinner. These devices have been around for decades but are now becoming more affordable and accessible to all.
Thermal technology was originally developed
watch birds in the garden or travel further afield – thermal will make sure you don’t miss a thing!
Wildlife really comes alive at night, and thermal allows all manner of mammals, birds, reptiles and insect species to be monitored and studied at all times – with thermal imaging it’s a whole new world of opportunity.
Thermal imaging units vary in price
in WW1 for anti-aircraft defence across the shores of Britain but now
is very much a tool widely used in security, maritime, hunting, policing and surveillance. Ecologists and Conservationists have also in recent years begun to realise how useful these digital devices can be to view and find animals and birds.
with thermal imaging it’s a whole new world of opportunity
dramatically due to the different
quality and specification of the parts that make up the device. The two most important parts are the sensor and the lens. Generally, bigger is better! The lens lets in the thermal information and the sensor processes this into the image you see. If you are specifically looking at birds you would want a bigger sensor
Thermal imaging is just that – an image of thermal heat. No light is given off by a thermal imaging device, so the operator is completely undetected by the animal or bird that they are watching. This means that behaviours can be monitored without influencing or disturbing the environment, and the outcome provides a true picture of what is happening.
Thermal can be used both day or night. By day it can help you spot creatures you would have missed with your eyes and gives you time to find with your binoculars. Whether you
than if you were just looking for mammals due to the smaller size and insulating feathers they have.
Thermal imaging is certainly building
up a following for wildlife watchers all over
the country. Whether they are professional ecologists, wildlife photographers, birders or people who just love animals, these devices have become as useful as their binoculars!
www.thermal4birding.com
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