Wildlife Camera Trap Project

A trail camera with motion sensor (available at outdoor retailers; basic models start around $30)

An SD card for storing photos

Batteries (most trail cameras use AA)

A mounting strap for attaching to a tree

A wildlife field guide for identifying visitors

Get a trail camera. These are motion-activated cameras designed for outdoor use — they're waterproof, night-vision equipped, and run on batteries for weeks. Basic models are surprisingly affordable.

Scout your yard for the best placement. Look for: water sources (birdbaths, puddles), fence gaps where animals squeeze through, worn paths in grass or mud, and areas near compost or garden beds.

Mount the camera on a tree or fence post at about knee height. Face it north to avoid sun glare triggering false captures. Angle it along a path, not across it, so animals stay in frame longer.

Set the date and time stamp feature. This tells you exactly when each visitor arrived — critical data for understanding animal behavior.

Leave the camera undisturbed for 48-72 hours. Resist checking early. The longer you wait, the more data you collect.

Review photos together on a computer. Identify each species using your field guide. Note the times. "A raccoon at 2 AM! A deer at 5 AM! The neighbor's cat at 11 PM." Compile your findings in a wildlife log.

You'll be amazed what lives in your yard after dark. Even suburban yards host raccoons, opossums, foxes, deer, owls, and coyotes in many areas.

Move the camera to a new location every week. Different spots reveal different species and travel patterns.

Contribute your sightings to iNaturalist or eBird. Your data becomes part of real scientific databases used by researchers.

A trail camera transforms a backyard from a known quantity into a mystery. What shows up after everyone goes to sleep? Now you know.