Coal Oil Point Deployment

• Infrared Camera

We are using Axis video servers to provide images of the snowy plover program. The Axis box being used for the nest sites is a single channel Axis video server 241SA. It is being fed a video signal from a video quad splitter that is receiving image data from 4 infra-red cameras located on the beach near each nest.

Power is being supplied by a 24 volt DC transformer and being brought down to 12 volts DC using a voltage regulator at the remote location of the equipment. This is done to maintain the voltage level at long distances and avoid the interference that AC can cause when in close proximity to video signals.

Inside a Pelican case is a box where all the DC 12 volt power is distributed to the 4 cameras. Also inside the Pelican case is a VT-15 where an ethernet cable is attached and where each of the 4 camera's video signals are connected. Each camera enters the box through a 2 pair wire telephone cable. 1 pair of wires provide power and the other pair provides video. The cable for each camera is modular so the telephone cable can be extended as far as possible as long as the 12 volts is maintained. Each camera is mounted on a foot long wood dowel to stabilize it in the sand and a fake rock is placed over the camera to hide it and protect it from the elements. These cameras are black and white cameras and contain infrared illuminators to allow them to work at night.

We will integrate the camera’s functionality with an image database, which automatically stores the image to be viewed later by any user over the web. The Axis server also has a motion detection system that will allow us to detect predation and nest activity.

Remote observation of wildlife and vegetation allows researchers to study the areas without the disturbance that human presence typically causes. We can now observe wildlife behavior in their natural environment without the human interference that can alter that behavior if detected by the animal. It also allows us to minimize our impact on the soil and vegetation in the area. Another beneficial aspect is the time and cost to the researcher that is saved by reducing the need for frequent visits to remote locations and that can now be reached through a computer monitor. These camera deployments allow us to provide this information to a much wider audience of researchers, including grade school and high school students.

Kevin Browne - UCNRS Information Manager