Wildlife cameras are great little gadgets that can now give us the ability to see how particular kinds of wildlife behave and live from our own backyard. 

This technology used to be reserved for TV shows and productions, but now with all the different camera options on the market such as; motion controlled cameras, trail cameras and infrared vision cameras, we can be able to document and film our own videos with ease.

So now you may be wondering how you can do this and what's the best way to film wildlife, well we have put together a little guide below to help you out so you can get the best possible footage out of your wildlife camera!

How to Get The Best Film

Filming wildlife outdoors can prove tricky and time-consuming if you don’t prepare your cameras in the best way. However, it's very rewarding when you get the footage you want from filming wildlife, especially when it's been shot from your own garden! 

Use more than one camera

If you are seriously looking at how to get the best film try and use a range of cameras such as; motion cameras, trail cams, nest box cams and even infrared cameras and place them in different areas.

By using a range of different wildlife cameras, this will allow you to get a variety of footage that you would have been limited from by just using one, for example, a nest box camera will give you up close footage of birds in their habitat.

However don’t worry, if you can’t afford a big camera setup you can still use just one affordable wildlife camera with the right settings to shoot your own backyard nature footage.

Go for a time-lapse

Using the time-lapse option on your camera now and again is a must do when shooting wildlife in your garden. 

Filming a time-lapse not only can give you the ability to see nature growing, but you can also cut down hours of footage into a manageable amount, meaning your chances of getting wildlife on film is increased but your footage is still not too long.

Use height

If you are taking footage with your camera from height at a downward angle this will give you the clearest shot of wildlife within your garden. It also hides your camera from the animals and gives a lesser chance of spooking them.

Keep it charged 

If your camera runs by batteries as most do then make sure they are fully charged before taking your footage, especially if you are planning to leave it turned on movie mode overnight (make sure its waterproof) or as a time-lapse. The last thing you want is to miss out on some unexpected wildlife due to your batteries going flat!

Attract wildlife 

You can’t film wildlife if there isn't any! The best way to ensure you get some great animals on your film is to make sure your garden is attractive to wildlife. You can do this by having garden accessories such as bird boxes, feeders, climbers and growing flowers. 

Clear the area 

Your camera should be set somewhere where it's clear and other objects can not set off the motion sensor by accident. You should make sure your camera's areas are clear of branches and objects to avoid accidentally setting off the motion sensor on a windy day.

Best Tips for Wildlife Shooting

Now you know how to shoot the best wildlife film in your garden, there are a couple of tips and tricks that you should know so you can take the best footage possible.

Be patient 

The best wildlife footage usually comes from spending a large amount of time waiting. Yes, waiting is key as this is when the best wildlife tends to always appear. Also be vigilant for animal tracks or signs of nesting so you can know where to position your camera and film more potential wildlife. 

Get some night shots

Setting up your camera for night shots is one of the best times to capture wildlife, just make sure your camera has infrared capabilities with a low glow or no glow sensor.

Use a tripod or mounting plate

Using a tripod or mounting plate will ensure your footage is steady and smooth, this is essential for wildlife filming as you want to make sure your subject is captured smoothly, not with the camera shaking. 

Make them habitats 

Having a log pile or a pond in the odd corner of your garden is a great way to keep existing wildlife returning and new wildlife coming, which also means more subjects to film!

Why You Should Film Wildlife In Your Garden

Overall, with all the different wildlife cameras on the market combined with these ‘how to’ tips and tricks above, you can create some pretty amazing wildlife footage all from your backyard. 

Not only is it very rewarding being able to capture wildlife from your garden, but it is also great to do as a hobby and enables you to learn how to attract other wildlife. 

For example; once you have learned what kind of wildlife likes to be around your backyard, you can make appropriate habitats for them, such as leaving food out or providing a water source for them to drink from, this will ensure the wildlife keeps returning.
So there’s really no right or wrong way to film these amazing animals from your garden as long as you have a decent wildlife camera and a passion for wildlife, happy filming!