High-tech camera to live-stream Poole Harbour wildlife
It's been set up at a new lookout on the Arne Nature Reserve so people don't miss out on bird-watching during lockdown
A new lookout at RSPB Arne has been fitted with a hi-tech live camera to bring Poole Harbour’s wildlife to everyone in the midst of lockdown.
Work recently finished on the construction of a new lookout at Middlebere Channel on the RSPB’s flagship Dorset nature reserve. Unfortunately, due to the current restrictions, the public is unable to access it.
So that people don’t miss out, the RSPB has fitted a new pan, tilt, zoom (PTZ) camera to the hide and is live streaming views from the lookout. The PTZ is fixed to the roof of the Lookout and provides a bird’s eye view across the channel towards the Purbeck Hills.
Beverley Lagden, Hyde’s Heath Project Officer said:
“Log-on and enjoy the live spectacles nature has to offer! The camera is great, we are already live streaming wonderful views of avocets and black-tailed godwits. These are just some of the birds that make Middlebere so special, and thanks to the camera, it is now available to all.
“The installation was not without its challenges. We had to work out how to get power to the camera over a 1km distance, as well as work out how to protect the cable from nibbling mammals to name just a couple, but we believe the new accessibility to amazing views makes it all worth it.”
In the future, the camera will provide a live stream to the Visitor Centre and Shop at Arne when they fully reopen.
In the meantime, it will be streamed to the RSPB Arne webpage, allowing everyone to delight in the live, ever-changing views of this wildlife hotspot. Between 7 and 9 am the camera will be facing east to catch the sunrise.
Where possible, a member of the RSPB will guide the camera on the look-out for when the tide rises and falls to zoom-in on interesting sights.
In the winter there is the opportunity to spot a variety of wading birds fishing in the shallows or catching critters in the mud. The camera will move across the channel, settling in the west to catch the sunset.
Middlebere Lookout has been built with funding from the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), Birds of Poole Harbour, and the Wytch Farm Landscape and Access Enhancement Fund.
The innovative camera was organised by the Hyde’s Heath Project, funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund, and installed by Wildlife Windows.
Wildlife Windows Ltd has installed a multiple HD camera system across Arne. All cameras are HD IP network cameras. Long-distance low voltage power system and data transmission via fibre optic. Cameras are remotely viewable and controllable and will be live streamed to RSPB website, and we plan, later on, GP surgeries.
Bev Lagden added: “Studies suggest that time in nature, even just looking at nature, can alleviate stress and promote wellbeing – goodness knows we all need a dose of nature right now! The past year has shown us how important Arne and nature is to so many and while we are in uncertain times, with many people isolating or limiting travel, we are delighted to bring a bit of RSPB Arne to you.”
The Middlebere Channel Livestream can be watched at:
https://www.rspb.org.uk/arne-live-web-cams
The RSPB is also asking that the public share what they see with @RSPBArne using the hashtag #RSPBArne on Facebook or Twitter.