Groups of animals or birds

Isn't the English language amazing? We have terms for groups of things depending on what they are. They call these collective nouns. Here are a few for various animals:

• Badgers - A cete of badgers
• Bats - A colony of bats
• Bears - A sloth of bears
• Bees - A grist, hive, swarm, drift of bees
• Birds - A flock, flight, parcel of birds
• Bitterns - A sedge of bitterns
• Budgerigars - A chatter of budgerigars
• Butterflies - A swarm, rabble of butterflies
• Buzzards - A wake of buzzards
• Caterpillars - An army of caterpillers
• Cubs - A litter of cubs
• Dear - A herd of dear
• Dogs - A pack of dogs
• Doves - A flight of doves
• Eagles - A convocation
• Elk - A herd of elk
• Finches - A charm of finches
• Fish - A shoal, school of fish
• Flies - A cloud
• Geese - A gaggle, flock of geese
• Grasshoppers - A cloud of grasshoppers
• Hares - A husk of hares
• Hedgehogs - An array of hedgehogs
• Horses - A stud, string of horses
• Hounds - A pack of hounds
• Rabbits - A husk of jackrabbits
• Jellyfish - A brood of jellyfish
• Larks - A bevy of larks
• Moose - A herd of moose
• Mosquitoes - A herd of mosquitoes
  
• Nightingales - A watch of nightingales
• Partridges - A covey of partridges
• Pelicans - A pod of pelicans
• Ponies - A drove of ponies
• Rats - A colony, pack, swarm of rats
• Seagulls - A flock of seagulls
• Snakes - A den, bed of snakes
• Tortoises - A creep of tortoises
• Walruses - A herd of walruses
• Whale - A school, pod or whales
• Worms - A clew of worms
• Wrens - A herd of wrens
• Zebras - A herd of zebras

As you can see there is a load of them. All brought to you by handykam.com. The home of wildlife cameras.

Words to help search
Groups of animals, groups of birds, collective nouns of birds, collective nouns of animals.

Bird camera - Radio controlled hummingbird with camera

Imagine flying a hummingbird with a built in camera? Well now you can. This new device created by AeroVironment. The 19 grams, 16cm flying device was designed to fly easily inside and outside a building with the need for wires. Simply amazing. Check out the video:

Wildlife cameras and technology for school national curriculum

Schools have changed since my day. (Showing my age now :) ) Bang goes the blackboard and books. Now, technology is revolutionising the classroom with interactive whiteboards and laptops. One aspect of modern learning is the growing need to interact with the outdoors. Today's curriculum encourages our kids to getting out and learning about wildlife around us. However, with technology, they can see, learn and enjoy about wildlife around us, indoors too.

We have many schools using our bird box cameras, wildlife cameras and more. The nice thing is that our systems are easy to use and fit straight into most school IT structures. Most schools like to opt for a bird box camera (Either wired or wireless) and connect them to their computers with a USB or network via a IP converter. The experience is enhanced with advanced motion capture and we streaming software, where they can glue a live feed into their website as well as back it up on a computer too. Some schools are using advanced wildlife inspection cameras like the Meerkam gadget to find wildlife everywhere and record it for later lessons too.

It is so good that schools and colleges are get using technology to learn and enjoy the natural world around us. Hopefully, helping educate and create a thirst for more budding Chris Packham's and Bill Oddies of the future. Great!

More information
National Curriculum information.
Bird box cameras from handykam
ICT network connection ideas

Thanks to
Thanks to all the schools have bought our systems and all the children we have help.
Thanks to South Wales Argus for good article and image on High tech pupils in Newport using our camera nest boxes.

Keyword to help search
Wildlife and national curriculum, wildlife learning, wildlife in classroom, ICT and wildlife, birds and curriculum, classroom technology, IP connection

How to make a bird box

Making a bird box or nest box can be great fun. We should know as we make many thousands every year sending them to all corners of the globe from our unit in Cornwall.

The biggest consideration when making a bird box is deciding what birds you would like to use the box. Most of our domestic songbirds are happy in a box around 15cm-20cm cubed made out of 15cm-19cm of good wood. Birds will certainly nest in most boxes made out of many materials, but a well built box will ensure a new family to use it for many years to come.

First start with a single plank around 150mm x 1170mm. Mark the base, sides, front and roof out off it like the diagram provided. See diagram above.

Fit the box together with nails and screws so they are secure. Also include a couple of holes in the base to allow for drainage and don't include a perch for predators. Include a hinged lid if you want to inspect the camera easily.

Don't forget your bird box camera
Add that little something extra by including a bird box camera. These can be easily fitted by drilling a 5mm hole into the side of the box and fitting one of our wired or wireless cameras to it. The camera are plug in and play, allowing you to monitor and enjoy your birds too. You can also fit windows to your box to allow light into the box, not enough to disturb the birds, but enough for the cameras to see in colour. Perfect....

Go for it, make a bird box today
Making bird boxes are great fun especially with all the family. They are often one of the best, small wooden projects to do as they don't cost a lot and take no time at all. However, you can always buy a complete camera bird box if you pushed for time or it is late in the nesting season. Perfect for you birds and you too.

More info
Please support the BTO - click here
Article on building bird box at BTO - click here
More info on building bird boxes - click here
Handykam bird boxes, nest boxes and camera bird boxes

Credits
Thank you for the BTO for all your good work and picture above.

Keywords to help search
Making bird boxes, making bird houses, making bird homes, making nest boxes, building bird houses, building bird homes, building nest boxes, build camera bird box, build camera nest box

Choosing a particular bird for your camera bird box.

We are often asked how we can attract certain birds to our camera bird boxes. It really depends on what birds are in your garden, what birds are dominant and the type of bird box you have. A great way is place a multispecies camera bird box in your garden. A handykam.com bird box is perfect as it can be used for most types of our native birds. It has been specifically designed with bird comfort in mind and to all the recommended specifications by the RSPB and BTO.

The key points are to place the box a little bit away from a feeder or feeding station, but with a bit of cover from foliage.  The next key point is to choose whether to have a round entrance hole or open front. Most boxes have a 35mm entrance hole and some camera bird boxes have the ability to remove the middle panel to allow open fronted nesting birds like Wren, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Blackbird, Spotted flycatcher.

With an entrance hole, you have the choice of using a hole sizer or hole protector to help discriminate between certain types of birds. These are metal plates with hole, which can be easily pinned to the entrance hole of the box.  The plates have different sizes that can allow certain bird types to enter the boxes. Here is a guide: Blue tit, Marsh tit, Coal tit – 25mm (1in) Great tit, Tree sparrow, - 28mm (1 1/4in) Nuthatch, House sparrow, Nuthatch – 32mm (1 1/2in)

Choose a hole sizer to match birds you have in your garden and ones you would like to see nesting.

Once sited, leave you camera nest box and keep an eye on it on your TV. Don’t despair if it is not occupied quickly. Most birds take a while to get used to boxes in their territory.

Have fun and enjoy your camera bird box.

More info
Buy a camera bird box
More info about bird boxes from the RSPB – Click here
Build a camera bird box from the BTO – Click here
Keywords to help search
Bird boxes, bird box hole, nest box hole, nest box hole, hole sizers, correct bird box hole, nest box holes, choose hole size, which hole size.

 

Winter freeze drives birds to the UK.

Ever wondered why we have many exotic birds on our shores this winter. It turns out that we are awash with fieldfare, redwings, waxwings and more. This may be due to the severe winters in Northern Europe and Russia. Why not replenish your camera feeder or install a camera bird box and enjoy our new winter visitors.

Read more
Interesting guardian article - click here
Picture acknowledgement - © Flickr
Handykam.com - bird box camera
Keywords to help search
Migrating birds, winter birds, bird watching, bird migration, weather effecting birds.

Give a camera bird box on National Nest Box Week 2011

Birds need our help. During the past few years, many of our native birds have seen a decline in numbers. Sadly this is due to changing habitats and feeding patterns and conditions. One major factor has been our unseasonably strange weather patterns over the past few months. Having a nest box, will not only keep them warm, but will help them raise a brood too. Valentines day gift One major way to help reverse the declining numbers is to put up a nest box. As part of  a national campaign, the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) holds National Nest Box Week. This is where they are encouraged to put up a bird box. The campaign starts on valentines day – February 14th 2011 and runs for a week.

Why not get involved.
Read more about bird box week and grab yourself a box. If you want something a little more, why not invest in a wonderful camera bird box. This way you can help your birds and enjoy them too.

Handykam – Supports National Nest Box week. Broods need our help. Adopt a brood today!
More information

Nest box week website – http://www.bto.org/nnbw/index.htm
BTO website – http://www.bto.org
Buy a camera bird box from Handykam.com


Keywords to help search
National bird box week, National bird box week 2011, NBBW, NBBW 2011, BTO Birdbox week, valentines bird box week.
Article based on national bird box week, NBBW, using camera bird boxes and camera nest boxes to help bird numbers this valentines day.

Bird box camera - Connect scart or phono?

We have many customers asking, should we use the scart connector or phono plugs on our nest box camera cable. Good question. This is purely a personal choice.

Scarts are strange shaped plugs with 21 pins. They have become the most common form of connecting av equipment (Like bird box camera cables) to TV's. Most AV equip still has a scart connector, but it will become obsolete when HDMI plugs get popular.

Phono or RCA connectors have been around since 1950's and stood the test of time. They are used for all type of AV equipment and still very popular. Normally the only colours you would use is yellow - video and white - audio.

Both connectors are very good and choice is purely on which one you prefer to use. The ports are often limited on a TV, so a good choice will allow you to connect more AV equipment.

More info
Buy a scart connector - click here
More info about scart connectors - click here
More info about phono connectors - click here

Camera traps find more animals in urban forests

Interestingly, a study into animals in urban areas found that animals seemed to concentrate in mainly urban environments. Could it be the weather, feeding patterns or something else?

When the curator of New York Museum and author with a technology student used camera traps and GPS to document a wide range of wildlife. Camera traps or trail cameras are a perfect way of monitoring animals with disturbing them. They work remotely, triggering a camera through motion sensitive sensor. The footage can then be studied at a later day.

The research shows that through technology there is a lot we can learn and understand about our wildlife and the environment.

Handykam.com is a leading supplier of trail cameras and remote cameras for watching wildlife.

More information
Thanks for the New York Times for the great article and pictures.
More about trail cameras.

Future of wildlife cameras and bird box cameras.

The future is bright, the future is QuantumFilm. This is the new technology that may revolutionise the convention ways of camera sensors. At the moment you get CCD cameras and CMOS cameras. QuantumFilm developed in Toronto.

The technology boasts 4 x the sensitivity with 100% light recorded. The biggest plus is that the cost will be a lot less than conventional light chips.

Can't wait for the release of these. Who knows, we may have a bird box camera with hyper reality, making you feel you are in there with them.
Read more
The article was based on this - click here
Thanks CNET/InVisage technologies for pic. 

About Handykam.com
Leading company in bird box cameras, wildlife cameras and inspection cameras.

Bear bashes £130,000 bear cam

Bear smashes 130,000 remote bear camera while filming a documentary for the BBC.

Wildlife documentaries like 'Polar Bear: Spy On The Ice' are increasingly looking at ways to use camera technology to learn more about the wildlife around us. With a camera you are able to get up close especially if it is disguised as a iceberg or snowball. Sometimes, animals outwit man, however, cameras are getting smaller and more discreet and becoming impossible to spot.

Make your own covert camera for filming
Why not make a wildlife covert cameras to monitor your wildlife or use a trail camera for remote recording.

Keywords to help search
bear cam, covert camera, wildlife camera, bbc camera,

Bird box camera - Streaming cams...you gotta see these

There are many good quality bird box camera websites out there. We often dip into their live streams to see how well they are doing and if there is any live action. Bird box cameras are a great way to watch a hidden world of birds. Often not seen or heard, a bird box camera can pick up the most hidden secrets of birds from communicating, mating, building nests, laying eggs and fledging. Check out these sites and bookmark them for future.

• My forest home bird box cameras
• Molly live owl camera
• Live eagle nest camera
• Pot plant owl nest cam
• Kestrel bird cam
• More to follow
  

Would like a bird box camera?
If you want a bird box camera then check out our wired bird box cameras, wireless nest box cameras.

Keywords to help search
bird box camera, nest box cameras, streaming websites, bird cams, nest cams

Oldest bird found

Spanish palaeontologists may have uncoverered a dinosaur with the earliest evidence of feather follicles. The animal named 'Concavenator corcovatus' is a type of theropod and found around 100-146 million years ago. If only they had bird camera to see what they looked like.

Read more
Oldest bird - BBC website

*Image copyright - BBC

Keywords to help search
Oldest bird, old birds, first birds

Make a bird out of paper: Paper crane

Make a paper crane in origami. Great fun making birds out of paper.

A perfect project for children too. Check out the paper cranes

Keywords to help search
Origami, paper cranes, paper birds,

Covert cameras used for caring

In the US over 90% of old people wanted to stay in their homes as they got older. There is a growing need to use cameras to monitor the elder generation. So called telecaregivers, people who help the elderly remotely by watching in-house cameras and offering advice. Its a great use of cameras and ultimately to help elderly relatives.

Why not use one of our covert cameras to monitor your home.

More about cameras used for caring.

Keywords to help search
cameras, webcams, carecams

Bird box camera images, nest box camera images

Over the years, we have taken a few photos of bird box cameras and nest box cameras. Here are a few of them:

Bird box camera images

Bird box camera with black and white camera	Camera bird box and colour camera	Bird box camera and high resolution colour camera
Cedar bird box camera and camera feeder	Cedar bird box camera and colour camera	Wireless bird box camera

Keywords to help search
bird box camera images, nest box camera images, bird box camera photos, nest box camera photos

Inspection camera as used on Help my house is falling down

Inspection cameras are a great way to survey old properties. Often a property is very hard to fully survey without the use of inspection cameras.

With an inspection camera you can do:
pipe inspections and surveys
drain inspections and surveys
structural and building inspections
chimney inspections and surveys

With a inspection camera system Sarah Beeny would be proud of you. The kit is perfect for professionals from builders, plumbers, surveyors, architects, chimney inspectors, maintenance men and more. Once bought it will save you hundreds of hours and 1000's of pounds too.

Check out the inspection cameras on the Handykam website.

Keywords for search
Inspection camera, drain cameras, pipe cameras, drain inspections, chimney inspections, camera inspections, structural survey equipment, building inspections, help my house is falling down, camera surveys, sewer cams, sewer cameras

Waterproof your bird box and wildlife camera connectors

Having cables exposed to the elements could cause corrosion and loss of quality. Worry no more as we are now selling special waterproofing amalgamation tape to stop this from happening. This is a must for outdoor wildlife cameras.

Keywords to help search
waterproof connectors, waterproof tape, connector tape, bird box connectors

Brand new wildlife camera shelter launched from Handykam.com

Yet another innovative product by Handykam. This is a camera shelter allowing you to use your small bird box camera outside to film wildlife in all weathers. The hand made Cornish cedar is perfect for keeping the worst of the weather off your camera and connectors.

Now you can extend the use of your bird box camera or wildlife camera to be used outside. The shelter comes with a bracket and can be positioned in virtually any position.


This is perfect for:

• Open nesting birds
• Hard to reach wildlife
• Feeding stations
• Pointing at bird box entrances

This is a perfect gift for anyone of all ages.

Read more about the camera shelter

Keywords to help search
camera shelter, camera protection, weatherproof camera box, outdoor wildlife camera box, weatherproof wildlife camera box.

Perfect gardening birthday gift?

Sometimes buying gifts are really hard. Faced with isles of disposable gifts can really turn the fun part of buying a gift a chore. Not to worry as we have a great selection of garden gifts that are perfect for males to females, children to elderly, couples to singles.

Our ideal gifts are beautifully made and give lots of pleasure for years to come. Have a look at our products as they represent value for money and are wonderful to receive for the special day.

Bird box camera
Wildlife cameras
Feeder cameras
Other gardening gifts

Keywords to help search
garden gifts, garden gift, gardening gifts, outdoor gifts, home gift, perfect present, presents for parents

Old bird boxes and nest boxes

Have you seen an old bird box, nest box lately?
Most bird boxes don't tend to last very long. Often they are are well seasoned and weathered.

Handykam bird boxes are built to last for many years. Most of our boxes are made out of 19mm wood and designed out of long lasting Cornish cedar or treated (outside) tough pine. Why not update your box, give a  brood a home and maybe pop a camera in there too.

[Great shot by aiddy on Flickr © All Rights Reserved ]

Keywords to help search
old bird box, old nest box, replace bird box, new bird box

Bird box from Tesco

There are many bird box camera systems around. They are now available at Tesco too. This one we have have spotted and bought. It is a neat b/w camera and waterproof ducting. Why not pop it into your shopping the next time you are buying online or going down the isles. Check it out. Otherwise, we have a full range of boxes with useful add-ons available.

More information
Tesco camera bird box
Our range of bird box camera systems

Keywords to help search
Tesco, black and white bird box, supermarket bird box

Camera bird box for schools

It is great to hear from schools and how they are using technology to learn about the environment around us. Today's curriculum is multifaceted and requires kids to cover many aspects of the modern world. With a camera bird box, the learning can span over many months and years too. Nothing better than hands on learning.

Pictured on the left are pupils from Newport Primary School as photographed for The South Wales Argus. They are using a handykam.com nest box camera system. Check the bird box article out and we are thrilled to be able to provide a good source for learning.

Read more
The South Wales Argus article
Pine camera bird box pictured
*** Image copyright - South Wales Argus

Keywords to help search
bird box, nest box, schools, school, school bird box, education, nation curriculum.

Bird box made of VHS tapes

Want a good use for those old VHS fitness tapes? How about converting them into a bird box. It is the new rise in recycling old technology. We really like the fact that one of the holes is an entrance hole for the bird. Although, plastic is not a brilliant material for boxes as it does not breathe as well as wood. What a great idea though...Go for it, build one today.

If you get a camera kit, we give you some plans on how to build your own. Check out the bird box camera kit here.

Keywords to help search
bird box, recycle, nest box

Define a bird box

Over the years, bird boxes have been called many things. The names can vary from country to country and can be very different. Here are a few of them:

• Camera nestbox
• Camera nest box
  
• Camera nesting box
• Camera birdhouse
• Camera birding house
• Camera bird home
• Camera birdhome
• + many more

Define bird box: A box like structure built to house birds. Often made of wood and got an entrance hole for access.

More info
Handykam bird boxes only

Read more
Wikipedia bird box
Define bird box on google

Mouse trap or bird feeder?

Mice will do anything to get their claws on some bird food. A mouse keeps popping back to have a good feed. Amouseing!

Read more about mouse in bird feeder

Why not place a bird feeder up to feed your birds. Handykam can also supply camera bird feeders too so you can keep an eye on them too.

Copyright
Mercury Press Agency
Daily Mail

Film more than birds on your bird camera

Sometimes you can get more than you bargained for on your bird camera. A garden in Pepperell Massachusetts (US) spotted something more than just birds on their cam. The owner tried to attract various birds, but found that squirrels and raccoons were the only troublesome visitors. After investing a bit more money protecting the feeder from visitors, he rigged up a wildlife camera only to film another visitor. Check out the picture....

More info
Why not rig up your wildlife camera and see what you get.
Check out the bear article

Keywords to help finding article
Wildlife camera, wildlife cam, bear cam, feeder camera, feed cam, camera trap

1000+ artist bird boxes on view

Imagine seeing 1000+ nest box / bird box hanging on a wall together. Well you can in Cardiff city. It was unveiled last year from world famous, German born, London artist Gitta Gschwendtner.

The 50 metre long wall is festooned with various types of bird boxes for all types of birds.  It was built to encourage birds to settle and limit the impact of 1,000 new apartments built nearby.

All, that is missing are the bird box cameras or nest box cameras.

Read more about Gitta
Read more about her work
Bird box camera kits by handykam

Keyword to help search
Bird boxes, bird homes, bird house development, environmental design.

Birds really love wooden bird boxes

Traditionally, bird boxes are made of wood as they mimic the natural bird habitat. But they are know to be made of concrete, woodcrete, plaster, corrugated signs and yes even metal! However, the best boxes are large, wooden, dry, easy to access and feel safe and secure for raising a brood. Handykam nest boxes are built with birds in mind. They are large, dry, robust and well designed for most birds. Built from years of knowledge of birds in mind and bird box cameras too.

Read more
Bird boxes
Why choose Handykam bird boxes
Nest box Wikipedia article

Keywords to help searches
bird boxes, bird box, birdbox, nest box, nesting box, nest boxes, nestbox, bird houses, bird house

Forget 15 Megapixel - 33 Megapixel is here

Imagine a 33 Megapixel camera....Its here. The Mamiya rz33. A mere snip at £12,000.  Featuring a
33MP, 48 x 36mm CCD sensor. It is the first RZ series camera to feature
fully integrated electronics for direct communication with the digital
back. Other features include true 16 bit/channel RAW capture,
built-in rotating sensor, ISO range of 50-800 and image capture rate of
1.1 seconds per frame. The RZ33 is compatible with all RZ system
lenses and most accessories. Dear father Christmas.....

Read more - Review
Read more - Mamiya

Keywords to help search
digital camera, still camera, CCD sensor

Stop at the lolli-cam

Cameras are being fitted into so many things these days. They are so small, they often cannot be seen. In fact, they are being fitted to hand held lollipop stop signs. So think twice before speeding on a cross street as you may be on camera.

Read the miniature camera article from the BBC.

Read more about miniature cameras or covert cameras at Handykam.com


Keywords to help search
miniature cameras, secret cameras, traffic camera

BBC Springwatch wildlife cameras

Photo copyright - © BBC

 Springwatch rules
As a camera company, we are huge fans of Springwatch and Autumnwatch, brought to you by the hard working team at the BBC Natural History unit. Over the years, we have had contact with a number of BBC cameramen who have given us some very good tips on filming wildlife closeup and what technology is needed.

The team
Within the outside broadcast team, they have over 90
experts and technicians at hand. Each playing an important role in
getting valuable shots to our screens. The small cameras are brought to
you by the 'minicam team' who work tirelessly building highly bespoke
solutions to get tailored shots perfect for the big screen. Before
any filming is done, there is a lot of research and planning. By
knowing what, where and how to film can help save valuable time and
effort.


The technology
The main technology they use are high quality
mini cameras that are broadcast quality in HD format. The cameras are
often linked up to huge bank of video splitters and monitors via miles
of coaxial cables. Everything is individually powered by huge site
generators. Normally white light is used in order to get the high
quality colour and clarity. They do not normally go for infra-red as
they mainly monitor and film during active parts of the day.

The filming challenge
Filming in remote locations can prove to be very difficult. Often problems like remoteness, inaccessibility, humidity and moisture requires specific technological solutions. Not to mention that small creatures do like to chew cables too. However, problems are often conquered by the use of new technology, resulting in ground breaking filming techniques and footage.  So if you see the cameras on Springwatch, you must know that they are high end broadcast quality with bespoke technologies, techniques and huge budgets behind them.

Future of filming
Filming wildlife can always prove a challenge. As technology improves, price drops we will see new exiting footage. We must thank the pioneering team at the BEEB, who have helped push the envelope of filming and raise the awareness of the natural world around us. Programmes like Springwatch and Autumnwatch have helped promote accessibility of wildlife around us. Who knows, with a little bit of kit you can have your very own Springwatch too.

More reading
BBC springwatch website
BBC natural history unit

Keywords to help search
springwatch, bbc springwatch, springwatch cameras, wildlife cameras, HD wildlife cameras, BBC Natural history unit,

Nest camera on black redstart

Black redstarts are very, very rare. Even more rarer is seeing them close up on a bird camera. The BBC film a brood nesting in a secret location in Birmingham.

It is said that there are only 90 breeding pairs in England and Wales choosing to nest in old abandoned buildings, normally in cities and industrial areas throughout England.

Facts about black redstart:

• Latin name - Phoenicurus ochruros
• Size - Small as a robin
• What they eat - Insects, spiders and worms
  

Check out the redstart nest camera clip from the BBC.

Pic Copyright - RSPB - Check out there great bird database.

Keywords to help search
nest camera, redstart camera

Stunning pics of bird box camera

Shirl has got some great photos and footage of here blue tits in her bird box. Have a look at her great footage and follow the story of her birds within her garden. Click here for more

Don't forget she was voted 'A TOP VIEW' - Check it out

Keywords to help search
bird box camera, bird box cam, nest box camera


Pic Copyright - Shirls Gardenwatch

Don't waste it - Handykam.com recycling intuitive

We have often been asked if we recycle paper in Handykam.com. Well, yes we do. Not only do we use recycled packaging for our products, but we also like to consider the environment with our waste too.

Every year, we get thousands and thousands of card board boxes which needs to be disposed of. We have teamed up with our local paper recycling station who take all our cardboard and make sure that it gets fully recycled into paper products. This helps reduce carbon as well as help the environment.

See the material received waste transfer form on the left. This was a van load today.

Feel rest assured with Handykam.com.

Keywords to help search
Recycle paper, recycle card, eco bird box, environmental bird box

Free bird box designs

Fancy building your own bird box or nest box? It is so much fun and really enjoyable thing to do with the kids. All you do is grab some wood, some screws and nails and you are away. If you are not sure how to design one, there are plenty of plans on the web. In fact Chris Packham from Springwatch has put a couple from his book on the web. Check it out the free bird box plans. However, don't forget you can watch them too with a bird camera kit. The kit includes free bird box plans to create a camera nest box too. Worth a good look. Go for it and have fun building today.

Keywords to help search
Free bird box plans, Free nest box plans, Free plans, Nest box camera, bird box camera

BBC Springwatch 2010 is here

How a year fly’s by. Thankfully it is time for BBC’s Springwatch. This is the award winning (Should be) LIVE wildlife show which is on BBC 2 for three weeks starting 31st May 2010. For the third year in a row the team are at Pensthorpe Park in northern Norfolk. The park normally welcomes 90,000+ thousand visitors a year to witness is wonderful wildlife from a mixture of habitats. Springwatch is a broadcasting technology masterpiece. With over 50 mini cameras and over 12km of fibre optics recording 500+ hrs of footage. This is all edited and often displayed LIVE to a seamless program presented by Chris Packham, Kate Humble, Simon King Gordon Buchanan and Martin Hughes-Games.

Go for it, after a busy day of work, grab some pop corn, sit back and enjoy the delights of Springwatch. If you have some footage too, why not submit to the team online. Have fun and enjoy.

Check out these features

The LIVE web cams streamed on the web – click here

Jump between the cameras and enjoy the live commentary

Great wildlife articles – click here

Good section of articles from attracting wildlife to your garden to seeing wildlife

More links

Springwatch 2010 website – Great new website – click here

iPlayer website – Check it out if you have missed it – click here

Pensthorpe – click here

Why not have your own Springwatch

Have your very own nest box camera

Enjoy your wildlife with a wildlife camera

Capture your footage and display to the world with a capture device

Keywords

Springwatch, spring watch, springwatch 2010, Chris Packham, Kate Humble, Simon King Gordon Buchanan and Martin Hughes-Games, BBC nature, UK nature, Pensthorpe,

Live owl bird camera

Molly has captivated the imagination of the world with the live owl cam. The LIVE owl cam from California is getting thousands of hits as we all enjoy here raising her brood. It is compelling watching. Streaming .TV shows by Ustream


Have a look today


http://www.ustream.tv/theowlbox


If you are interested in having your own owl camera, why not grab an owl box camera and have a go.

Keywords
Owl cam, owl cameras, owl nest cam, barn owl camera, molly camera, molly owl cam.

FREE wildlife camera photography tips

Sometimes it is very difficult to get the perfect wildlife photo. Our friends at the BBC wildlife magazine have created a raft of photo master-classes for all of us to enjoy. The huge array tips and tricks are from the UK's finest wildlife photographers. Some of the tips will help filming them too. Check it out at: http://www.bbcwildlifemagazine.com/masterclasses.asp Good one BBCW.

Find more about enjoying wildlife with technology at http://www.handykam.com

Keywords
wildlife photography, wild shots, wildlife filming

New camera sensors coming soon.

Quantum film could replace CCD and CMOS camera sensors. The sensor which was developed in the US where it is said to revolutionise small camera technology. It is said that the sensor will capture more light and give more realistic photos. The earliest we will see the technology is next year. Can't wait.

Read more about cameras and camera applications at http://www.handykam.com

Keywords
CCD, CMOS, cameras, small cameras,

Swift action needed

Swift numbers are on the decline. They are in need of a good habitat to help breed and increase numbers. Check this BBC clip out. It not only show how some of our finest conservationist are helping our native Swifts, but it also features one our nest cameras too. Check it out:

swift cameras, swift cams, nest cams, nest cameras

11 major bird nest types

Birds nest in many different ways and styles. The main purpose to find a safe place for the bird to lay eggs, incubate and raise their brood in relative safety and accessibility. It is amazing to work out why certain birds choose certian types.

Find out more about bird nests and bird nesting Handykam.com

Keywords to help search
Nests, bird nests, birds nesting, which nests, nesting birds, making
birds nest, nest types, types of nests.

Google camera car records warts and all

Google started using a camera mounted to car to record millions of shots from our streets. The idea that i can be glued together to help us navigate and get an idea of places look like. The only problem is that it records many funny parts of life too. Here are a gallery of bits you should not see, warts and all: Google streetcar out takes.

Cleaning a bird box or cleaning a nest box

What is the best way to clean a bird box or nest box. Well, we have compiled a few valuable pointers to help you and your birds: Click here for cleaning nest boxes and bird boxes

Keywords to help search
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National bird box week NBBW - February 14th to 21st 2010

Every year the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) holds the national bird box week on valentines day – February 14th 2010. We are all encouraged to put of nest boxes to help our native birds thus hopefully reversing declining numbers.

Over several years, our birds have been struck by ever changing habitats, climates, feeding patterns and conditions. This winter has recorded some of the lowest temperatures for decades. There is no doubt that this has had a drastic effect on our native bird numbers. By having bird boxes, we are at least giving them an opportunity to breed and increase numbers.

So if you want to get involved, why not get your family, school, local group and spend an hour siting boxes in gardens, parks etc. Or, why not grab yourself a lump of wood (New or recycled) and make a few bird boxes. It is great fun and easy to do. Feel proud that you have given a brood a home and you have had fun too!

Handykam – Supports National Nest Box week. Broods need our help. Adopt a brood today!

More information
Nest box week website – http://www.bto.org/nnbw/index.htm
BTO website – http://www.bto.org
Camera nest boxes from Handykam

Keywords to help search
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Make your birds count – RSPB Big garden birdwatch 2010

Not sure what to do on January 30-31 (This weekend)? Well, why not grab the family, draw up a comfy chairs, pour yourself a cuppa while you count birds at your feeding station. What more can you ask for....

This is a yearly event brought to you by the RSPB, who are trying to collect important data on our national bird numbers. It is a great way for us also to spend 1hr learning and enjoying our birds around us while helping national figures too. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be an expert or do this alone as there are hundreds of bird counting events around the country.

How does it work?
All you have to do is:

1. Download a record sheet from the RSPB website. http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch
2. Setup a bird feeder or feeding station nearby.
3. Sit for an hour over the weekend, identify the birds and mark down the biggest number of birds that land together in a given time. (Not the ones that fly over)
4. Submit your results on the RSPB website http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch  It is as easy as this.
   

Go for it, join in and have fun. It is a great way to help numbers and have fun with the whole family too. Handykam fully supports the RSPB and its campaign.  

More information
RSPB website – http://www.rspb.org.uk
RSPB bird watch section - http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch

Keywords to help search
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Freeze Warning! Wildlife crises hits UK

Over the past few days we have witnessed some of the strangest sub zero weather for 60+ years. With weather reaching as low as -22oC, birds and wildlife are coming under huge threat.  Severe weather warnings over the next week could mean that this threat could deepen. Dr Mark Avery is quoted by the BBC of saying that this current bad weather ‘Could be the single greatest wildlife killer of the new millennium’ There are a number of ways of helping your birds and wildlife:

• Make sure feeders and feeding stations are well stocked with a range of fresh feed. Good time to get rid of old currants and sultanas as well as old biscuits. Feed regularly through cold snap.
• Defrost bird baths and water butts so they can drink.
• Put up habitats to allow birds and animals to get shelter. Bird boxes, hedge hog homes, owl boxes etc.
• Cover all pet cages from worst of weather and make warm covered exercise runs.
• Leave garage or shed door open so wrens can pop in and eat insects.
• Etc....
  

Go on raid the kitchen and help your wildlife.

Keywords to help search
bird feed, bird feeding, animal feed, bird boxes, nest boxes

Last minute gifts for parents

If you are really stumped for gifts or presents for relatives, look no more. We have a wide range of camera bird boxes, feeders and wildlife cameras.

• Nest box camera from £58.95 – A wonderful plug in and play system that allows them to watch birds 24/7. It is non technical and gives them hours of enjoyment.
• Bird camera feeder from £59.95 – Outside the nesting season, they can watch birds feed, play and communicate every day.
• Wildlife camera from £68.95 – They can enjoy the birds on their feeding station during the day and see what animals visit their garden at night.
  

The nice thing about wildlife camera products is that they keep on giving. Your parents will not only enjoy opening the gift, but they will continue to enjoy it every day for years to come.

Keywords to help search
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Feeding birds aiding evolution

New study has shown that feeding birds may be altering the shape of wings and beaks. With over 30 years of bird feeding has changed migration patterns thus effecting the genetics of birds. Experts believe both milder winters and an abundance of food have drawn the birds to Britain.

Read more about this from this bird feeding article

Why not try our Bird camera feeder from £59.95 – Outside the nesting season, they can watch birds feed, play and communicate every day.

Keywords to help search
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Birds fly by magnetism

It is know that birds navigate our vast planet by the use of the sun and landmarks. But, scientists in Germany have found that they can navigate by the magnetic forces of the earth. It is said that birds have iron-based magnetic materials in their beaks to enable them to navigate.

Read more about the college that founded this research http://www.uni-oldenburg.de/en/
More bird box camera , nest box camera, wildlife camera stories from Handykam

Keywords to help search
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Christmas gift ideas for parents and parents in law

Parents can be really difficult to find gifts for. It is nice to get something different, but when they have everything, this can be no easy task.

No problem, there is a solution is at hand. They have some spare time enjoying their home. Many enjoy their garden. Have you considered the following.

• Nest box camera from £58.95 – A wonderful plug in and play system that allows them to watch birds 24/7. It is non technical and gives them hours of enjoyment.
• Bird camera feeder from £59.95 – Outside the nesting season, they can watch birds feed, play and communicate every day.
• Wildlife camera from £68.95 – They can enjoy the birds on their feeding station during the day and see what animals visit their garden at night.
  

The nice thing about wildlife camera products is that they keep on giving. Your parents will not only enjoy opening the gift, but they will continue to enjoy it every day for years to come.

Keywords to help search
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Take your camera....there is wildlife around you.

If you look closely, there is wildlife around you. A great tip is to carry a small compact around with you and keep your eyes glued. A lot of photographers try to think like animals, looking for good hang outs, resting spots and feeding areas You can photograph wildlife anywhere, whether you are going to work, off to the bank, picking the children up from school, keep an eye around you. Don’t forget to look on the ground and in the sky too. There is a lot of wildlife around you.
If you don’t manage to get out as much, why not let the animals come to you. Try placing a camera bird feeder in your garden or a bird box camera or wildlife camera. You will be amazed by what you can find. Either way, keep your eyes peeled you will be amazed what you will see.

More links to perfect camera products

Bird box camera systems
Feeder camera systems
Camera kits
Owl camera systems
Hedgehog box systems

Keywords to help search
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Go for it...put up a bird box or nest box today and help your birds.

The British Trust For Ornithology (BTO) is urging people to put of bird boxes and nest boxes. Nest boxes play an important role in encouraging bird numbers. Bird habitats have been effected by cleaning up of gardens, reduction of food and changing climate.  The BTO are encouraging us all to put up nest boxes so they get used to them before next Spring nesting season.

Read more about the plea for bird boxes and nest boxes
Or have a look at the BTO website

Don’t forget about a bird box cameras or nest box camera too. It makes an ideal gift for parents.

Keywords to help search
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FREE Christmas shopping bonus

Thank you for buying handykam products

As a way to thank you for shopping at handykam.com, we have reduced our delivery:

Special next working day courier delivery:

UK mainland (For 1-10kg) - From
£10 to only £7.90

This is an early Christmas gift to all our new and existing customers.

We always believe in giving our customers the best quality products and services as the best prices. Just go through your online shopping. Depending on the total weight, you will see the reduction.

Go for it...have a look at our:

Bird box camera systems
Feeder camera systems
Camera kits
Owl camera systems
Hedgehog box systems

We all at Handykam wish you a Merry Christmas.

Ideal garden Christmas present?....Think of your birds too.

When looking for a garden gift, don’t forget your birds too. Recent bird number reports from the BTO state that out of 247 species, Forty species are red-listed, 121 are amber-listed and 86 are green-listed. One of the best ways to help increase the green listed species is create a more bird friendly habitat. Plant bird friendly plants and trees that give cover and food in Spring. Add bird nest boxes to help them reproduce. Also add bird feeders and bird bath to help them survive through the harsher climates.

Why not give a perfect garden gift like a camera bird box and camera bird feeder. This will allow your family and friends to enjoy the birds as well as help attract and increase numbers. Either way, everyone has a merry Christmas and beyond.

Here are some other gifts that may be perfect presents
Cedar bird box with CMOS camera only £84.95
Cedar bird box with CCD camera only £94.95
Pine bird box with CMOS camera only £68.95
Pine bird box with CCD camera only £78.95
Hawk and Owl camera only £54.95
Vari-focal camera only £68.95

Keywords to help search
garden gifts, garden christmas presents, gardening gifts, bird gifts, birding gifts

From astronomy photography to bird box cameras

JamieCooperimages.com website review
This website features the work of Jamie Cooper. His photography covers many subjects and is of the highest standards. There is not many photographers who can turn their hand to photographing the nights sky as well getting pin point shots animals in Africa. The website also features wonderful shots bird box cameras. This website is a must see and keep popping back for more or even buy a calendar.

Points of interest
Have a look at the animated galleries of various subjects. Check out the bird box cameras and footage too.

More info
Why not try a bird box camera and create your own website like Jamie’s.

Have a look
Have a look at www.JamieCooperimages.com

Keywords to help search
Bird box camera, bird box website, website review, astronomy photography

Handykam LJ cameras

LJ cameras are a brand of handykam.  The LJ is short for Look enJoy. Some of our cameras feature this brand. It is an early brand for bird box and nest box cameras.
You may also see other brands of cameras which include.
LJ bird box cameras
LJ nest box cameras
LJ nest box cam
LJ bird box cam

Keywords to help search
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Cameras used to learn about birds

There is so much we know and don’t know about birds. Biology and ornithology experts are using cameras to film nest, analysing how they eat, move, breed and raise their brood. Even with a small bird box camera, you will be able to monitor how a bird lives, communicates, breeds and more. If you look closely and over a period of time, you will see how intelligent they are.

We have many research institutions using our cameras to monitor birds.  They are doing valuable research on birds and bird behaviour. By understanding birds, they can help preserve numbers as well understand how they live and survive.

We are currently supporting projects for:
World wildlife fund
University of Oxford
University of Sydney
Max Plank Institute
World Parrot Trust

Find out more about our camera products from bird box cameras, nest box cameras, wildlife cameras

Keywords to help search
birds, bird behaviour, bird monitoring, bird research, bird cam, bird camera

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I’m a celebrity get me out of here

A new year of celebrities compete each other to become the king or queen of the jungle. They torture themselves for television, by jumping in, swimming through, eating and drinking insects. Eek! The best part of the show are the little insect clips between the action. Check them out. They are really funny.

Wildlife cameras are a good way to film insects. Why not connect it to a PC and only record insects when they move.

I'm a celebrity get me out of here - Check it out for more clips.

Keywords to help search
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Wildlife crime has doubled in UK

During the last year, wildlife crime has doubled from 2177 to a whopping 5854 in the UK. These are only the ones reported and recorded, but shows the huge rise in these acts.  Crimes against badgers, birds, bats and many more are getting affected. With this, there is a rising need for a consistent charge for such crimes to unify law and deter crime.

Wildlife cameras are a great way to watch, enjoy wildlife as well as help keep an eye on them and save them too.

Keywords to help search
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Why are birds fat?

Apparently birds are fat for a reason. They need the food to survive the harsher environments of winter. Keeping warm throughout the day requires a lot of energy. This energy has to come from the body mass it stores. It is said that heavier birds tend to last the winter as they tend to have more reserve to burn.

Read more about this subject:

Feed your birds and enjoy them too - Bird feeder and camera, a perfect gift for Christmas

Keywords to help search
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Don't credit crunch bird food

Bird food is imperative during the winter months. However, keep an eye out for the BSA logo. This will ensure that the feed is of good quality. Having lesser quality food may be bad for your birds. The feed should be fresh and free from parasites.

High resolution Cedar Feeder - Only £103.95
More bird box products

Keywords to help search
Bird food, bird feed, seed, feeders

Its winter....Don't forget to feed mammals

The weather maybe closing in, getting colder and the evenings getting darker. Don't forget to feed your local mammals. Mammals, I hear you ask. Yes, there is a lot around us. Here are a few pointers from an excellent BBC breathing spaces article:

• Hedgehogs - Reduction in numbers loves dog food.
• Badgers - Unsalted peanuts go down a storm
• Squirrels - Loves seeds and fruit

Don't forget, to set up a feeding station and using a wildlife camera to enjoy them too.

Have a look at this great article by the BBC.

Keywords to help search
Hedgehogs, badgers, squirrels, feeding hedgehogs, feeding badgers, feeding squirrels

Use outdoor camera to spot wildlife

This time of year is a prefect time to spot wildlife, busying themselves before they get ready for the winter. With outdoor cameras, you will be able to spot:

• Badgers - They are playful and often use well worn paths to their setts
• Deer - In autumn they are ready to mate and will roam to find a mate
• Wild boar - Boar are increasing in numbers and are wonderful to watch when looking for food
• Hedgehogs - Nocturnal creatures often very mobile and looking for foot and suitable habitats
  
• Otters - Elusive and playful nocturnal animals, often seen near waterways
• Foxes - Opportunist animals, always on the hunt for small creatures and mammals
• Owls - Often seen hunting on the edge of woodland

Autumn is a great time for watching wildlife. You will be very surprised what you find lurking around in your garden. Grab a camera and see what you can find.

Read more about our range of outdoor cameras:
Vari-focal camera kit only £68.95
Colour camera kits only £44.95
Owl camera kit only £54.95

Keywords to help search
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Look out for hedgehogs on bonfire night

Bonfire night is fast approaching. This is a ideal time to enjoy fireworks and bonfire on a cold November the 5th night. However, don't forget hedgehogs too.

Hedgehogs are currently suffering a loss in numbers due to a poor habitat. As a result, they have been added to all major conservation lists. At this time of year, hedgehogs are looking for wonderful places to hibernate. A bonfire is seen as an ideal location which is a big danger. Follow these steps to help hedgehogs:

• Only build a bonfire on November the 5th to minimise any nest building.
• Search throughout for any wildlife.
• Re-home any hedgehogs and wildlife to new areas. Try using a hedgehog home for this.

Hedgehogs are friendly little animals and are ideal pest killers in the garden. Their numbers are diminishing, but with everyones help we can help improve numbers as well as continue to enjoy bonfire night

Read more about our range of perfect gardening gifts:
Hedgehog home and camera only £66.95

Keywords to help search
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Finding the perfect Christmas gift

Looking for an ideal Christmas gift can be real struggle.  What do you give someone who has everything? Do you go for something big, small, expensive or not so expensive? There are so many decisions, what do you do? The secret is slowly look at all these, plan early and don’t leave it too late. Otherwise you will spend too much and not get the best Christmas gifts possible.
The best solution to finding the perfect gift is to:

• Write down how many Christmas gifts you need for whom. Don’t forget anyone, else you will be in big trouble.
• Sort out your overall budget for Christmas. The larger the better, however don’t go to mad as you will down to bread and water after the new year.
• Prioritise budgets for each person. Yes, I know, a very difficult task.
• Jot down any interests or things that each person likes, will find funny or useful.
• Jump onto Google and search for various interests. Normally, this throws up some further ideas on products.
• Try to think differently. Instead of thinking about the object, maybe think about what it represents or maybe how it will be presented. This may have a lot more meaning.
• Have a look at blogs, major retail websites and keep browsing. Try refining your ideas as you search. Sometimes a bit of lateral thinking can give you a good idea.
• Try and stick to your aims and budget as best you can.
• If you are stuck, maybe leave that person and come back to them later stage. Try to ask friends or family for advice.
• Don’t panic, start early and you will sort it out and have an excellent Christmas.
  

At Handykam, you are sure to find something an ideal Christmas present or Xmas gift. Whether young or old, we are sure they will enjoy it for many years to come. Here are some ideas:

Read more about our range of perfect gardening gifts:
Cedar bird box with CMOS camera only £84.95
Cedar bird box with CCD camera only £94.95
Pine bird box with CMOS camera only £68.95
Pine bird box with CCD camera only £78.95
Hawk and Owl camera only £54.95
Vari-focal camera only £68.95

Keywords to help search
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