Our new cameras, courtesy of an NBC Community grant, have landed on Rocky Point. The hunt for the tripods is coming to fruition. And your Scheduling Team has been hard at work preparing a fool-proof plan for the year complete with a new slimline travelling Pygmy Possum Project PP package which will contain everything you need!
So this is the plan…..
1. Schedule
We have split our membership into three groups of five. Each group will receive a camera package specifically for those 5 people and they will circulate their camera according to the schedule contained in the package. The schedule runs from January 30 2021 through to January 15 2022 The schedule gives each member two camera slot of 4+ weeks each time.
2. Swapping Dates
If the time you have been allocated doesn’t suit (we’re thinking of you optimists with plans for an overseas trip in 2021) please ask around your group to see if someone would swap dates with you.
3. Camera Collection
Pop the dates you are allocated the camera into your diary as it is your responsibility to collect the camera from the previous holder on the due date. For this to be effective (you may need to know where the camera is, any change in location, the fact you wont be picking it up until the weekend etc) we will be supplying contact numbers for every camera participant. If you do not want your mobile number shared please give us an alternative point of contact in the next week.
4. Camera Package
And now to the package! Along with the camera and tripod – you will receive a coloured plastic box with your Pygmy Possum World contained within it. I know! Amazing! That world is as follows:
- New Box Numbers
It is crucial that when you set up your camera the number must be clearly visible and in shot. Obviously the black and white plastic tag contained in your package, while high effective, is not fully in tune with the environmental vibe of the box and should you wish to be more inventive – go right ahead -as long as it can be clearly read by your Archivist! - Charger + Plug
Yes good people – you no longer need to leave home or even lift up the phone to Jude when your rechargeable batteries get low. It’s all there for you to just pop them into the charger, plug it into a power point, charge them up, and get them back inside the camera before sundown. - Monitoring Guide
While everyone is an old hand now – its always useful to refresh your memory about your box and how to use it, how to use the camera, where the likely action is, who might come and who has come in the past. So we have updated our Guidesheet for 2021. We have also included the camera manual for those tech-heads who just itch to come to grips with all the cameras facilities and uses.
5. Roving Camera
At this point, some of you may be pondering the location of the fourth camera. Excellent question! In line with our grant application promises – the fourth camera will be a roving camera dedicated to capturing the patterns of behaviour in our more active boxes. This will allow us to gain more insights into the lives of our smaller marsupials. Should you detect any ongoing signs of activity like fresh leaves – please call Jude. If you dont have a camera on your box we can arrange to cover it with the roving camera. Camera 4 will also be used to cover any newcomers to the Project.
6. Money
And finally the maintenance levy. Again a big thank you to you all for your whole hearted support for our ‘self insurance’ scheme. Please make your payment of $20 into Jude’s account or give her the money.