Apr 21, 2026, 7:42 AMI took my BirdNet-Pi on a little holiday and was delighted with the results.
- Apr 21, 2026, 7:42 AM
Replies
SamuelJohnsonsamueljohnson@mstdn.socialApr 21, 2026, 8:23 AM@etp I'm preparing a home battery. Preparations incl converting CCTV cameras in woods to PoE via 9V splitter adapters and a new switch in a weatherproof plastic box (making non-compliant outdoor 220V power redundant). Wooden box for previous switch will house a spare Pi (PoE hat and mic on order). Think I'll use Birdnet-PiPy. I know most bird sounds but there may be odd surprise. Eg, used to have woodcock (only ever seen on camera, not heard) but not for years now. Probably gone for good, alas.
- Apr 21, 2026, 9:50 AM
@samueljohnson A lot of that technology I am not familiar with. I think if I had a garden, rather than a terrace, I might be inclined to learn more about it. I suspect the clock on a chip is my best option.
I’ve also been looking into using my good microphone and digital recorder and then analysing the recording afterwards.
- SamuelJohnsonsamueljohnson@mstdn.socialApr 21, 2026, 10:35 AM
@etp I've just been using cheap Tapo cameras but as they're not powered over Ethernet (PoE) I've run a power cable into the woods to a multi outlet extension in Christmas lights box, then 220V cable to each camera with a plug socket in a project box. Won't matter if a deer bites through an Ethernet cable (one chomped through power cable in the past 😬). It's a 50Ha wood left to nature by national forest org. 1Ha is mine.
Clock chip definitely worthwhile and cheap, esp for 24x7 operation.
- SamuelJohnsonsamueljohnson@mstdn.socialApr 21, 2026, 10:45 AM
@etp If you're just looking to identify species there's a phone app called Merlin (also used to attract birds though that's discouraged), just in case you have haven't encountered it (unlikely). Uploading data that permits tracking species changes over time is my aim. Wood has seen several species changes in last decade.
- Apr 21, 2026, 12:38 PM
@samueljohnson I have and use Merlin if I am out on a walk and hear something I don't recognise. My use of BirdNet is more like yours, monitoring the birds that it can hear from my terrace.