Kestrel Box entry counter

Hi Holly -

We'll forward this question to our IT guru to see if he has any thoughts. We know folks have calculated the number of nest visits using motion-triggered nest cameras and reviewing the captured videos manually, but we're not aware of any automated solutions at present. Hopefully some other folks can chime in if they know something we don't.

One thing that comes to mind right away is that if you're trying to calculate the number of times the parents visit the nest, the method used would need to be able to exclude nestlings hopping up and looking out of the box entrance (which, of course, they do frequently close to fledging). So something as simple as an infrared beam across the box entrance might not be a feasible option. (Also, visits by other animals, such as predators or other species trying to usurp the box, would trip such a sensor.) So the method selected would likely depend on what you're trying to count and how precise you need that figure to be.

If our IT guru has any ideas we'll be sure to post them here. And please let us know if you hit on any solutions on your end—we're guessing a number of folks would be interested in such tech.

Matthew
AKP Staff

Hi Holly -

Our IT guru passed along the following information:

There may be a pre-built device like that available somewhere. I have usually seen DIY builds for Arduino projects though, such as https://www.instructables.com/IR-laser-person-counter/ and https://learn.adafruit.com/ir-breakbeam-sensors/arduino

There are conversations about build projects for this sort of thing at https://forum.arduino.cc/c/using-arduino/sensors/26 

I could see potential complications in the accuracy of this sort of device.  Success would likely depend on what specific event is being counted and how the device could be installed to minimize false events.

Hope this helps! Again, keep us posted on this project, and let us know if you have any further questions.

Matthew
AKP Staff