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For Field Kit Participants

Thank you for being part of Habitat Track.

The information collected through this field kit deployment is helping us build a clearer picture of biodiversity on private land across Victoria.

By better understanding the species and habitats present on protected properties, we can make more informed conservation decisions, direct resources where they will have the greatest impact, and demonstrate the value of private land conservation at scale.

Inside your Field Kit you’ll find:

  • One Wildlife Acoustics Song Meter Mini Bat 2.
  • Two Reconyx HyperFire 4K Ultra HD Trail Cameras.
  • Field Kit Monitoring Sheet.
  • Supporting materials including batteries and a battery charger, USB SD card reader and releasable cable ties​.

As part of the project, you’ve been asked to move both the cameras and sound recorder to a new location on your property during the deployment period.

Please complete the Field Kit Monitoring Sheet each time you install the equipment in a new location (three times over the three-month deployment) so that we can accurately track where recordings and observations have been collected.

To submit your files to Trust for Nature, insert the USB SD card reader into your computer and upload the files through our Habitat Track portal. You’ll receive an estimated upload time, and once the upload is complete, your files will be available to view online.

We’ll also share occasional updates on project learnings, discoveries and findings from across the monitoring network through Habitat Track.

Thank you for your contribution. Together, we’re building the knowledge needed to better protect and restore Victoria’s unique plants, animals and habitats.

Quick Links

Wildlife Acoustics Song Meter Mini Bat 2

Quick Start Guide

The Song Meter Mini Bat 2 records bats, birds and other wildlife sounds, helping Habitat Track better understand biodiversity on private land.

Initial deployment

  • Mount the recorder securely at your monitoring site.
  • Open the recorder and check that all 8 AA batteries are properly seated and haven’t shifted during transport.
  • Ensure the SD card is inserted.
  • Move the switch to ON and close the recorder.
  • Your recorder is now ready to begin monitoring.

Monthly relocation (second & third deployments)

  • Open the recorder and switch it OFF.
  • Replace the batteries with the 8 fully charged spare batteries provided.
  • If you are uploading data monthly, remove the SD card, upload the files, then reinsert the SD card. Otherwise, leave the SD card in place.
  • Move the recorder to your next monitoring location.
  • Check the batteries are seated correctly, switch the recorder ON, and close the recorder.

Choosing a monitoring location

For the best results:

  • Mount the recorder on a tree approximately 1.5 to 2 metres above ground.
  • Choose an area where wildlife activity is likely to occur.
  • Ensure the microphones are clear of branches and dense vegetation.
  • Avoid placing the recorder near buildings, busy roads, machinery or livestock where possible.

Need help?

If you experience any issues setting up your recorder or have questions about deployment, please contact the Habitat Track team.

Reconyx HyperFire 4K Ultra HD Trail Camera

Quick Start Guide

The Reconyx HyperFire 4K Trail Camera automatically captures images of wildlife, helping Habitat Track better understand which species are found on protected habitat across Victoria.

Initial deployment

For each camera:

  • Open the camera and check that all 12 AA batteries are properly seated and haven’t shifted during transport, and that the SD card is installed.
  • Turn the camera ON.
  • Check that the date and time are correct. All other settings have already been programmed by the Trust for Nature team.
  • Mount the camera securely and complete a quick test to ensure it is pointing where you expect animals to pass.
  • Close the camera. It will automatically arm itself after approximately two minutes.

Please deploy both cameras within the same monitoring site (ideally within 50 metres of each other and the acoustic recorder).

Camera 1 – Larger animals

  • Mount approximately 1 metre above ground.
  • Position the camera upright or very slightly angled down with a clear view of wildlife trails, tracks, water sources or open areas where larger animals are likely to travel.

Camera 2 – Smaller animals

  • Mount approximately 50 centimetres above ground (knee height).
  • Angle slightly downward (10-15 degrees).
  • Position near logs, groundcover, grasses or other habitat features that may attract small mammals.

For both cameras:

  • Choose areas where wildlife activity is likely.
  • Ensure a clear line of sight free from branches and vegetation.
  • Remove nearby vegetation that may move in the wind and trigger false images.
  • Where possible, face cameras south to reduce glare from the sun and in a position where animals are most likely to approach from a 45-degree angle.
  • Use a sturdy tree or post that won’t move in strong winds.

Monthly relocation (second & third deployments)

  • Turn the camera OFF.
  • Replace the batteries with the fully charged spare batteries provided.
  • If uploading data monthly, remove the SD card, upload the images and then reinsert the card. Otherwise, leave the SD card in place.
  • Move the camera to the next monitoring location.
  • Check the date and time are correct, then close the camera and allow it to arm itself.

End of monitoring

At the end of the monitoring period, approach each camera from the front before removing it.

This will trigger a final image, providing a date and time stamp that confirms the camera remained operational and marks the end of monitoring.

Need help?

In the video below, Chris Pocknee, Trust for Nature Conservation Ecologist, demonstrates how to set up the field kits.

If you experience any issues setting up your camera or have questions about deployment, please contact the Habitat Track team.

Field Kit FAQs

  • Dawn chorus – from 1 hour pre-sunrise to 2 hours post-sunrise (continuous)  
  • Dusk period – from 2 hours pre-sunset to 2 hours post-sunset (30 mins on/30 mins off)  
  • Peak bat activity – from 30 minutes pre-sunset to 3 hours post-sunset (30 mins on/30 mins off) 
  • Dawn chorus – from 1 hour pre-sunrise to 2 hours post-sunrise (continuous)  
  • Dusk period – from 2 hours pre-sunset to 2 hours post-sunset (30 mins on/30 mins off)  
  • Peak bat activity – from 30 minutes pre-sunset to 3 hours post-sunset (30 mins on/30 mins off) 
  • The infra-red trigger has a range of approximately 30m.  
  • Whether or not it is triggered depends on a temperature differential and movement.  
  • You can test your cameras by arming them, walking past them and viewing the images from the home screen. 

The Trail Camera batteries are expected to last the entire three-month duration that you have the Field Kits. The Song Meter, however, will not.  

We have provided a battery charger as part of your Field Kit, to allow you to recharge the Song Meter batteries each month when you move the location. 

Camera and Song Meter SD cards should last the full monitoring period assuming they are not being constantly triggered.  

Please check storage levels on cameras when moving equipment.  

If an SD card is full, please upload data through the Habitat Track portal to make room for next monitoring site. 

To submit your files to Trust for Nature, insert the SD card into the USB SD card reader and connect it to your computer. Then upload the files via the Habitat Track portal. 

The portal will provide an estimated upload time, and once the upload is complete, your files will be available to view online. 

A member of the Habitat Track Team will check your file within days of uploading.  

If there is anything missing or unreadable, we will be in touch via phone or email.  

If you don’t hear from us, all is well!  

While all data will be reviewed by the Trust for Nature team, we will also use a combination of advanced analytical tools, including Anabat Insight, BirdNET, Kaleidoscope and Addax AI, to help identify species and process recordings and images efficiently.

Participants retain ownership of photographs, audio recordings and other material contributed through Habitat Track.

By participating, participants grant Trust for Nature a perpetual, royalty-free, non-exclusive licence to use, store, analyse, modify, reproduce, publish and share submitted material and associated biodiversity records for conservation, research, monitoring, reporting, education, promotion and other purposes consistent with Trust for Nature’s functions and objectives under the Victorian Conservation Trust Act 1972.

Trust for Nature may share biodiversity records with partner organisations and government biodiversity databases and may create, retain and use derived datasets, analyses and other products based on those records. Biodiversity records and derived products may continue to be retained and used by Trust for Nature even if the original submitted material is later withdrawn.

If you experience any issues with your field kit or have questions about deployment, please contact the Habitat Track team at habitattrack@tfn.org.au.