Wicklow's ambitious camera trap project

Adam Smith started Ireland's most ambitious camera trap project in Wicklow in 2021. The initiative is the largest systemic camera trap project in Ireland and it’s completely run by volunteers.

In 2023 the group successfully monitored 47 sites, collected 183,297 photographs, and captured 11 wild mammal species and a variety of birds.

Every autumn, over 20 volunteers take part in setting up the cameras in and around woodlands near Glendalough, Laragh, Annamoe, Roundwood, Ashford, Newtownmountkennedy and nearly as far south as Rathdrum.

Sika deer was the most common species whose images were captured by the camera traps, making up 72% (4,526) of all independent events of wild mammals. The next most common species was red squirrel at 11% (689) of events and red fox with 10% (601).

The charismatic pine marten are also continuing their strong recovery in the county, accounting for 57 events at 21 sites (45% of all sites monitored). New wild mammals recorded compared to 2022 were fallow deer and the grey squirrel.

The data collected in Wicklow will hopefully help guide decisions around enhancing protection and habitat for the wonderful array of mammals we still have left in this county. We’re just about to head back out with our cameras to set up the fourth year of this initiative at the end of August and I’m looking forward to what we find this year.

Equipment for this project was funded in part from grants received from the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Local Authority Waters Programme, and from business and individual donors sponsoring cameras.