CHATHAM – An area of the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge in Chatham where humans are not allowed will be the focus of a video camera’s lens this summer.
The northern tip of South Monomoy Island, the site where up to 16,000 common terns flock each year to nest, will also house a nest cam starting in May, thanks to a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
The grant was procured by the Friends of the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge in order to provide those who come to the visitor center a way to observe up close without disturbing them.
The video will be streamed to a television inside the center. Refuge Manager Matt Hillman said he hopes the video will stream live on the web by next year.
“There’s still some kinks to be worked out with that, but we’re looking forward to this year,” Hillman said. “This camera will be able to inform our management going forward.”
The group is working with friends from Oregon State University who have experience setting up such cams.
The camera will be housed in such a way to discourage predators from perching atop it, and will be powered by a solar panel, Hillman said.
He said he hopes the rig will be taking footage before the birds begin setting up their nests.
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