Why choose Garden Safari?

We think our boxes and tables are.. well, the bee's knees.

We use only solid, natural wood in our bat roosts, nest boxes, bumble bee nests and bird tables. We don't use plywood or mdf because it the surface is quite smooth which can make it difficult for chicks to climb out, and it doesn't last as long without being stained or painted.
We don't use stains or preservatives of any kind on our nest boxes because what is safe for one species may be toxic to others.
The 15mm + (3/4 inch) thick wood we use on our bird boxes and bat roosts means that our entrances holes are deep, so chicks have somewhere to rest before taking that all-important first flight. It helpts to keep predators out and is closer to the way a natural nest would be
We use only wood sourced from sustainably-managed, FSC-certified forests. We want to help the natural world, not damage it We don't buy cheaper reclaimed timber because we can't be sure it was sustainably sourced, and we can't be sure what chemicals it has been treated with.
Our thick wood acts as a natural insulator, making our boxes cooler on hot days and warmer on cold ones. That makes it more likely that birds will use them.
We supply finished boxes at the same price that most other companies supply kits. We even include the rawlplugs for fixing to the wall!
Garden Safari was founded by two ex-primary schools teachers and Charlie is also a teacher, so Garden Safari has a continuing history of links with schools and education and offers an educational discount. See: Schools Discounts
All our products are hadnmade.

Garden Safari is a family-run business. Charlie and Clare are lucky enough to live in the country with a 'woodland' garden which attracts many species of birds. Charlie used to be a farmer and did a lot of work on the family farm to create wildlife and conservation areas. He now teaches Rural Studies and the Environment at a Gloucestershire school.

The founders of Garden Safari started the business when they realised there was a shortage of well-made, good value nesting boxes equipped with cameras. The range gradually developed to include wireless and IP cameras as well as bat boxes, bird tables and hedgehog houses. Charlie and Clare intend to extend the range further with motion-detector cameras, accessories and 'night garden' cameras.

For more information. or email us on sales@gardensafari.co.uk

Choosing the right camera type

We have two basic options: Wired or wireless cameras that plug into the video inputs of your TV, Video or DVD.

There are also Networked IP cameras particularly for schools and clubs.

Wired CCTV cameras for your TV, VCR or DVR
Wireless CCTV cameras for your TV, VCR or DVR
Networked IP Camera Birdboxes

Wired TV cameras

Wired cameras provide the best image quality and aren't susceptible to interference. The wires carry the power supply to the camera, so they don't need batteries, which makes them the sensible choice if you are mounting your box high on a wall or in some other hard-to-reach place. The downside, of course, is that the other end of the cables plug into your TV, so you need to put a substantial hole through a wall somewhere and feed three plugs through it.

Wired cables plug into the video inputs of your TV/VCR/DVR or cable box (see picture) which are often used these days by the kids' XBOX / PS2 etc, so you may have a battle on your hands! But when your TV is tuned properly, wired cameras will also allow you to simply "change channels" to Birdbox TV whenever you want.

Cheaper than wireless cameras
No need for batteries
Capture video and audio
Better for mounting on high walls or difficult-to-reach places
Plug directly into your TV or Video's video inputs
See the picture on your TV and/or record to your video or DVR
quick and easy to set up
locations limited to the length of the cable
better image quality than wireless types
Requires a hole in your wall or a place to feed the cable through

What's included with the product?

As well as your assembled nestbox / table/ hedgehog home etc, you get:

Rawplugs and screws
wired camera (fitted, focussed and tested)
10 metre combined audio, video and power lead

System Requirements

Your TV must have a video and audio input phono-style socket like these:

They are often on the back. If your TV has a SCART sockt instead, you can buy a video-to scart conversion plug at most TV and electrical outlets

Wireless TV cameras

Wireless cameras are best used when you need to place the box or table a long way from your TV, or where there isn't a convenient way to get a video cable through your wall. Although we supply a battery adaptor for the camera, the infrared LEDs will drain a battery in a matter of hours overnight, so we strongly recommend the use of the supplied mains adaptor instead if you want to have the camera permanently "live" . This means mounting your box within reach of a safe mains power outlet. (we can supply additional power extension cables on request). Although the box runs off a perfectly safe low voltage, any mains socket feeding a garden appliance should be protected by an RCD safety device.Alternatively, just plug your battery in, using the supplied waterproof extension box, for a few minutes each day, to see how the chicks are progressing and record video as they hatch. Wireless cameras can be subject to interference, but in our experience you shouldn't have a problem unless someone is using an old electric drill or vacuum cleaner nearby.

Cheaper than Wireless USB cameras
Connect to both TV, Video or DVR (as long as it has a SCART or Video port)
box, table or feeder can be up to 100metres (328 feet) away from your TV
Do need batteries or a mains adaptor for the camera Note: At Garden Safari, we didn't sell wireless boxes because we felt that changing the camera batteries would disturb the birds - and changing batteries when the box is mounted high on a house wall is impossible. So we simply invented a battery box on a longer cable that solved the problem - another Garden Safari innovation ! . We can also supply mains adaptors with extra-long leads.
Allow you to record video on your VCR, DVR or direct on your PC without the need for additional electronics hardware
Capture video and audio

What's included with the product?

As well as your assembled nestbox / table/ hedgehog home etc, you get: .

Rawplugs and screws
wireless Camera (fitted, focussed and tested)
10 metre camera power lead ending in weatherproof box
9v battery and connector for camera
Mains power supply for camera
Receiver
Mains power supply for receiver
A/V lead to connect receiver to Tv or VCR.

System Requirements

Your TV must have a video and audio input phono-style socket like these:

They are often on the back. If your TV has a SCART sockt instead, you can buy a video-to scart conversion plug at most TV and electrical outlets

Remote-controlled IP Network cameras

Only cameras with a built in web server that you can access across the internet
Can be remote controlled for pan, tilt and zoom
Can connect to PIR to activate camera when movement is detected
Can activate external lighting
box, table or feeder can be up to 80metres (240 feet) away away from your PC
Requires wired ethernet access point
Image quality about that of a 480K pixel webcam.

Please check availability before ordering our wired IP products

What's included with the product?

As well as your assembled camera platform, you get: .

IP network camera
UK mains power adaptor
software installation disk
(optional) up to 75 metre ethernet cable

System Requirements

You will need a WIRED ethernet connection port

screenshot of windows (runs inside normal web browser frame. Image is showing approx 8inch x 8inch box base.

Need more information and advice? Visit our FAQ pages