Abstract We tested the effectiveness of thermal imaging cameras (TICs; model FLIR E60) for finding hedgehogs Erinaceus europaeus (Linnaeus, 1758) while carrying out volunteer spotlighting surveys in parkland habitats in Central London. Systematic and standardised surveys were carried out in The Regent’s Park, London in spring and autumn from 2016 to 2018. Night-time surveys were carried out in seven designated zones within the park by groups of 4–6 volunteers, three (occasionally four) with bright torches and one with a TIC. Hedgehogs were detected on 316 occasions; 166 using TICs, 133 using torches, 11 by sound and six unassisted. Hedgehogs were detected at significantly greater distances with TICs [mean = 30 m, standard deviation (SD) = 22.8 m, n = 166] than with torches (mean = 12 m, SD = 11.2 m, n = 133). We conclude that TICs operated by volunteers were particularly effective at detecting hedgehogs in our parkland surveys and using TICs to supplement torches in spotlighting surveys should be tested in other places, especially where there is a considerable amount of open habitat.

中文翻译：

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用于调查公园栖息地刺猬的热红外相机的评估

摘要 我们测试了热像仪（TIC；型号 FLIR E60）在寻找刺猬 Erinaceus europaeus（Linnaeus，1758 年）的有效性，同时在伦敦市中心的公园栖息地进行志愿者聚光灯调查。2016 年至 2018 年春季和秋季在伦敦摄政公园进行了系统和标准化的调查。夜间调查由 4-6 名志愿者在公园内的 7 个指定区域进行，其中 3 名（偶尔 4 名）与明亮的手电筒和带有 TIC 的手电筒。刺猬被检测到 316 次；166 次使用 TIC，133 次使用手电筒，11 次使用声音，6 次无人协助。使用 TIC [平均值 = 30 m，标准偏差 (SD) = 22.8 m，n = 166] 比使用火炬（平均值 = 12 m，SD = 11.2 m，n = 133）在更大的距离处检测到刺猬。