Brant

To successfully capture a Brant on your backyard or trail camera, location is everything. Because they are coastal specialists, your camera needs to be positioned within sight of the ocean or a tidal estuary. If you have a backyard that borders a salt marsh or a coastal park, look for areas where the grass is kept short, as Brants love to graze on these 'lawns' during high tide. Place your camera on a low stake or tripod about 12 to 18 inches off the ground to get an intimate, eye-level perspective of these relatively short-statured geese.

Pay close attention to the tide charts when setting your camera's active hours. Brants are most active on land or in shallow water when the tide is transitioning; low tide exposes their favorite eelgrass beds, while high tide often pushes them onto lawns and marshes to graze. If your camera has a time-lapse mode, this can be an excellent way to capture the movement of the flock as they follow the water line throughout the day. Ensure the camera is angled away from the direct glare of the sun reflecting off the water to avoid washed-out images.

Because Brants move in dense groups, use a wide-angle lens setting if your camera allows it, or position the camera further back to capture the social dynamics of the flock. High-speed video is particularly rewarding for this species, as it captures their subtle neck-stretching displays and the constant 'chatter' of the group. If you are in a high-salt environment, remember to use a protective housing or wipe your lens regularly, as salt spray can quickly build up and ruin your shots. No specific bait is needed, but a well-placed camera near a patch of sea lettuce or a manicured coastal lawn is a surefire way to trigger the sensor.