Vicar Water Country Park cameras capture deer, foxes and rare bird

Trail cameras are helping rangers understand the wildlife at Vicar Water Country Park

Roe deer, foxes, and a rare species of bird have been caught on camera at a Nottinghamshire park.

Trail cameras at Vicar Water Country Park in Clipstone were put up in January.

Councillor Emma Oldham said they were a good example of the theme of World Wildlife Day on Sunday, which is "connecting people and planet by exploring digital innovation".

She said the photos had captured "foxes soaked in the sunshine".

An Eurasian Woodcock has been seen at the park for the first time

Ms Oldham, who is the portfolio holder for biodiversity and environmental services at Newark and Sherwood District Council, added: "These trail cameras have helped us get an understanding of the wildlife that are using the site.

"Whilst our rangers can look for evidence of wildlife, some animals are much more elusive and very good at keeping hidden.

"It has been able to show us wildlife using the site that we didn't know was there, which is really exciting."

She said cameras had recorded the Eurasian Woodcock at Vicar Water for the first time.

She added: "It means all the conservation project and management work that is going on is enhancing the site for that bird.

"It is really important because that species is listed on the red list of conservation concern. Anything we can do to attract that species here and help support it is wonderful."

Councillor Paul Taylor, portfolio holder for public protection and community relations, said the cameras, which were funded as part of the Nottinghamshire Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner Locality Funding, had also been put up to prevent crime.

He said if people could "see the value of everything in the area, the natural wildlife, hopefully that will prevent them from going on to cause anti-social behaviour".