In a joint project between the Environment Institute of Australia and  New Zealand and the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery at Inveresk, they are seeking residents with regular native ground-dwelling visitors to volunteer their property to set up fixed cameras for a few days.

The aim of this project is to show activity that  could help both groups get a better understanding on a range of areas from species – such as quolls, wallabies, bandicoots, water rats, etc – their numbers, size, sex, behaviour and food sources.

The initial data will be compiled in time for National Science Week from August 13 to 23.

EIANZ president Kathryn Pugh said they intended to use the data collected to demonstrate what animals there were in the fringe areas.

‘‘A lot of the time I think we have more wildlife than we know about and it’s just a bit of survey effort that creates those gaps in our knowledge, but we’re also really hoping to show to the community what we’ve got and the importance of those habitats for our small mammals and birds,’’ Ms Pugh said.

The museum’s natural sciences curator, David Maynard, said residents should supply proof of wildlife visits such as scats or photos.

He said it was likely that a range of animals would be seen, including devils and quolls closer to reserve areas.

It is not recommended to feed native animals.

For more information or to take part, contact the museum.