Camera-trap monitoring of common raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) activity in Natura 2000 wetland habitats in Poland

The aim of the present study was to analyse the diel activity and behaviour of the common raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in a selected Natura 2000 area (Wełtyń Lake located in northwestern Poland) during spring and summer. As part of the field work, camera-traps were set up from May 1 to July 31, 2022 in places where raccoon dog tracks were previously found. The data collected from the camera-traps were used to analyse the diel phenotypes and behaviour types performed by the raccoon dog. For comparison purpose, the activity of the red fox was also included, as this species was likewise observed in the study locations. The hypotheses of diel phenotypes were evaluated based on empirical data with the Diel.Niche R package. It was found that raccoon dogs spent most of the day sniffing (searching for food) and that the months of their highest activity were May and June. During the late spring and early summer, when nights in Poland are very short, or do not occur at all, raccoon dogs exhibited cathemeral activity, being active both during the day and twilight periods, without a clear predominance of any particular time of day.