Week 2 with DNREC Fish and Wildlife Division

 As my second week is coming to an end, I’ve learned a lot! During breaks, we spent time learning about DNREC’s organizational structure — how the different divisions are set up, what each one does, and how they all work together to protect Delaware’s natural resources. It’s fascinating to see how interconnected the work is and how every department plays a role in supporting the environment.

On Tuesday, we focused on mosquito surveillance by setting light traps. These traps use CO₂ tanks, special lights, fans, and collection bags to attract mosquitoes overnight. The mosquitoes are drawn in by the carbon dioxide (which simulates human breath) and the warmth of the light, thinking it's a potential host. Once they get close, the fan sucks them into a collection cup where they are safely stored for later identification. The design is smart — the mosquitoes can breathe inside the cup through small holes until we collect them the next day.

Wednesday was a bit different for me. While another group was collecting and disassembling the mosquito traps, I had the opportunity to meet a bird monitoring team. I participated in a bird banding and health check project, where scientists monitor bird populations across the state. We met ornithologist Ian Stewart, who taught us how to identify birds, determine their sex, and estimate their age by examining feather color and condition and growth patterns. Interestingly, you can only tell if a bird is male or female by checking the feathers on the abdomen while holding them — something you wouldn't know just by looking at them from a distance. We also measured their beaks and body size before gently releasing them back into the wild using special techniques that ensure the birds don’t get injured. I even got to release a bird myself using the correct method, which was such a special moment for me.

 Pic.2 Practicing proper releasing techniques

This week offered a nice balance of fieldwork and learning new skills from different teams within DNREC. Every day I am getting a better understanding of how many different factors go into keeping Delaware’s environment healthy — from mosquitoes and ticks to birds and beyond. I can’t wait to see what new experiences the next week brings!