Kayla Norris: Weeks 1-2 at DNREC Fish and Wildlife Division
I have officially completed the first two weeks of my internship with the DNREC Fish and Wildlife Division, where I work primarily with the tick biologists while also helping with the mosquito section. From my very first day, I was thrown right into the field, traveling to parks and wildlife areas throughout Delaware to collect ticks using a tick-dragging technique. We have mainly collected lone star ticks, blacklegged ticks, and American dog ticks, and after returning to the office, we use a microscope to identify and sort the different species. Our main goal throughout this process is to sort and identify the collected ticks so they can be sent to the CDC and microbiologists for pathogen testing and disease surveillance. One of the most interesting experiences so far was helping remove ticks from deceased foxes that were being examined to determine what tick species they carried. I also learned a fun fact that foxes are the only mammals known to have ticks burrow beneath their skin. While working with the mosquito section, I visited a state park where we took a boat through the marsh to conduct mosquito surveillance and identify the developmental stages of mosquitoes found in those habitats. This week, I continued assisting with tick collection and identification, and also had the opportunity to participate in bird banding, where we collected ticks that had been found on the birds. One of the highlights of the experience was getting to hold one of the birds before it was released. These first two weeks have been such an incredible experience, filled with hands-on learning, new challenges, and opportunities I never imagined. I have already learned so much, and I am excited to see what the rest of this internship has in store.
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