University of Delaware Waterfowl and Upland Gamebird Program

A sound once familiar to Pennsylvanians has since disappeared. But that’s all about to change.   The @pagamecomm is working to bring the sweet sound of “bob-bobwhite” back to the Keystone state with the reintroduction of the Northern bobwhite quail.    The Game Commission, in partnership with the Letterkenny Army Depot, in Franklin County, has established the Bobwhite Quail Focus Area (BQFA) and is working to complete the translocation process. This has not been an easy task!    The habitat restoration process within the BQFA started in 2017, with the process of overstory removal, prescribed fires, disking, herbicide practices, and more.    The translocating of wild bobwhite quail is one of the most exciting parts of the reintroduction. After establishing source locations and partnering with organizations like @virginiawildlife , Fort Barfoot, Fort Knox, and @talltimbersresearch , the excitement starts to build.    Next is the process of trapping the quail. The multi-week process, to make the quail feel comfortable in the areas, includes preparing the grounds where traps will eventually go, baiting, preparing cover to “brush in” traps, then finally the big moment, setting and checking the traps.    Sometimes, things like weather conditions, don’t go as planned.     Be sure to catch PART TWO of this adventure later this week!  #PAGameCommission #PAWildlife #BobwhiteQuail #Reintroduction #WildQuail #pabirds

Please join us in welcoming Blake Struthers to the DWL team this summer! Blake will be monitoring DWL's wood duck nest boxes in New Castle County and conducting research for his thesis. His work both supports and expands on the greater research project in the region that includes multiple universities and organizations across 8 states!

Blake attended both Valley City State University and North Dakota State University while earning his BS in Biological Sciences. He is now pursuing an MS at the University of Delaware Waterfowl and Upland Gamebird Program where he is studying wood duck nesting ecology. Blake has experience working with waterfowl, shorebirds, and upland gamebirds and hopes to continue work on avian conservation throughout his career. 💚🦆

We had the following paper just published that investigates the potential impact of sea level rise on waterfowl habitat and food availability. Spoiler alert... we’re going to loose habitat and we’re going to loose ducks!

First wood duck nest in Delaware. The field season is underway!

https://www.audubon.org/news/delaware-governor-signs-invasive-plant-bill-unanimous-support?fbclid=IwAR2F5e6eQhqsDbDa96WBqhFnp9GFKSZmLDL0S4otC-mKi5qk8NTj6rMx4c4

Delaware Governor Signs Invasive Plant Bill with Unanimous Support Legislation sets eyes on more bird-friendly, sustainable natural ecosystems across the state.