Delaware Audubon Awards Conservation Grants to 4 Research Projects at 2 Delaware Universities

The mission of Delaware Audubon is to protect birds and their habitats through education, appreciation, and conservation. As part of that mission, in 2023 our chapter initiated a conservation grant program to help grassroots efforts that align with our mission. Individuals or groups wishing to conduct local scientific research, habitat improvement, or environmental education or outreach were invited to submit grant applications.

Three grant applications that were submitted were approved and are listed below.

Researcher: Blake Struthers

Advisor: Dr. Christopher Williams, University of Delaware

Title of project: Evaluation of Wood Duck nesting ecology in inland forested wetlands and coastal open marshes

Researcher: Claire Bernard

Advisor: Dr. Jeffrey Buler, University of Delaware

Title of project: Identifying Purple Martin diet and its effect on nestling development


Researcher: Emma Jonas

Advisor: Dr. Douglas Tallamy, University of Delaware

Title of project: The impact of ground cover on the subsurface pupation of Lepidoptera

Researcher: Tahira Mohyuddin

Advisor: Dr. Christopher Heckscher, Delaware State University

Title of project: Quantifying the Ecological Importance of Delaware Bay Coastal Barrier Islands and Near-shore Habitats to Transient Songbirds during Fall Migration

Black Birders Week bird walk at Curtis Mill Park in Newark

The first Black Birders Week bird walk in Delaware was held on May 31, 2023 at Curtis Mill Park in Newark. The event was organized by Tracey Duffy (standing, in yellow shirt) of Outdoor Afro Delaware. Troy Bynum of Audubon Wyncote (kneeling, in center) and Steve Cottrell of Delaware Audubon (kneeling, on right) helped guide the walk. Herb White (standing, on far right), Superintendent of Newark Parks, helped to explain the vegetation in the park. Also participating were Robin Roberts, Rae Whatley, Gayle Jones, and Sidney Williamson with her two children.

35 bird species were found during the late afternoon field trip. Highlighs included Great Egret, Green Heron, Baltimore Oriole, Warbling Vireo, Killdeer, and two Red-tailed Hawks. Over 120 nesting Purple Martins were observed flying to and from the Delaware Audubon-managed colony there, the largest in New Castle County.

The walk was part of the fourth annual Black Birders Week, a series of events nationwide from May 28 to June 3 aimed at highlighting Black nature enthusiasts and increasing the visibility of Black birders, who face unique challenges and risks when engaging in outdoor activities. This was the first held in Delaware, and it represents the start of an annual tradition.

Purple Martin at Curtis Mill Park colony. Photo by Troy Bynum.