During my time in TRC, I was encouraged to contribute towards each of the Wired Amazon projects. I occasionally assisted in moth collection in the light trap and processed moths for further analysis and barcoding almost every morning. We set camera traps in different locations where animal activity was likely to happen and I was able to collect them later and download and input the data into the large spreadsheet.

I was also able to accompany Gabriel when setting up camera traps as an activity for the guests. For the 8primates project, we would look for monkeys in the trails and record their calls to add to the database.

When Mark Bowler arrived, we started developing a more complex methodology for recording calls to process them later. For the Macaw Project, we surveyed nests to check for Macaw activity. We also monitored the state of the nests of the old macaw project.

When Eduardo arrived, we had a great time working hard to set up the camera settings using new camera traps and temperature and humidity sensors. Furthermore, I helped Gabriel in finding fruiting trees for his personal project, assisted in setting up ropes for climbing to set camera traps, and later identified the fruiting trees. He was incredibly keen to teach us about rainforest plants and insects throughout the whole month.

Overall, I am very happy with the experience and incredibly grateful to have had both Gabriel and Hugo encouraging all of us to take part in the projects and teaching us new skills in data collection, photography, birdwatching, plant identification, insect entomology and knot-tying. I will most definitely be back next year.