Flight Path: How one U.S. graduate student found her way to the Shakpak Ornithological Station
Nicole Ibrahim, a PhD student at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Appalachian Laboratory, spent the fall 2024 migration season working at Shakpak Ornithological Station in southern Kazakhstan. Supported by a fellowship, Nicole’s time at the station was part of a two-stage internship—first assisting with bird banding and field research at Shakpak, then continuing her academic work at the Institute of Zoology in Almaty.
In Part 1 of this two-part email interview, Nicole shares how she got her start in wildlife ecology, what sparked her interest in birds, and what it was like to contribute to migration research in Central Asia.
Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to wildlife ecology?
I was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, and grew up in Brooklyn, NY—hardly a place known for its wildlife, but where my interest in animals began. In high school, I volunteered at a zoo and animal shelter and even participated in a sea turtle conservation program in Costa Rica. These experiences were not only transformative, they also opened my eyes to how inaccessible many conservation opportunities are without funding. When I enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I planned to become a veterinarian. However, after working as a veterinary assistant, I realized I was more drawn to ecosystem conservation than working with domesticated animals and switched my major to wildlife ecology.
It wasn’t an easy transition. First, I didn’t have a driver’s license, which limited access to field jobs. Second, I lacked the hands-on experience gained by my peers from rural backgrounds. Third, I worked multiple jobs to support myself, which made unpaid internships and volunteer positions, common in this field, difficult to pursue. A turning point came during my junior year, when I joined a professor’s research lab and worked on a project studying elk habitat quality. I also became a McNair Scholar, which gave me the tools and confidence to pursue research and eventually a PhD.
How did you get into birds and bird research?
My interest in birds emerged during the pandemic, when fieldwork opportunities were limited. I started taking ornithology courses and went birding with friends—something simple that ended up shaping my professional career path. I graduated with a BS in Wildlife Ecology in 2021 and started my PhD studies at UMCES Appalachian Laboratory in 2022. My research focuses on the study of bird migration patterns using stable hydrogen isotopes, with projects spanning western North America (trumpeter swans) and Central Asia (songbird and raptor species). 
What first brought you to Kazakhstan and the Shakpak Ornithological Station?
I’ve always wanted to combine my native Russian language skills and international conservation work. An opportunity came in fall 2023, when I attended a raptor conference in Almaty and visited Shakpak Ornithological Station for the first time. That visit sparked a deeper interest in international bird conservation. I applied for and received a Boren Fellowship, which allowed me to spend six months (August 2024-February 2025) in Kazakhstan working a two-stage internship, first in the field at Shakpak and later at the Institute of Zoology in Almaty.
What did you do at Shakpak? How about the Institute?
I worked at Shakpak during the fall migration season, collaborating with local scientists and field assistants. I banded birds, took morphological measurements, and collected over 10,000 feather samples for isotope analysis. After the field season, I worked at the Institute in Almaty, where I processed permits for the legal export of my collected samples and began studying archival bird banding data for my species of interest. Through coordination with both Kazakh and American institutions, I successfully obtained a full package of permits, ensuring that my research could continue without delays upon my arrival back home in February.
The experience was incredibly rewarding—I improved my species identification, as well as Russian language skills; built strong professional relationships, and contributed to research on migration routes using isotope analysis—something new for the Institute. I plan to continue collaborating with the teams in Kazakhstan and possibly return to Shakpak in the future. Now that I have returned to the U.S., I am preparing for lab work to analyze the feather samples, and look forward to gaining insight into bird migration in Central Asia.
On an average day, how many birds are banded at Shakpak? How long does it typically take to band a bird?
It’s difficult to give an average, because the number banded each day varies widely depending on weather, migration timing, wind conditions, and other factors. Peak migration is heavily influenced by wind direction. In fall, westerly headwinds push birds lower through Shakpak Pass, increasing our capture rates. In spring, the station is positioned lower in the valley, with Heligoland traps facing the opposite direction, so easterly headwinds tend to bring in more birds. Some days we don’t catch any birds; on others, we capture several hundred. Our record day saw nearly 1,000 birds ringed.
Banding itself is quick—usually less than a minute for songbirds. Larger species, like raptors, take about one to two minutes, depending on the pliability of the metal band. The larger rings used at Shakpak tend to be less flexible, which can add to the time. These estimates are just for the banding; identifying the bird and taking morphological measures add more time.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of this fantastic interview!