Internship at Shakpak Ornithological Station offers lessons on field work realities and rewards

In Part 1 of our interview, Nicole Ibrahim shared the journey that led her from Brooklyn to bird banding in Kazakhstan, describing how she got her start in ornithology and what brought her to Shakpak Ornithological Station. In Part 2, Nicole first reflects on the challenges of fieldwork and the sense of community she found at the station. She then shares her favorite species to band, what makes Shakpak a special place for visitors, and what’s next in her PhD research on bird migration and conservation.

What’s the biggest challenge in banding a bird?

This past fall at Shakpak was my first time learning the full banding process—from extracting birds from the mist nets and Heligoland traps to handling, banding, and measuring them. The biggest challenge was overcoming my initial fear of removing birds from mist nets, especially small songbirds that feel incredibly delicate. On peak migration days, it can be overwhelming to find multiple birds that have become tangled in the nets at the same time. Priorities are to minimize stress by extracting the birds quickly, but also carefully to avoid injury. Finding that balance takes practice and confidence.

There’s also the intellectual challenge of identifying species and subspecies—especially songbirds, which can look nearly identical. If you’re unfamiliar, you have to rely on field guides and the expertise of more experienced ringers. It’s a constant learning process, but that’s part of what makes it so rewarding!

Did you encounter anything you didn’t anticipate when you started to work at Shakpak?

When I first visited Shakpak in 2023, it was just for a few days during the fall banding season. I was amazed by the Heligoland traps in action—watching flocks fly into the nets and seeing the banding process up close. When I returned in 2024 for the full fall banding season, I quickly realized how much behind-the-scenes work goes into setting up the station.

One thing I hadn’t anticipated was how time-consuming it is to assemble the Heligoland traps. Each one took several days to set up—untangling nets, positioning them correctly while navigating rocky terrain, and securing them to metal poles. We also had to repair damage from the previous season, carefully sewing up holes.

Another unexpected challenge was the weather. Heavy rain and strong winds damaged the nets, requiring more repairs later in the season. The experience gave me a new appreciation for the dedication and persistence it takes to keep a banding station running!

Does the station ever catch birds that have been previously banded?

A bird is said to be a “return” when a bird that was previously banded (anywhere) is recaptured or re-sighted. These returns provide valuable information about individual birds, such as their site fidelity (returning to the same location), longevity, migration timing, and survival rates. During the fall season at Shakpak, we would sometimes recapture birds that were banded earlier in the same season, and on a few occasions, we even captured birds that had been banded in previous years! Additionally, individuals can be recaptured that were previously banded at different stations—either elsewhere in Kazakhstan or in entirely different countries. These kinds of returns are incredibly valuable, as they help build a broader picture of bird migration patterns across regions and borders. Shakpak has data on more than 10,000 birds recovered from 60 countries since 1966!

What was the greatest reward in working at the ornithological station?

The greatest reward was feeling truly welcomed and included as part of the local team—by both the scientists from Almaty and the Shakpak Village community. During my six months in Kazakhstan, I wasn’t just a visitor; I was treated like family. That sense of belonging made the experience incredibly meaningful. I also learned a lot about Kazakh culture through its traditions and delicious food.

I’m especially grateful for the mentorship I received. With guidance from experienced ringers, I overcame my initial anxiety about handling birds and gained the confidence to manage the full banding process. Working alongside experts—both in the field and at the institute—has been invaluable, and the experience has deepened my passion for international conservation and collaborative research.

Do you have a favorite species?

During the season, my favorite species to band was the Turkestan tit (Parus bokharensis) – they're incredibly sassy and aren't shy about letting you know it! They have a habit of biting fingers, which made handling them both amusing and a little challenging.

If I had to pick a favorite group of birds overall, it would be doves and pigeons from the family Columbidae. Growing up in New York City, I was surrounded by rock pigeons (Columba livia), often watching them nest on my apartment’s air conditioner. When we caught a few pigeons at Shakpak, most people weren’t particularly excited, since they’re so common. But I think pigeons are underappreciated – they have a bad reputation, but they’re incredibly adaptable and fascinating birds with an interesting history.

Anything else you'd like to share?

Visitors are often welcome at the station! During my time at Shakpak, I worked alongside five European ringers who stayed for several weeks, as well as local and international scientists visiting for shorter periods. The living conditions are fairly rugged—given the remote location and limited amenities—but the hosts do their best to make everyone comfortable. Accommodations include shared sleeping wagons, and meals are provided three times a day. As of my visit, the cost for food and lodging was about $40 per day. For anyone interested in witnessing bird migration up close, Shakpak is an unforgettable opportunity.

You’re back in Maryland now.  What’s next for you?

I’m currently in my third year of a PhD program. My immediate focus is analyzing the feather samples I collected at Shakpak using stable hydrogen isotope analysis. This work will help to identify approximate geographic origins of birds passing through the station, offering insights into their routes and connections between breeding and wintering grounds. This data is critical for understanding how migration patterns may be shifting because of climate change and other pressures.

In addition to lab work, I’m exploring research questions using nearly 60 years of historical banding data related to my species of interest. Possibilities are long-term trends in migration timing, body condition, and population changes—potential indicators of shifts in migration phenology, climate-driven changes in bird morphology, and broader ecological patterns.

Apart from my academic research, I’m excited to contribute to research at Shakpak and the Institute of Zoology. My collaboration with Kazakh ornithologists has been incredibly rewarding, and I hope to return to the station in the future to build on the work I started. I’m eager to continue strengthening international partnerships in bird conservation!