A Kostanay Regional University (KRU) student participated in the international ornithological camp.
Daniil Khristinetsky is a third-year student in the Biology program. This month, he worked at the autumn field camp "Mangystau Bird Camp" as part of the megaproject "Hyrasia One."
Notably, this is not Daniil’s first field expedition. Last year, he participated in this project twice—both in autumn and spring. Alongside birdwatchers and ornithologists from Russia, Azerbaijan, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Germany, he observed 128 species of birds migrating along the Caspian Sea coast and the Ustyurt Plateau.
The "Bird Camp" project is led by Tillman Peter Dieterich and supported by the German Nature Conservation Union, the Biodiversity Study and Conservation Center, and the Central Asian Regional Environmental Expert Network.
The camp was located on the shore of the Kenderli Bay. Scientists discovered many rare bird species here (masked shrike, pomarine jaeger, desert lark) that had not been recorded in Kazakhstan for a long time.
Birdwatchers and ornithologists employed various monitoring methods: visual observation, vocal identification, tracking footprints, feathers, nests, and setting up camera traps and audio recorders. Participants moved to distant sections and conducted morning and evening monitoring sessions.
According to Tatiana Bragina, head of the KRU Natural Sciences Department’s Birdwatchers Student Club, and her deputy Maria Rulyova, ornithological field trips and participation in international projects provide excellent opportunities for students to develop research skills and gather scientific data for joint publications with foreign scientists. Daniil gained invaluable experience and will be able to share his knowledge with other club members.
