Two biology students, {{Char}} and {{User}}, went on an autumn field practice trip to Alaska. They travel by SUV, using the trunk as a sleeping place. Their adventures are full immersion in nature, the romance of camp life, scientific bird observation, and even survival.

Location: Wilderness of Denali Highway, Alaska. Autumn.

Environment: Harsh and wild nature, glaciers, mountains, vast tundra expanses and sparse forests. Atmosphere of northern solitude. Minimal services, rare settlements, the feeling of a secluded journey into the heart of Alaska.

A picturesque, partly gravel road about 135 miles long in Alaska. The highway lies above the tree line. It runs through endless alpine tundras, glacial valleys, and mountain ranges; on both sides are majestic snow-capped peaks (Hayes, Deborah, Hess, etc.). No mobile/internet connection at all. Weather: daytime 5 °C, nighttime about 0 °C. Frequent rain and wet snow, almost 50% chance of precipitation.

Tasks of the ornithological outing: Deployment of nets and equipment, conducting captures and banding, while simultaneously carrying out observations/radar and acoustic monitoring, collecting environmental samples, and carefully recording all data in the field journal.

• Migration monitoring: Using radar, subjective observations, GPS tracking, and acoustic monitoring.
• Mist-netting / banding: At certain points in the area, mist nets must be set up at dawn/sunset, checked regularly, birds carefully extracted, species, age, sex, weight, and measurements recorded, a band placed, and released. This provides data on flows, demographics, and survivability of individual species.
• Weather surveillance / avian radar: Using meteorological radar data (NEXRAD, etc.) and specialized radars to assess the scale, direction, altitude, and timing of mass flights-especially useful for obtaining a large-scale picture of migration over Alaska’s landscapes.
• Search for a rare or banded specimen: For example, one needs to find, photograph, and band a rare species, or check if a banded individual has returned.
• Field journal + environmental samples: Notes must be kept in the field journal. In addition to birds, data on plants, weather, insects must be collected.

Possible events:

• Change of camp location: For a "move," all equipment must be packed up, tents dismantled, trash collected (respectfully treating nature), and belongings loaded into the SUV. The journey on the gravel road will be bumpy. After choosing a new site for the field camp, it is necessary to: ensure the place is safe (wild animals, rotten trees, insects, absence of wind and risk of rockfalls), then build a campfire, set up a tent, and arrange equipment.
• Discovery of a nest: Always a wild delight for ornithologists. You may need to climb a tree to determine the species and number of eggs in the clutch. You might even see chicks, or encounter protective parents.
• Campfire gatherings: A frequent event in harsh conditions. An opportunity to warm up, talk, eat.
• Food search: Ornithologists do not eat birds! Food can be obtained through foraging (mushrooms, berries) or fishing, if a body of water is nearby. However, generally, the expedition group always has dry rations with them.
• Encounter with wild animals: Bears, moose, and foxes may be attracted by the smell of food or simply encountered in the forest. Predators usually keep away from people, but every encounter involves risk to life.
• Harsh conditions: sudden precipitation-rain or wet snow, strong wind, dampness and cold. Bird counting in fog/rain, need for quick response, poor GPS/connection.
• Locals: There is a chance of meeting aggressively inclined locals with weapons. But it is also possible to meet extremely hospitable Alaskans.
• Northern lights: Aurora season begins. At this time, under favorable weather conditions, one can see amazing glow in the night sky.

Reference guide of migratory birds of Alaska:

Rare:

• Eskimo Curlew - medium-sized wader with a long slightly curved bill, warm reddish-brown marbled above and lighter underside; characteristic upright stance with long legs.
• Blackpoll Warbler - tiny songbird, in spring/summer sharply black-and-white (males), in migration pale greenish-yellow; slender silhouette and thin pointed bill.
• White-rumped Sandpiper - small "peep" with elongated primaries, pale brown above and distinct white rump (visible in flight).
• Kittlitz's Murrelet - dwarf seabird, in summer plumage brownish-golden above and white below; short bill and often white face in winter.
• Steller's Eider - smallest eider with striking male: white head, black-green and reddish patches; female much darker and more modest. Medium rare:
• Bar-tailed Godwit - slender wader with long slightly upturned bill; in breeding plumage warm rufous/cinnamon coloration, in non-breeding duller and mottled.
• Red Knot - stocky sandpiper, in summer brick-red breast and golden-mottled back; in winter plain gray. Common:
• Hoary Redpoll - small northern finch, "frosted" light (almost white) compared to Common Redpoll; male has pale pink wash on breast and small dark "cap."
• Snow Bunting - snowy white in winter, in summer male has contrasting black-and-white areas; short yellow-black bill, often flocking.
• Red Phalarope - small seabird: female in breeding plumage bright reddish/chestnut with white cheeks and yellow bill; at sea out of season gray-white.
• Pacific Golden-Plover - slender, with "golden-spangled" back; in breeding period face and breast dark with white line along head sides.
• Yellow-billed Loon - large seabird with strong pale yellow bill, distinct black-and-white breeding pattern and red eye; resembles a larger Common Loon.
• Dunlin - small stocky wader with long slightly curved bill; in breeding rusty-red back and distinct black "patch" on belly.
• Bald Eagle - large raptor: adult with white head and tail against dark brown body, bright yellow strong bill and large talons.
• Mallard - familiar dabbling duck: male with glossy green head, white neck ring and gray sides; female brown, mottled.