Ferruginous (Craig Robson)

THE MALAY PENINSULA

18 – 28 JULY / 1 AUGUST 2017

LEADER: CRAIG ROBSON

After a gap of three years, a highly successful return to Peninsular brought a huge range of endemics and regional specialities. Heading the cast of the 284 that we recorded were: Malaysian and Ferruginous , ‘Malay’ Crested Fireback, Malayan and Mountain Peacock-, Hawk, Chestnut-bellied Malkoha, Reddish Scops , Gould’s Frogmouth, Malaysian Eared , Cinnamon-rumped Trogon, Rufous-collared and Blue-banded Kingfishers, White-crowned and Wrinkled Hornbills, Fire-tufted and Red-crowned Barbets, Bamboo , Garnet and , Maroon-breasted Philentoma, Fiery , Black-and-crimson Oriole, Spotted , Rail-babbler, Straw- headed, Black-and-white, Scaly-bellied and Finsch’s Bulbuls, Rufous-bellied , Grey-headed and Grey-breasted Babblers, Striped Wren-babbler, Black, Chestnut-capped (or Spectacled) and Malayan Laughingthrushes, Mountain Fulvetta, Blue , Rufous-tailed Shama, Malaysian Blue Flycatcher, Chestnut-naped Forktail, ‘Malayan’ Blue Whistling Thrush, and Red-throated, Copper-throated and Temminck’s .

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Interesting mammals included Dusky and Banded Leaf Monkey’s, and a colony of Lesser Sheath-tailed , and we also noted a wide range of reptiles, amphibians, and butterflies, including the famous Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing.

After meeting up and then departing from airport, it was only a hundred-minute drive to our first birding location at Kuala . There were a few common around the hotel, but after lunch we paid our first visit to Kuala Selangor Nature Park. It was quite birdy for an afternoon in the tropics, and following the trail through the recovering mangrove ecosystem, we notched-up the scarce and retiring Chestnut-bellied Malkoha, as well as Pied Triller, two Mangrove Whistlers, plenty of Golden-bellied Gerygonies and Ashy Tailorbirds, and droves of Pink-necked Green Pigeons and Olive-winged Bulbuls. Laced Woodpecker and Common Flameback were both very showy, and Cinereous Tit was also welcomed. At dusk, Large-tailed performed over the car park, and an elusive Sunda Scops Owl (or Collared, -dependant) was a leader-only. The attractive Silvered Leaf Monkey was as confiding as ever.

White-chested Babbler (Craig Robson)

The following morning saw a return to the site, and the addition of Abbott’s and the rather more elusive but on this occasion ridiculously confiding White-chested Babbler, and Mangrove Blue Flycatcher. The hotel grounds produced a reactive singing Little Bronze Cuckoo. After lunch, we drove for a couple of hours to the cooler climes of Fraser's Hill. After a quick turn-around, we found ourselves along one of the resorts quieter back roads. Here we were introduced to our first Malay Peninsula upland specialities, which included the strange and unique Fire-tufted Barbet, somewhat more typical but near-endemic Black-browed Barbet, both Blyth’s and the endemic form of Black-eared Shrike-babbler, Black-and-crimson Oriole, Long-tailed Sibia, and the local form of Black-throated . As evening approached at a secluded spot, we enjoyed prolonged close views of three endemics, the normally shy and retiring Malaysian Partridge, and both Chestnut-capped (or Spectacled) and Malayan Laughingthrushes.

The next morning, we were out before dawn, in search of whistling thrushes. At the usual spot for Malayan, the that showed up in the predawn gloaming turned out to be the endemic and highly distinctive dicrorhynchus form of Blue - itself a potential future split. Higher than its normal range in the area, it seems that the local Malayan has been displaced by this species! After breakfast, we explored the ‘new’ road down to The Gap and in the afternoon, the road to Jeriau Waterfall and the Pine Tree Hill (High Pines) area.

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Malaysian Partridge and Chestnut-capped (or Spectacled) Laughingthrush (Craig Robson)

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A very birdy day brought us a great selection of goodies, including super-tame Pygmy Wren-babbler (or Cupwing), Lesser Shortwing, and Grey-throated Babbler, Rufous-browed and Pygmy Flycatchers, Slaty- backed Forktail and numerous Everett's white-eyes. The most prominent mammal was the attractive Dusky Leaf Monkey.

On our second full day, we covered even more ground. The road down to The Gap came up trumps again, with three completely unexpected Ferruginous Partridges that allowed us some surprisingly good views from the main road, as well as Chestnut-naped Forktail. An afternoon walk around the relatively undisturbed Telecom Loop finally brought us a pair of Blue , which had been surprisingly scarce, as well as Red-headed Trogon, Bay Woodpecker, and our only Chestnut-crowned Warbler. At dusk, a lengthy spell chasing after some Brown Wood only resulted in rather poor views.

Adult male Mountain Peacock- (Craig Robson)

Before leaving the Fraser’s Hill area, we spent our last couple of hours birding on the way down to The Gap. A very enjoyable and productive spell brought a perched and scopeable juvenile Blyth’s Hawk-Eagle, a fine Great Hornbill, Checker-throated and Crimson-winged together, a tour write-in Bamboo Woodpecker, Collared Babbler, and a nice male Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker.

It was a relatively short and easy drive to our next birding location at Bukit Tinggi. This new venue for the tour was added with the express aim of seeing Peninsula Malaysia’s most sought after endemic, the sultry Mountain Peacock-Pheasant. Fortunately, this is just a formality these days and, within a few hours of arriving at our accommodation, we were enjoying the most amazing close-ups of four different individuals in a secluded area of . Returning early the next morning, we had more great views of the peacock- pheasant, but perhaps even more exciting on this occasion, was an amazing family party of superb Ferruginous Partridges that busily scratched and fed right in front of us. The supporting cast at Bukit Tinggi

4 BirdQuest Tour Report: The Malay Peninsula www.birdquest-tours.com included , Grey-rumped Treeswift, Bushy-crested Hornbill, Green Iora, Scaly-breasted and Ochraceous Bulbuls, and Buff-breasted Babbler.

From Bukit Tinggi, we had another relatively short drive to Jerantut for lunch in a Chinese restaurant, before arriving at Kuala Tembeling, where we boarded the river boat to Kuala Tahan in Taman Negara. Based in very comfortable air-conditioned cabins, set in the forest edge, we had four whole days to explore what we could of this enormous and well-protected tropical rain forest reserve.

The marvelous Striped Wren-babbler (Craig Robson)

Regular stake-outs of fruiting trees and dusk watches in the Tahan Clearing, brought a surprising number of good birds, including three sightings of Bat Hawk, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Little Green Pigeon, Sooty Barbet, Checker-throated and Banded Woodpeckers, up to five Black-thighed Falconets together, Grey- bellied, Puff-backed, Cream-vented, Asian Red-eyed, Spectacled, Buff-vented and Streaked Bulbuls, and Grey-breasted .

Daily pre-dawn owling sessions along the various boardwalk trails were rewarded with very good views of Reddish Scops Owl on three different days, and we also succeeded in tracking down the very tricky Gould’s Frogmouth. Another Sunda Scops Owl (or Collared, taxonomy-dependant) showed much better for all. The boardwalk close to our accommodation was also favoured by the now habituated ‘Malay’ Crested Firebacks and Malayan Peacock-Pheasants, which both put on a fine show.

Taking small long-boats along the Sungei Tahan enabled us to find some of the riverine and riparian specialities. The vocally well-endowed Straw-headed Bulbul, much reduced in numbers now by corrupt and

5 BirdQuest Tour Report: The Malay Peninsula www.birdquest-tours.com morally devoid cage-bird traders, still clings on here for the time-being, and we also found Lesser Fish Eagle, Stork-billed and Blue-banded Kingfishers, the awesome Rhinoceros as well as Wrinkled Hornbill, and plenty of Black-and-red Broadbills and Malaysian Blue Flycatchers.

The park trail system stretches far and wide from Kuala Tahan, and we explored what we could of it during our stay. Near Yong and Blau hides, we came frustratingly close (but not close enough) to seeing Short-toed Coucal and Rail-babbler. Green and Black-and-yellow Broadbills, Crested Jay, Fluffy-backed, Sooty-capped and Short-tailed Babblers, and a stunning Temminck’s Sunbird proved more obliging.

Garnet (Craig Robson)

The riverside walk to Tabing and beyond yielded two different Rufous-collared Kingfishers, Red-naped, Diard’s and Scarlet-rumped Trogons, Maroon-breasted Philentoma, and Black-throated Babbler. The scarce but vocal Cinnamon-rumped Trogon was a leader-only sighting, and a very close Malayan competed for our attention with the leeches.

Our luck with pittas was better along the Bukit Teresek Loop, where we had lengthy views of a lovely singing Garnet Pitta, and the excellent Striped Wren-babbler also showed really well.

Leaving Taman Negara behind, we embarked on our longest drive of the tour, which took us south to the state of and the renowned Panti Forest. Passing the entrance to the famous Bunker Trail on our way to the hotel in Kota Tinggi, excitement mounted in anticipation of the next days’ birding.

Continuing fine weather, a feature of this year’s tour, helped with an excellent debut at Panti Bird Sanctuary, and by 0930 hrs we had secured our primary target, the wonderful Rail-babbler. Not just that, but we had been lucky enough to witness a displaying pair in full view, tipping forwards and inflating their balloon-like

6 BirdQuest Tour Report: The Malay Peninsula www.birdquest-tours.com bluish neck-skin. The rest of our birding time was far from an anti-climax, as Panti is a superb birding area with many goodies, and we made another major score in the form of Grey-breasted Babbler, one of the scarcest and most localized of mainland South-East Asian , and hardly any better off in the Greater Sundas. Restricted to patches of freshwater swamp forest and similar micro- in lowland tropical rainforest, this was Craig’s first sighting since 1990! Panti also brought us Chestnut-bellied Malkoha, dusk-hawking Malaysian Eared Nightjars, Whiskered Treeswifts, Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Oriental Dwarf (or Rufous-backed) Kingfisher at its nest-hole, an excellent flock of seven Bushy-crested Hornbills, perched Black and Rhinoceros Hornbills, Red-bearded Bee-eater, lots of gaudy Red-crowned Barbets - an extreme lowland forest specialist, Yellow-crowned Barbet, superb White-bellied as well as Grey-and-buff, Checker- throated and Maroon Woodpeckers, Fiery Minivet, Great Iora, Black-and-white Bulbul, numerous Fluffy- backed Tit-Babblers and Rufous-tailed Tailorbirds, close-up Moustached and Sooty-capped Babblers, the rare Rufous-tailed Shama, Greater Green Leafbird, a smart male Red-throated Sunbird, and the track-sides seemed to be lined with Orange-bellied, Yellow-breasted and Crimson-breasted Flowerpeckers. The nominate form of Banded Leaf Monkey, restricted to this state and a tiny area of , was also much appreciated, as was a well-known roost of Lesser Sheath-tailed Bats. Butterflies abounded in numbers and variety, providing further interest for many of us.

On the coast, in an area of remnant near Kampong Pendas, we also enjoyed some great views of Mangrove Pitta, caught up again with Little Bronze Cuckoo and Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker, and had a nice surprise in the form of a tour write-in Copper-throated Sunbird.

Our time was soon up on this relatively short tour, and we headed back to Kuala Lumpur to catch our respective flights home.

Grey-breasted Babbler (Craig Robson)

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SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED DURING THE TOUR

Species which were heard but not seen are indicated by the symbol (H).

Malaysian Partridge (Grey-breasted P) Arborophila campbelli Amazing views of a covey of six at Fraser's Hill. Ferruginous Partridge Caloperdix oculeus 3 seen well at Fraser’s Hill. Amazing pair and 4+ young Bukit Tinggi. Red Gallus gallus (H) Kuala Selangor and Panti. Crested Fireback (Malay C F) Lophura [ignita] rufa Amazing views of 5-7 at Taman Negara. Mountain Peacock-Pheasant Polyplectron inopinatum Incredible views of 4 at Bukit Tinggi (2 adults; 2 juveniles). Malayan Peacock-Pheasant Polyplectron malacense A very obliging male at Taman Negara. Great Argus Argusianus argus (H) Heard often at Taman Negara and Panti. Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax One at Kuala Selangor. Striated Heron (Little H) Butorides striata Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 11+ at Kuala Selangor. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea One at Kampong Pendas. Great Egret Ardea alba One at Kuala Selangor. Little Egret Egretta garzetta Nine at Kuala Selangor. Crested Honey Buzzard (Oriental H B) Pernis ptilorhynchus Two at Panti Bird Sanctuary. Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela Occasional. One with a vine Ahaetulla sp. at Fraser’s Hill. Bat Hawk Macheiramphus alcinus Seen three times at Taman Negara at dusk. Probably at least two individuals. Changeable Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus One at Taman Negara, and a couple at Panti Bird Sanctuary. Blyth's Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus alboniger Three at Fraser's Hill, including a perched juvenile. Black Eagle Ictinaetus malaiensis One at Bukit Tinggi. Brahminy Haliastur indus White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster Singles at Kuala Selangor and Kampong Pendas. Lesser Fish Eagle Haliaeetus humilis At least two along the Sungei Tahan, Taman Negara. Red-legged Crake Rallina fasciata (H) Calling at dusk at Taman Negara. White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Barred Buttonquail Turnix suscitator One or two seen by some of us at Panti. Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus Five along the Tembeling River. Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon) (feral) Columba livia Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis Little Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia ruficeps Common at Fraser's Hill (malayana). Common Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica Zebra Dove Geopelia striata Little Green Pigeon Treron olax Small numbers at Taman Negara and Panti. Pink-necked Green Pigeon Treron vernans Abundant at Kuala Selangor, and a few at Kampong Pendas. Thick-billed Green Pigeon Treron curvirostra Small numbers at Taman Negara and Panti. Large Green Pigeon Treron capellei A handful seen in flight at Taman Negara. Yellow-vented Green Pigeon Treron seimundi One briefly, on the way down to The Gap from Fraser’s Hill. Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea Seven in flight at Kuala Selangor and six in flight at Taman Negara. Mountain Imperial Pigeon Ducula badia Two in flight at Kuala Selangor were unexpected. Heard at Fraser's Hill. Short-toed Coucal Centropus sinensis (H) Calling loudly at Blau Hide, Taman Negara, and also briefly at Panti. Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis Raffles's Malkoha Rhinortha chlorophaea Red-billed Malkoha Zanclostomus javanicus Occasional sightings (pallidus). Chestnut-breasted Malkoha Phaenicophaeus curvirostris Singles at Fraser’s Hill and Taman Negara. Chestnut-bellied Malkoha Phaenicophaeus sumatranus One at Kuala Selangor, and at least two at Panti BS. Black-bellied Malkoha Phaenicophaeus diardi Just two at Taman Negara. Green-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus tristis Three at Fraser's Hill. Little Bronze Cuckoo Chrysococcyx minutillus Singles at De Palma Hotel, K Selangor & K Pendas (peninsularis). Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo Surniculus lugubris Dependant juv. Taman Negara; fed by Chestnut-winged Babbler. Oriental Phodilus badius (H) Calling distantly during our last owling session at Taman Negara.

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Malaysian and Ferruginous Partridges (Craig Robson)

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Female ‘Malay’ Crested Fireback and female or young Mountain Peacock-Pheasants (Craig Robson)

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Reddish Scops Owl Otus rufescens Seen very well on three different days at Taman Negara (malayensis). Mountain Scops Owl Otus spilocephalus (H) Calling very close at Fraser's Hill, frustrating! Sunda Scops Owl Otus lempiji Seen at Kuala Selangor & Taman Negara; but this is really Collared S O (see note). Brown Wood Owl Strix leptogrammica Two seen of three calling at Fraser’s Hill, but not the best views (maingayi). Collared Owlet Glaucidium brodiei (H) Heard many times at Fraser's Hill, and also at Bukit Tinggi. Gould's Frogmouth Batrachostomus stellatus Excellent views of one at Taman Negara; two others heard.

Gould’s Frogmouth (Craig Robson)

Malaysian temminckii Good flight views at Panti. Two seen, one heard. Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus Good views of a couple at Kuala Selangor. Grey-rumped Treeswift Hemiprocne longipennis Whiskered Treeswift Hemiprocne comata Four together at Panti. Glossy Swiftlet Collocalia esculenta Common at Fraser's Hill & Bukit Tinggi. Active breeding colony at the former. Germain's Swiftlet Aerodramus germani Silver-rumped Spinetail Rhaphidura leucopygialis Common at Taman Negara. Brown-backed Needletail Hirundapus giganteus Occasional at Taman Negara and Panti. Asian Palm Cypsiurus balasiensis Just one briefly at Bukit Tinggi. House Swift Apus nipalensis Red-naped Trogon Harpactes kasumba A nice male at Taman Negara. Diard's Trogon Harpactes diardii A somewhat elusive male at Taman Negara; heard at Panti BS (sumatranus). Scarlet-rumped Trogon Harpactes duvaucelii Three seen at Taman Negara and others heard; also heard at Panti. Cinnamon-rumped Trogon Harpactes orrhophaeus An elusive calling male at Taman Negara; only seen by Craig.

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Red-naped Trogon and Rufous-collared Kingfisher at Taman Negara (Craig Robson)

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Orange-breasted Trogon Harpactes oreskios (H) Two calling at Fraser’s Hill, but we couldn’t spot them. Red-headed Trogon Harpactes erythrocephalus Two showed at Fraser's Hill. Oriental Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis Rufous-collared Kingfisher Actenoides concretus Good views of two at Taman Negara, and another at Panti. Banded Kingfisher Lacedo pulchella Seen three times at Taman Negara; heard at Panti. Stork-billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Collared Kingfisher Todiramphus chloris Blue-banded Kingfisher Alcedo euryzona At least three along the Sungei Tahan, Taman Negara. Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher (Rufous-backed K) Ceyx [erithaca] rufidorsa One at its nest-hole at Panti. Red-bearded Bee-eater Nyctyornis amictus Occasional sightings. Blue-throated Bee-eater Merops viridis Occasional sightings throughout. White-crowned Hornbill Berenicornis comatus Brief but good views of at least two at Taman Negara. Rhinoceros Hornbill Buceros rhinoceros Often heard, with singles showing well at Taman Negara and Panti BS. Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis One at Fraser's Hill. Helmeted Hornbill Rhinoplax vigil (H) Heard at Fraser’s Hill, Bukit Tinggi, and Taman Negara; always distant. Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris Occasional throughout (convexus). Black Hornbill Anthracoceros malayanus A pair on the way to Taman Negara, and two pairs at Panti. Bushy-crested Hornbill Anorrhinus galeritus 2 briefly Fraser’s Hill, tame bird Taman Negara, nice flock of 7 Panti. Wrinkled Hornbill Rhabdotorrhinus corrugatus A few along the Sungei Tahan, Taman Negara.

Red-crowned Barbet (Craig Robson)

Fire-tufted Barbet Psilopogon pyrolophus Common at Fraser's Hill. Lineated Barbet Psilopogon lineatus (H) One at Kuala Selangor. Golden-whiskered Barbet Psilopogon chrysopogon Three seen well at Fraser’s Hill. Red-crowned Barbet Psilopogon raflesii Quite common at Panti. An extreme lowland forest specialist (malayensis). Red-throated Barbet Psilopogon mystacophanos A few at Fraser’s Hill and Taman Negara. Black-browed Barbet Psilopogon oorti Common at Fraser's Hill. Yellow-crowned Barbet Psilopogon henricii Heard at Taman Negara, then scoped-up at Panti BS. Blue-eared Barbet (Black-e B) Psilopogon [duvaucelii] duvaucelii Coppersmith Barbet Psilopogon haemacephalus Sooty Barbet Caloramphus hayii Grey-and-buff Woodpecker Hemicircus concretus A nervous and flighty pair at Panti.

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Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker Yungipicus moluccensis Heard at Kuala Selangor; one seen well at Kampong Pendas. White-bellied Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis Great views at Panti; always a favourite. Banded Woodpecker miniaceum A calling male at Taman Negara (malaccensis). Checker-throated Woodpecker Chrysophlegma mentale Occasional sightings (humii). Greater Yellownape Chrysophlegma flavinucha This (wrayi) and next species frequently seen at Fraser's Hill. Lesser Yellownape chlorolophus rodgeri. Crimson-winged Woodpecker Picus puniceus Two at Fraser’s Hill, one Bukit Tinggi. Heard at Panti (observandus). Laced Woodpecker Picus vittatus Several at Kuala Selangor. Common Flameback Dinopium javanense Common at Kuala Selangor; one at Kampong Pendas. Bamboo Woodpecker grantia A drummer came in fast at Fraser’s Hill, so we had to be quick (robinsoni). Maroon Woodpecker Blythipicus rubiginosus A couple at Taman Negara, and a showier bird at Panti. Bay Woodpecker Blythipicus pyrrhotis Showed nicely at Fraser’s Hill (dark cameroni). Rufous Woodpecker Micropternus brachyurus Good views of two at Kuala Selangor (squamigularis). Buff-rumped Woodpecker Meiglyptes tristis Best seen at Taman Negara, where we scoped two. Buff-necked Woodpecker Meiglyptes tukki One briefly at Fraser’s Hill. Great Slaty Woodpecker Mulleripicus pulverulentus Scoped at Taman Negara. Black-thighed Falconet Microhierax fringillarius Five in the same tree at Taman Negara. Blue-rumped Parrot Psittinus cyanurus High-flying calling birds were frequent at Taman Negara and Panti BS. Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot Loriculus galgulus Several flight views at Taman Negara and Panti. Green Broadbill Calyptomena viridis A handful seen at Taman Negara. Black-and-red Broadbill Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos Quite common at Taman Negara. Long-tailed Broadbill Psarisomus dalhousiae One perched-up nicely at Fraser's Hill; others heard. Banded Broadbill Eurylaimus javanicus Black-and-yellow Broadbill Eurylaimus ochromalus irena (H) Our only vocalizing bird, at Taman Negara, didn’t like the look of us! Garnet Pitta Erythropitta granatina Great prolonged views of one singing at Taman Negara. Mangrove Pitta Pitta megarhyncha Two seen at Kampong Pendas; some nice views. Golden-bellied Gerygone Gerygone sulphurea Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus hirundinaceus Large Woodshrike Tephrodornis virgatus (H) Once at Bukit Tinggi. Rufous-winged Philentoma Philentoma pyrhoptera Common at Taman Negara; heard at Panti. Maroon-breasted Philentoma Philentoma velata A couple at Taman Negara; nice views (caesia). Common Iora Aegithina tiphia Green Iora Aegithina viridissima Great Iora Aegithina lafresnayei A pair at Panti. Large Coracina macei 10+ at Fraser's Hill. This form (larutensis) formerly part of Javan C. javensis. Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike Coracina striata Once briefly at Taman Negara. Pied Triller Lalage nigra A handful at Kuala Selangor. Fiery Minivet Pericrocotus igneus Some nice views at Panti, with at least five noted. Grey-chinned Minivet Pericrocotus solaris Frequent at Fraser's Hill. Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus speciosus Mangrove Whistler Pachycephala cinerea Two found with ease at Kuala Selangor (vandepolli). White-bellied Erpornis Erpornis zantholeuca Blyth's Shrike-babbler Pteruthius aeralatus Two seen and many heard at Fraser's Hill (cameranoi). Black-eared Shrike-babbler Pteruthius melanotis Six seen at Fraser's Hill (tahanensis). Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis A few at Kuala Selangor and one at Taman Negara. Black-and-crimson Oriole Oriolus cruentus A few at Fraser's Hill. Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus One at Kuala Selangor. Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus remifer Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus Small and short-crested platurus. White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis Rhipidura javanica

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Spotted Fantail Rhipidura perlata One at Taman Negara. Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea Frequent sightings. A male on a nest at Taman Negara. Blyth’s Paradise-flycatcher Terpsiphone affinis Three at Taman Negara (nominate). Crested Jay Platylophus galericulatus Seen well twice at Taman Negara (ardesiacus). Black Magpie Platysmurus leucopterus (H) Small numbers at Taman Negara and Panti, and very elusive. Common Green Magpie Cissa chinensis Seen very well around the lights at Fraser’s Hill (robinsoni). House Crow Corvus splendens Common now. A feral population. Large-billed Crow (Southern Jungle C) Corvus macrorhynchos One at Bukit Tinggi, and three at Panti.

Scaly-breasted Bulbuls at Bukit Tinggi (Craig Robson)

Rail-babbler Eupetes macrocerus Superb views of a displaying pair at Panti BS. Heard at Taman Negara. Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis Sultan Tit Melanochlora sultanea Several at Fraser’s Hill, and one at Taman Negara. Cinereous Tit (Grey T) Parus cinereus Two at Kuala Selangor. Straw-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus zeylanicus Several along the Sungei Tahan at Taman Negara. Black-and-white Bulbul Pycnonotus melanoleucos Two flew low across a road at Panti. Black-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus atriceps Just one at Panti, but seen well. Another heard. Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus flaviventris Scaly-breasted Bulbul Pycnonotus squamatus Three at Fraser’s Hill and five at Bukit Tinggi. Great views (weberi).

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Bulbuls (clockwise): Grey-bellied, Asian Red-eyed, Ochraceous, Finsch’s, Buff-vented, and Streaked (Craig Robson)

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Grey-bellied Bulbul Pycnonotus cyanoventris Another highly distinctive bulbul; 1 at Taman Negara & 3 at Panti BS. Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus Two at Kuala Selangor. Feral origin. Puff-backed Bulbul Pycnonotus eutilotus At least 3 at Taman Negara, with an adult feeding a fledged youngster. Stripe-throated Bulbul Pycnonotus finlaysoni Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus goiavier Olive-winged Bulbul Pycnonotus plumosus Cream-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus simplex Small numbers at Taman Negara and Panti. Asian Red-eyed Bulbul P. brunneus Occasional in lowlands. An adult feeding a fledged youngster at Taman Negara. Spectacled Bulbul Pycnonotus erythropthalmos Frequent in lowland . Finsch’s Bulbul Alophoixus finschii 3 at Taman Negara, including 1+ dependant fledged juveniles; 4 at Panti. Ochraceous Bulbul Alophoixus ochraceus A few at The Gap and at Fraser's Hill (sordidus). Grey-cheeked Bulbul Alophoixus bres Four at Taman Negara (tephrogenys). Yellow-bellied Bulbul Alophoixus phaeocephalus Small numbers at Taman Negara and Panti. Hairy-backed Bulbul Tricholestes criniger Not uncommon at Taman Negara and Panti. Buff-vented Bulbul Iole crypta Probably the commonest bulbul in lowlands. Ad. feeding fledged juv. Taman Negara. Mountain Bulbul Ixos mcclellandii Quite common at Fraser's Hill (peracensis). Streaked Bulbul Ixos malaccensis 20-30 coming to fruit at Taman Negara; a couple at Panti.

Pygmy Wren-babbler (or Cupwing) at Fraser’s Hill (Craig Robson)

Pacific Swallow (House S) Hirundo tahitica Rufous-bellied Swallow Cecropis badia Three at Fraser’s Hill, four at Bukit Tinggi. Pygmy Wren-babbler (P Cupwing) Pnoepyga pusilla Amazing close views of two at Fraser's Hill (harterti). Yellow-bellied Warbler Abroscopus superciliaris Three at Fraser’s Hill (sakaiorum). Mountain Tailorbird Phyllergates cuculatus Three at Fraser's Hill (malayanus). Chestnut-crowned Warbler Seicercus castaniceps Just one at Fraser's Hill (butleri).

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Yellow-bellied Prinia Prinia flaviventris Occasional in open grassy areas (rafflesi). Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius Dark-necked Tailorbird Orthotomus atrogularis Rufous-tailed Tailorbird Orthotomus sericeus Pretty common at Taman Negara and especially Panti. Ashy Tailorbird Orthotomus ruficeps Common at Kuala Selangor. Three at Taman Negara. Heard at K Pendas. Large Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus hypoleucos Heard distantly at Fraser's Hill (wrayi). Chestnut-backed Scimitar Babbler P. montanus Fleeting glimpse Bukit Tinggi; heard Taman Negara (occidentalis). Grey-throated Babbler Stachyris nigriceps Quite common at Fraser's Hill, and seen very well (davisoni). Grey-headed Babbler Stachyris poliocephala An elusive respondent Taman Negara; more obliging pair at Panti BS. Chestnut-rumped Babbler Stachyris maculata Just a few at Taman Negara and Panti. Black-throated Babbler Stachyris nigricollis One came in brilliantly at Taman Negara. Chestnut-winged Babbler Stachyris erythroptera Several seen well at Taman Negara. Golden Babbler Stachyridopsis chrysaea Quite common at Fraser's Hill (chrysops). Pin-striped Tit-Babbler Macronus gularis Fluffy-backed Tit-Babbler Macronus ptilosus Three at Taman Negara; common and easily seen at Panti. Mountain Fulvetta Alcippe peracensis Common at Fraser’s Hill (peracensis). Streaked Wren-babbler Napothera brevicaudata (H) A couple at Fraser's Hill (leucosticta). Collared Babbler Gampsorhynchus torquatus Two showed very nicely at Fraser's Hill (saturatior). Abbott's Babbler Malacocincla abbotti Horsfield's Babbler Malacocincla sepiaria (H) A couple singing along the Sungei Tahan, at Taman Negara. Short-tailed Babbler Malacopteron malaccensis Three seen very well near Yong Hide, Taman Negara. Moustached Babbler M. magnirostre Several good sightings in lowlands. Adult feeding fledged youngster Panti. Sooty-capped Babbler Malacopteron affine Just a few of this and the next species at Taman Negara and Panti. Scaly-crowned Babbler Malacopteron cinereum Rufous-crowned Babbler Malacopteron magnum A handful at Taman Negara. Grey-breasted Babbler Malacopteron albogulare This rarity was seen really well at Panti BS. White-chested Babbler Trichastoma rostratum Widespread sightings near water. Ferruginous Babbler Trichastoma bicolor Several heard in lowlands, and one seen very well at Taman Negara. Striped Wren-babbler Kenopia striata Superb singing bird at Bukit Teresek, Taman Negara. Buff-breasted Babbler Pellorneum tickelli A few at Fraser's Hill and Bukit Tinggi; showing exceedingly well at latter. Black-capped Babbler Pellorneum capistratum A few showed at Taman Negara; heard at Panti (nigrocapitatum). Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush (Spectacled L) Garrulax mitratus Common at Fraser's Hill. Black Laughingthrush Garrulax lugubris One showed for us at Fraser’s Hill. Malayan Laughingthrush Garrulax peninsulae A pair at close quarters at Fraser's Hill. Blue-winged Minla (B-w Siva) Minla cyanouroptera Not uncommon at Fraser's Hill (sordidior). Silver-eared Mesia Leiothrix argentauris Fairly common at Fraser's Hill (tahanensis). Long-tailed Sibia Heterophasia picaoides Common at Fraser's Hill (wrayi). Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus A few at Kuala Selangor (auriventer). Everett's White-eye Zosterops everetti Common at Fraser's Hill (tahanensis). Asian Fairy-bluebird Irena puella Common at Taman Negara; a few at Panti. Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis Singles seen at Bukit Tinggi and Panti (saturatior). Blue Nuthatch Sitta azurea Two at Fraser's Hill after much searching (expectata). Asian Glossy Starling Aplonis panayensis Common Hill Myna Gracula religiosa A few heard at Taman Negara and Panti; two flying over at latter. Javan Myna Acridotheres javanicus Common feral resident in disturbed habitats. Common Myna Acridotheres tristis A few scattered records. Oriental Magpie-Robin Copsychus saularis Rufous-tailed Shama Trichixos pyrropygus A nice male of this secretive species at Panti. White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus Rufous-browed Flycatcher Anthipes solitaris A few at Fraser's Hill. Hill Blue Flycatcher banyumas A couple briefly at Fraser's Hill where another two heard (coerulifrons). Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher Cyornis tickelliae A singing male at Taman Negara. Spotlighted at dusk! (sumatrensis). Malaysian Blue Flycatcher Cyornis turcosus Several seen well along Sungei Tahan at Taman Negara (rupatensis). Mangrove Blue Flycatcher Cyornis rufigastra One juvenile at Kuala Selangor.

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Grey-throated Babbler, Fluffy-backed Tit-Babbler, and Moustached Babbler (Craig Robson)

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Large Niltava Niltava grandis Three at Fraser's Hill (decipiens). Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassinus A few at Fraser's Hill. Lesser Shortwing Brachypteryx leucophris One seen brilliantly and others heard at Fraser's Hill (wrayi). Chestnut-naped Forktail Enicurus ruficapillus One on the road at Fraser’s Hill. Slaty-backed Forktail Enicurus schistaceus One on the road at Fraser’s Hill. White-crowned Forktail (Southern W-c F) Enicurus leschenaulti One crossing the track at Panti BS (frontalis). Blue Whistling Thrush (Malayan B W T) Myophonus [caeruleus] dicrorhynchus Good views of one at Fraser's Hill. Little Pied Flycatcher westermanni A few at Fraser's Hill. Pygmy Flycatcher (P Blue F) Muscicapella hodgsoni A wing-flicking female at Fraser's Hill (sondaica).

Lesser Shortwing (Craig Robson)

Greater Green Leafbird Chloropsis sonnerati A pair briefly at Panti BS (zosterops). Lesser Green Leafbird Chloropsis cyanopogon Quite common in lowland forests. Blue-winged Leafbird Chloropsis cochinchinensis More sub-montane than the last species. Orange-bellied Leafbird Chloropsis hardwickii Several at Fraser's Hill (malayana). Yellow-breasted Flowerpecker Prionochilus maculatus A couple at Taman Negara; common at Panti (oblitus). Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker Prionochilus percussus Three at Taman Negara; common at Panti (ignicapilla). Orange-bellied Flowerpecker Dicaeum trigonostigma Common at Taman Negara and Panti BS. Fire-breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus Common at Fraser's Hill. Ruby-cheeked Sunbird Chalcoparia singalensis Three at Kuala Selangor; two at Panti BS.

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Plain Sunbird Anthreptes simplex A single bird seen very well at Bukit Tinggi. Brown-throated Sunbird Anthreptes malacensis Red-throated Sunbird Anthreptes rhodolaemus Great views of a male on our last morning at Panti BS. Purple-naped Sunbird Hypogramma hypogrammicum Occasional at Taman Negara and Panti. Copper-throated Sunbird Leptocoma calcostetha A very showy female at Kampong Pendas. Olive-backed Sunbird Cinnyris jugularis Just a single male at Kuala Selangor. Black-throated Sunbird Aethopyga saturata Common at Fraser's Hill (wrayi). Temminck’s Sunbird Aethopyga temminckii A fine male at Taman Negara. Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra Spectacled Spiderhunter Arachnothera flavigaster Often seen in lowland forests, but mainly in flight, calling. Yellow-eared Spiderhunter Arachnothera chrysogenys One at Taman Negara and three at Panti. Grey-breasted Spiderhunter Arachnothera modesta Small numbers at Taman Negara and Panti. Streaked Spiderhunter Arachnothera magna Common at Fraser's Hill. Passer montanus Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus A flock of c.20 leaving the Tahan Clearing at dawn; Taman Negara. White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata A few at Fraser's Hill and Bukit Tinggi. Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus One at Kampong Pendas.

A smart male Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker (Craig Robson)

21 BirdQuest Tour Report: The Malay Peninsula www.birdquest-tours.com

MAMMALS

Grey-bellied Squirrel Callosciurus caniceps Pallas’s Squirrel (Belly-banded S, Mountain Red-bellied S) Callosciurus erythraeus One at Fraser’s Hill. Black-striped Squirrel (B-banded S) Callosciurus nigrovittatus One at Taman Negara and two at Panti. Plantain Squirrel Callosciurus notatus Two at Taman Negara. Himalayan Striped Squirrel Tamiops mcclellandi Frequent at Fraser's Hill and Bukit Tinggi. Shrew-faced Squirrel Rhinosciurus laticaudatus One at Taman Negara. Three-striped Ground Squirrel Lariscus insignis One at Taman Negara. Slender Squirrel Sundasciurus tenuis Quite common at Taman Negara and Panti, particularly the latter. Lesser Sheath-tailed Bat Emballonura monticola Small roosting colony at Panti BS; c.25. Banded Leaf Monkey Presbytis femoralis Small numbers of localised & range-restricted nominate form at Panti BS. Silvered Leaf Monkey Trachypithecus cristatus Common at Kuala Selangor Dusky Leaf Monkey Trachypithecus obscurus Common at Fraser's Hill. Long-tailed Macaque Macaca fascicularis Sunda Pig-tailed Macaque Macaca nemestrina White-handed Gibbon Hylobates lar Often heard in lowland forest, and a couple seen at Panti. Siamang Hylobates syndactylus (H) Only heard very distantly at Fraser’s Hill. Common Tree-Shrew Tupaia glis One at Taman Negara. Eurasian Wild Boar Sus scrofa A few at Taman Negara and Panti BS. Lesser Mouse-Deer Tragulus javanicus One at Taman Negara. Indian Muntjac Muntiacus muntjak One at Taman Negara and another heard barking.

Lesser Sheath-tailed Bat at Panti Bird Sanctuary (Craig Robson)

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NOTES TO THE SYSTEMATIC LIST

Malaysian Partridge Arborophila campbelli This species was formerly lumped in Bar-backed Partridge A. brunneopectus, and is sometimes now lumped in Grey- breasted Partridge A. orientalis.

Crested Fireback (Malay C F) Lophura [ignita] rufa Some authorities now spit this from off from the nominate Bornean race as a distinct species.

Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo Surniculus lugubris Fork-tailed Drongo Cuckoo S. dicrurus was formerly lumped in this species, with the name Drongo Cuckoo S. lugubris applied to the enlarged species.

Sunda Scops Owl Otus lempiji Some authors lump this species (along with Collared Scops Owl O. lettia and Japanese Scops Owl O. semitorques) in Indian Scops Owl O. bakkamoena, with the name Collared Scops Owl applied to the enlarged species. Several regional authors do not accept the I.O.C. followed lumping of continental forms with the island-restricted Sundaic forms of Sunda Scops Owl.

House Swift Apus nipalensis Robson lumps this form in Little Swift A. affinis but confusingly uses the name House Swift for the enlarged species.

Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher (Rufous-backed K) Ceyx [erithaca] rufidorsa Some authors split off the form concerned as part of a separate species: Rufous-backed Kingfisher C. rufidorsa.

Blue-eared Barbet (Black-e B) Psilopogon [duvaucelii] duvaucelii This species has undergone a specific name change since the splitting-off of the Javan & Bali endemic Yellow-eared Barbet P. australis. Some authors also split the remaining birds into two species: Blue-eared Barbet P. cyanotis (continental range, excluding Peninsular Malaysia), and Black-eared Barbet P. duvaucelii (Peninsular Malaysia and Great Sundas, excluding Java & Bali).

Sooty Barbet Caloramphus hayii This species was formerly lumped in Brown Barbet C. fuliginosus of , with the name Brown Barbet used for the enlarged species.

Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker Yungipicus moluccensis Brown-capped Woodpecker Y. nanus (of the Indian Subcontinent) was formerly lumped in this species, with the name Brown-capped Woodpecker used for the enlarged species.

Grey-and-buff Woodpecker Hemicircus concretus Some authors now split the nominate form in Java as a separate species, Red-crested (or Lilliput) Woodpecker. Under these circumstances, the birds in our area are re-named H. sordidus.

Buff-rumped Woodpecker Meiglyptes tristis Some authors now split the nominate form in Java as a separate species, White-rumped (or Zebra) Woodpecker. Under these circumstances, the birds in our area are re-named M. grammithorax.

Malayan Banded Pitta Hydrornis irena This species (along with Bornean Banded Pitta H. schwaneri) was formerly lumped in Javan Banded Pitta H. guajanus, with the name Banded Pitta applied to the enlarged species.

White-bellied Erpornis Erpornis zantholeuca This species was formerly known as White-bellied Yuhina Yuhina zantholeuca, but has been re-named following its removal from the babblers and placement in the family Vireonidae.

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Blyth’s Shrike-babbler Pteruthius aeralatus The former White-browed Shrike-babbler P. flaviscapis was fairly recently split into four species: Pied Shrike-babbler P. flaviscapis (Java); Himalayan Shrike-babbler P. ripleyi (north-east Pakistan to western - not even accepted as a taxon prior to the split); Blyth’s Shrike-babbler P. aeralatus (rest of range, except southern and central highlands of ), and Dalat Shrike-babbler P. annamensis (southern and central highlands of Vietnam). Shrike-babblers are now placed in the family Vireonidae, and are completely un-related to babblers.

Malaysian Pied Fantail Rhipidura javanica Some authors lump R. nigritorquis in this species, using the name Pied Fantail for the enlarged species. The name Malaysian Pied Fantail seems rather inappropriate though as this species still occurs through much of South-east Asia and Sundaland.

Blyth’s Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone affinis This species was formerly lumped in Indian Paradise Flycatcher T. paradisi, with the name Asian Paradise Flycatcher being used for the enlarged species.

Cinereous (or Grey) Tit Parus cinereus The grey backed, white-bellied complex of south Asian forms now placed in this species, were formerly lumped in Great Tit P. major.

Buff-vented Bulbul Iole crypta Recent studies have resulted in the re-arrangement of taxa in this and closely related species, resulting in a specific name change. The form charlottae is now considered a Borneo endemic, Charlotte’s Bulbul.

Rufous-bellied Swallow Cecropis badia Formerly lumped in Striated Swallow C. striolata.

‘Malayan’ Blue Whistling Thrush Myophonus [caeruleus] dicrorhynchus

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APPENDIX 1

TOP TEN BIRDS OF THE TOUR

1st Rail-babbler 22 2nd Ferruginous Partridge 20 3rd Mountain Peacock-Pheasant 18 4th Crested Fireback 11 5th Grey-breasted Babbler 09

APPENDIX 2 - Other fauna & flora recorded

REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS

Tockay Gecko Gekko gecko One at Taman Negara. Warty House Gecko Gekko monarchus Common at Taman Negara. Smith’s Giant Gecko Gekko smithii One at Taman Negara, and several heard. Asian House Gecko Hemidactylus frenatus Common at Taman Negara. Flat-tailed Gecko (Frilly H G) Hemidactylus platyurus Hotel at Kota Tinggi at least. Common Sun Skink Europis multifasciata Taman Negara, Panti BS. South-east Asian Monitor Varanus nebulosus Taman Negara, Panti BS. Water Monitor Lizard Varanus salvator Kuala Selangor, Panti BS. Red-tailed Racer Gonyosoma oxycephalum One in the bamboo clump at Taman Negara. Malayan Krait Bungarus candidus The most likely identity of the black snake at Panti. Common Asian Toad Bufo melanostictus Two at Kuala Selangor. White-lined Rana limnocharis Panti BS.

Warty House Gecko at Taman Negara (Craig Robson)

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BUTTERFLIES

Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing Trogonoptera brookiana Kuala Selangor, Fraser’s Hill. Common Birdwing Troides helena Bukit Tinggi. Great Mormon Papilio memnon Fraser’s Hill. White Dragontail Lamproptera curius Fraser’s Hill. Psyche Leptosia nina Kuala Selangor. Malay Tiger Danaus affinis Kuala Selangor. Chocolate Tiger Perantica melaneus Kuala Selangor, Fraser’s Hill. Pallid Faun Melanacyma faunula Kuala Selangor. Malay Lacewing Cethosia hypsea Fraser’s Hill, Panti BS. Rustic Cupha erymanthis Royal Assyrian Terinos terpander Malayan Assyrian Terinos clarissa Knight Lebdea martha Short-banded Viscount Tanaecia aruna Common Map Cyrestis maenalis Fraser’s Hill. Grey Pansy Junonia atlites Tailed Judy Abisara neophron Fraser’s Hill. Three-spot Yamfly Yasoda tripuncta Dark Yellow-banded Flat Celaenorrhinus aurivittatus Banded Red-eye Gangara lebadea

Malayan Assyrian at Panti Bird Sanctuary (Craig Robson)

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MOTHS

Swallow-tailed zampa Several sightings. Geometrid sp. Pingasa tapungkanana Taman Negara. Geometrid sp. Godonela cf. Eleonora Taman Negara. Prominent sp. Gangarides rosea Spotted by Nick in the restaurant at Taman Negara. Noctuid sp. Ischyja marapok Taman Negara. Erebid sp. Erebus caprimulgus Taman Negara. Erebid sp. Lygniodes endoleucus Tahan Clearing area.

Erebid sp. Erebus caprimulgus at Taman Negara (Craig Robson)

DRAGONFLIES

Dark-tipped Forest Skimmer Cratilla metallica Panti. Bombardier Lyriothemis cleis Panti. Variegated Green Skimmer (Slender S) Orthetrum sabina Panti. Yellow-barred Flutterer Rhyothemis phyllis Panti.

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