Friday, 31 December 2021

Overcast start, sunny spells and a F4 south westerly.

The last day of 2021 saw a Richard's Pipit head north over the triangle, where the 4 White-fronted Geese remained with 176 Greylag Geese, the Cetti's Warbler still in Corner field and 2 Siberian Chiffchaff at the sewage works with 2 Chiffchaff.

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Friday, 31 December 2021

Birding review of 2021.

The year was yet again not a classic but did include some top class rarities including a first for Spurn, record movements of both Pink-footed Goose and Siskin, but a largely flat autumn for any arrivals of common migrants, such as Goldcrests and Robins which so often give such memorable days.

The list of rarities is as always impressive despite the common migrants back up, the highlight being the 1st Two-barred Greenish Warbler which spent five days in canal hedge often giving close views, while the 2nd Rufous Turtle Dove was a totally unexpected garden bird in July also present for five days. The 3rd Purple Heron spent plenty of time in the area if only seen intermittently, there were the 5th records of Isabelline Wheatear and Black Stork (Easington) and a showy male Eastern Subalpine Warbler at Middle camp, our 8th Western Bonelli’s Warbler around the crown continues our recent mini run of this species, the 10th Cattle Egret which we expect to become annual, a wild bred White-tailed Eagle was our 12th, the 15th Arctic Warbler graced the crown carpark, while our 16th White-rumped Sandpiper on the usual spot of Kilnsea wetlands and a Thrush Nightingale singing at wire dump continues Spurn as being the place to see this species on the east coast. Finally, our 20th Rustic Bunting in church field continues our record of one every two years.

As usual for local listers, locally scarce birds came in the form of our 7th Red Crested Pochard (2), our 14th Nuthatch and our 25th Black-necked Grebe but the first since 2011.

It was yet again good for scarce birds seen during the year, with some additions on previous years and expected birds missing, but Rose-coloured Starling was recorded in maybe double figures and the 20 Bee-eater were unprecedented despite being annual for us. Other notable birds were 2 Cory’s Shearwater, 10+ Great White Egret , 2 Montagu’s Harrier, a male Red-footed Falcon, 2 Dotterel, 3 Temminck’s Stint, a Red-necked Phalarope, a Quail, 2 Common Crane, 5 Golden Oriole including a stunning showy adult male, 4 Turtle Dove, a Hoopoe, the annual records of Red-rumped Swallow (3) takes us to the verge of 100 records, 2 Alpine Swift were almost expected these days, 4 Richard’s Pipit (inc a spring bird), an Olive-backed Pipit, a male Grey-headed Wagtail, 5+ Cetti’s Warbler (and maybe now a resident), Barred Warblers, 2 spring Icterine Warbler, 1+ Dusky Warbler, 2 Greenish Warbler including another spring bird, just 5 Yellow-browed Warbler in a poor year for them, 3 Red-breasted Flycatcher, Red-backed Shrikes, 3 Wryneck, a Bluethroat, an elusive Nightingale, 2 Serin, 3 Rosefinch, Hawfinches, an Ortolan Bunting and 3 Little Bunting. (All sightings and totals need to be ratified and accepted).

The year was mixed for both the vis miggers and seawatchers alike with a record 12,245 Pink-footed Geese heading south, 14,393 Starling in/off and a record autumn for Siskin, but poor for Hirundines and Swift in both seasons while a mix for other species. Long-tailed Skua appeared in the spring yet again while it was a brilliant autumn for them with several lingering offshore. The year as mentioned was poor for common migrants, but good numbers of Pied Flycatcher were present in late August. Also noteworthy were a big influx of Woodcock in February and a record number of Caspian Gulls in the second half of the year. Happy Birding in 2022.

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Thursday, 30 December 2021

Overnight rain petered out early mprning with a F4-5 south westerly.  Watches: 0830-`1015, 1150-1305.

The adult Bewick's Swan appeared on Easington straight today with 10 Whooper Swan (6 still near Skeffling) eventually flying south east out to sea after some loud bird scarers went off, the Whoopers returning to Skeffling. The 4 White-fronted Geese remained in the triangle, 2 Siberian Chiffchaff at the sewage works, a Cetti's Warbler at canal scrape and a ringtail Hen Harrier at Sammy's.. 

There were a few more birds on the move today with 25 Pink-footed Geese, 24 Teal, 3 Mallard, an Eider, 8 Common Scoter, 5 Cormorant, 4 Lapwing and an Arctic Skua.

Othe bits from today were a Pale-bellied Brent with 550 Brent Geese, 3 Woodcock (Church field and Sammy's), a Greenshank on Beacon ponds and 2 Stonechat on Beacon lane.

Ringing: 1 Woodcock, 2 REdwing, 1 Song Thrush.

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Wednesday, 29 December 2021

Overcast day, rain in the morning cleared with a F4-5 south westerly. Watches: 0820-1100.

The family part of 4 White-fronted Geese remained in the triangle and 2 Siberian Chiffchaff plus 1 Chiffchaff remained at the sewage works with the Cetti's Warbler still in Sykes field.

There was a clear out of grounded migrants, but 2 Woodcock were seen while it was quiet for birds on the move though 49 Teal flew south.

The KIlnsea wetlands area held 130 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, the drake Red-breasted Merganser and 21 Black-tailed Godwit among all the usual.

Juts outside the area an adult Bewick's Swan was present with 16 Whooper Swan between Sammy's and Skeffling.

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Tuesday, 28 December 2021

Overcast with rain till early afternoon and a F1-3 northerly.  Watches: 0945-1115.

Despite the continuing overcast conditions there were a few bits of interest the best being 2 Bewick's Swan which flew south past the 4 White-fronted Geese which were still in the triangle with 90 Greylag Geese, while a Black Redstart was at the gas terminal, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff at the sewage works and a Jack Snipe and Cetti's Warbler in Sykes .

There were fewer grounded migrants about with 3 Woodcock, 2 Goldcrest, 26 Fieldfare, 35 Redwing, 14 Redwing and a Song Thrush.

Among all the usuals on Kilnsea wetlands the 5 Pochard and male Red-breasted Merganser were joined by 4 Tufted Duck with 221 Lapwing were on Easington straight.

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Monday, 27 December 2021

Overcasy and grey with a F1-3 south easterly.  Watches: 1030-1145.

The day saw a small arrival of grounded migrants presumably continental with 4 Woodcock, 2 Goldcrest, 70 Fieldfare, 66 Blackbird, 56 Redwing and 3 Song Thrush, while the same conditions also brought a family party of 4 White-fronted Geese to the triangle. Usuals in the area saw a Cetti's Warbler still vocal in Sykes field and 1 Siberian Chiffchaff at the sewage works along with a Chiffchaff.

The Kilnsea wetlands area gathered 21 Shoveler, 769 Wigeon, 168 Teal, 5 Pochard, 2 Goldeneye and a Red-breasted Merganser onto this small pool with also 90 Greylag Geese, 1200 Brent Geese nearby containing 6 Pale-bellied Brent, 2 x hybrid Brants and the leucistic bird.

Ringing: 3 Fieldfare, 1 Blackbird, 9 Redwing. 3 Song Thrush, 1 Tree Sparrow, 2 House Sparrow.

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Sunday, 26 December 2021

Overcast with rain all day and a cold F5-3 easterly. Watches: 0900-1030

Not a great day to be out and about, the best of the days sightings as usual were on Kilnsea wetlands with the 4 Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck, drake Red-breasted Merganser and a 3cy Caspian Gull. 

The sea musterewd 4 Eider heading north and 4 Gannet heading south.

Ringing: 2 Blackbird.

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Saturday, 25 December 2021

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM EVERYONE AT SPURN BIRD OBSERVATORY.

Overcast brightening in the afternoon with a F5 easterly Watches: 1200-1300/

There were a few bits of note over the sea with an adult Iceland Gull  and 2 male Velvet Scoter plus 3 Kittiwake, a Curlew, 3 Dunlin and 3 Gannet.

There were atill a few grounded Thrushes about in the area with 75 Fieldfare the top coiunt, along with 30 Blackbird and 30 Redwing and a Brambling in KIlnsea. The same area also had 45 Tree Sparrow and 60 House Sparrow still visiting feeders.

Ringing: 2 Blackbird, 14 Redwing.

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Friday, 24 December 2021

Overcast with drizzle and showers with a F2-3 easterly.  Watches: 0830-1010.

The best of the day were 2 Siberian Chiffchaff again at the sewage works along with 2 Chiffchaff, a Good count of 170 Black-tailed Godwit on the Humber and good counts of 15 Shoveler, 800 Wigeon, a Pintail, 50 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 4 Pochard, drake Red-breasted Merganser and 24 Little Grebe from the Kilnsea wetlands area.

Ringing: 1 Redwing.

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Thursday, 23 December 2021

A cloudy day with rain in the afternoon and a F2-4 south westerly. 

Sightings were mainly concentrated from the Kilnsea wetlands area, which inclluded 517 Wigeon, 50 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 4 Pochard, a Red-breasted Merganser, 25 Little Grebe, 2 Little Egret, 20 Blaclk-tailed Godwit and a Short-eared Owl.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 3 House Sparrow, 1 Goldfinch.

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Wednesday, 22 December 2021

Overcast with a cold F3-4 southerly.  Watches: 0815-1000.

There were atill a few lingering Thrushes in the area with 28 Fieldfarei the biggest count and sghtings from the Kilnsea wetlands area were 150 Greylag Geese, 2 Pale-bellied Brent, 12 Shoveler, 60 Teal, 300 Wigeon, a Pintail, 2 Tufted Duck, 4 Pochard, a Goldeneye, 80 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Snipe.

Ringing: 2 Blackbird.

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Tuesday, 21 December 2021

A saw cloudy day with a F1 south westerly. 

The best of the day saw 4 Snow Bunting located at Beacon ponds while at least 1 Siberian Chiffchaff still at the Seawage works. 

Other sightings included 4 Pochard, a Tufted Duck, 2 Goldeneye, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 25 Little Grebe amd a Short-eared Owl in the Kilnsea wetlands area with a Woodcock at Pancho pond.

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Monday, 20 December 2021

Overcast day with a F1-2 north easterly. Watches_0800-1000.

Grounded migrants were still apaarent in the area with a Woodock, 2 Chiffchaff, a Siberian Chiffchaff at the Sewage works, 32 Blackbird, 38 Fieldfare, 16 Redwing and a Song Thrush. 

The best of movement over the sea were just 42 Red-throated Diver.

Ringing: 3 Fieldfare, 5 Blackbird, 9 Redwing.

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Sunday, 19 December 2021

A foggy grey day with a F2 northerly. 

The 3 Siberian Chiffchaff wee still at the Sewage works with at least 1 Chiffchaff, while good numbers of Thrushes remain, 36 Blackbird, 79 Fieldfare and a Song Thrush.

A good toital of 6 Pochard on Kilnsea wetlands was noteworthy along with 4 Tufted Duck, 19 Shoveler, a Pintail, 2 Goldeneye and 135 Greylag Geese.

Ringing: 2 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 2 House Sparrow, 1 Chaffinch, 4 Greenfinch, 1 Siskin.

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Saturday, 18 December 2021

A foogy day with avery light northerly.  Watches: 0800-0900.

The days are beginning to merge into one as the sightings become similar to previous ones. The Cetti's Warbler remained vocal around the triangle and 3 Siberian Chiffchaff with 2 Chiffchaff at Easington sewage works. The small increase in grounded Thrush numbers saw 55 Blackbird, 95 Fieldfare and 2 Mistle Thrush recorded.

Kilnsea wetlands among the usual species had 3 Pochard and a Tufted Duck with a Woodcock nearby by the listening dish.

Ringing: 5 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing.

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Friday, 17 December 2021

Foggy damp and grey and a light westerly. Watches: 1315-1345.

The best of the day were a Jack Snipe in Sykes field, a Snow Bunting at Sammy's, 2 Siberian Chiffchaff at the sewage works and a Cetti's Warbler in the triangle. There was a small increase in Thrushes in the area with 108 Fieldfare the best count and 2 Siskin were in the crown carpark. 

Up in the Kilnsea wetlands area 3 Pochard, a Tufted Duck, 1 Goldeneye and a Red-breasted Merganser were the best of the sightings.

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Thursday, 16 December 2021

A fine sunny and still day. Watches: 0800-0945.

It was a similar day to the previous with the Ring Ouzel remaining in the triangle around the carpark just north of Big hedge, the 2 Siberian Chiffchaff at the sewage works and a Cetti's Warrbler in the triangle (call recording included).

Other sightings included a Red-breasted Merganser on Beacon ponds along with 28 Little Grebe with a decent count of 72 Tree Sparrow and 4 Siskin in Sykes field.

A rather nice male Hen Harrier was seen just outside the recording area.

Ringing:: 5 Blackbird, 1 Redwing, 6 House Sparrow, 3 Tree Sparrow, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Great Tit.

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Wednesday, 15 December 2021

Sunny spells and a light F2 westerly.  Watches: 0800-0945.

Highlights of the day included 2 Cetti's Warbler in the triangle, a Snow Bunting at Beacon ponds and the 2 Siberian Chiffchaff again at the sewage works.

Other bits of the note were 129 Red-thrtoated Diver over the sea sand a Blackcap at Kew. Full counts on Trektellen.

Ringing: 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Redwing, 2 Tree Sparrow, 1 House Sparrow, 1 Goldfinch.

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Tuesday, 14 December 2021

Grey but with sunny spells and a F2 westerly.  Watches: 0800-0930.

A much better day all round with several decent sightings and maybe the 32 Barnacle Geese on long bank the best of them. The abberant Ring Ouzel and the 2 Siberian Chiffchaff all remained, while other grounded birds included a Woodcok, 7 Jack Snipe, 12 Snipe, 2 Short-eared Owl, a Chiffchaff, 30 Blackbird, 4 Fieldfare, a Stonechat and 2 Grey Wagtail.

The best of the sea saw a Great Northern Diver fly south, while good conuts from the Kilnsea wetlands area were 28 Shoveler, 228 Wigeon, 2 Pochard, a Tufted Duck, 3 Goldeneye, 2 Goosander, 21 Little Grebe, a Marsh Harrier and 48 Black-tailed Godwit.

Ringing: 2 Blackbird.

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Monday, 13 December 2021

Overcast and dull with a F3 north westerly. Watches: 0800-1045.

The best of the day were a Black-throated Diver north over the sea and the 2 Siberian Chiffchaff again at the Sewage works/ Otherwise 134 Red-throated Diver was the best count.

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Sunday, 12 December 2021

Sunny spells and a F3 westerly.  Watches: 0730-0900.

A better day all round wth good numbers of grounded birds among a good selection of the usual species. The best of the day were a Lapland Bunting at Easington lagoon, the 2 Siberian Chiffchaff at the sewage works and the usual Ring Ouzel in the triangle. In the bushes were a Woodcock, 2 Snipe, a Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 31 Blackbird, 35 Fieldfare, 125 Redwing, a Song Thrush, 6 Stonechat and 2 Grey Wagtail, while 54 Siskin flew south.

Among all the usual species in the Kilnsea wetlands area there were 22 Shoveler, a Tufted Duck, 4 Goldeneye, a Red-breasted Merganser, 21 Little Grebe and a Short-eared Owl.

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Friday, 10 December 2021

A cold sunny day with a F4 north westerly. Watches: 0900-1000.

There were few observers out and about and no coverage of the sea, the best of the limited sightings being a Siberian Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Song Thrush, a Stonechat and 1 Siskin with the best of the Kilnsea wetlands area being 2 Pochard, a tufted Duck and 20 Black-tailed Godwit.

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Thursday, 09 December 2021

Calmer and sunny, but cool in the F4 westerly.  Watches: 1000-1400.

There were a few bits of interest during the day including the usual Ring Ouzel and Cetti's Warbler in the triangle, a Siberian Chiffchaff at the sewage works, 8 Snow Bunting headed south and a Caspian Gull on Kilnsea wetlands. A few grounded migrants were about with 4 Woodcock, a Chiffchaff, 23 Blackbird, 4 Fieldfare, 25 Redwing, 6 Song Thrush, a Rock Pipit and 1 Lesser Redpoll.

Sightings from the Kilnsea wetlands were decent as usual with 500 Brent Geese, 23 Pintail, 2 Pochard, a Tufted Duck, 4 Goldeneye, 21 Little Grebe and 3 Short-eared Owl. 

Ringing: 6 Blackbird, 5 Redwing, 1 Dunncok, 4 House Sparrow, 1 Tree Sparrow, 1 Yellowhammer. 

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Wednesday, 08 December 2021

Sunny spells a dn showers with a F6 south westerly. Watches: 1000-1200.

A quiet day of sightings saw the Ring Ouzel still present and a Great Northern Diver south over the sea. The best of the rest were a Pale-bellied Brent, 8 Shoveler, 2 Pochard, a Tufted Duck, 3 Goldeneye and 3 Short-eared Owl around Kilnsea wetlands. Full counts on Trektellen.

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Tuesday, 07 December 2021

A horrible day of heavy rain driven by a F7-8 south easterly.  Watches: 0815-1215.

The best sightings of the day saw 4 Snow Bunting flying south and the white faced Ring Ouzel still in residence. Sitting in the seawatch hut offered some respite from the conditions with 8 Shoveler, 42 Teal, 96 Red-throated Diver, a Little Gull, 4 Razorbill, 2 Guillemot and 48 Large Auk sp the best on offer. 

Otherwise 23 Shoveler, 2 Pochard, a Tufetd duck, 4 Goldeneye and a Mediterranean Gull were present on Kilnsea wetlands and 4 Woodcock, 25 Blackbird, 29 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush and a Stonechat the best of the grounded migrants.

Ringing: 6 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Redwing.

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Monday, 06 December 2021

A cold wet day of heavy showers and a F4 south westerly.  Watches: 0750-0905.

A very quiet day overall saw a bit of light southerly movement with 3 Meadow Pi[pit, 2 Rock Pipit, a Chaffinch, 3 Greenfinch, 46 Siskin and 3 Reed Bunting, while grounded migrants included 20 Skylark, a Blackcap, 210 Starling, 3 Fieldafre, 58 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, a Stonechat and 1 Grey Wagtail.

The Kilnsea wetlsnds area held 200 Wigeon, 50 Teal, 2 Pochard, a Tufetd Duck, 4 Goldeneye, 22 Little Grebe, 90 Black-tailed Godwit and 3 Short-eared Owl. 

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 4 Blackbird.

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Sunday, 05 December 2021

Cold with sunny spells and frequent showers with a F5 north westerly. Watches: 0730-1045.

Many obervsers were offsite attending a wedding in Norfolk, but the sightings were little effected with not a lot overall seen, though the abberant Ring Ouzel reained in its favoured area by the discovery centre. A scatter of other migrants were still about including a Woodcock, 1 Snipe, 12 Blackbird, 3 Fieldfare, 5 Redwing and 3 Siskin.

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Saturday, 04 December 2021

Not much happening in the F4 northwesterly, the best of the day were the 2 Siberian Chiffchaff again at the sewage works and a Snow Bunting which flew south.

Otherwise the 2 Pochard were still on Kilnsea wetlands with a Tufted duck, 3 Short-eared Owl and 104 Black-tailed Godwit.

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Friday, 03 December 2021

There were decent numbers of grounded migrants present with 3 Short-eared Owl, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Siberian Chiffchaff at Easington sewage works, 2 Goldcrest, 127 Blackbird, 4 Fieldfare, 24 Redwing, a Song Thrush, 2 Stonechat, a Grey Wagtail, 15 Pied Wagtail, 3 Meadow Pipit, 15 Chaffinch, a Brambling and 2 Siskin.

Not much on the move with a Velvet Scoter over the sea the highlight plus a Shag with 17 Siskin and a Lesser Redpoll overland.

Other bits of note were 550 Brent Geese on the Hmuber, 335 Wigeon, 3 Pintail, 2 Pochard, 4 Goldeneye and 149 Black-tailed Godwit on Kilnsea wetlands..

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Thursday, 02 December 2021

Snow showers with a very cold F5 north westerly.  Watches: 0730-1255.

A quiet day all round the sea maybe being the best with a Long-tailed Duck and Great Northern Diver the highlights, but only small numbers of other species were seen. Full count on Trektellen.

The best of the rest of the day included 2 Pintail, 311 Black-tailed Godwit and 6 Short-eared Owl around Kilnsea wetlands, a Little Gull at Easington playing fields, but just singles of Woodcock and Brambling.

Ringing: 3 Blackbird, 1 Brambling.

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Wednesday, 01 December 2021

Cold damp day with a F5 north westerly. 

The best of the action was over the sea, highlights being a nice Glaucous Gull north which landed on Kilnsea wetlands and a Barnacle Goose north along with a Pintail, 9 Eider, a Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Puffin the best. Full conts on Trektellen.

Just a few grounded migrants remain with 7 Woodcock, 3 Short-eared Owl, 60 Blackbird, 6 Fieldfare, 12 Redwing, a Song Thrush and 1 Brambling.

Otherwise Kilnsea wetlands held a Pale-bellied Brent, 22 Shoveler, 4 Pintail, 2 Pochard, a Tufted Duck, 4 Goldeneye, 22 Little Grebe, 214 Black-tailed Godwit and 3 Mediterranean Gull. 

Ringing: 2 Blackbird, 1 Redwing.

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