| Current
report - Wednesday February 18, 2009
- Birds Mentioned
Click Here for species
accounts for many of these birds
Eared Grebe (NJ)+
Western Grebe (extralimital)(PA)+
Black-bellied Whistling-duck (DE)+
Barnacle Goose (NJ)+
Barrow's Goldeneye (NJ)+
Thayer's Gull (possible)(PA)+
Bohemian Waxwing (NJ)+
Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler (PA)+
Green-tailed Towhee (NJ)+
Le Conte's Sparrow (PA)+
Brewer's Blackbird (DE)+
Brewer's Blackbird (possible)
(NJ)+ (Details requested
by New Jersey
Birds Records Committee)
(PA)+ (Details requested by Pennsylvania
Ornthological Records Committee)
(DE)+ (Details requested by Delaware
Records Committee)
Red-necked Grebe
American Bittern
Great Egret
Greater White-fronted Goose
Snow Goose
Ross's Goose
Cackling Goose
Tundra Swan
Eurasian Wigeon
Common X Green-winged Teal
Common Teal (Eurasian Green-winged Teal)
Canvasback
Redhead
King Eider
Common Eider
Harlequin Duck
White-winged Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Common Goldeneye
Northern Goshawk
Rough-legged Hawk
Golden Eagle
Merlin
Purple Sandpiper
American Woodcock
Black-headed Gull
Bonaparte's Gull
Iceland Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Glaucous Gull
Forster's Tern
Atlantic Puffin
Snowy Owl
Short-eared Owl
Northern Shrike
Common Raven
Brown-headed Nuthatch
American Pipit
Orange-crowned Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Ipswich Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Snow Bunting
Dickcissel
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird
Purple Finch
White-winged Crossbill
Common Redpoll
Pine Siskin
Hotline: Delaware Valley Rare Bird Alert
Email reports to:
Compiler: Steve Kacir, Delaware
Valley Ornithological Club
Phone: (215) 240-7547
Voice of the Delaware Valley RBA: Cindy Ahern and Win Shafer
URL: http://www.dvoc.org/RBA/Current/Active/Index.htm
Welcome to the Delaware Valley Rare Bird Alert, a service
provided by the joint efforts of the Academy
of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia and the Delaware
Valley Ornithological Club (DVOC), covering the Delaware
Valley Regions of Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
This week, we highlight reports of EARED GREBE &
BARNACLE GOOSE in Hunterdon County, NJ; BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK in
Sussex County, DE; BARROW’S GOLENEYE & BOHEMIAN WAXWING in Monmouth
County, NJ; AUDUBON’S YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER in Lehigh County, PA;
GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE in Camden County, NJ; LE CONTE’S SPARROW in
Delaware County, PA and BREWER’S BLACKBIRDS in Kent County, DE.
For New Jersey: Click
Here for the New Jersey Birding List
Cape May County:
Click
Here for Cape May County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
Through Feb 18, 1-2 BLACK-HEADED GULLS were seen in
a flock of BONAPARTE’S GULLS at various places around Cape May
Point, including the Concrete Ship at Sunset Beach, the Cape May-Lewes
Ferry Terminal, and the St Peter’s jetty. A LESSER BLACK-BACKED
GULL was seen at the St Peter’s jetty as well. Two FORSTER’S
TERNS were at the Ferry Terminal on Feb 14, and a RED-NECKED GREBE was
spotted from the Cape May-Lewes Ferry on Feb 16. On Feb 14, ten WHITE-WINGED
CROSSBILLS, SNOW BUNTINGS, AMERICAN PIPITS and PURPLE SANDPIPERS were
seen from Cape May Point State Park. A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen from
Cape May Point on Feb 16. A River Otter was at Lily Lake on Feb 13.
On Feb 13, AMERICAN PIPITS were at the Rea Farm and Cape Island Preserve.
A GLAUCOUS GULL and 4 HARLEQUIN DUCKS were at the inlet jetty at the
Two Mile Beach Unit of Cape May NWR on Feb 17. On Feb 14, a hen KING
EIDER, 5 HARLEQUIN DUCKS and 3 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were seen from the
8th St Jetty in Avalon. A Harbor Seal, COMMON EIDERS and a HARLEQUIN
DUCK were seen off the 8th St Jetty on Feb 15. The Stone Harbor Point
SNOWY OWL was reported as recently as Feb 18, when it made appearances
throughout the area including the new viewing platform and the houses
at the end of Stone Harbor. The SNOWY OWL was seen from the parking
lot on Feb 14. The Stone Harbor Point jetty had PURPLE SANDPIPERS on
Feb 15. A flock of SNOW BUNTINGS and 4 IPSWICH SPARROWS were at Stone
Harbor Point on Feb 17. A Harbor Seal was at Nummy’s Island on
Feb 14. A GREAT EGRET has been in the area of Reed’s Beach through
Feb 14. That day, a dark morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK and 3 SHORT-EARED OWLS
were at Jake’s Landing. Tuckahoe WMA had 3 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS
and over 20 TUNDRA SWANS on Feb 15, and a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was there
on Feb 13.
Click
here for Karl and Judy Lukens's website where there are pictures
of various interesting birds that have been seen in Cape May County
and in New Jersey.
Cumberland County:
Click
Here for Cumberland County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
A SHORT-EARED OWL was at Turkey Point on Feb 14. A
GOLDEN EAGLE was at Turkey Point on Feb 15. A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was
spotted at Sayre’s Neck on Feb 15.
Atlantic County:
Click
Here for Atlantic County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Feb 16-17, up to 11 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were
seen in pines near the refuge headquarters at the Brigantine Division
of Edwin B Forsythe NWR.
Monmouth County:
Click
Here for Monmouth County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
The Sandy Hook BOHEMIAN WAXWING was reported through
Feb 15. The BOHEMIAN WAXWING was seen at campsites #2 & #3 at the
scout camp on Feb 14. The next day, the WAXWING was seen at the campsite
#2 again, and also fed in a cedar at the big curve on Atlantic Ave.
On Feb 16, the BOHEMIAN WAXWING was reported from the scout camp and
the long straight stretch of Atlantic Ave south of Gunnison. The hen
BARROW’S GOLDENEYE were still being seen at Horseshoe Cove off
Batteries Kingman & Mills through Feb 16. On Feb 14, an ICELAND
GULL was spotted from the end of Fisherman’s Trail at Sandy Hook.
An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was at Sandy Hook’s Plum Island through
Feb 16. The COMMON TEAL (aka Eurasian Green-winged Teal) was still at
Lake Takanassee, seen from the third and fourth ponds west of Ocean
Ave. The Belmar Marina RED-NECKED GREBE was seen through Feb 16. The
drake EURASIAN WIGEON was at Belmar’s Silver Lake through Feb
16. Lake Como had a pair of REDHEAD through Feb 16. Over the weekend,
the Deal beachfront had basking Harbor Seals and an ICELAND GULL. An
ICELAND GULL was at Manasquan Inlet on Feb 16. Single LESSER BLACK-BACKED
GULLS were reported from the Wreck Pond and Sylvan Lake that day.
Burlington County:
Click
Here for Burlington County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Feb 13, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS and an ICELAND
GULL were at Florence.
Camden County:
Click
Here for Camden County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
A GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE has been visiting a backyard
feeder at 1147 Mansion Ave, Collingswood, NJ 08108, which is off of
Cuthbert Blvd. The GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE and has been reported as recently
as Feb 16. Homeowners, John and Peggy McDevit, welcome birders to come
and see the TOWHEE, and request that birders knock on the door, upon
arrival. If there is no answer, you can proceed softly and quietly along
the driveway to view the backyard feeders. The TOWHEE has also been
feeding under shrubs on the left side of the yard. Thank-you John and
Peggy for your hospitality and generosity. On Feb 16-17, WHITE-WINGED
CROSSBILLS fed in large spruces at the entrance to the Haddon Heights
sewage department, between the sewage dept and Haddon Lake County Park.
Turn onto Glover Ave from Kings Highway, and follow it until the road
reaches the park. The spruces are on the right side of the road at the
entrance to the public works and sewage plant. A probable GLAUCOUS GULL
was seen on the Delaware River at the Adventure Aquarium.
Ocean County:
Click
Here for Ocean County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
An ATLANTIC PUFFIN was seen at the end of the jetty
at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park on Feb 14. The Barnegat Inlet RED-NECKED
GREBE was reported as recently as Feb 17. Other sightings from Barnegat
Lighthouse State Park this week included an American Mink on the jetty,
Harbor Seal, SNOW BUNTING, MERLIN, PURPLE SANDPIPERS, WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS
and HARLEQUIN DUCKS.
Salem County:
Click
Here for Salem County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
At dusk on Feb 14, an adult male YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD
was in a mixed blackbird flock off Sunset Rd.
Gloucester County:
Click
Here for Gloucester County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
An AMERICAN BITTERN was at the National Park dredge
spoils on Feb 17. AMERICAN WOODCOCKS displayed at the Wheelabrator Refuge
on Feb 16.
Hunterdon County:
Click
Here for Hunterdon County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
The EARED GREBE at Round Valley Reservoir has been
seen from the main boat launch area as recently as Feb 14. The Califon
BARNACLE GOOSE was in a field behind the Melicks Farm stand off Route
513 on Feb 14. The next day, it was spotted at a field on the east side
of Trimmer Rd. A ROSS’S GOOSE flew over Oberly Rd at the Alpha
Grasslands on Feb 14. A flock of WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS was seen near
the entrance for Deer Path Park on W Woodschurch Rd in Flemington.
Middlesex County:
No Reports
Mercer County:
Click
Here for Mercer County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS fed in hemlocks and Norway
spruces at Sayen Gardens in Hamilton through Feb 15. The Sayen House
and Gardens is at 155 Hughes Dr, Hamilton, NJ 08690.
Warren County:
Click
Here for Warren County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
Three REDHEADS, 3 ICELAND GULLS, a GLAUCOUS GULL and
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were at Merrill Creek Reservoir on Feb 14.
COMMON GOLDENEYES were there the next day.
Somerset County:
Click
Here for Somerset County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Feb 12, an AMERICAN WOODCOCK performed a display
flight in Somerset. A COMMON RAVEN flew over I-287 on Feb 17. This week,
PINE SISKINS were reported from Raritan and Somerset.
Morris County:
No reports
Union County:
No reports
NJ Extralimitals:
No reports
For Delaware: Click
Here for the Delaware Birding List
New Castle County
Click
Here for New Castle County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Feb 12-14, WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were seen at
the Milford Crossroads in Newark. The CROSSBILLS have been seen near
the intersection of Papermill Rd and Thompson Station Rd, with parking
available at the Bank of America. Another CROSSBILL site at the Milford
Crossroads was the intersection of Possum Park Rd and Paper Mill Rd.
There are spruces behind the Happy Harry’s drug store and across
the street from the store in an undeveloped area that is part of White
Clay Creek State Park. It has been suggested that interested birders
park at the Happy Harry’s and search the trees either from that
side of the road or by crossing to the other side. Hoopes Reservoir
had a drake REDHEAD on Feb 14. A COMMON GOLDENEYE was at the Thousand
Acres Marsh on Feb 13. A hybrid GREEN-WINGED TEAL X COMMON TEAL (Common
Teal is the Eurasian subspecies of Green-winged Teal) was seen at the
Thousand Acre Marsh on Feb 14. This hybrid TEAL was seen from Dutch
Neck Rd at the back of the east side of the marsh.
Kent County:
Click
Here for Kent County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
Over 5 SHORT-EARED OWLS were seen from Port Mahon
Rd on Feb 14. On Feb 15, two BREWER’S BLACKBIRDS were in a mixed
blackbird flock seen from Whitehall Neck Rd, the entrance road for Bombay
Hook NWR. On Feb 14, a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was at Raymond Pool
at Bombay Hook. Other recent sightings from Bombay Hook included CACKLING
GOOSE, LINCOLN’S SPARROW and AMERICAN PIPIT. On Feb 15, a ROSS’S
GOOSE was seen from Route 9, a few miles south of Bombay Hook.
Sussex County:
Click
Here for Sussex County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Feb 14, a COMMON TEAL (aka Eurasian Green-winged
Teal) was spotted on the north side of Broadkill Rd. The BLACK-BELLIED
WHISTLING-DUCK was still at Rehoboth’s Silver Lake through Feb
16, and over 1000 CANVASBACKS were on the lake. On Feb 14, a ROSS’S
GOOSE was seen west of Lewes off US-9/DE-404 just west of the intersection
with DE-1. Cape Henlopen State Park had BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCHES.
For Pennsylvania: Click
Here for the Pennsylvania Birding List
Philadelphia County:
Click
Here for Philadelphia County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
No reports
Delaware County:
Click Here
for Delaware County Birding Resources including an interactive map with
locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.No reports
The LE CONTE’S SPARROW was still being seen well at the Darlington
Tract near Wawa, with reports as recent as Feb 17. To get to the Darlington
Tract from the intersection of Route 1 and Route 452, go south on Route
1 for about 2 miles, and turn right onto Darlington Rd. Continue down
Darlington Rd for a quarter mile to the bridge over the creek and park
in the parking area just past the bridge. Head north on the trail from
the parking area and follow that trail until it goes under a railroad
bridge. At that point, the trail turns right and a there is a little
opening in the weeds on the left. At that site, walk the field edge
farthest from the road to look for the LE CONTE’S SPARROW. The
SPARROW was seen to the right of the green bird box on Feb 15. A EURASIAN
WIGEON was on Brinton Lake Feb 16-18.
Photo by Bert Filemyr
Chester County:
Click Here
for Chester County Birding Resources including an interactive map with
locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Feb 15, Marsh Creek State Park had
a COMMON GOLDENEYE. A SHORT-EARED OWL was seen from Chapel Rd on Feb
14.
Montgomery County:
Click
Here for Montgomery County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.No Reports
On Feb 12-16, two possible BREWER’S BLACKBIRDS
were spotted in a backyard in Blue Bell. Flocks of PINE SISKINS were reported
from Huntingdon Valley, Riverbend Environmental Education Center and the
Washington Memorial Chapel area of Valley Forge National Historical Park.
On Feb 14, a SHORT-EARED OWL patrolled the fields across from Washington
Memorial Chapel at Valley Forge. A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was at the
Wissahickon Waterfowl Preserve on Feb 15. A flock of 20 CHIPPING SPARROWS
was at the Pennypack Watershed in Huntingdon Valley on Feb 17.
Bucks County:
Click
Here for Bucks County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Feb 14, a GLAUCOUS GULL, 13 ICELAND GULLS, LESSER
BLACK-BACKED GULLS and a possible adult THAYER’S GULL were seen
during a trip to Van Sciver Lake and Falls Township Community Park in
the Tullytown area. Falls Township Community Park had an ICELAND GULL
and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS on Feb 15. On Feb 15, a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED
GOOSE was on Lake Magnolia at Silver Lake Park. Another GREATER WHITE-FRONTED
GOOSE was at Peace Valley Park on Feb 17. Highlights from the Churchville
Nature Center this week included CACKLING GOOSE, GLAUCOUS GULL, ICELAND
GULL, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS, MERLIN and PINE SISKINS. On Feb 7,
an AMERICAN PIPIT was at Washington Crossing State Park. Thirty LESSER
BLACK-BACKED GULLS were at Core Creek Park on Feb 11, and five were
there on Feb 15. On Feb 16, a SNOW BUNTING was at the gravel lot by
the beach volleyball court at athletic fields south of Doylestown near
the intersection of Almshouse Rd and Turk Rd. PINE SISKINS were reported
from Warminster this week. A TUNDRA SWAN was on the Delaware River south
of Riegelsville.
Northampton County:
Click
Here for Northampton County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Feb 15, WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were seen along
Hillside Rd in Seemsville. A pair of REDHEADS was on the Seiple’s
Farm Pond off Route 329 on Feb 13-16. The flooded field at Green Pond
had an ICELAND GULL and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS on Feb 14. A flock
of 75 PINE SISKINS were spotted at Arrowhead Island Overlook on Feb
11. Over 100 PINE SISKINS Were in Bath on Feb 13. A COMMON REDPOLL visited
a feeder in Seemsville on Feb 12.
Lehigh County:
Click
Here for Lehigh County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
The AUDUBON’S YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER was still
at Dorney Pond through Feb 15; sometimes this bird has been seen near
3801 Dorney Park Rd. The LONG-TAILED DUCK and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS
were at Dorney Pond through Feb 16. Trexler Nature Preserve had WHITE-WINGED
CROSSBILLS on Feb 15. A church cemetery in Emmaus had 20 WHITE-WINGED
CROSSBILLS on Feb 15. On Feb 15-16, WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were in
spruces at the southeast corner of the intersection of Parkway Blvd
and Ott St near Cedar Creek Park. In the park, a LESSER BLACK-BACKED
GULL was on Lake Muhlenberg. A ROSS’S GOOSE was with SNOW GEESE
at the Fogelsville Quarry on Feb 17. The Franko Farm Recreation Area
had PINE SISKINS. Allentown has been hosting double-digit numbers of
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS, especially on the Lehigh River near the wastewater
treatment plant.
Schuylkill County:
Click
Here for Schuylkill County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
Sweet Arrow Lake had PINE SISKINS on Feb 14.
Berks County:
Click
Here for Berks County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.No reports
Blue Marsh National Recreation Area had a CACKLING
GOOSE on Feb 14. A ROSS’S GOOSE and nearly 10,000 SNOW GEESE were
at Blue Marsh on Feb 17. That day, a COMMON GOLDENEYE was on Lake Ontelaunee.
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS, PINE SISKINS and PURPLE FINCHES were reported
from Leesport this week.
Lancaster County:
Click
Here for Lancaster County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
Tom Amico has extended an invitation for birders interested
in seeing his visiting DICKCISSEL to visit his property at 1023 Penny
Rd in Holtwood, PA 17532. Tom asks that interested birders come up the
driveway and park behind his camper to view the feeders and nearby spruce
tree that the DICKCISSEL has favored. The DICKCISSEL was reported as
recently as Feb 14. Thanks go out to Tom for his generosity and hospitality.
This week, Middle Creek WMA had 55,000 SNOW GEESE; 1,000-2,000 TUNDRA
SWANS; 2 REDHEADS; a COMMON GOLDENEYE and 3 flyby AMERICAN PIPITS. Two
ROSS’S GEESE were at Middle Creek on Feb 17. Conestoga Pines Park
continued to host WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS in a spruce grove between
a red barn and Pitney Rd through Feb 14. A flock of WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS
was seen off Golf Rd near Lancaster County Central Park on Feb 17. That
day, a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was north of New Holland. A COMMON REDPOLL
visited a feeder in Churchtown.
Lebanon County:
Click
Here for Lebanon County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
No Reports
Carbon County:
The Franklin Twp area of the Beltzville watershed
had 3 COMMON RAVENS and a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL on Feb 8. The next
day, the area hosted a NORTHERN SHRIKE, RUSTY BLACKBIRD and ROUGH-LEGGED
HAWK.
Monroe County:
Three WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were seen on the campus
of East Stroudsburg University on Feb 11.
Pike County:
No reports
Wayne County:
No reports
PA Extralimitals:
On Feb 14-16, a WESTERN GREBE was on Conodiguinet
Creek, before the mill at Willow Mill Rd in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland
County. To reach this area, head south on Route 114 from its intersection
with Route 81. Turn right onto Willow Mill Rd and go about 0.5 miles
to the creek. Do not park in the road. There is a stone house at this
location that belongs to Senator Pat Vance, who has graciously allowed
parking at the paved area at their barn. There are public parking areas
before and after this location as well. Thank you Senator. Please be
respectful of the Senator’s property if you go to see this bird.
Thank you Senator for your generosity. By Feb 16, the GREBE had moved
downstream of the bridge that crosses Route 114, which is near a Ramada
Inn.
Extralimital Reports
No reports
Announcements
On Feb 21, Martin Selzer will lead a DVOC field trip
to Indian River Inlet in Sussex County, DE. The trip will focus on winter
specialties including gulls, seabirds and waterfowl, and will stop at
Cape Henlopen, Rehoboth, Silver Lake, Prime Hook NWR and Bombay Hook
NWR on the ride north. Martin’s trip will meet at 9:00AM at the
parking lot on the north side of Indian River Inlet. Another DVOC field
trip is also scheduled for Feb 21. Steve Kacir
will lead a photography field trip to Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
(Ocean County, NJ) on Feb 21. The field trip will meet at 8:00AM at
the Barnegat Lighthouse State Park Parking Lot. There are no field trip
fees for either trip, and non-members are welcome at both. Please contact
Steve or Martin if you plan on attending. Directions, previous years’
trip reports and contact information for the trip leaders are on the
DVOC website: http://www.dvoc.org
The next meeting of the DVOC will take place at 7:30PM
on Feb 19 at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, PA, the
meeting will feature a program by Jeffrey Hall entitled “Behaving
Beautifully.” The meeting after that will be on March 5th, featuring
a program by Jeffrey Gordon. More details are available online at http://www.dvoc.org
The Delaware Valley Rare Bird Alert is a weekly report
on birding in the Delaware Valley Region including
Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey. To report birds or significant
upcoming birding events and planned pelagic trips, please email
. This is Steve Kacir, good
birding to you all and thanks for calling, surfing and reporting.
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