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First photographic record of Kamchatka Leaf Warbler in Borneo

Sabah based seasoned birders CK Leong and Gary Albert photographed a phylloscopus warbler in Borneo Highland Resort in Sarawak on 2nd November 2015, the bird's vocalization matches those of Phylloscopus examinandus, making this the first record in Borneo since its split from Arctic Warbler (Phylloscopus borealis).

 

CK Leong's fieldnote is reproduced below:-

Hi all! I have no previous encounter with this bird but at the same time I have to admit that I have been on the lookout for this bird for the last 3 seasons. Like all good birdwatching pretenders I downloaded the songs (from the usual site) of the xanthodryas and examinandus. On the morning of Nov 2, 'Gary Albert' and I were walking towards the trail at the Kalimantan View Point at Borneo Highlands with the intention to look for our nemesis babbler. Gary sighted this bird and called out Arctic Warbler. I looked and was immediately drawn to its creamy vent. My poor man binoculars couldn't quite focused on the throat but Gary using his bins with the eagle logo called that it did have a creamy wash on that area. I asked Gary to get busy with his camera while I played the song of both xanthodryas and examinandus. There was a reaction from the bird from the xanthodryas playback but when I played the examinandus song it reacted very strongly. After the the 2nd or 3rd play, the bird came down to a low bushy tree allowing Gary full access with his camera. I continued with playback and got the same vigorous response from the bird. Then the bird started to sing! and the song was the exact copy of the song I was playing. Gary stopped shooting and I stopped playing. We either had a Kamchatka Leaf Warbler or a warbler who could sing like one. Happy birding everybody!


Added by tswong on 2015-11-13

Kamchatka Leaf Warbler

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