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Message: <blockquote data-quote="MKinHK" data-source="post: 1767088" data-attributes="member: 21760">FANTASTIC!!Once again fortune favours the brave! - was really hoping you'd go for them, but was hesitant to urge you in case it ended in disaster. and twitching them from Xian in a day - outstanding!Major bummer to lose the bins and diary - but at least it didn't stop you seeing China's greatest conservation success story - an excellent choice of bird if you're down to a single pair of bins.as for your questions:distribution data based on De Schauensee 19841. Common Swift breeds throughout N and central China and in their thousands in Xian - but the date seems rather early2. The race of Long-tailed Tit in southern Shaanxi is vinaceus.  Sooty Tit is also a montane species here, but I don't know of any lowland records - it's possible its an altitudinal migrant. Te only place I've seen it is Foping in the Qinling Shan. Black-throated Tit concinnus is also in the mix here, and Black-browed is as close as N Sichuan, so is also possible! Not helpful, I know!3. Collared Crow reaches n into S Shaanxi, while Daurian is not listed, but its a big wanderer (including to HK). Its a long shot but If you were high up Nutcracker is also a possibility in the Qinling Shan.4. The other possible pipit is Rosy Pipit, which is listed as resident in S Shaanxi, and Buff-bellied may also be possible - again not much help - sorry CheersMike</blockquote>