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Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in San Luis Obispo County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN36231 NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.
eBird encourages our users to bird safely, responsibly, and mindfully. Please follow the recommendations of your local health authorities and respect any active travel restrictions in your area. For more information visit: https://ebird.org/news/please-bird-mindfully
Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 17, 2025 12:53 by Jody Hollier
- Morro Bay Harbor, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.857&<ll...>,-120.857 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S210220209 - Comments: "Small pale gray and blackish duck with dusky head and diamond-shaped patch of white surrounding the eye. Stocky, powerful dark bill. Swimming with the Bufflehead, roughly same size as them."
Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 19, 2025 14:40 by Jeanette Pettibone
- Morro Bay harbor mouth, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8658353&<ll...>,-120.8658353 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S210159335 - Comments: "Continuing bird on the sandspit side of the harbor across from the north T-Pier (Coast Guard dock). This small lone duck was backlit when in view and was primarily identified by its shape and size. It was a small duck that rode low in the water, was larger than the nearby Bufflehead and had a small short bill. The crown appeared somewhat flat. Someone may have gotten photos. No idea on the age or sex based on the view."
Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) (1)
- Reported Jan 21, 2025 13:59 by Doug Drynan
- San Luis Obispo Creek Lagoon, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.7364416&<ll...>,-120.7364416 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S210208332 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "continuing with group of common goldeneye. bill was distinctly more yellow than the adjacent common with their limited yellow tips. Bird consistently stayed close to the small golf course bridge that is off-limits to the general public. I was able to see the bird from the south west, but it was very far and I wasn't able to get great pictures. luckily there was a couple who had a scope and they let me look through it and then I could clearly see the extensive yellow on the Bill and the steep forehead of this bird. And particularly when it was side-by-side with a common, it really stood out. overall, the brown head seemed darker and more evenly brown than common."
Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) (1)
- Reported Jan 21, 2025 14:55 by Nick & Jane
- Cypress Ridge Golf Course, Arroyo Grande US-CA 35.06590, -120.57366, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.573656&<ll...>,-120.573656 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S210222121 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing bird found last year. At least its second winter here? Gun-metal grey body with brown-and-grey back, horizontal white dashes on sides, red bill and shield with yellow tips, white patch under tail, drab yellow legs. Photo"
Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 19, 2025 09:41 by Jeanette Pettibone
- The Gully to Point Piedras Blancas and back, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-121.2284087&<ll...>,-121.2284087 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S210159356 - Media: 4 Photos
- Comments: "briefly seen on the water and then flying away. This was a small shearwater that was very dark above and white below. The white below wrapped up onto the rear flanks, the undertail coverts were white, and the white underwing appeared unmarked other than outlined in black and with black in the primaries. A few poor photos were taken and at least one will be added to the checklist."
Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 19, 2025 09:41 by Sarah Spotten
- The Gully to Point Piedras Blancas and back, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-121.2284087&<ll...>,-121.2284087 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S210147634 - Media: 4 Photos
- Comments: "briefly seen on the water and then flying away. This was a small shearwater that was very dark above and white below. The white below wrapped up onto the rear flanks, the undertail coverts were white, and the white underwing appeared unmarked other than outlined in black and with black in the primaries. A few poor photos were taken and at least one will be added to the checklist."
American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 20, 2025 08:30 by Catherine Steinberg
- Oso Flaco Lake (not for beach/ocean), San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6207848&<ll...>,-120.6207848 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S210153618 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Adult/immature. Pale coloring. Large bittern. Striped neck and stomach. Long strong bill. Flew past us and then perched in open for 5 minutes. Glorious! See photo."
American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 20, 2025 08:30 by Morro Bay Bird Festival
- Oso Flaco Lake (not for beach/ocean), San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6207848&<ll...>,-120.6207848 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S210161209 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Adult/immature. Pale coloring. Large bittern. Striped neck and stomach. Long strong bill. Flew past us and then perched in open for 5 minutes. Glorious! See photo."
Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 17, 2025 08:30 by Susan Sauvain
- Laguna Lake, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6903817&<ll...>,-120.6903817 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S210223401 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Continuing by first dock (35.2646755, -120.6857133). Long bill, green back, dark mask. Light grey above, green turning into lemon yellow below. Seen well by all."
Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 17, 2025 08:30 by Larry Sauvain
- Laguna Lake, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6903817&<ll...>,-120.6903817 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S210222993 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Continuing by first dock (35.2646755, -120.6857133). Long bill, green back, dark mask. Light grey above, green turning into lemon yellow below. Seen well by all."
Sagebrush Sparrow (Artemisiospiza nevadensis) (2) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 17, 2025 13:35 by Jennifer Stock
- stakeout Sagebrush Sparrow -- Elkhorn/Simmler Rd Intersection (2025), San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.8400327&<ll...>,-119.8400327 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S210218205 - Media: 10 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing; photos. Pale gray head and nape, thin dark malar. Dark streaking on a pale gray back, with streaks extending across the center. Both actively feeding on the ground together."
Sagebrush Sparrow (Artemisiospiza nevadensis) (2) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 17, 2025 13:35 by Nelle Lyons
- stakeout Sagebrush Sparrow -- Elkhorn/Simmler Rd Intersection (2025), San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.8400327&<ll...>,-119.8400327 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S210227431 - Media: 10 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing; photos. Pale gray head and nape, thin dark malar. Dark streaking on a pale gray back, with streaks extending across the center. Both actively feeding on the ground together."
Sagebrush Sparrow (Artemisiospiza nevadensis) (2) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 17, 2025 13:35 by Linda McFarlane
- stakeout Sagebrush Sparrow -- Elkhorn/Simmler Rd Intersection (2025), San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.8400327&<ll...>,-119.8400327 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S210225891 - Media: 10 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing; photos. Pale gray head and nape, thin dark malar. Dark streaking on a pale gray back, with streaks extending across the center. Both actively feeding on the ground together."
Savannah Sparrow (Large-billed) (Passerculus sandwichensis rostratus/atratus) (1)
- Reported Jan 20, 2025 16:45 by Max Roberts
- Santa Maria River Estuary (SLO Co.), San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6456667&<ll...>,-120.6456667 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S210180220 - Comments: "Continuing since at least December, foraging for sand crab shells on the beach with sanderlings and snowy plovers. Quite distinct from nominate Savannah sparrow, looking browner overall with large, less contrasting dark streaks, less yellow on forehead, and a very large orange-pink bill. Photos. Initially seen in SB county, crossing north into SLO county"
Savannah Sparrow (Large-billed) (Passerculus sandwichensis rostratus/atratus) (1)
- Reported Jan 20, 2025 16:45 by Grigory Heaton
- Santa Maria River Estuary (SLO Co.), San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6456667&<ll...>,-120.6456667 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S210178382 - Comments: "Continuing since at least December, foraging for sand crab shells on the beach with sanderlings and snowy plovers. Quite distinct from nominate Savannah sparrow, looking browner overall with large, less contrasting dark streaks, less yellow on forehead, and a very large orange-pink bill. Photos on the SB list. Initially seen in SB county, crossing north into SLO county"
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