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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.
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Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) (1)
- Reported Aug 21, 2025 12:24 by Nick & Jane
- Morro Bay SP--Marina/Boardwalk Trail, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8418006&<ll...>,-120.8418006 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S268682163 - Media: 7 Photos
- Comments: "Juvenile. Spotted this bird at around 1:30 p.m. in the slowly rising tide along the shoreline mudflats off the southwest end of the boardwalk (I was standing near the bench).
I first noticed the plump size of a fluffing, preening and sometimes resting bird, and that it was dunlinesque in shape and size, larger than nearby western and least sandpipers.
Its long bill appeared more uniform in thickness and more downcurved and thinner than that of a dunlin. I also noted three main field marks: white rump, overall black and brown uniform scaliness (except for small upper back scaling), and rufous upper back scales (Overall similar juvenile plumage in dunlins would have much more rufous scaling on back and wings, and some white edges to scales, and rump would be bisected with dark feathers).
Other noted fieldmarks, white chin, a supercilium not seen in these poor photos, a bright white underside, a slight buffy to its upper chest streaking, and it’s posture was more upright than a dunlin.
No Dunlins have been reported in SLO County in August. Distant photos, cropped, and originals, and a few others. Waited to hear opinions from some birders and an ornithologist before posting.
Curlew Sandpiper last seen in California in San Diego on July 31, 2024. This looks to be a first county record and 80th California record if confirmed."
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) (1)
- Reported Aug 20, 2025 08:20 by Petra Clayton
- Cayucos Pier, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.9069453&<ll...>,-120.9069453 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S268521252 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Continuing since 8/18/25 (Herb Elliott, K.H.)
Lighter scaly back than that of the nearby Western Sandpiper; white underparts with a light buff-colored breast band and brownish streaks at the shoulder; finely streaked light-brown crown; pale supercilium; brownish patch in the auricular area and brownish line from the eye to the bill; short black bill, straight and with a blunt tip; black legs."
American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 21, 2025 08:38 by Herb Elliott
- West Hazard Canyon--Montana de Oro SP, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8812916&<ll...>,-120.8812916 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S268642737 - Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "*Rare summer, presumably the same 4th-cycle bird seen on the Sandspit on July 31st. Medium-sized Larus with pale gray mantle, bright pink legs, pale iris, faint head streaking, etc. Rather tame. Feeding with other gulls at the entrance to the beach. Pics"
Least Bittern (Botaurus exilis) (2)
- Reported Aug 22, 2025 09:32 by Eric Wier
- 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/S268850189 - Comments: "One bird was perched high in reeds. Its whitish breast, with dark streaks, was clearly visible through Kevin’s scope. In Petra’s photo, some orange-brown color bordering the breast was noticeable. A second bird, about 100 meters away, called “kak-kak-kak-kak-kak.”"
Least Bittern (Botaurus exilis) (2)
- Reported Aug 21, 2025 10:05 by Roger Hammer
- 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/S268754747 - Comments: "Cont. birds. Got intel from Anonymous that helped know which bird call to listen for and where to look. Reef and I spotted two birds and distinguished adult male with black back and cap from another female or immature male bird without. Saw one bird fly into north tule while hearing another kyakkyak calling from the west tule island. Birds never perched for us, but we got satisfying flying views for several seconds each time twice for each individual."
Least Bittern (Botaurus exilis) (2)
- Reported Aug 21, 2025 09:35 by Reef Comer
- 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/S268687326 - Comments: "Continuing in large tule island viewed from empty lot on Vista Del Lago. Tiny, overall orangish buffy herons with yellowish bill and rapid wingbeats. Quick, but multiple definitive views of 2 distinct individuals as they flew between reed patches. One was a definite male, with all black back and cap. The other, either a female or immature, was much buffier overall, especially on back and wings. Occasionally vocalizing, which sounded similar to VIRA (There was a Virginia grunting, but not on the island, where the bitterns were frequenting). Possibly last year’s birds, but tough to say. Probably a lot more at this lake we’re not seeing. Not long after arriving, I saw a bird I’m almost certain was another LEBI flying along the far NW edge of the lake, but couldn’t confirm."
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