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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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Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) (1)
- Reported Sep 29, 2025 09:55 by Petra Clayton
- 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/S276404729 - Media: 11 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing juvenile at this eBird hotspot since 8/31/25 (Sam Larkin).
Most likely the same individual that had been observed at Morro Creek Mouth from 8/30/25 to 8/31/25. (Last eBird report at Morro Creek mouth: 8/31/25 at 4:35 p.m.)
Viewed from the Prefumo Creek mouth. - First observed at a distance across the lake. It then flew closer to the viewpoint before flying off again, but returned to the area at the creek mouth.
Overall white with faint gray wingtips; greenish-yellow legs and feet and a bill that was light at the base and dark on the distal half.
Click on the image below for a Flickr video:
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jack-petra-clayton/54821998975/in/dateposted-public/" title="Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea), juvenile, San Luis Obispo, CA"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/54821998975_3969135e41_z.jpg" alt="Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea), juvenile, San Luis Obispo, CA" /></a>"
Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) (1)
- Reported Sep 29, 2025 15:00 by Terri Osborn
- San Simeon Creek Road, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-121.0775634&<ll...>,-121.0775634 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S276411423 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "Small plump bird, gray above and vermilion below, vermilion cap and forehead, gray patch through the eye and wrapping around the nape and small pointed bill. Seen foraging along Van Gordon Cr. Rd. on the fence along the edge of the campground behind Campsite #21 and east of the restroom building in the middle of the campground loop. (35.59909° N,121.12196°W) First report of this species at this hotspot."
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) (1)
- Reported Sep 29, 2025 07:38 by Reef Comer
- Pismo SB--Oceano Campground, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6265268&<ll...>,-120.6265268 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S276382928 - Comments: "*Late. One seen distantly but well flying around the county park from the campground. Medium-sized swallow with entirely warm brown upperparts and head and throat, entirely pale below without any breast band as in BANS. Also warmer brown and less contrasty overall than that species. No pics."
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) (1)
- Reported Sep 29, 2025 07:38 by Ann Stockert
- Pismo SB--Oceano Campground, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6265268&<ll...>,-120.6265268 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S276369261 - Comments: "*Late. One seen distantly but well flying around the county park from the campground. Medium-sized swallow with entirely warm brown upperparts and head and throat, entirely pale below without any breast band as in BANS. Also warmer brown and less contrasty overall than that species. No pics."
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) (1)
- Reported Sep 29, 2025 07:38 by Roger Hammer
- Pismo SB--Oceano Campground, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6265268&<ll...>,-120.6265268 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S276391783 - Comments: "*Late. One seen distantly but well flying around the county park from the campground. Medium-sized swallow with entirely warm brown upperparts and head and throat, entirely pale below without any breast band as in BANS. Also warmer brown and less contrasty overall than that species. No pics."
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Sep 28, 2025 07:00 by Kevin Zimmer
- KJZ yard, Garcia Rd, Atascadero, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.7064838&<ll...>,-120.7064838 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S276216690 - Comments: "FOS. Typical Catharus thrush, with brown upper parts contrasting with bright rufous tail; grayish flanks; spotted breast. Came in to the fountain of our pond to bathe late in the afternoon."
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) (1)
- Reported Sep 29, 2025 07:38 by Ann Stockert
- Pismo SB--Oceano Campground, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6265268&<ll...>,-120.6265268 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S276369261 - Comments: "*Seems more or less on time? Had one on opposite side of campground yesterday also. One h/o giving distinctive “ree!” calls a few times at beginning of Norswing trail closest to Pier Ave. Call similar to SPTO but higher pitched and less grumbly, etc."
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) (1)
- Reported Sep 29, 2025 07:38 by Roger Hammer
- Pismo SB--Oceano Campground, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6265268&<ll...>,-120.6265268 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S276391783 - Comments: "*Seems more or less on time? Had one on opposite side of campground yesterday also. One h/o giving distinctive “ree!” calls a few times at beginning of Norswing trail closest to Pier Ave. Call similar to SPTO but higher pitched and less grumbly, etc."
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) (1)
- Reported Sep 29, 2025 07:38 by Reef Comer
- Pismo SB--Oceano Campground, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6265268&<ll...>,-120.6265268 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S276382928 - Comments: "*Seems more or less on time? Had one on opposite side of campground yesterday also. One h/o giving distinctive “ree!” calls a few times at beginning of Norswing trail closest to Pier Ave. Call similar to SPTO but higher pitched and less grumbly, etc."
Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) (1)
- Reported Sep 29, 2025 10:30 by The Spotting Twohees
- Garden St, Los Osos, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8502207&<ll...>,-120.8502207 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S276342814 - Media: 9 Photos
- Comments: "Found by Jim Royer this am. This bird was foraging in a small bottle brush tree. It would work it's way to the outside of the bush and gave us good looks. Overall size was smaller than a Hooded Oriole. The bill was also smaller. Yellow head, breast and belly. Dark wings with two wing bars."
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Sep 29, 2025 07:55 by Nick & Jane
- Meadow Park--San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6606531&<ll...>,-120.6606531 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S276339757 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing female. Seen a few times in various locations in eastern park areas. Last seen in oaks between both paths, about twenty yards west of where paths converge. Black-and-white striped head, back, and wings. White double wingbars. Pale throat. Black streaks on flanks, black spots on undertail coverts, otherwise white underside. Called its soft chip a few times. Photos."
Tennessee Warbler (Leiothlypis peregrina) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Sep 29, 2025 07:55 by Nick & Jane
- Meadow Park--San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6606531&<ll...>,-120.6606531 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S276339757 - Media: 4 Photos
- Comments: "Spotted this bird(s) in a few areas. Guessing only one bird and that the light made both sightings seem a little different. I'll describe the second sighting, which was more in the open, and on a bottlebrush tree, where it was pecking away at red flowers either for bugs or nectar. I was able to see its dark eyeline, white undertail coverts, and lime coloration. Soon, it was chased away by a prairie warbler, which flew in out of nowhere and body slammed the Tennessee out of the way for hogging the flower. The first sighting was near Casa Diablo. Its chip was sharp, high, "stik." Photos"
Orange-crowned Warbler (sordida) (Leiothlypis celata sordida) (1)
- Reported Sep 29, 2025 07:38 by Ann Stockert
- Pismo SB--Oceano Campground, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6265268&<ll...>,-120.6265268 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S276369261 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "*Expected in small numbers. Dull OCWA with massive spike of a bill, streaked undertail covs, and greener upper and paler lower eye arcs. Silent. Here: (35.108587, -120.627837). Pics."
Orange-crowned Warbler (sordida) (Leiothlypis celata sordida) (1)
- Reported Sep 29, 2025 07:38 by Reef Comer
- Pismo SB--Oceano Campground, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6265268&<ll...>,-120.6265268 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S276382928 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "*Expected in small numbers. Dull OCWA with massive spike of a bill, streaked undertail covs, and greener upper and paler lower eye arcs. Silent. Here: (35.108587, -120.627837). Pics."
Orange-crowned Warbler (sordida) (Leiothlypis celata sordida) (1)
- Reported Sep 29, 2025 07:38 by Roger Hammer
- Pismo SB--Oceano Campground, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6265268&<ll...>,-120.6265268 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S276391783 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "*Expected in small numbers. Dull OCWA with massive spike of a bill, streaked undertail covs, and greener upper and paler lower eye arcs. Silent. Here: (35.108587, -120.627837). Pics."
Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca) (1)
- Reported Sep 28, 2025 09:40 by Petra Clayton
- Islay Creek Campground--Montana de Oro SP, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8838502&<ll...>,-120.8838502 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S276191361 - Media: 4 Photos
- Comments: "Yellow breast; white belly and undertail coverts; dark wings; dark corners on the underside of the tail; some streaking on the flanks; dark line through the eye."
Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Sep 28, 2025 07:47 by The Spotting Twohees
- Pismo SB--Oceano Campground, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6265268&<ll...>,-120.6265268 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S276218324 - Comments: "Continuing probable HY male with well defined double white wing-bars, buffy orange breast and face and forehead patch with darker cheek patch. Back with double pale mantle lines. Observed with a large, mixed flock along the maintenance road on lagoon side of road at appx. ( 35°06'41.1"N 120°37'36.2"W). This bird was very active high in the canopy and difficult to pin down before it moved to the center of the grove and could not be refound. The same flock also included a Chestnut-sided Warbler."
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) (1)
- Reported Sep 29, 2025 07:38 by Roger Hammer
- Pismo SB--Oceano Campground, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6265268&<ll...>,-120.6265268 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S276391783 - Comments: "*Rare but regular. Continuing HY m (?) in large flock along the maintenance rd. Possibly saw a/the 2nd individual later on Norswing side but views were too brief. Pale gray warbler with greenish cap and upperparts, white eyering, double wingbars, slightly cocked tail. No pics."
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) (1)
- Reported Sep 29, 2025 07:38 by Ann Stockert
- Pismo SB--Oceano Campground, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6265268&<ll...>,-120.6265268 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S276369261 - Comments: "*Rare but regular. Continuing HY m (?) in large flock along the maintenance rd. Possibly saw a/the 2nd individual later on Norswing side but views were too brief. Pale gray warbler with greenish cap and upperparts, white eyering, double wingbars, slightly cocked tail. No pics."
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) (1)
- Reported Sep 29, 2025 07:38 by Reef Comer
- Pismo SB--Oceano Campground, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6265268&<ll...>,-120.6265268 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S276382928 - Comments: "*Rare but regular. Continuing HY m (?) in large flock along the maintenance rd. Possibly saw a/the 2nd individual later on Norswing side but views were too brief. Pale gray warbler with greenish cap and upperparts, white eyering, double wingbars, slightly cocked tail. No pics."
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) (2) CONFIRMED
- Reported Sep 28, 2025 07:47 by The Spotting Twohees
- Pismo SB--Oceano Campground, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6265268&<ll...>,-120.6265268 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S276218324 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "Bird #1 - Female/immature (= image #1) was light green on head, slightly darker green on back with two bold, greenish/white wing-bars, dark primaries, was entirely white below except for dark outer tail edges and did not show any chestnut on sides or flanks that we could see. Bird #1 was was initially observed on east lagoon trail which was flooded to depths greater than 14 inches (scientifically estimated the hard way by height of author's boots which were only 12 inches tall). Bird #1 was observed at appx: (35°06'33.5"N 120°37'32.6"W) and later suspected to be part of the Blackburnian Warbler flock.
Bird #2 - Likely young male (= images 2 & 3) was similar to Bird #1, but appeared grayer on head with darker back and was also mostly white below with the exception of dark outer tail edges and faint chestnut smudges on sides. Bird #2 observed at appx: (35°06'39.4"N 120°37'35.1"W)."
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Sep 28, 2025 07:47 by The Spotting Twohees
- Pismo SB--Oceano Campground, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6265268&<ll...>,-120.6265268 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S276218324 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Likely continuing-breeding female/immature was olive above with yellow eye-arcs bisected by black eye-line, with back streaking, two white wing-bars separated by dark panel and was yellowish on brown-streaked throat and breast, white from belly to undertail with yellow feet and legs."
Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Sep 29, 2025 07:55 by Nick & Jane
- Meadow Park--San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6606531&<ll...>,-120.6606531 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S276339757 - Media: 7 Photos
- Comments: "Possible first-year male, as its plumage appeared in between immature and adult. This bird's strikingly bright golden tones and small size got my attention when I was observing a large mixed flock of warblers, vireos, juncos, bushtits, and more.
I then noted thick black streaking on its yellow flanks and knew this was gonna be a cool warbler. The bird was a quick forager, near impossible to photograph as it hopped from branch to branch. So I spent some time noting fieldmarks--it had a broken black collar (not really a collar though the angle of thick black shoulder lines make it look that way from a side view). It had a dark, partially black semicircle forming under the eyes that joined with greyish cheeks, as well as had a thick dark eyeline that bisected thick yellow above and below. The back was green, no hint of rufous that I could note. The wings were olive at the shoulder, and black with pale edges on the primaries and secondaries, which includes yellowy-green wingbars. The crown and nape were also olive green, while the throat was as bright golden as the underside. The undertail coverts were white, as were the outer tail feather edges and undertail. Its bill was pink, and the base connected to a thin band of blackish plumage above, and whitish plumage below, as well as a kind of light-colored plumage directly above the upper mandible.
It vocalized a few times, a thick husky chip for such a tiny dude.
Seen a few times, loosely associating with a Tennessee warbler, which it body-slammed out of the way in a bottlebrush tree while I was taking pics of the Tennessee (this was welcome since my previous pics of the prairie were garbage but ID worthy). Often it was foraging a bit solo. Seen in both deciduous and bottlebrush generally here: 35.26777° N, 120.66020° W
Last seen flying into a deciduous tree full of yummy berries next to a corner house on the northeast portion of park. First record of this species at this hotspot."
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Sep 29, 2025 07:55 by Nick & Jane
- Meadow Park--San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6606531&<ll...>,-120.6606531 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S276339757 - Media: 1 Audio
- Comments: "Immature. Heard its high-pitched squeak--somewhat higher than that of a black-headed. Only briefly saw the bird and can't really offer up many details other than it was an immature grosbeak with coarse streaking across breast, a prominent supercilium and thick pink bill. Its call however gave it away as it was a squeaky gym floor rasp. Even crappy merlin agreed with me. I did some playback to entice the bird. It called back a few times then flew east through the park--couldn't re-find. First record of this species at this hotspot. Recording."
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