---------------------------------------------
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 safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Oct 07, 2025 08:58 by Tom Edell
- 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/S277877346 - Comments: "Brian O. spotted a distant dark colored duck on oyster floats across the bay that looked like a good candidate. From the boardwalk, It looked like an all dark duck with a forehead that sloped down to the tip of the bill. We drove to Pasadena Ave to confirm the species. See https://ebird.org/checklist/S277877276 for more details and photos."
King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) (1)
- Reported Oct 08, 2025 08:45 by Kaaren Perry
- Pasadena Drive, Los Osos, Ca, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8426839&<ll...>,-120.8426839 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S278028277 - Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Dark brown duck seen roosting on offshore oyster raft. This species had been previously reported and considering the rarity is probably the same individual. It moved off and on the raft, eventually swimming out into the bay. A single white wing bar, white wing linings, rounded head with all dark sloped bill were observed. Distant photos suitable only for species seasonal status purposes."
King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) (1)
- Reported Oct 07, 2025 15:40 by Isaiah Woodard
- Pasadena Park Beach, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8440733&<ll...>,-120.8440733 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S277894432 - Comments: "Continuing. Good looks, exceedingly poor photos. Large all brown duck with low profile and long, sloping head. Spending time on the oyster beds on the left side, beyond the exposed sandbar."
King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Oct 07, 2025 11:05 by Carol Comeau
- Pasadena Park Beach, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8440733&<ll...>,-120.8440733 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S277884389 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Continuing. Seen by multiple observers. Swimming off the buoys visible from the vacant lot off Pasadena that is just north of the official Pasadena Park Bench hotspot. Same bird that was noted starting August 17, 2025 by multiple observers. 2nd county record. Viewed with scope. Lousy photo!"
King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Oct 07, 2025 10:53 by Tom Edell
- Pasadena Park Beach, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8440733&<ll...>,-120.8440733 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S277877276 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "While scoping birds from the boardwalk, Brian spotted a duck across the bay he thought was a candidate for the missing King Eider present this past August. Though distant I agreed and a group of us drove over to Pasadena Ave for closer looks. The bird was still resting on oyster company floats when we arrived, but swam off around the floats, and perched back on them a few times while we watched. With binoculars and under an overcast sky, it looked like a brown duck with a sloping forehead. With scoped we were able to see the bird better, but it was still too distance to see fine details. It appeared to be brown overall and perhaps a bit light on the head and breast. Aside from the sloping forehead that ended in an apparent dark bill, the most noticeable feature was a pale spot over the eye and a pale line curving back from the eye and down onto the side of the neck. When it raised up in the water I could see that at least the breast looked mottled. In some views, it appeared to have a single white wingbar. This bird looks to have replaced its primaries and retricies, which were just shafts in August, and I suspect it has been somewhere on the estuary while molting. Photos"
Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) (1)
- Reported Oct 07, 2025 11:49 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/S277901805 - Comments: "Late migrant hatch-year male. I was in the understory of the oak grove between the north and south paved paths in the eastern area of the park when I spotted an orange hummingbird hovering in the canopy. It was above and to the front of me. It landed twice and I still couldn’t manage a pic. It had an orange back, cheeks, crown, nape, and front—and white chest. Its throat was partially white and had several dark messy gorget patches. No picorama."
Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) (1)
- Reported Oct 08, 2025 12:24 by Andrew Fleming
- 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/S278037671 - Comments: "Juvenile. Standing on the boat docks closest to the trailhead. Lankier neck and thicker bill than black crowned. Could be one of the same juveniles seen previously around Morro bay."
Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) (1)
- Reported Oct 07, 2025 10:25 by Petra Clayton
- 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/S277930212 - Media: 7 Photos
- Comments: "One juvenile, most likely one of the up to three juveniles reported in Morro Bay during the last five weeks: The first one on 9/3/25 at the Morro Bay SP Marina by the Bayside Café.
Then all of our observations were at Tidelands Park, where we observed one on 9/4/25 and two on 9/6/25, 9/7/25, 9/8/25, 9/12/25 and 9/18/25. We observed three juveniles at Tidelands Park on 9/25/25 and 9/26/25 and again two on 10/2/25 and one there today (10/7/25) at 10:00 a.m.
Today's juvenile at the Morro Bay SP Marina had a dark, stout bill with yellow feathers at the base of the lower mandible; small white triangular spots on the covert feathers.
Click on the image below for a Flickr video, showing the juvenile with a crab:
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jack-petra-clayton/54840309066/in/dateposted-public/" title="Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) juvenile, Morro Bay, CA"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/54840309066_69511b8cca_z.jpg" alt="Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) juvenile, Morro Bay, CA" /></a>"
Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) (1)
- Reported Oct 07, 2025 10:00 by Petra Clayton
- Tidelands Park, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8514118&<ll...>,-120.8514118 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S277907390 - Media: 7 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing juvenile. Today just one. It was perched on the Monterey Cypress past the last boat ramp.
However, another a single juvenile Yellow-crowned Night Heron was present today at the Morro Bay State Park Marina at 11:07 a.m.
In the past month we have observed one juvenile at this location in the morning of 9/6/25 and again on 9/7/25, 9/8/25, 9/12/25 and 9/18/25. We observed three juveniles on 9/25/25 and 9/26/25 and we observed two juveniles on 10/2/25.
One juvenile was first present here on 9/4/25 and could have been the same individual reported on 9/3/25 at the Morro Bay SP Marina.
Today's juvenile had a dark, stout bill with yellow feathers at the base of the lower mandible; small white triangular spots on the covert feathers.
Click on the image below for a Flickr video, which includes regurgitation of a pellet:
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jack-petra-clayton/54840170551/in/dateposted-public/" title="Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) juvenile, Morro Bay, CA"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/54840170551_a2b196cae3_z.jpg" alt="Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) juvenile, Morro Bay, CA" /></a>
**Birds of the World**
Bolus of indigestible material such as crab shells and beetle elytra ejected as pellets, approximately 2.5-5 cm in length; may be found in large numbers around favorite sunning and roosting areas. Young drop pellets over side of nest and will regurgitate undigested food or pellets when approached by humans. Adults also eject pellets when disturbed."
Bell's Vireo (Eastern) (Vireo bellii bellii/medius) (1)
- Reported Oct 07, 2025 17:08 by Tom Edell
- Home, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8953657&<ll...>,-120.8953657 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S277903859 - Media: 4 Photos
- Comments: "This bird was first seen moving in a wax myrtle. It dropped down to the backyard water feature but did not bathe or drink before flying back into the myrtle. I was initially confused by the yellow flanks and undertail and otherwise white underparts. Once I got a good look at the thick vireo type bill and pale spectacles I knew it was a vireo but not the more expected Warbling Vireo. The green back yellow sides, pale wingbars (photos show a much more prominent lower wingbar than upper), and gray head best fit Eastern Bell's Vireo. Camera settings were set for this morning's overcast conditions and washed out some of the yellow color on the bird's plumage."
Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) (1)
- Reported Oct 06, 2025 12:08 by Petra Clayton
- Hi Mountain Road, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.4102386&<ll...>,-120.4102386 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S277728339 - Media: 8 Photos
- Comments: "Brown finely streaked crown with pale median stripe; broad pale supercilium and lores; complete eye-ring; flared eye-line starting behind the eye; small pink bill; pale malar stripe bordered by thin dark stripes; pale underparts; partial gray collar; dark streaks on brown nape and upper back; two white wingbars; notched tail; pink legs and feet.
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Oct 07, 2025 11:49 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/S277901805 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing female seen in both ends of park. Enough time passed that I assume the same bird, that I first saw west of the mid-park bridge, had flown to the oak grove between the two paths near where the paths converge. The bird eagerly foraged on trunks and limbs, occasionally teleporting to other branches, and also letting out soft high-pitched chip calls now and then. Photos."
Tennessee Warbler (Leiothlypis peregrina) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Oct 07, 2025 11:49 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/S277901805 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "This is a different tennessee warbler than the specimen I discovered a week or so ago. Overall, more yellowy-geen in parts than the first, and much more white beneath. The dark eyeline was more pronounced, as was its pale supercilium. The back was lime green, as was its crown, nape, shoulders, secondaries and rump. The primaries were grey but pale-edged. This bird was also smaller than the first and had an extremely short tail with partially lime retrices, and white undertail coverts. The throat was more yellowy as was the patch nearly surrounding its auriculars towards the nape. Spotted in multiple trees west of mid-park bridge. Pics"
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) (1)
- Reported Oct 08, 2025 10:32 by Jamie Woolf
- 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/S278033383 - Comments: "Seen twice on the peninsula. Green back, white eye ring, two distinct wing bars, and very faint chestnut color on side. Associated loosely with a few yellow-rumpled warblers."
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata) (1)
- Reported Oct 07, 2025 11:49 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/S277901805 - Media: 11 Photos
- Comments: "Hatch-year homie. I’m assuming this is a different migrant than the one another birder found a few weeks ago? But maybe not? This bird landed at the base of a tree, which surprised the heck out of me. Then it darted into the canopy, but rather low amid branches and leaves where it foraged—possibky for insects. It was rather cooperative while I snapped pics, hanging out low amid thick green leaves, which made the bird appear greener than it was. I noticed right away when it was on the ground that it had a striped back—dark lines on olive coloring—a yellow throat and chest, and white undertail coverts. I also noted brown stripey smudges on its flanks and chest, pale-edged dark wings, double-white wingbars, and a short tail. Also notable was a dark eyeline and broken yellow-to-white eyering. I forgot to look at the color of its legs and feet, though in photos they appear yellow. Pics"
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) (1)
- Reported Oct 07, 2025 17:44 by Pair of Wing-Nuts
- Cloisters Community Park (not for beach and ocean), San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8609828&<ll...>,-120.8609828 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S277916765 - Media: 4 Photos
- Comments: "Observed foraging in tall grass next to fence along paved trail near triangle trail intersection in NW corner of park near free book library and bench. Nonbreeding adult/immature bird was mostly gray/brown above with brownish cap, creamy pale supercilium, dark lores and eye-line, cream white eye-arcs, thin, faint gray nape, light brown malar stripe, cream colored throat, buffy yellow breast and belly with blurry light brown streaking on breast, sides and flanks and bright yellow undertail coverts."
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Oct 07, 2025 13:14 by Tom Edell
- Home, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8953657&<ll...>,-120.8953657 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S277877147 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "This bird was seen in the vegetation around a water feature before it landed in the open on the ground. It pumped its tail a couple of times after landing. It was brown above, pale below except for the yellow undertail coverts with streaks on sides and had a pale supercilium, dark line through eye, and a thin, dark bill. It was loosely associating with a small flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers. Photo"
***********
You received this message because you are subscribed to eBird's San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
eBird Alerts provide recent reports of regionally or seasonally rare species (Rarities Alerts) or species you have not yet observed (Needs Alerts) in your region of interest; both Accepted and Unreviewed observations are included. Some reports may be from private property or inaccessible to the general public. It is the responsibility of every eBirder to be aware of and respectful of access restrictions. For more information, see our Terms of Use: https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/terms-of-use/
![https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/54840309066_69511b8cca_z.jpg"](https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/54840309066_69511b8cca_z.jpg"){kind=link}
![https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/54840170551_a2b196cae3_z.jpg"](https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/54840170551_a2b196cae3_z.jpg"){kind=link}
![https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/54836713742_3eeaa846a4_z.jpg"](https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/54836713742_3eeaa846a4_z.jpg"){kind=link}