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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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Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba) (1)
- Reported Jan 17, 2026 08:30 by Rick Grijalva
- Morro Rock, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8670566&<ll...>,-120.8670566 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S294736940 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Small size (compared to nearby Common Loons and Brandt's Cormorants. Pointy beak. Dark feathering over the eyes, pale chin, pale sides, dark backside w/ white mottling. Short tail"
Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba) (1)
- Reported Jan 17, 2026 08:30 by Morro Bay Bird Festival
- Morro Rock, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8670566&<ll...>,-120.8670566 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S294816810 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Small size (compared to nearby Common Loons and Brandt's Cormorants. Pointy beak. Dark feathering over the eyes, pale chin, pale sides, dark backside w/ white mottling. Short tail"
Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba) (1)
- Reported Jan 17, 2026 08:30 by Rachel Clark
- Morro Rock, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8670566&<ll...>,-120.8670566 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S294729637 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Small size (compared to nearby Common Loons and Brandt's Cormorants. Pointy beak. Dark feathering over the eyes, pale chin, pale sides, dark backside w/ white mottling. Short tail"
Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 15, 2026 10:06 by Karen Evans
- Morro Rock, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8670566&<ll...>,-120.8670566 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S294572241 - Comments: "This bird was seen and identified by leader as Pigeon Guillemot but, there were some lingering questions. So, it was originally listed as a more common species. However, photos were later reviewed and it was determined to Pigeon Guillemot. Photos will follow in the coming days."
Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 15, 2026 09:00 by Pamela Beach
- Morro Rock, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8670566&<ll...>,-120.8670566 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S294663264 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Initially believed to be a common murre, upon photo review this appears to be a previously reported pigeon guillemot. Lack of definition on face, white markings on back that I didn't see initially point to first year/hatch year Guillemot. Photos to come. Bird was south of the rock floating and feeding in the channel."
Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus) (1)
- Reported Jan 16, 2026 08:54 by Teodelina Martelli
- Morro Rock, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8670566&<ll...>,-120.8670566 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S294599688 - Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Individual appearing unwell and low energy swimming at mouth of bay. Sides appeared dirty (oiled), but chin and face naturally blackly feathered, bill translucent orange. Seemed not to use left leg much for swimming, but others reported it diving for baitfish. Reportedly captured an hour later for rehab at local center."
Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus) (1)
- Reported Jan 16, 2026 08:54 by Morro Bay Bird Festival
- Morro Rock, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8670566&<ll...>,-120.8670566 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S294599926 - Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Individual appearing unwell and low energy swimming at mouth of bay. Sides appeared dirty (oiled), but chin and face naturally blackly feathered, bill translucent orange. Seemed not to use left leg much for swimming, but others reported it diving for baitfish. Reportedly captured an hour later for rehab at local center."
Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus) (1)
- Reported Jan 16, 2026 08:54 by Lan King
- Morro Rock, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8670566&<ll...>,-120.8670566 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S294608921 - Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Individual appearing unwell and low energy swimming at mouth of bay. Sides appeared dirty (oiled), but chin and face naturally blackly feathered, bill translucent orange. Seemed not to use left leg much for swimming, but others reported it diving for baitfish. Reportedly captured an hour later for rehab at local center."
Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus) (1)
- Reported Jan 16, 2026 08:54 by Timothy Grover
- Morro Rock, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8670566&<ll...>,-120.8670566 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S294666594 - Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Individual appearing unwell and low energy swimming at mouth of bay. Sides appeared dirty (oiled), but chin and face naturally blackly feathered, bill translucent orange. Seemed not to use left leg much for swimming, but others reported it diving for baitfish. Reportedly captured an hour later for rehab at local center."
Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) (1)
- Reported Jan 16, 2026 16:09 by Alecia Smith
- Sandspit Beach, near parking lot trail, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.874564&<ll...>,-120.874564 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S294606961 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing 2nd-winter bird. Medium-sized gull with a mostly black bill, dark legs, and long wings. Primaries, secondaries, and greater coverts nearly black, contrasting with lighter gray mantle and scapulars. Gray smudging on the nape and head. Did not observe this bird associating with any other gulls, consistently remaining just north of the beach access point from the parking lot. We did see it make a few short flights, but it would always return to the same location."
Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) (1)
- Reported Jan 16, 2026 16:09 by Van Pierszalowski
- Sandspit Beach, near parking lot trail, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.874564&<ll...>,-120.874564 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S294599732 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing 2nd-winter bird. Medium-sized gull with a mostly black bill, dark legs, and long wings. Primaries, secondaries, and greater coverts nearly black, contrasting with lighter gray mantle and scapulars. Gray smudging on the nape and head. Did not observe this bird associating with any other gulls, consistently remaining just north of the beach access point from the parking lot. We did see it make a few short flights, but it would always return to the same location."
California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) (3)
- Reported Jan 17, 2026 14:06 by Barry Langdon-Lassagne
- 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/S294808840 - Comments: "5.5 miles up the road. Seen standing on summit of the first green hill to the north from the highest, red rock peak. One has a yellow wing tags on both wings; one has a single wing tag. They cooperatively OPENED THEIR WINGS, showing the tags and the white inner wing markings Photos, distant but identifiable. County lifer!!"
California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) (3)
- Reported Jan 17, 2026 14:06 by Virginia Langdon-Lassagne
- 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/S294808839 - Comments: "5.5 miles up the road. Seen standing on summit of the first green hill to the north from the highest, red rock peak. One has a yellow wing tags on both wings; one has a single wing tag. They cooperatively OPENED THEIR WINGS, showing the tags and the white inner wing markings Photos, distant but identifiable. County lifer!!"
Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) (1)
- Reported Jan 17, 2026 16:06 by Todd Easterla
- Morro Creek mouth, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8624411&<ll...>,-120.8624411 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S294821762 - Comments: "Very small female yellow green oriole with striking black and white wings, short squared off tail. Giving chuck type calls. Near creek mouth in reeds and hanging in fairly close proximity to a group of House finches and sparrows here."
Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) (1)
- Reported Jan 17, 2026 08:01 by Chris Henry
- 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/S294794842 - Comments: "Associating with the SUTA originally here, (35.1120309, -120.6263098) best seen by KH. Fem/HY-type. Small uniformly green oriole with shorter tail and bill than HOOR. Upper mandible of bill appeared slightly overgrown and it had gummed up eucalyptus on the lower bill base. Silent. Flew off with the SUTA. No chance at photos"
Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) (1)
- Reported Jan 17, 2026 08:01 by Morro Bay Bird Festival
- 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/S294816781 - Comments: "Associating with the SUTA originally here, (35.1120309, -120.6263098) best seen by KH. Fem/HY-type. Small uniformly green oriole with shorter tail and bill than HOOR. Upper mandible of bill appeared slightly overgrown and it had gummed up eucalyptus on the lower bill base. Silent. Flew off with the SUTA. No chance at photos"
Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus) (1)
- Reported Jan 16, 2026 08:15 by Jeri Edwards
- James Way Oak Habitat, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.5952072&<ll...>,-120.5952072 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S294588848 - Comments: "I observed the female/immature male a few feet above my head with my binoculars but I wasn't carrying my camera. It was traveling in a very active mixed flock (chickadees, bushtits, titmice, Wilson's Warbler, orange crowned warbler), through the oaks, distinct pale yellow to white eye ring, two white wing bars, dusty olive/yellow back, white-ish belly. It was distinctly different than the other birds in the flock. I was able to follow it out to an oak at the TH along James Way, observed it some more in the tree until it flew across the road."
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