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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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Wandering Tattler (Tringa incana) (1)
- Reported Jan 18, 2026 07:49 by Morro Bay Bird Festival
- Bluff Trail--Montana de Oro SP, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8948396&<ll...>,-120.8948396 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S295078082 - Comments: "Bird in non-breeding plumage was solid gray above with white supercilium and eye-arcs, dark lores, dull white throat and belly, light gray breast and yellow legs. Bird observed resting on rock formation just above surf zone on south side of cove almost to west end of cliffs here - (35.27416, -120.8937)."
Wandering Tattler (Tringa incana) (1)
- Reported Jan 18, 2026 07:12 by Sophia Schafer-Wharton
- Villa Creek Road, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.9773589&<ll...>,-120.9773589 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S295069533 - Comments: "Seen on intertidal rocks near two gulls and a black turn stone (was able to help with size comparison). Mat grey colored with a white belly and medium length bill (over all a mid sized shoe bird in between the hull and turnstone)"
Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) (4)
- Reported Jan 18, 2026 07:45 by Russ Namitz
- Piedras Blancas Motel, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-121.2883166&<ll...>,-121.2883166 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S295016005 - Comments: "Two pair of small black & white alcids sitting on the water. Obvious Pair bond and strong mate, Fidelity, as individuals were swimming very close to each other in each pair. Dark caps, white faces, tiny bill , and upturned stubby tail."
Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) (4)
- Reported Jan 18, 2026 07:45 by Morro Bay Bird Festival
- Piedras Blancas Motel, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-121.2883166&<ll...>,-121.2883166 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S295061338 - Comments: "Two pair of small black & white alcids sitting on the water. Obvious Pair bond and strong mate, Fidelity, as individuals were swimming very close to each other in each pair. Dark caps, white faces, tiny bill , and upturned stubby tail."
Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) (4)
- Reported Jan 18, 2026 07:45 by Leisyka Parrott
- Piedras Blancas Motel, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-121.2883166&<ll...>,-121.2883166 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S295016006 - Comments: "Two pair of small black & white alcids sitting on the water. Obvious Pair bond and strong mate, Fidelity, as individuals were swimming very close to each other in each pair. Dark caps, white faces, tiny bill , and upturned stubby tail."
Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba) (1)
- Reported Jan 18, 2026 11:01 by Morro Bay Bird Festival
- Estero Bay pelagic--nearshore waters (SLO Co.), San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.9427955&<ll...>,-120.9427955 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S295072209 - Comments: "Medium size alcid with rounded head and pointed dark bill. Dark above including wings which had a messy white patch in the wing coverts and with white underparts. Photos to be added"
Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba) (1)
- Reported Jan 18, 2026 11:01 by Tom Edell
- Estero Bay pelagic--nearshore waters (SLO Co.), San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.9427955&<ll...>,-120.9427955 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S295065811 - Comments: "Medium size alcid with rounded head and pointed dark bill. Dark above including wings which had a messy white patch in the wing coverts and with white underparts. Photos to be added"
Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba) (1)
- Reported Jan 16, 2026 10:25 by Amanda Northrup
- Estero Bay pelagic--nearshore waters (SLO Co.), San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.9427955&<ll...>,-120.9427955 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S294992077 - Comments: "Curtis Marantz details: On our return toward port, I spotted this bird sitting on the water a short distance off the north end of the sandspit. We then circled the boat in an attempt to get better views, but the bird kept diving and traveling an extended distance underwater before resurfacing, which made it difficult to follow, and we soon lost track of it. I never saw this bird fly, but I did once see it raise up and flap its wings, showing the wing pattern from behind. Overall, my views were reasonable, but not exceptional and I managed to get a few mediocre photos along with several really bad ones.
This was a small to medium-sized alcid that stood out as both somewhat smaller than the murres that we had been seeing and different in shape from both the murres and auklets, but also noticeably larger than a murrelet. The bill was relatively slim and of medium length as it tapered from a base of medium depth to a pointed tip along a culmen that was weakly decurved. The forehead was moderately steep and the crown was rather strongly rounded, giving the head a dome-shaped appearance that was unlike that of either a murrelet or a murre. The head also appeared larger overall. The neck was relatively short, yet longer, and seemingly slimmer than that of a murrelet. The body saw higher on the water than that of a murrelet. I was unable to discern the structure of the closed wings, but when the bird flapped, they appeared to be of medium length, with broad bases, and rounded to weakly pointed tips. I cannot recall seeing the tail, and I never saw the belly, legs, or feet.
This was a rather boldly marked bird, with the head and upperparts mostly blackish, but the throat was white, and I think the foreneck was as well. I was less sure about the back and sides of the neck, but I thought they were probably dark like the head and back. I could see at least some white in the closed wing, but when the bird flapped, it exposed a relatively large panel of white across the secondary coverts on the upperwing, and one that had a conspicuous band of black through the middle, but I thought the reimages were dark. I also think the flanks were whitish, but I did not see them overly well, and could be wrong about this.
The bill was black and the eyes were sufficiently dark that they did not appear to contrast with the blackish plumage of the head. As noted above, I never saw the legs or feet."
Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba) (1)
- Reported Jan 16, 2026 10:25 by Mark Mushkat
- Estero Bay pelagic--nearshore waters (SLO Co.), San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.9427955&<ll...>,-120.9427955 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S294997585 - Comments: "Curtis Marantz details: On our return toward port, I spotted this bird sitting on the water a short distance off the north end of the sandspit. We then circled the boat in an attempt to get better views, but the bird kept diving and traveling an extended distance underwater before resurfacing, which made it difficult to follow, and we soon lost track of it. I never saw this bird fly, but I did once see it raise up and flap its wings, showing the wing pattern from behind. Overall, my views were reasonable, but not exceptional and I managed to get a few mediocre photos along with several really bad ones.
This was a small to medium-sized alcid that stood out as both somewhat smaller than the murres that we had been seeing and different in shape from both the murres and auklets, but also noticeably larger than a murrelet. The bill was relatively slim and of medium length as it tapered from a base of medium depth to a pointed tip along a culmen that was weakly decurved. The forehead was moderately steep and the crown was rather strongly rounded, giving the head a dome-shaped appearance that was unlike that of either a murrelet or a murre. The head also appeared larger overall. The neck was relatively short, yet longer, and seemingly slimmer than that of a murrelet. The body saw higher on the water than that of a murrelet. I was unable to discern the structure of the closed wings, but when the bird flapped, they appeared to be of medium length, with broad bases, and rounded to weakly pointed tips. I cannot recall seeing the tail, and I never saw the belly, legs, or feet.
This was a rather boldly marked bird, with the head and upperparts mostly blackish, but the throat was white, and I think the foreneck was as well. I was less sure about the back and sides of the neck, but I thought they were probably dark like the head and back. I could see at least some white in the closed wing, but when the bird flapped, it exposed a relatively large panel of white across the secondary coverts on the upperwing, and one that had a conspicuous band of black through the middle, but I thought the reimages were dark. I also think the flanks were whitish, but I did not see them overly well, and could be wrong about this.
The bill was black and the eyes were sufficiently dark that they did not appear to contrast with the blackish plumage of the head. As noted above, I never saw the legs or feet."
Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba) (1)
- Reported Jan 17, 2026 09:30 by Tracey Krill
- 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/S294955058 - Comments: "Continuing bird seen just inside in Morro Bay Harbor mouth. No breeding immature plumage. Both observers saw with binoculars but dove before photos. Tour continued before it came up."
Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba) (1)
- Reported Jan 17, 2026 09:33 by Laurel S Luby
- 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/S294834487 - Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Seen in the bay by Morro Rock constantly diving. Black and white smudgy upper body, white underparts. Blackish head with white. Black bill. Not great photos as shooting into the sun."
Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba) (1)
- Reported Jan 17, 2026 09:33 by Tom Beland
- 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/S294836554 - Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Seen in the bay by Morro Rock constantly diving. Black and white smudgy upper body, white underparts. Blackish head with white. Black bill. Not great photos as shooting into the sun."
Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba) (1)
- Reported Jan 17, 2026 08:30 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/S294848273 - Media: 3 Photos
- 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 Lola Ross
- 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/S294835368 - Media: 3 Photos
- 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 Jane Hetherington-Rauth
- 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/S294837729 - Media: 3 Photos
- 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 Joan Ling-Zwissler
- 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/S295075769 - Media: 3 Photos
- 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 Kimberly Butts
- 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/S294852450 - Media: 3 Photos
- 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 Andrew Sensenig
- 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/S295075233 - Media: 3 Photos
- 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"
Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus) (2)
- Reported Jan 18, 2026 07:12 by Sophia Schafer-Wharton
- Villa Creek Road, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.9773589&<ll...>,-120.9773589 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S295069533 - Comments: "Seen at Villa Creek out at sea, very far out. Seen briefly in the spotting scope but had distinctive head and bill shapes with white underparts, while the rest was black and grey"
Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) (1)
- Reported Jan 16, 2026 07:27 by Morro Bay Bird Festival
- Estero Bay pelagic--nearshore waters (SLO Co.), San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.9427955&<ll...>,-120.9427955 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S295061309 - Comments: "Curtis Marantz details: My understanding was that this bird was initially spotted from the stern by Edell, after which we were able to get reasonable views of it on the water in good light before we continued on our way. Complicating matters to a degree was that this bird would dive and come up some distance away, but we never saw it take flight or even to flap its wings. I studied this bird only briefly, but managed to get a few reasonable photos, and even my views in the field were more than sufficient to identify the bird with confidence.
This was a relatively large grebe that seemed larger than a Rhinoceros Auklet, yet it was noticeably smaller than a nearby Western Gull that was sitting on the water. It was also a rather slim bird with a dagger-like bill that tapered from a base of medium depth to a pointed tip along a culmen that was straight to subtly decurved. The forehead was sloping and the crown had a somewhat flattened appearance back to a sharp junction with the nape, from which the back of the neck extended almost straight downward to the back. I further thought this bird’s head was larger overall than that of an Aechmophorus grebe, and also that the medium-length neck was stouter throughout its length than those of either an Aechmophorus or an Eared Grebe. The body was elongate and sitting low on the water, but I was too far away to see the structure of the closed wings or if the bird had a tail, and I never saw the belly, legs or feet.
My views were likewise sufficient only to see the overall patterns. But not the finer details of the plumage. The forehead and crown were sooty to dull blackish, and contrasting with lighter gray and whitish in the auriculars and the side of the neck immediately behind, but I cannot now recall if the white hooked upward behind the auriculars. I further think the throat was whitish, but the front and sides of the neck were a dull, reddish-brown in color, and the body appeared to be rather dark. I cannot recall if the flanks were paler than the back or even if I ever saw the undertail coverts. I noted quite clearly that the bill was mostly yellow in color, though I thought the culmen was dark. The eyes were probably dark, but I doubt I could be sure about their precise coloration, and as noted above, I never saw the legs or feet. Photos to be added."
Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) (1)
- Reported Jan 16, 2026 07:27 by Tom Edell
- Estero Bay pelagic--nearshore waters (SLO Co.), San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.9427955&<ll...>,-120.9427955 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S294562876 - Comments: "Curtis Marantz details: My understanding was that this bird was initially spotted from the stern by Edell, after which we were able to get reasonable views of it on the water in good light before we continued on our way. Complicating matters to a degree was that this bird would dive and come up some distance away, but we never saw it take flight or even to flap its wings. I studied this bird only briefly, but managed to get a few reasonable photos, and even my views in the field were more than sufficient to identify the bird with confidence.
This was a relatively large grebe that seemed larger than a Rhinoceros Auklet, yet it was noticeably smaller than a nearby Western Gull that was sitting on the water. It was also a rather slim bird with a dagger-like bill that tapered from a base of medium depth to a pointed tip along a culmen that was straight to subtly decurved. The forehead was sloping and the crown had a somewhat flattened appearance back to a sharp junction with the nape, from which the back of the neck extended almost straight downward to the back. I further thought this bird’s head was larger overall than that of an Aechmophorus grebe, and also that the medium-length neck was stouter throughout its length than those of either an Aechmophorus or an Eared Grebe. The body was elongate and sitting low on the water, but I was too far away to see the structure of the closed wings or if the bird had a tail, and I never saw the belly, legs or feet.
My views were likewise sufficient only to see the overall patterns. But not the finer details of the plumage. The forehead and crown were sooty to dull blackish, and contrasting with lighter gray and whitish in the auriculars and the side of the neck immediately behind, but I cannot now recall if the white hooked upward behind the auriculars. I further think the throat was whitish, but the front and sides of the neck were a dull, reddish-brown in color, and the body appeared to be rather dark. I cannot recall if the flanks were paler than the back or even if I ever saw the undertail coverts. I noted quite clearly that the bill was mostly yellow in color, though I thought the culmen was dark. The eyes were probably dark, but I doubt I could be sure about their precise coloration, and as noted above, I never saw the legs or feet. Photos to be added."
Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) (1)
- Reported Jan 18, 2026 08:37 by Nick & Jane
- 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/S295020350 - Media: 4 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing juvenile here: 35.10879° N, 120.62768° W. Dark bill, various brown and brown-grey streaky tones. Some little white triangles on wings. Well hidden. Spotted from across lake with back turned—found a little spot for a nice side view. Photos"
California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) (4)
- Reported Jan 17, 2026 10:27 by Bob Meads
- San Simeon Creek Road, 5.7 miles from Hwy 1, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-121.052368&<ll...>,-121.052368 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S294846863 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Four adults soaring together overhead, often with a single Turkey Vulture, which allowed for a great opportunity to observe the huge difference in overall size between the two species. Massive vulture with white underwing patches and steady flight."
California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) (4)
- Reported Jan 17, 2026 10:27 by Van Pierszalowski
- San Simeon Creek Road, 5.7 miles from Hwy 1, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-121.052368&<ll...>,-121.052368 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S294844546 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Four adults soaring together overhead, often with a single Turkey Vulture, which allowed for a great opportunity to observe the huge difference in overall size between the two species. Massive vulture with white underwing patches and steady flight."
California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) (4)
- Reported Jan 17, 2026 10:27 by Amanda Gaskin
- San Simeon Creek Road, 5.7 miles from Hwy 1, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-121.052368&<ll...>,-121.052368 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S294846577 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Four adults soaring together overhead, often with a single Turkey Vulture, which allowed for a great opportunity to observe the huge difference in overall size between the two species. Massive vulture with white underwing patches and steady flight."
California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) (4)
- Reported Jan 17, 2026 10:27 by Jeff Manker
- San Simeon Creek Road, 5.7 miles from Hwy 1, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-121.052368&<ll...>,-121.052368 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S294846835 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Four adults soaring together overhead, often with a single Turkey Vulture, which allowed for a great opportunity to observe the huge difference in overall size between the two species. Massive vulture with white underwing patches and steady flight."
California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) (4)
- Reported Jan 17, 2026 10:27 by Michelle Muir
- San Simeon Creek Road, 5.7 miles from Hwy 1, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-121.052368&<ll...>,-121.052368 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S294909787 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Four adults soaring together overhead, often with a single Turkey Vulture, which allowed for a great opportunity to observe the huge difference in overall size between the two species. Massive vulture with white underwing patches and steady flight."
California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) (4)
- Reported Jan 17, 2026 10:27 by Morro Bay Bird Festival
- San Simeon Creek Road, 5.7 miles from Hwy 1, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-121.052368&<ll...>,-121.052368 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S294914038 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Four adults soaring together overhead, often with a single Turkey Vulture, which allowed for a great opportunity to observe the huge difference in overall size between the two species. Massive vulture with white underwing patches and steady flight."
California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) (1)
- Reported Jan 18, 2026 07:12 by Sophia Schafer-Wharton
- Villa Creek Road, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.9773589&<ll...>,-120.9773589 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S295069533 - Comments: "Seen in far distance on the top of a mountain - perched and saw just after others had reported seeing some flying nearby. Was very large, had distinctive white patches on back and also a tag."
