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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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King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 17, 2026 09:30 by John Flaherty
- Morro Bay Estuary (use more specific location(s) when possible), San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8501072&<ll...>,-120.8501072 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S294769948 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Female solo king eider seen on edge of salt marsh. Largish duck with mottled plumage, scalloped flanks. Only Eider species ever reported in our area. We also saw one here late summer 2025 and I did get a picture of that one. It is identical to the one I saw Jan 17 2026. Photo of late summer 2025 bird attached. Sadly, no photo of Jan 17 2026 sighting."
King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 21, 2026 10:06 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/S295550850 - Comments: "I'd been looking for the bird in the old Chorro Creek channel and before leaving scoped the southern most oyster farm floats. There I saw a large brown duck with a sloped forehead and dark bill. I suspected this was the female King Eider and left to drive to Pasadena Ave at Baywood Park for a closer look. See my checklist from there for distant photos. https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/checklist/S295550834"
King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 21, 2026 12:25 by Tom Edell
- Pasadena Drive (35.331, -120.843), San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8428043&<ll...>,-120.8428043 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S295550834 - Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Female first seen resting on an float in the southern most oyster farm. Distant scope view was better than photos show, but still too distant to see any detail other than the size and shape. This is presumed to be the same bird seen at the same location in Aug and Oct 2025 and along the Morro Bay Sandspit in Dec 2025. Views today showed a brown duck with a black bill that continued the long down slope look from the forehead. With my scope I could see a pale line that extended back and down from the eye. The bird was mostly turned away from me when in view. I first scoped this bird at the oyster farm from the Morro Bay State Park Marina boardwalk and then drove to this location for a closer view. (photos)"
Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 20, 2026 12:40 by Petra Clayton
- Arroyo Grande: Cypress Ridge Golf Course, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.5764117&<ll...>,-120.5764117 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S295428186 - Media: 1 Video, 7 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing since 12/1/25 (Ann Stockert). Returned for third winter.
Gun-metal gray body; brown mantle; dark gray crown and neck; white-edged flanks; short tail with white edges; maroon-colored "shield" and bill with yellow tip; dark eye."
Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 18, 2026 11:01 by Patricia Mahoney
- 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/S295541726 - 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 were taken."
Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 18, 2026 11:01 by Lisa Mattson
- 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/S295513803 - 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 were taken."
Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 18, 2026 11:01 by Scott Ferguson
- 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/S295578923 - 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 were taken."
Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 16, 2026 10:25 by Lisa Mattson
- 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/S295513352 - 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) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 16, 2026 10:25 by Anonymous eBirder
- 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/S295541366 - 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) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 19, 2026 09:09 by Janna Gaston
- 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/S295584266 - Comments: "Previously reported bird, medium sized dark bird with white mottling on back white belly and no distinct markings on the face. Bird was feeding in the channel near buoy 6. Pictures taken."
Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 16, 2026 07:27 by Anonymous eBirder
- 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/S295541713 - 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) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 16, 2026 07:27 by Lisa Mattson
- 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/S295513681 - 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) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 20, 2026 10:40 by Petra Clayton
- 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/S295427645 - Media: 4 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing juvenile since 10/12/2025 (Will Knowlton)
Dark, stout bill with yellow feathers at the base of the lower mandible; small white triangular spots on the covert feathers; long legs."
Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 21, 2026 07:55 by Nick & Jane
- 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/S295554324 - Media: 1 Video, 6 Photos
- Comments: "This bird was perched on a tree on the north creek bank when I arrived, then flew into some ochre reeds on the south bank where it has been seen multiple times just east of footbridge. While in tree it let out some chucks and soft song snippets. Continuing small mostly yellow oriole with white wingbars, grey wings and small downcurved silver bill. Shortish tail. About the size of a large warbler. Photos"
Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 20, 2026 10:40 by Petra Clayton
- 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/S295427645 - Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Most recent confirmed eBird report of this species at this eBird hotspot: 9/11/2023.
Possibly continuing species reported on eBird by Morro Bay Festival group on 1/17/26: "Best seen by KH."
Smaller overall than a Hooded Oriole with a shorter bill and a shorter tail.
Olive-green head, back and tail; yellow underparts and side of the neck; brownish wings with faint white wingbars; black chin and throat indicating a second year male; fairly straight, sharply pointed bill, shorter and less decurved than that of a Hooded Oriole. --- Towards the end of the boardwalk along the west side of the lagoon."
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