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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 22, 2026 10:41 by Nick & Jane
- 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/S295704217 - Media: 1 Video, 8 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing since 2025 though this is only my second sighting of the bird. I’d already planned to come search again since narrowly missing the bird yesterday, having left just before TE scoped it from Marina-Boardwalk. I’d already planned on heading to this area when a friend notified me the bird was being seen. When I arrived the tidewaters were higher than I expected and I couldn’t locate the bird. The same friend mentioned scoping from the location of an empty parcel from where the bird had been seen amid floats and poles (35°19'54.7"N 120°50'33.0"W). After a few minutes, the bird came swimming into view alongside some white floats, poles and bags. It then submerged but I soon found it sitting upon floats in another section. The bird didn’t seem satisfied where it perched so got back in the water, swam briefly then took flight (last I’d seen it was missing flight feathers—but they’ve since grown back). The bird flew westward low over the water and out of view, homes blocking any further view. I waited a little while to see if it might return. Seemed headed to its other favorite spot amid the estuary channels. The bird was large and dark amid the floats and poles. It was all brown—couldn’t see any scaling detail—and its tail was angled slightly upward. The head was blocky and angular and its eye had a pale patch surrounding that connected faintly to a downward arching pale cheek contour line. Its bill was black and small with a smiling shape at the base. Photos, including a terrible one where I tried to snap it flying but only managed part of a head and wing hahaha."
King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) (1)
- Reported Jan 22, 2026 09:36 by Pair of Wing-Nuts
- 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/S295705465 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Continuing female, located near where Tom Edell reported the bird yesterday, was darker brown on back with lighter brown head and neck, long, sloping dark bill and pale line curving from back of eye down along side of neck. The bird was observed resting on a small wooden platform just behind west end of the oyster farm rigging closest to beach point. Beach can be accessed from the south at Pasadena Park."
Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) (4) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 18, 2026 07:45 by Irene Wotta
- 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/S295681134 - Media: 3 Photos
- 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) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 16, 2026 10:25 by Mary Wussow
- 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/S295660617 - 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 Lisa Jansen
- 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/S295693289 - 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."
Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 16, 2026 08:54 by Marie Delahaye
- 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/S295679965 - Media: 4 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."
Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 16, 2026 07:27 by Mary Wussow
- 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/S295660899 - 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 Jansen
- 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/S295693365 - 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."
Least Bittern (Botaurus exilis) (1)
- Reported Jan 22, 2026 09:13 by Nick & Jane
- 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/S295693529 - Comments: "Continuing from last year. Calling “kaaakakakakakak!” The call was distant but clear. Wasn’t in close reeds as in the past. Seemed a bit northeast of me in the reeds along the lake, or possibly in the creek channel. Only called once. Waited a while to see if it would call again."
Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) (1)
- Reported Jan 22, 2026 12:10 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/S295747191 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing juvenile. Today a single one was resting on a small Monterey Cypress by the last boat ramp.
We have been observing this species since early September. We 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. On 10/2/25 we observed two juveniles. On 10/7/25 and 10/8/25 we observed a single juvenile here. On 10/13/25 and 10/14/25 we again observed two individuals. On 10/23/25 we saw just a single one. On 10/24/25 and 10/29/25 we saw two. After that date we only saw a single one: 11/8/25, 11/12/25, 11/14/25, 11/16/25, 11/26/25, 12/11/25, 12/16/25, 12/21/25, 12/26/25, 1/1/26, and 1/8/26.
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."
very familiar with this bird as it nested in my Michigan yard every year I was there for 36 years, but I was excited to get it again out of range here. I quietly hung out at stake out spot but was kind of early as one friend suggested trying midday, and it was at first cool and quiet. after 40 minutes every bird in the area was going...except catbird. i eventually checked in with reliable sources and moved and picked up bird immediately on approach to a different 50 yards nearby coffee berry bush that was chuck full of ripe fruit and just off trail. The bushes I'd targeted earlier were thick as can be thickets but had only a few berries and very few were ripe. Almost at the moment I spotted the loaded bush I saw the catbird out in the open (slate gray, longer tailed, medium size ala mockingbird) but it dropped too fast to discern black cap or rufous undertail coverts, it was eating fruit and it saw me and dove down and gave a short raspy mew call in confirmation."
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