---------------------------------------------
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.
Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Feb 03, 2026 14:26 by Alistair Skinner
- Soda Lake Road, Santa Margarita, California, US (35.218, -119.897), San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.8971246&<ll...>,-119.8971246 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S297984026 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing, found last month by Russ N at this location.
Appeared as whitish hawk with dark "square" patches on front of wings, dark trailing edges and dark tail band. Seen hovering, stooping and flying. Flew back behind the hills but re-appeared again later. Photos. 35.217742,-119.897121"
Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) (2)
- Reported Feb 04, 2026 10:26 by Nick & Jane
- South Hills Open Space, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6626067&<ll...>,-120.6626067 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S298120216 - Media: 6 Photos
- Comments: "Two seen. Last month I checked the same area and came up empty. That day I walked from the trailhead at exposition all the way to the south side of the hills. Today I went as far as the boardwalk on the north side when westward up the hill I spotted one on a rock and one in a shrub—about two feet and some change from each other. I was able to get a little closer but the birds hid and would only dart out of the grass short distances. They were distinguishable from savannahs when they flew as they had a different flight pattern and overall duller and cleaner look to their plumage when flying. I did manage a couple poor distant photos of them perching and flying. Both had a buffy clean look to their faces, and had yellowy patches above their lores—though one seemed to have more grey on the face. And they had brown crowns, though I couldn’t make out any pale medial stripes. The eyes appeared huge from white eyerings. Their undersides were creamy and not streaky like savannahs, though each had a little buffy wash on their chests. Their backs had heavy scale-streak patterns of brown, white, grey and rufous. The tails were short and brown with some white outer feathers seen in flight. Will post a few pics."
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Feb 04, 2026 08:25 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/S298117920 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Continuing well-documented female. Again in a sycamore in eastern park along creek. Seen low and then fairly high in canopy. Didn’t chase her very far. Poor pic that reveals her pale throat, sleek shape, and overall black-and-white plumage. This is my fifth sighting of this wintering bird that has been around since 2025."
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/
