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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 Mar 29, 2026 10:02 by Robbie & Bob Revel
- 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/S314557221 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing female - Large sea duck with sturdy build was nearly all brown except for dark barring on breast, white arm-pits, limited white on underwing and black sloping bill. Observed swimming about .25mi north of oyster farm before taking flight east to mudflat to loaf with a growing flock of Double-created cormorants. All aboard treated to exciting views of the duck on the water and tasking flight."
King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Mar 29, 2026 10:02 by Judy G
- 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/S314613249 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing female - Large sea duck with sturdy build was nearly all brown except for dark barring on breast, white arm-pits, limited white on underwing and black sloping bill. Observed swimming about .25mi north of oyster farm before taking flight east to mudflat to loaf with a growing flock of Double-created cormorants. All aboard treated to exciting views of the duck on the water and tasking flight."
King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Mar 29, 2026 10:02 by Mark Mushkat
- 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/S314599548 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing female - Large sea duck with sturdy build was nearly all brown except for dark barring on breast, white arm-pits, limited white on underwing and black sloping bill. Observed swimming about .25mi north of oyster farm before taking flight east to mudflat to loaf with a growing flock of Double-created cormorants. All aboard treated to exciting views of the duck on the water and tasking flight."
King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Mar 29, 2026 10:02 by Pair of Wing-Nuts
- 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/S314516099 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing female - Large sea duck with sturdy build was nearly all brown except for dark barring on breast, white arm-pits, limited white on underwing and black sloping bill. Observed swimming about .25mi north of oyster farm before taking flight east to mudflat to loaf with a growing flock of Double-created cormorants. All aboard treated to exciting views of the duck on the water and taking flight."
King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Mar 29, 2026 10:02 by Brenda Linfield
- 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/S314567810 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing female - Large sea duck with sturdy build was nearly all brown except for dark barring on breast, white arm-pits, limited white on underwing and black sloping bill. Observed swimming about .25mi north of oyster farm before taking flight east to mudflat to loaf with a growing flock of Double-created cormorants. All aboard treated to exciting views of the duck on the water and tasking flight."
King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Mar 29, 2026 10:02 by Steve Acheff
- 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/S314565432 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing female - Large sea duck with sturdy build was nearly all brown except for dark barring on breast, white arm-pits, limited white on underwing and black sloping bill. Observed swimming about .25mi north of oyster farm before taking flight east to mudflat to loaf with a growing flock of Double-created cormorants. All aboard treated to exciting views of the duck on the water and tasking flight."
King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Mar 29, 2026 10:02 by Lisa Ankenbrandt
- 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/S314564202 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing female - Large sea duck with sturdy build was nearly all brown except for dark barring on breast, white arm-pits, limited white on underwing and black sloping bill. Observed swimming about .25mi north of oyster farm before taking flight east to mudflat to loaf with a growing flock of Double-created cormorants. All aboard treated to exciting views of the duck on the water and tasking flight."
King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Mar 29, 2026 10:02 by Jaimie Bruzenak
- 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/S314563323 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing female - Large sea duck with sturdy build was nearly all brown except for dark barring on breast, white arm-pits, limited white on underwing and black sloping bill. Observed swimming about .25mi north of oyster farm before taking flight east to mudflat to loaf with a growing flock of Double-created cormorants. All aboard treated to exciting views of the duck on the water and tasking flight."
Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Mar 28, 2026 17:03 by Pair of Wing-Nuts
- San Simeon Creek Mouth/Beach, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-121.1267052&<ll...>,-121.1267052 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S314330180 - Media: 4 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing wintering small sea duck (Reef Comer 12.01.25) showed mostly brown plumage with gray/brown scapulars, white belly, white on lower neck, face and flanks, brown eye and crown strip and shorter bill that was greenish/blue at base and gray blue to tip with dark black nail."
Western x Clark's Grebe (hybrid) (Aechmophorus occidentalis x clarkii) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Mar 27, 2026 08:44 by Mike Bush
- Santa Margarita Lake, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.4874811&<ll...>,-120.4874811 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S314624095 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Photos and Notes by KH
*Rare. Seen while sorting through a raft of grebes here: (35.323208, -120.453683). There may have been a 1-2 more hybrids in the same raft as this one but they quickly dove when the raft was flushed by a passing boat (not us). It is also worth noting that we did see ~4 mixed grebe species pairs on the lake today.
This Aechmophorus grebe was mostly like Clark’s (having the orangey bill and paler flanks of that species), but also had somewhat of a thicker hind neck stripe that is more typical of Western. Most striking, however, was that the dark hood extended down below and completely encompassed the eye, extending into a point nearly connecting to the bill gape.
This bird did not appear to be paired up like most grebes were/are at this point. We studied this bird for about a minute at a reasonably close distance before a passing boat flushed the raft. MB and I were able to get photos."
Western x Clark's Grebe (hybrid) (Aechmophorus occidentalis x clarkii) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Mar 27, 2026 08:44 by Debbie Jo Bird
- Santa Margarita Lake, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.4874811&<ll...>,-120.4874811 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S314704894 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Photos and Notes by KH
*Rare. Seen while sorting through a raft of grebes here: (35.323208, -120.453683). There may have been a 1-2 more hybrids in the same raft as this one but they quickly dove when the raft was flushed by a passing boat (not us). It is also worth noting that we did see ~4 mixed grebe species pairs on the lake today.
This Aechmophorus grebe was mostly like Clark’s (having the orangey bill and paler flanks of that species), but also had somewhat of a thicker hind neck stripe that is more typical of Western. Most striking, however, was that the dark hood extended down below and completely encompassed the eye, extending into a point nearly connecting to the bill gape.
This bird did not appear to be paired up like most grebes were/are at this point. We studied this bird for about a minute at a reasonably close distance before a passing boat flushed the raft. MB and I were able to get photos."
Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) (1)
- Reported Mar 28, 2026 09:15 by Stephen Peterson
- 35.658727°; -120.489287°, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.4892931&<ll...>,-120.4892931 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S314466511 - Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Observed what appeared to be a light morph SWHA on an active nest in valley oak on the south side of CA Hwy 46 E from a viewing vantage point at approximately 35.658727°; -120.489287° . A light morph adult was reported by Will Knowlton on March 25 in this general location. I believe that this may be the same individual. Was able to observe a single hawk on nest from about 950 ft away. Heat haze made ID difficult. I thought that this just might be a very light looking RTHA, but the bird did not move much,other than to stand for a few minutes and then get down into an incubation position. I have attached a few photos that show the nest site and hawk sitting on the nest. No other hawks were observed in the immediate area of this line of oak trees. I would be happy for any feedback on this siting. It also seems a bit early for SWHA to be incubating if this is indeed a SWHA nest. I observed another two SWHA individuals (ID confirmed with photos; see other report) defending a territory from RTHA and displaying aerial courtship behavior approximately 2 miles east of this area."
Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) (2) CONFIRMED
- Reported Mar 28, 2026 10:45 by Stephen Peterson
- 35.659221; -120.448315 - Shandon Rd, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.448315&<ll...>,-120.448315 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S314477849 - Media: 6 Photos
- Comments: "In same general location as first reported by Will Knowlton on Mar 26. I initially sat on Shandon Rd, south of CA 46 E to observe large oak trees to the south, where I could make out what appeared to be a nest structure near the top in the tallest oak, but saw no hawks. After about 15 minutes, a couple of RTHA approached high above the suspected nest tree and then I observed two adult SWHA fly in from the north side of CA 46 E and attack the two RTHA, displaying a territory response. There was a little back and forth chasing between the species, but the RTHA eventually flew off to the south. The SWHA pair were then observed soaring over the hills north of CA 46 E, displaying courtship behavior with stooping dives, talons out towards each other (although no locking), and calling. Photos attached."
Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Mar 27, 2026 08:44 by Mike Bush
- Santa Margarita Lake, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.4874811&<ll...>,-120.4874811 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S314624095 - Comments: "Notes by KH
*Early, but not that unexpected as it has thus far been a good early spring for this and some other species. This unseen bird was heard briefly from the boat giving several typical burry “ka-brick” calls from here: (35.322242, -120.446106). I am not sure whether or not others were able to hear this bird; a nearby thrasher singing at the same time did not help. No photos or audio recordings were attempted."
Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Mar 27, 2026 08:44 by Debbie Jo Bird
- Santa Margarita Lake, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.4874811&<ll...>,-120.4874811 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S314704894 - Comments: "Notes by KH
*Early, but not that unexpected as it has thus far been a good early spring for this and some other species. This unseen bird was heard briefly from the boat giving several typical burry “ka-brick” calls from here: (35.322242, -120.446106). I am not sure whether or not others were able to hear this bird; a nearby thrasher singing at the same time did not help. No photos or audio recordings were attempted."
Hermit Warbler (Setophaga occidentalis) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Mar 27, 2026 08:44 by Debbie Jo Bird
- Santa Margarita Lake, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.4874811&<ll...>,-120.4874811 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S314704894 - Comments: "Early, though not overly surprising given what has thus far been an early spring for this and several other species.
I (KH) first noticed this bird upon hearing an interesting song emanating from a small stand of pines from the boat as we were slowly moving along the lake edge around here: (35.325050, -120.456180). The song was similar to Townsend’s to my ear, but clearly less buzzy with more of a ringing quality, etc.
My view of this bird was brief and not very good, but I was able to see what appeared to be a small grayish warbler with wing bars and what appeared to probably be a yellow face lacking a dark cheek patch (not seen overly well), a definite pale breast lacking any yellow color below the throat, pale flanks lacking any sort of streaking, and white outer tail feathers. This bird did appear to have a good amount of black in the throat (and was singing) indicating a male, but I was unable to see the extent of black in the throat and whether or not there were dark centers or molt limits in the median secondary wing coverts so I am not sure whether it was a SY or ASY bird.
Almost immediately upon locating the bird in the small stand of pines it flew to an adjacent Oak before flying back and out of sight. I believe one or two people may have heard the bird singing but I believe I was the only person to see the bird, unfortunately. No photos were attempted and we did not linger."
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